The Industry in Canada.
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
During the past fortnight I have visited the principal motor firms and agencies in Toronto. Things are generally quiet in the truck departments, with the exception of the Ford and similar light-van builders who are doing their share to "keep the wheels of industry turning" in Canada.
At the time of writing my last letter (part of which appeared in your issue for 17th September, p. 47), details of any movements, in connection with Canada's contingent for the Front, were very difficult to obtain. I am sorry I was misinformed regarding the four Packard trucks which I stated were for the Front ; these were of 2-ton capacity, not of 5-ton as I stated.
Trucks for the Canadian Contingent.
As soon as war was declared between Great Britain and Germany, the Militia Department of the Canadian Government immediately commenced devising ways and means of assisting the Mother Country in the crisis. The minute the expected call for assistance was received, the Department at once supplied itself with a fleet of motor trucks, the idea being to have these machines accompany the first Canadian contingent abroad.
The Militia Department left the details of the pur_ chase in charge of Mr. T. A. Russell, of the Russell Motor Car Co., and the following well-known manufacturers received orders for trucks, all of 2-ton capacity: Packard Co. 4; The White Co., Cleveland 5; Russell Motor Car Co. B; Gramm Co., Walkerville, 4; Reo Co. 4--25 in all.
Quick White Deliveries.
A stipulation on these orders was quick delivery. How quickly it was accomplished is illustrated in at feast one instance. The White Co. received its orders on a Sunday at 2.30 o'clock, on the following Tuesday the five trucks were in Canada and on their way to Yaleartier, where the mobilization of the Canadian contingent took place.
A Gift of 14 Armoured Cars
As instances of the patriotic munificence of private individuals, one might cite the cases of Mr. Foss, a Montreal financier, and Mr. J. C. Eaton, of Toronto. At an enormous expense the former of these gentlemen has placed an order for 14 armoured motorcars for use in the Army.. The order specifies that engines and chassis are to be the same as those used in certain well-known touring cars, some to be fitted with truck bodies, .others to retain the front seats of the touring cars and to have platforms for equipment with rapid-firing guns ; yet others are to be of the regular type of touring car for the use of officers.
—And One of a Motor Artillery Cops.
Mr. J. C. Eaton's most generous donation is of $100,000, to be used in equipping a Canadian motor artillery corps. He has not specified of what this is to consist. There is no doubt, however, that this Canadian corps will be efficient in every respect.
Finding the Drivers.
So much for the donations of the Canadian Government and individuals as regards motor vehicles for military use up to the time of the departure of the first contingent. When it wa.s seen that motorcars were to be well represented in the Canadian contingent, the question arose as to who were going to operate them. The Toronto Chauffeurs' Protective Association solved the problem by sending notices to all professional chauffeurs, acquainting them of the country's need, and in response 410 applications were received from men for enlistment. No doubt those men not accepted for the first contingent may yet have a chance of joining the second, which, I understand, is to be formed at an early date.
The agents in Toronto for a well-known, highpriced, American car, shipped 40 cars to England from Toronto last week, so Canada is certainly having a share of the business.
Toronto's Proposed Bus Services.
The motorbus situation in Toronto does not seem to make much headway. Commissioner. Harris'-s long-looked-for report on the proposed operation of motorbuses in the City of Toronto was presented to the Board of Control of that city recently, and it was decided to submit a by-law to the people in October, asking authority for an appropriation of $150,000 to provide for a partial system to test its merits.
A Fire Brigade Demonstration.
The Fire Chiefs of Western Canada held their annual convention in Regina during the last week of July. An interesting feature of the programme was the demonstration of the use of fire-lighting equipment given by the Regina Brigade. The provincial Fire Commissioner, R. J. McLean, delivered an address dealing with the relationship between fire prevention and fire protection.