Utility Motors in France.
Page 13
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From Our Correspondent in Paris.
Bookings for the pleasure-car salon are already numerous ; no information is yet given re the heavy " show.
Motorcab Tax.
The French Inland Revenue authorities have decided to tax motorcabs, not on their average horse-power, but on the maximum. Thus, a iz-18h.p. cab would be taxed on t8h.p., and not on 15h.p. As the omnipotent " fiscal " will tolerate no "averaging," the suggestion is made that makers should resort to their old custom of delivering certificates specifying the actual power of their motors.
Paris and the Road Congress.
The Paris Municipal Council has decided to give an official reception at the Hotel de Ville to the delegates of the International Road Congress on the 12th October. The President of the Council, M. A. Cheriout, is honorary chairman of the Organising Commit: tee. The Council has voted a sum of 4-320 for the Congress, and it will take an important part in the concurrent exhibition and other functions.
A Debacle?
The apathy with which French motor makers are viewing the first international agricultural motor exhibition, to be held at Bourges, from 24th September to 4th October next, has incited the organisers of that event to open a number of what may be termed side competitions which, it is hoped, will induce the representatives of the industry at home to make a good show in face of the threatened overwhelming foreign invasion. The most important of these contests are : (i) for agricultural motors and. tractors ; (2) for other agricultural motor vehicles; and (3) for fire appliances. The entry list closes on the xsth instant, and the executive committee makes an urgent appeal for immediate applications for stands.
Agricultural Motors.
I have an previous occasions drawn attention to the fact that France, as a country where agriculture is pursued on the most scientific lines, offers one of the best markets in Europe for the sale of agricultural motor implements, machines, and tractors. That English makers mare than those of any country, not excepting the French themselves, have realised this and have acted accordingly is made manifest by a report just issued by M. Andre. Castelin, of the Societe d'Etudes des Applications de l'Automobilisme A l'Agriculture. From this report the following salient facts and views may be extracted It is not without reason that we must proceed to defend our industry against the competition of foreign producers, who are assisted by the large capital sums at their disposal. Under the heading of exports, the British Board of Trade .returns show that portable motors of a value of .4"1,208,760 were sent to France .in-1902. In .1903
the exports increased to .2,033,480, and in 1904 to 4.2,840,000. Of these motors a large proportion were for agricultural purposes. Our imports of agricultural machinery from all C0110tries have been more than doubled in the past five years. In 1902 they amounted to 20 million francs; last year they were 43 millions."
Motorcabs in Paris.
A further 200 motorcabs have been ordered by the Paris Compagnie Generale des Voitures Automobiles. These new vehicles, some of which are already running on the Paris streets, have been christened "La Parisienne" ; they differ from the earlier ones plying for hire, in that the place by the driver's seat is not used for seating accommodation, but is reserved for luggage. The "Parisienne" motorcabs are fitted with 811.p. mono-cylindric De Dion motor and M. et B. bearings, gearing, etc. The new vehicles are being run at a reduced tariff. It is interesting to note that, in the recent French commercial vehicle trials, an 8h.p. De Dion motor was employed to propel an omnibus for 7 persons; another was fitted to a lorry of r,soo kilogrammes which took 'part in the trials. The zoo " Parisienne " cabs will be shod with Gaulois tires, made by M.M. Bergougnan et Cie., of C lerm-ont-Ferrand.
Lesson in Working Costs.
MM. Felix Potin, who own the largest grocery stores in Paris, have succeeded in effecting an appreciable economy in their transport account since they adopted motor vehicles, now several years ago.
During 13 months, the period for which their carefully-compiled returns are made, Potin's used their motor lorries and vans for 1,508 working days. For average loads of 1,600 kilogrammes, the daily running costs, including repairs and allowing for rest days, amounted to 34 fcs. 45 centimes. These vehicles have been working for two, three, and four years ; at the outset, drivers had to overcome the difficulties of their new etnplorment, and
allowance is made in the above figure for depreciation over five years—these facts are pointed out to show that with new material the costs would be much less, even as low as 22 francs, it is maintained.
Potin's lorries and vans are used for carrying comestibles from the warehouses at Le Villette to the branch establishments in the Rue de Rennes, the Boulevard Sebastopol, and the Boulevard Haussmann, and ordinary delivery of groceries in Paris, and so to 25 miles outside the city. The higher cost of fuel over here must be remembered.
"Petits Poids Lourds."
Beginning early in October next, and lasting for about a week, a " coneours de petits poids lourds "(contest for light utility motor vehicles) will be held, under the joint auspices of " L'Auto " and "Le Poids Lourds," two French trade publications. This event was announced last January, to take place in April, but was subsequently postponed as it was feared that it would run counter to the annual French trials, It is open to buses, cabs and delivery vans of the light variety, i.e., hotel motorbuses for six people with luggage, taxicabs with accommodation for two, and vans carrying from 200 .10 1,200 kilogrammes of goods. In the last-mentioned class, tradesmen's tri-cars carrying from so to 15o kilogrammes are eligible. The question of fuel consumption will take an important place in this competition, and it is suggested that the entrants should necessarily employ petrol, carbureted alcohol, " Lepretre " white spirit, and benzol for the purpose of comparison of cost and results. Two itineraries are under consideration—one in which Paris would be made the headquarters throughout, and the other comprising a circular tour of small range.
The contest is an international one, and it is said that the organisers are already receiving enquiries from foreign makers who wish to compete. Further details may be had from " L'Auto," to, Faubourg-Montmartre, or "Le Poids Lourds," t, Rue Tardieu, Paris.