Passenger-Vehicle Topics.
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The Taxi and Motor Drivers Protection League is a rival organization to tha original Cabmen's Union.
The L.C.C. proposes to make application to the L.G.B. for a speed limit of five miles per hour, for motor vehicles passing through High Street, Deptford.
Nothing appears to have offended the Progressive members of the L.C.C. more than the recent circulation of the L.G.O.C. motorbus guides at L.C.C. schools.
Hertfordshire County Council has abandoned the scheme for a tramway service between Watford and Bushey. Motorbuses will no doubt serve this route adequately.
Northampton Town Council should be wakened up to the advantages of motorbus transport. Why do not some of the members pay a visit to, say, Bedford or Tunbridge Wells
The L.C.C. has granted a. licence to the L.G.O.C. to store S400 gallons of petroleum spirit at its garage at Clay Hall, Old Ford Road, E.. where the company proposes to discontinue the use of sunk tanks, in which it now stores 4000 gallons, and to build new stores for aboveground tanks.
Rotherham Developments.
With a view to providing a service of motorbuses, certain councillors of Rotherham have been instructed to inspect, vehicles running in other towns.
The R.E.T. Construction Co. has received a contract from the Council for two trolley vehicles, at a cost of 2765 each.
New Registrations.
The Invicta Taxi Drivers Mutual Supply Co., Ltd., with an authorized capital of 2200 in 21 shares, by Jordan and Sons. Ltd.
The Continental Motor Omnibus Association, Ltd,. with an authorized capital of 220,000 in 5s. shares, by Sydney Morse, 1. Kingsway, W.C. First directors : C'. S. Hilton, T. H. Evans, A. E. Gibbs. J. A. Weiss, and W. S. Wreathall.
London Borough Councils are Reasonable.
Owing to the nature of the replies received from the other Metropolitan Borough Councils, Southwark has decided not to proceed further in the matter of convening a conference with a view of combined representation being made to the Government for the whole of the proceeds of the petrol tax in the Metropolitan police area to be devoted to the upkeep of the roads of that
area.
The total number of motorbuses plying for hire and licensed by the Metropolitan authorities on the 1st da,y of February was 2726. This shows an increase for the month of 150.
The Melbourne (Australia) Motor Omnibus Co. proposes to introduce a large fleet of double-decked omnibuses in Melbourne shortly, the chassis to be imported from this country. and the bodies manufactured in Australia.
Notice is given of a general meeting of the members of the Clay Cross .Motorbus Co., Ltd. to he held at the Victoria Hotel, Clay Cross. on the 6th March, to consider the report of the liquidator. showing the manner in which the winding-up has been conducted and the property disposed of.
A Dissolution.
• The partnership between Henry Robert Hamilton Tollemache and Harry Griffin, carrying on business as taximeter cab proprietors, etc.. at 195. Hammersmith Road, W., under the style of 'The Montague Garage Co.," has been dissolved by mutual eonsent. Debts will be received and paid by Tollemache and Griffin, Ltd., which company will in future carry on the business at the same address, London's Distressed Taxicab Undertakings.
The Industrial Council, under the chairmanship of Sir Hugh Bell, has been taking evidence with regard to the London taxicab strike. Mr. F. R. de Bertodano, Chairman of the London Motorcab Proprietors Association, made it amply clear that there is no prospect of paying, on the present scale of charges to the public, if the men are to be gb,P,11 petrol below cost price. Mr. de Bertodano expressed the view that the public would never cease tipping. An invitation from the Industrial Council has been extended to the masters and the men, for a meeting between them and a small sub-committee of the Council.
Having regard to recent developruents in the indorcab world, we are inclined to vary our old-standing belief that the only solution is to get sanction for an initial charge of 10(1. We now believe that the proper course to follow is to obtain authority for an initial charge of Is., and for increments OD the basis of is. a mile. That rate of travelling would be cheap enough for the services rendered, having regard to the value to the public of their being able to hire a cab any moment, and there would then be some margin for the proprietors. It might at the same time be desirable to reduce the waiting charge from 4s. per hour to 2s. 6d. per hour. As matters stand, we are. convinced that the hiring public is getting its cabs too cheaply, and that the margins—having regard to risks—are insufficient to render it worth the while of any owners, other than men who both own and drive, to remain in the business.
Some people say that support would fall away too much in consequence. We think otherwise.
Passenger-Vehicle Topics.
Paris Splashguards.
Out of the 400 splashguards offered last October to the Paris General Omnibus Co., 10 have been selected for a practical trial at the expense of the company. Most of the schemes submitted existed on paper only. and as they had all to be examined, and, in some cases, provisional patents had to be secured. the practical test will not take place until the month of April. These 10 splashguards, which are considered to be the most promising, will be manufactured at the expense of the company, and put to a practical test on the streets and in the company's yards for one month. In addition to these 10, there is about the same number of appliances that the company is willing to test if the inventors will supply the guards and ,pay the incidental expenses. As the outcome of these practical trials, all the Paris buses will doubtless be fitted with splashguards. and there is a possibility of the Municipal Council deciding that all public service vehicles shall be similarly equipped.
In the town of Roubaix an order has already been given by the Socialist Mayor that no motor vehicle must be allowed on the streets without a splashguard. The order comes into force on 1st March. The order will be strongly opposed by owners of motor vehicles, for if the experience of Paris is of any value, it is a difficult matter at the present time to discover a splashguard which is effective under all circumstances.
L.G.O.C. Accounts.
We have not. space this week to deal fully with the first report of the reconstituted L.G.O.C. This was published on Monday night last, and it covers the period from the 21st June to the 31st December, 1912. The share capital of the company consists of 125,000 shares of 210 each, of which 115,048 have been issued. Of the 21,500,000 of 4-2, per cent. first debenture stock, 21,000,000 has been issued, and of the 21,750,000 of five per cent, income debenture stock 21,000,000 has also been issued. The company, therefore, has to show a return on a total of £3,150,480. For the period under notice—a little over six months—there is a balance at credit of revenue account of 2122,037, and this is increased by interest and dividends on investment, total 220,645. which provides a disposable stun of 2142,682. Interest on debenture and income debenture stocks absorbs 239,583, leaving a balance at credit of profit and loss account of 2103,099. As we have already reported, a divi demi of 8 per cent., free of income tax, which will absorb £92,039, is recommended, leaving a balance of 211,060 to be carried forward. We will again put on record our belief that the profit for the year 1913 should reach 2850,000, provided no exceptional charges are made against the L.G.O.C. undertaking. The separate undertaking of the Walthamstow Works (Associated Equipments, Ltd.) has made another £62,000, to the 31st December.
The report under notice states that. the company has concluded a further contract for petrol supplies for a period of another two years, but at a substantial increase in price. The directors deplore the prevalence of accidents, and are giving the subject their most care
ful consideration. Continual experiments are being made with various safety devices, and the greatest possible care is exercised in the selection and training of drivers and conductors. An approved society has been formed under the National Health Insurance Act, 1911, in which there areenrolled 11,150 members, and, although it involves a very large annual expenditure, the directors feel that it is in the best interests of the employees and of the company. A scheme providing for the superannuation of employees in certain grades has come into effect_