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Chemicals Used to Harden Earth and
A LITTLE while ago a reporter of a Sunday paper discovered that roads to suit heavy traffic can be made almost while the traffic waits for them. The method employed is to treat the soil with various chemicals in powder or liquid form, these binding the otherwise loose soil and making it hard and practically waterproof to a depth of several inches. There is nothing really new in this development and we referred to it some years ago, but it is probable that improvements have been made since, both in the chemicals employed and the way they are used. Querying the Supply nE S P 1TE occasional corn
Sand Roads . . .
Scots have quite a keen sense of humour. although sometimes their jokes may be a little too deep to be appreciated by others. Recently, in connection with the petrol returns of the Cleansing Department of Glasgow, there was an item "Four gallons—Horse 259." Now it happened that there was a new girl clerk in the office to which these returns have to be submitted. When she observed the item in question, A26 she rang up the transport foreman and put the question: "Don't you think that it is stupid to refer to four gallons of petrol for a horse ?" The particular "animal" was a Scammell, which would have had some difficulty in running on hay— although this might just have been possible with a specially designed gas producer.
Permanent Lettered rONSIDERABLE saving on Signs Save Repaint relettering and painting its Costs vans has been made by a
concern in Stirlingshire. It uses large, detachable signs in flush-finished aluminium alloy in conjunction with synthetic stoving enamels of the type similar to those employed in silk-screen printing. The idea was developed by a Paisley concern and a development is a secondary flow of colour during the infra-red stoving, the enamel flowing to cover any slight marking in the initial paintwork. Such signs have a life of 5-10 years, according to conditions and use, and they can be embossed or otherwise impressed to meet special needs. The cost of relettering is thus obviated, and to spray a vehicle the sign or signs are merely unscrewed, or the rivets drilled out and replaced after the body finish has dried off.
Europeans Favour. gHALL we ever have the Building of theChannel '—' Channel Tunnel which, Tunnel many years ago. was started
from both Britain and the Continent? In this connection, M. G. Andre Basdevant has read a paper in London before the International Road Federation. He pointed out that there is no doubt regarding the technical possibilities of such a tunnel, whilst Frenchmen and many other people in Europe continue to hope that in the near future they will be united to Britain by thi,s material link. In fact, many of them look upon it as a necessity. The author believes that the common sacrifices of Britain and France should definitely join together the two countries, and that their nationals, particularly the younger members, should be able to travel freely and cheaply between the two countries by coach, car and train. The tunnel would increase 10-fold the present interchange of contact,. not only with France, but with the whole of Europe. From the psychological point of view, Europeans feel that Britain is not sufficiently European, although separated by only 21 miles. Britain was the only " European " nation which emerged from the recent conflict with its prestige intact and, indeed; enhanced. This makes Britain the focal point of any future European union, and explains the blind faith which many on the Continent place in her. The French people know that Britain's resistance won the war, but there is still so much more that could be done together. The tunnel would enable the transport of merchandise and foodstuffs to be greatly increased, whilst the rise in the number of travellers would be even more considerable, and coaching by road between the countries would be exceedingly popular. There should be no strategic drawbacks, for much of the tunnel could be flooded in any emergency.
Moving Around in NitHAT is almost certain to Circles for Under a " he the cheapest bus ride Farthing in the world -has just been
inaugurated in Amsterdam. In the Dutch capital the Central Station is built in such a way alongside the Y, the elliptic harbour, that it shuts off the entrance to the ferry across the Y to the northern part of the town, from the rest of the city. People arriving at the square in front of the station have to make a 10-minute walk to reach the ferry at the back of the station. Before the war, a tram route around the station took passengers to and from the ferry. but during the war this service was discontinued. This month, however, a circular bus route around the station has been introduced. The short ride costs 1 cent, that is, less than Id. Mothers who want to get rid of their children for an hour or so just give them a 25-cent piece and they have great fun. moving around in circles.