WHEELS, OF INDUSTRY
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_ The Cippenham Scheme.
In the Rouse of Commons last week, Captain CarvComin aske0 the Undersecretary of State for "%az if any experts other than the expert officers of the directorate of supplies and transport at the War Office and the Mechanical Transport Board were members of the conference which considered the offer of motor firms to undertake the repair of a large number of motors at a quarter of the cost cf the Government 'scheme at Cippenharn ' and, if so, will he say whether these were civilian experts ? Mr. MacPherson : The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Several of the officers who were consulted are, however, expert engineers in civil life. Captain CarrGomm : Is it not a fact that the only people who decided upon this scheme were those interested in the promotion of it? Mr. MacPherson : No, I cannot say that.
In the House of Commons laSt week Mr. Grant asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if, in view of the .present military situation, any diminution of expenditure is contemplated in regard to the Cippenham works? Mr. MacPherson : The authorities are in close touch with the Select Committee on National Expenditure regarding these works in view of the military situation Pending a decision, the expenditure is being curtailed as much as possible.
£1000 Gas Prize,
The Automobile Association has received several entries for its competition for a £1000 prize offered for the best system for enabling coal-gas to be satisfactorily used as a fuel for motor
vehicles. In addition, a large number have signified their intention to compete for the prize, but have not yet definitely entered as competitors. The cessation of hostilities does not justify the cessation of research activities. _ The closing date for the competition is 31st December, 1918. Those who have postponed their entries Should communicate at once with the Secretary, Automobile Association, Fanum House, Whitcomb Street, London, W.C. a
Milnes-Daimler Liquidation.
In order to comply with the requirements of the Air Department of the Government that the Working capital of the British Mercedes Motor Co., Ltd., should he turned into shares, the company informs us that they have been advised by their solicitors that it is desirable td reconstruct the company, and, accordingly, the company has been placed in voluntary liquidation, with Mr. Walter Dewis as liquidator.
We understand that a new company in the same name will be registered as soon as possible, which will talcs over the assets and liabilities of the old company. All creditors will be paid in full.
Roads and Wheels.
In road maintenance, a difficult problem is presented by steel-tyred wheels of comparatively 'small diameter, such As are fitted to heavy motor wagons and traction sug:nes and their trailers. Local authorities say that it is imperatively necessary that the wheels of these' vehicles should be of an increased diameter, otherwise it is next to impossible to keep even the best-formed roads in a good
state of repair. They declare that an Act of Parliament should be passed providing that all heavy vehicles should have wheels of a tread and diameter sufficiently ample to ensure that they will cause no undue damage to the surface.
For the purpose of testing with thoroughness and expedition the wearresisting qualities of different road materials a very ingenious machine was, some time before the war, designed, constructed and put into actual use by the Road Board. The contrivance, which I have had an opportunity of examining, consists of a building containing a circular track., On this track experimental lengths of road may be put down and "tested to destruction" by having passed over them motor-driven wheels, guided by a revolving framework. hot air can be blown and water sprayed on these bits of road to imitate atmospheric conditions, and the Mick can also be subjected to a very low temperature. The wheels may be made to carry any kind of tyres—steel or rubber—and so the effebt of the different varieties can be observed. It is very likely that this useful and adaptable "machine," for which Col. R. E. B. Crompton, C.B., is very largely responsible, will he often in requisition when road improvement schemes are being framed and elaborated.
Petrol for the Polls.
Special permits are being issifed to enable motor spirit to be purchased for the General Election by candidates and their election agents. The scale is as follows 1—
For a constituency—
(a) Not exceeding 6 square miles (or 3200 acres) in area, 10 gallons. (b) Exceeding 5 square miles, but not exceeding 10 square miles (or 6400 acres) in area, 16 gallons. (c) Exceeding 10 square miles, but, not exceeding 50 square miles (or 32,000 acres) in area, 32 gallons. (d) For every additional 50 square' miles, or part thereof, an additional allowance of 2 gallons. No allowances shall exceed 80 gallons.
The application should be made on a special form, and to obviate the necessity for inquiries by the Petrol Control Department, and to avoid delay the form should be sent to the Local Government Board for endorsement. Each application should be accompanied by a crossed cheque for the requisite licence duty. The Controller is not prepared to issue any licence "free-of-duty," but if, after the event, evidence-can be T5roduced that part of the petrol has been used in a van or lorry, for the conveyance of ballotboxes, etc., the question of repayment of duty upon this part will be considered.
All licences should be returned to the Petrol Control Department. as soon as the duties in connection with the election
are finished. The licence duty represented by the unused vouchers left in a licence will be refunded.
Prevention of Accidents.
As a sequel to the conference held in London in June last, at which it was decided to conduct throughout the country a campaign for the prevention of industrial accidents, an Influential organization has been formed comprising representatives of the Admiralty, Board of Trade, Home Office, Local Government Board, and the Ministry of Labour, and leaders of industry and labour. The title of the new body is the Br:tish Industrial " Safety First" Association. Its first meeting was held at the Mansion House on 31st October when Lord Lever
lualme occupied the chair, and was elec
ted president. The vice-presidents include the Presidents of the Local Government Board and the Board of Trade, the Ministers of Labour and of Food, the TJnder Secretary of State for the Home Department, Lord Aberconway, Rt. Hon., T. Richards, M.P. (South Wales Miners Federation), Mr. W. A. Appleton (General Federation of Trades Unions), Lieut.-Col. G. Harland Bowden, M.P., Sir Vincent Caillard (Vickers, Ltd.), Mr. C. T. Cramp (president National Union of Railwaymen), Sir K. Crossley (Crossley • Bros., Ltd.), Mr. R,. Denn'son (Iron and Steel Trades Confederation), Mr. C. Duncan, M.P. (Workers Union), Sir John Jackson, Mr. W. Joynson-Hicks, M.P., Mr. E. Manville (president Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom), Major-Gen. the Hon. Sir Newton Moors, K.C.M.G., M.P., Sir Hallewell Rogers, G.B.E. (chairman Bir: mingham Small Arms eq., Ltd.), Mr. H. B. Underdown (president Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers, Ltd.), and Mr. Robert Young (general secretary Amalgamated Society of Engineers). The hon. treasurer is Sir R. Vassar-Smith, Bart., D.L.
Briefly stated, the policy of the association is the formation in every industry of a "Safety First" Committee comprising representatives of employers and employees, and of committees in the leading firms to investigate the cause of accidents ,peculiar to the part'cular industry, arid to discover and apply effective measures and safeguards to prevent the recurrence of similar accidents.
Electric Works Trucks for Streets.
The Hull City Engineer has -made the novel suggestion that it might be possible to employ electric works trucks for the collection of street sweepings near the depots and thereby release horses for heavier work. The Cleansing Committee has asked him to report further on the matter.
The New Welding Go. within an hour recently repaired a break in a big stationary engine job and one in a delicate gun sight—the latter for an enthusiastic Temple Press volunteer.
Reconstruction Lectures.
The series of lectures now being held by the Industrial Reconstruction Council is proving so popular that a second course has been arranged for next year. The first of these will be given by the Minister of Labour on Wednesday, 8th January, the Marquess of Crewe occupying the chair. Other lectures will follow at fortnightly intervals by Judge Edward Parry, Mr. Ernest J. P. Bean, Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P., Professor A. W. Kirkaldy, and the President of the Board of Education. The chair, will be taken on the respective occasions by Lord Balfour of Burleigh, the Bishop of London, Lord Leverhulme, Sir George Riddell, and the Lord Mayor of London. The lectures will again be held, by the kind permission of the Saddlers' Company, in the Saddlers' Hall, Cheapside, at 4.30 p.m. A full prospectus of the series can be obtained from the Secretary, I.R.C., 2 and 4, Tudor Street, E.C. 4, and applacat'ons for tickets should be made well in advance.
Tractor Work in the Midlands.
The latest available official returns in relation to teactor work in the Midland Counties show that the progress of operations continues, with especially encouraging results in Nottinghamshire, Stafford
shire and Derbyshire. An analysis of the figures for the week ending the 18th' ult., reveals that Notts, was entitled to the second place in the long list. During the period under review there were 52 oat of 69 tractors in commission in the nonnty, the acreage ploughed being 567 and cultivated 201, the figures entitling Nottinghamshire to second place to Hereford, the latter heading the table with an average acreage per tractor in commission of 13.49. Staffordshire has done excellently, coming next to Notts. The position of Derbyshire, which was eighth on the list with an average of 11.31, speaks well for the effectiveness of the work in a county beset with natural difficulties. Leicestershire, Rutland and the Lindsay Division of Lincolnshire are lower down in the statistical returns, with averages respectively of 9.99, 9.60 and 8.84 acreage of land ploughed per tractor.
Tyre Size_ Standardization.
The question of reducing the number of tyre and rine sizes now being manufactured has been before the various sectional committees of the British Rubber Tyre Manufacturers Association, and Mr. W. H. Paull, who is the Development Superintendent of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., was Belied to prepare a draft scheme from the data thereby obtained, with a view to eventual standardization of the limited range of tyre and rim sizes capable of meeting the requirements of present and future productions of motor vehicles.
The scheme has been considered and adopted by a standardization committee of the Association, and it is intended to submit the proposals to the Technical Committee, of the motor industry, with a request that that body shall recommend them for standardization by the British Engineering Standardization Association.
The draft scReme deals with all types of tyres, but we need only, here deal for the time being with solid tyres. It is pointed out that the time has arrived for a further substantial measure of standardization, and that, whilst the gradual evolution of moreelestandard types of vehicles may automatically bring about the necessary standardization of tyre sizes, this alone is not sufficient.
Makers having in the past had a large number of tyre sizes to select from have not been unanimous in adopting the same size for the same class of vehicle doing the same sort of work. Thus, take the makers of 3-ton lorries; 50 per cent. of them may use wheels of 850 mm. diameter, 40 per rent, wheels of 881 rem. diameter, and 10 per cent, some other
diameter. It is urged that a continnsince of both ;11 mm. and 850 mm. diameters is not desirable.
The difference in radius is necessarily less than the difference caused by tyre wear, as a partly-worn tyre may have been reduced to the extent of 25 mm. in depth. It is urged that the reduction of tyro sizes to a reasonable and satisfactory number cannot be left to the un 028
directed process of evolution of vehicle type. A good deal has already been done in the States in the matter of tyre standardization, and it is urged that British manufacturers cannot ignore the consequences to them in the world's markets of such an important step. The present pneumatic tyre dimensions being only nominal, one of the reforms advocated is to alter the size Markings to agree with the actual dimensions of the tyres, and in the ease of solid tyres it ie proposed to give first the width of the tyre section at the base (and this will be an accurate dimension), and then the diameter of the wheel rim the tyre is intended to fit (also an accurate description) ; thus, 120 for 850. It is urged that the overall diameter Shall not be used as a marking. It is a variable dimension, varying as the tyre wears and varying slightly with the sectional profile of the particular make of tyres. Should the overall diameter be required by the chassis maker when determiningf clearances it is always easily ascertainable, and is then gut accurately without the possibility of the chassis maker being misled by merely nominal markings.
The schedule of solid rubber tyres (pressed-on band type) in millimetres includes 670 (with two sections 160 mm. end 180 mm.); 720 mm. (with six sections from 90 mm, to 180 mm.); 771 ram. and 850 mm. (each with five sections from 100 min. to 180 mm.), arty larger sections than 180 mm. to be made to 850,mm. diameter only.
In inch sizes there are three overall tyre diameteh, as adopted by the War Service Committee of the -U.S.A. These areas follow :-21 ins. (in three tyro sections from 3 ins. to 4 ins.); 36 ins. (in six sections from 4 ins. to 10 ins.); and 40 ins. (in five sections from 5 ine. to 14 intl.). e Thus existing complication is drastically -reduced, With regard to the possible adoption of large single solids, in lieu of twin tyres on rear wheels, it is proposed to limit the making of these tyres to 850 mm. diameter only. We hope to deal with this subject at fuller length in a subsequent issue. Vehicle Lights.
The Commissioner of Police again draws attention to the provisions of the Lights .(London) Order affecting lights on vehicles. In view, however, of the present military situation it is likely that modifications will be made. The Order requires that after dark two white lights shall be exhibited to the front of the vehicle, smarking its extreme width, and a red light to the roar. Compliance with this puier by drivers is necessary, not only in their own interests, but in that of ether road Users, and the police are instructed to take proceedings in all cases of infringement.
The time for lighting up is half an hour after sunset, and it is advisable that every vehicle should carry the requisitti lamps if it is not absolutely certain that it will have finished its journey before dark, as the excuse, so often put forward, that the vehicle had been delayed en route, and therefore was unprovided with lamps, cannot he entertained.
Material for Industry.
A Standing Council on Post-war Priority has been formed to assist the Cabinet Committee which has been appointed to deal with priority questions. The Council has already had before it a survey of the existing stocks of the more important raw materials and is giving urgent consideration to the question of releasing such materials from any form of control at the earliest possible moment. It is the intention of the Council to consult the trade bodies concerned with regard to any matters affecting the industries they represent, and, by taking them into their confidence, to make the utmost possible use of their organizations in any allocation of materials which may be found to he necessary. Dr. Addison is President of the Council, and the members include representatives of various industries, but it is remarkable to note that the motor industry is not represented upon it, although from its constitution there appears to be no reason for its noninclusion.
The Food Delivery Radius.
At Plymouth Food Committee the Divisional Food Commissioner -sent a. letter enclosing a communicatien from the local traders' association, with reference to the restriction proposed to be placed on the supply of petrol for road transport for the distribution of foodstuffs, and asking for the views ofthe committee. eat having been reported that since the letter was written the Road Transport Committee had recommended that the radius within which it Was intended to confine the distribution of foodstuffs ehould be enlarged from seven to ten miles of large towns,' the Committee decided to inform the Divisional Commissioner that probably this concession would go far to meet The views of local traders.
The American War Tax.
At the Health Committee of the Sheffield Corporation, the Superintendent • reported an application from the Edison Accumulators, Ltd., for an extra allowance in respect of two electric vehicles on order on account of the American war tax and increases, of wages authorized by the Ministry of Munitions. The Committee recommends that an allowance of 250 per vehicle be granted, namely, from £1110 to 21160
. A Dependable Lamp.
Certainly no experience in the history of motor transport has so vitally affected its development as has that of the last few years. The conditions of use have been so greatly varied, the nature of the work which has been undertaken has so rapidly become more strenuous, that the, need for reliability hat been greatly enhanced. Among other details the lighting of these vehicles has hitherto presented many difficulties and it has been left for these strenuous conditions to inspire those firms responsible for the . design and manufacture of lamps to .greater effort in this direction. Amoir such are the firm of J. and R. Oldfiekr, Ltd., Dependence Lamp Works, Birmingham, and as one direct result of their attention to this matter may he cited their patent lever coil spring bracket, the virtue of which lies in the fact that the conditions which have been responsible for its origination have also proved it to be entirely "Shock absorbable." Of Course, the conditions of use in active service are not the only condi. tions which have tested the ingenuity of the designers, for many of the roads at home, especially in such districts as the Midlands, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the lowlands of Scotland are notoriously bad as the result of neglect, over the last four years. The firm are receiving constant evidence of keen appreciation of the merits of these lamps, which they say "once lighted remain so," no matter what the road or weather -conditions wh'-ch may be encountered.
A Lecture on Vulcanizing.
At the opening of the winter session of the Northampton Institute, Clerkenwell, an interesting lecture on the subject of vuleauising by the "Harvey. Frost " preces.: supplemented by actual demonstrations in the various stages of tyre repairs, was given an appreciative .audienee by Mr. Percy A. Biggar, who traced the development of the process since its introduction in 1902. Reference was made to the growth of the rubber tree and the 'various processes of preparation through which the material passes before it becomes marketable for the repair and restoration of existing rubber goods, with special regard to the efficient repair of rubber tyres of all kinds.
.Liberty Engines.
Of the first 10,000 Liberty motors produced by American manufacturers, 3965 were Packard-built. On the same date, the Lincoln Motors had produced 2601, and the total Ford output was 2010. The total production of all makers up to 10th October was 10,151. The largest number shipped in a single day from any plant was 150. This shipment was made from the Packard works on 30th June. It is pointed out, however, that shipments are not the true barometer of production. The .figures on engines assembled which furnish the real gauge of production, and on shipments made up to the night of 9th October for all Liberty engine makers are as follow :—Paiikard assembled 3965. shipped 3696; Lincoln lLssenibled 2824, shipped 2601; Ford assembled '2010, shipped 1766; General Motors assembled 1144, shipped 961; Nordyke and Marmon assembled 208, shipped 139.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR • Local Proceedings.
A motor fire engine, purchased by subscription chiefly from local towns, has been presented to the :Norwich Watch Committee. The machine is a Merryweather, of 70 h.p., with a pump capacity of 5000 gallons, and having a sliding carriage telescopic fire escape with a 55 ft. reach.
Batley T.C. is to purchase a motor wagon for coal haulage.
Gillingham T.C.. has arranged to get two electric lorries for house refuse collection.
Brighton T.C. is to consider a MOm. rnendation to obtain a new motor ambulance.
Gloucester CC. has arranged to convert an old smithy as a workshop where repairs can be carried °eh to motors for fse Fire Brigade Committee.
To Dynamo Designers.
A well-known Birmingham firm of accessory manufacturers is open to consider the minufacture of a lighting dynamo either on royalty or to buy the design' right out. We shall be glad to put designers and inventors in touch with the firm in question, if they will address communications to S.S.S., care of the Editor of this journal.
Seven Clayton wagons, all in different ownership, passed a wayfarer standing for a short while in Attercliffe Road, Lincoln, the other morning, whilst DO other wagon came in between.
Morrell and Co: Ltd., the Garage, Wright Street, Hull, have taken over the premises iri Jameson Street, consisting of showroom, garage; etc., and the business carried on at that address during the past four years by Mr. F. G. Purdon of Bridlington.
Those of our readers who are in need of accessories and fittins•s for their vehicles will do well to get into touch with Messrs. H. Edmonds and Co., 123, Southampton Street, Camberwell, S.E. 5, who possess a remarkable range of goods pertaining to commercial vehicles as well as tools for use in garage and'workshop. Delivery of all goods listed can be made ex stock In view of the present difficulty of securing most accessories, our readere will do well to keep the name of this company in mind.