WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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Hackney Motor Statistics.
The figures dealing with the issue in Great Britain of licences in respect of hackney motor carriages for the year ended 31st March, 1917, have just been published by the Commissioners of his Majesty's Customs and Hxciee. They show that whilst the number rose to its highest point in the previous year a falling off had occurred in the period under review. The total number of licences issued. at the three different duties, 15s. (vehicles of 1 ,ton and under and vehicles exceeding 5 tons in weight); .22 17s. (vehicles exceeding 1 ton but not exceeding 2 tons in weight); and £3 18s. (vehicles exceeding 2 tons but not exceeding 5 tons in weight), in the five yearly periods were :-1913, 38,544; 1914, 51,167; 1915, 44,480; 1916, 51,293; 1917, 47,781. The figures for the period ended 31st March last -would be interesting, but they will not be available for another twelve months. The separate figures are as follow : Hackney motors-One ton and under, and exceeding 5 tons in weight (15s.
duty) :-1913, 22,270; 1914, 28,095; 1915, 25,985; 1916, 29,870; 1917, 28,752.
Hackney motors exceeding one ton but not exceeding 2 tons in weight (22 17s. duty) :-1913, 11,544; 1914, 17,026; 1915, 15,740; 1916;. 16,081; 1917, 14,362.
Hackney motors exceeding-2 tons, but not exceeding-5-tons in weight (23 18s. duty) :-1913. 4730; 1914, 6046; 1915 4755; 1916, 5342; 1917, 4667
Cannel Oil Prospects.
The Committee on the Production of. Oil from Cannel Coal and Allied Minerals has issued an interim report saying that the possibility of obtaining oil in quantity from the low temperature distillation of cannel coal and its cognates has been considered from two points of view :-(1) as an immediate war measure, having in view the production of motor spirit and fuel oils for the Services • and (2) as a permanent commercial undertaking sad a measure of reconstruction.
Sufficient evidence has been obtained to jeeteify the conclusion that a very large
894 amount of retortable material can be obtained fur the production of oil in Great Britain. The 'Committee is satisfied that at least 10,000 tons per day of this material can be economically assembled for production, provided the necessary facilities are given by the Government and the requisite labour be available. This quantity should yield 300,000 gallons of crude oil a day, or upwards of 400,000 tone a year. The crude oil can be refined to give at least 8 per cent of spirit,. equal to 32,000 tons ot spirit and 40 to 5(1 per cent, of fuel oil.
The development of the industry as a permanent commercial undertaking, of course, depends upon the utilization of the by-products and residues, and the Committee suggests methods of using these residues as fuel and in.the production of power gas and sulphate of ammonia. Various types of retorts have been investigated, and suggestions by in. ventors have been examined, and the Committee is satisfied that there are in existence retorts which will successfully recover the maximum oil content.
The Committee cern-hides its rerert
with a recommendation that the War Cabinet be invited to Jay down a defihite policy for the guidance of the departments as to the relative national value and importance at the present time of oil and coal, the provision of the necessary labour, raw materials and transport.
It also recommends that the Government should afford all necessary facilities to those who are prepared to find the capital and take the risk for erection, at suitable centres, of plant fur the production on a commercial basis of the material known to exist. It also proposes that an experimental station be established, and either that it should be maintained by the Government or, alternatively, that the Government should afford all necessary and reasonable facilities to the Institution of Petroleum Technologists for the erection of a testing station of their own Tottenham Fire Brigade Superintendole is making inquiries as to the cost of a motor fire-engine witih turbine pump.
Revenue from Motor Spirit,
In the Customs and Excise statistics just issued in the usual annual publication the quantities of motor spirit delivered for home consumption and other associated figures are given. The quantities of imported spirit paying the full rate of duty during the fivo years, each ended 31st March, were as follow : The quantities of home-made spirit delivered in the same periods were : 1913 ... 1,234,973' gallons 1914 ... 1,315,889 „ 1915 ... 1,485,524 „ 1916 ... ... 1,528,179 „ 1917 ... ... 2,035,558 „ The figures for 1916 and 1917 in both set of tables are affected by the fact that the duty was doubled on 22nd September, 1915.
The revenue benefited in the year ended 31st March, 1917, from licence duty on petrol to the extent of 21,976,031 (nearly three times as great as the figure for 1913), in addition to which the Motor Spirit Licence Duty (the extra 6d. per gallon payable in abance on the issue of a "petrol licence ") amounted to • 2337,000.
"Extraordinary Traffic."
We understand that. the judgment in the " Extraordinary Traffic" ease is now beforecounsel, and that the Corn-. mercial _Motor Users Association has asked that the opinions taken shall inelude that of Mr. Charles, K. C., who is new serving in France.
Adviees from Trinidad state that the oil exports for the first half of 1918 amount to 21,650,825 Imperial gallons, or over 90,000f tons; against 18,180,172 gallons, or about 80,000 tons, for the first half of 1917. These figures do not include Admiralty shipments.
Co-operative Motor Expenses
• Co-operative societies are among the principal owners of motor vehicles for delivery purposes, and the Co-operative Wholesale Society, Ltd., is Ileveloping the organization of important traffic departments at Manchester and London. Mr. J. Royle has just been appointed traffic manager at Manchester and Mr. W. Fletcher has been transferred from the Newcastle branch to the engineering department in Leman Street, London. K, where the repair of motor vehicles for co-operative societiesin the south of England will be undertaken.
As a rule the distributive societies depreciate the cost of motor wagons 20 per cent, per annum in their accounts. Thus the society at Doncaster has expended £3939 on motor vehicles, which now stand at £625 on the balance sheet ; at Langley Mill £2682 has been spent on motor vehicles for the co-operative beverage factory, but they have been depreciated to zero. These societies are good customers for supplies, etc. ; last quarter the Dewsbury society spei,it £50 in motor fuel and £33 in repairs; the motor expenses of the Dursiem society totalled £335, and of the Walkden (near Oldham) society £261,
Noteworthy Tractor Ploughing.
The following is a copy of a letter received by -the International Harvester Co., of Great Britain, Ltd., 80, Finsbury Pavement, E.G., from Mr. C. H. Gee, of 59, Broadway, Shifnal, Salop :—" I often see mention of drivers doing very good work, and some very Young drivers. My son, age 15 last 2ara March, has been driving a Titan since last Noverceher, so that he would be very little over 14i years when he took charge of a tractor. He was ploughman for ma for about three months when I came out as supervigor, and he took over my tractor. He has wen the Unit Flag every month and county championship twice out of three times and works on the lowest fuel con
sumption in the unit. His acreage since 5th January this year is .316 ploughing, 288 cultivating and 48 disc harrowing. This with a Howard plough ploughing chiefly old turf.
There is hardly any need to mention that this is one of the best records standMg to the credit, of 3,dung agricultural tractor drivers throughout Great 13ritain.
Electrics in New York Zoo.
Arrangements have been completed for the initial installation of two; electric wheel chairs at the New York Zoological Park. They will probably pro-ye to be the forerunners of a fleet of some 50 more similar units.
These electric storage battery chairs will operate at a speed of 3 m.p.h., and are capable of• traversing 20 miles of roads and walkways on one battery charge. Each electric wheel chair will comfortably accommodate two people, although three of slight build may• enjoy the comforts of this conveyance, which is so simple in its construction and operation that anyone not possessing previous experience may, with absolute safety, drive at will through pedestrian traffic, each being equipped with a safety guard, which, if coming in etaltact with, any obstruction, will apply emergency brakes, 'causing the car to stop promptly without injury to object or car. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with a positive governing device which controls the speed of the car on down grades.
Gas Progress in Manchester.
The annual report of the Manchester Corporation gas department states that • Manchester has taken a leading part. in the experimental work with gas for motor traction and the system adopted by the committee has been followed as the standard in all parts of the country. Notwithstanding that the Government has. decided to discontinue the issue of . new gas permits for the present, there are about 320 vehicles in Manchester conning on coal-gas.
Engineers' Supplies.
The Groinil Engineering Go., Ltd., Milburn House, Newcastle-on-Tyne, is in a position to supply h.p. jointing, red, grey, or graphited. 16 is :claimed that this jointing resists high. temperatures and pressures, and, moreover, makes .a perfect joint and does not expand or contract. The company hold large stocks in sheets 40 in. sq. and upwards, in varying thicknesses from a 1-32 in. to a in. The red mid grey jointing is marketed at 1.1.d, per lb., and the graphited at 2s. 4d. per lb. The oonmany can also supply flaked graphite, which can be adapted to every lubricating purpose. Lb is particularly suitable for high-speed engines and machinery, both on land and in the marine service, as it resists frosts, heat, wet or dry alkalies, acids and sulphureous fumes.
Cromil pipe joint paste is another speciality of this company. It is a jointing compound for use in place of white or red lead. The pigment in it, is pure amorphous graphite which is unaffected by extremes. It is claimed that it lasts indefinitely and is elastic, so that a joint can be opened and closed again without necessitating re-making. We. are given -to understand. that it Lasts indefinitely and is elastic, so that a joint can be opened and closed again without necessitating re-making. We are given to understand that it is used extensively by leading engineering firms both in this country and abroad. It is especially recominended for cylindercover Ants, steam-connection joints, valve chest joints, boiler tube.. header _joints, steam turbine joints, etc. . The jointing is made up in 1 lb. and 2 lb. tins and 5 lb. and 10 lb. drums.
Beldam Dividend.
The steady progress made by the Beldam Tyre Co., Ltd.,. duringe the .past Year is evidenced by the fact that at the recent general meeting of shareholders a final dividend of 5 per cent, was declared, making a total dividend for the year of 10 per cent.
C.M.U.A. Medal.
The illustration which we publish herewith shows the obverse and reverse of a special C.M.U.A.. medal, which has been designed for the Association by .Mr. Allan G. Wyon, Medallist to H.M. the King. The first award of this medal was made to colonel R. E. B. Crompton, GB., on his election as first president of the Association. The winners of the written and
practical championship examinations which are held annually, will also receive a medal in bronze,
A Dennis Locomotive.
On the occasion of a recent visit to Guildford and, in passing through the recently completed Dennis works at Guildford, we noticed an unusual type of petrol railway tractor at work. It was interesting to see the handiness of this tractor and the efficient manner in which it picked up a number of railway trucks from the siding and brought them to the turntable so that they could he unloaded on the banks inside the works. On inquiry, it transpired that the tractor had actually been manufactured by the Dennis Co., being virtually an adaptation of the Dennis lorry. with .a special main and sub-frame, the axles being fitted with steel wheels of the standard gauge to run on the railway lines. The question of speed, of course, for shunt
lag and moving purposes is not a vital one, so the gears are arranged to suit the conditions under which the tractor works. By means of capstans the tractor can operate a/turntable.
We should imagine that such a machine would very considerably minimize the labour that is bound to take place in transhipping the various heavy castings, forgings and parts that arrive by rail in any large works. The principal advan tags of a. petrol tractor of this descrip; tiori over a steamer is perhaps too obvious to mention, as it can go in and out of the works without danger, but there is another that should not he overlooked, viz., the fact that it can he started up at any moment and be ready for immediate service, And that 4hen it is idle it does not burn fuel.
Firestone Welfare.
The Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., of Akron, Ohio, U.S.A.' has done much welfare work for the benefit of its employees, and the crowning feature of all the moves to improve the health, happiness and prosperity of Firestone workers was the opportunity extended to then; to become stockholders in the company. A large amount of stock was allotted to employees in blocks of from one to 10 shares, according to the length of service, and regardless of salary or position. The employees were then given the opportunity to buy stock at $100 a share, or about two-thirds of the actual market value, -and small monthly instalments were accepted as payment.
That Ube employees recognized this as an opportunity not only to make a profitable investment, but to show their Confidence in the company for which they are Working, "is demonstrated by the fact that more than 90 per cent., or over 11,000 individuals, took up the stock allotted to them.
• Moline Tractors.
A recent paragraph inour " One Hears " columns stated, on the authority of a reliable contributor to this journal, that "the Moline, one of the best of small tractors, is to be produced "in quantity in Scotland," We are now given to understand by the British Concessionaires, the British Empire Motors, Ltd., that the first nine words of the paragraph are quite correct" but that there is no intention to manufacture the Moline in Scotland.
"Safety First."
" 13iff " is the forcible little word chosen as a title for a small pamphlet which contains a few homely truths to be issued by the Drivers Education Committee of the London "Safety First" Council. It 1.5 felt that a friendly chat with drivers of all kinds of vehicles, as • well as other interested parties, issued at regular intervals in this form will have some instructive and educational value, and materially assist in the redaction of " biffs" and other accidents.
The King of the Belgians has accepted from Mr. Henry Ford ten Fordsort tractors and ploughs, and they have been sent for service on the Belgian Government farms.
15th August, 19/8,
• Electrics at Chester.
The two Edison electric vehicles employed by the Chester Corporation for household refuse collection are rendering satisfactory service. The vehicles were pet into service in June and December of 1916, and are carrying out work for which six horses would otherwise be required. Up till the end of last year the machines had travelled together 13,658 miles, and had collected and carried 5974 tans of refuse, apart from perforrningother miscellaneous duties. The vho1e of this work was carried out at a cost of £460, equivalent to 9.19d. per mile run, which includes all charges except in tere.st and depreciation. The cost of six hired carts lot work under similar conditions would have been 21260, BO that the net saving in favour of electries is £791.
Increasing Use of Welding Processes.
The appearance of the new rivetless British ship in which the work of the welder displaces that of the riveter, and the details of the great experimenta being carried mit along the same lines concurrently in the United States, brings prominently into notice 'scientific ,welding processes that have' played so important a part in the maintenance of the efficiency of motor vehicles. We have before us the: Sew booklet recently issued by Barimar, Ltd., under the title of "The Welding Test;" io which appear some admirable illustrations showing what can be done in the way of the recreation of fractured and worn machine parts. A glance through the 24 pages reveals how large a part the men engaged in this industry have played in helping the country to carry on" its manifold military and civil undertakings.
Barton Gas Container Patent Sealed.
We are advised that the patent for the Barton Gas Container System has now been sealed, and that licences to manufacture, vend or !use containers under this invention can now be issued either by the •Gas Equipment Association or by Motor Gas Interests. Ltd., the offices of which are at Barton's Buildings, Grey Friar Gate, Nottingham. The licence fee is 5s. per installation to members of the Association, or 10s. per installation to non-members. Persons manufacturing, vending, or using the patent without being duly licensed will, we are informed, be liable to prosecution for infringement. Those persons who are desirous of becoming members of the Association or of securing licences, should address their letters to the Secretary of the Association.
Tyres for Electric Trolley Trucks.
A copy of a little pamphlet giving an abridged price list of the special tyres of the hand type which George •Spencer Morritou and Co., Ltd., of Manchester, manufactures specially for fitting to electric trolley trucks is to hand. These little trucks are becoming extremely popular amongst motor manufacturing concerns, and they are to be seen in some of the largest engineering works in the country.
Local Proceedings.
The Surveyor of Frith U.D.C. is ob. Seining prices for a motor ambulance.
Burnley Corporation has under consideration the purchase of an electric vehicle, Tilbury U.D.C. has accepted the tender of Merryweather and Sons, at £1168, for a " Hatfield" fire-engine.
Gloncester T. 0. is to consider the purchase of an electric lorry to haul coal, etc., for the electricity and tramways department, at an estimated cost of £1200.
Glasgow Statute Labour Committee has decided to claim £670 damages from firms in respect to roads ruined by the haulage of exceptionally heavy boilers and machinery.
• Rubber or Steel Tyres.
In our iesue for the let August, on page 504, we published a letter on the above subject from Yorke, Stoneham and Jones, Ltd. In discussing the relative depreciation of a five-ton steel-tyred wagon and a rubber-tyred vehicle of the same capacity the word " no " was omitted from between the words 'being more," which, if added, it will be seen, alters the meaning of the paragraph.
-Death of L.G.B. Inspector.
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. G. W. Willcocks, C.B., M.Inst.C.E. He was the chief 'engineering inspector of the Local Government -Beard, which department he represented at the trials of the Liverpool Self-proPelled Traffic Association. He was one of the oldest subscribers to Teo: COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and his .son, Lieut. B. E. Willeocks, advising us of the death of his father, added that he had very much valued the journal and always read it.
At the Army Service Corps sports held at Osterley Park, Isleworth, on Saturday last an aeroplane. presented by the Mechanical Transport section of the A.S.C. wasCtchristeneci by Princess Patricia. Th'a machine was named " Osterley M.T., T.D. No. 1."