NEWS of the WEEK
Page 36
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beanie Crozier.
considerable argument as to the best site for the bridge. That recommended by the Roads Improvement Association, after receiving a report from Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners, was English Stones, when the direct saving between Cardiff and London would have been 12 miles, whilst Cardiff and Bristol would have been brought within 40 miles of one another, a direct saving of 50 miles.
Death of Mr. A. J. Gupwell.
We much regret to learn of the sudden death from heart failure, on May 11, of Mr. A. J. Gupwell, at the age of 70. Mr. Gupwell was managing director of the well-known shopfitting and transport concern of A. J. Gupwell, Ltd., Park Street, Birmingham.
Vehicle Lighting Regulations.
The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations, 1936, dated April 30, have now been made substantive. In general, they follow the draft to which we originally drew attention, but certain minor amendments have been made to meet as many, as possible of the suggestions put forward.
The provisions to deal with dazzling headlights are retained, and an additional paragraph has been inserted to remove any doubt that suitable doublefilament lamps which provide for a deflected beam will be permitted. The anti-dazzle requirements are to come into operation for new vehicles on October 4 next, and for existing vehicles on October 3, 1937.
(a) Side lamps are to be limited to a power not exceeding seven watts and must be equipped with frosted glass or other diffusing material.
.(b) Except forublic-service vehicles (i) the
obligator .p y front lights must be•flited at a height
not exceeding 5 ft. from the ground; (ii) rear lights must not be nioee than .3 ft. 6 ins, from the ground, unless a and reflector and white surface similar to those required for pedal tycles be carried.
(e) The bulbs must have their wattage marked on them.
(d) Headlamps must be extinguished when a vehiele is stationary, except when the atop is through traffic exigencies.
The requirements a, b and c come into operation on October 4, but that relating to headlamps operates now.
The existing power of Chief Officers of Police to allow vehicles to stand in parking places without lights is extended to stands for hackney carriages.
Other provisos are that no part of the vehicle may extend laterally more than 12 ins, beyond the lamp. FURTHER DEMANDS FOR HIGHWAYS BOARD.
In welcoming the Minister of Transport at a luncheon held by the Mansion House Association, London, last Friday, Mr. W. H. Gaunt, the president, urged the setting up of a national highways board. The effect of the many variations in road surfaces and lighting on. the safety question was of material importance, he said.. It was incredible to find no" fewer than 1,350 separate highways authorities.
There would not be a satisfactory road-transport system uotil there Was a reasonable enforcement of fair wages and some measure of control of rates. Furthermore, any rigid form of control without consideration of the inter-relation and repercussion between competing forms of transport must fail, said the speaker.
Mr. Ilore-Belisha, in reply, referred to the fact that £130,000,000 was to be spent on the roads over the next five years, in addition to the money normally spent on maintenance. The programme should, he said, provide 850 miles of dual carriageways and 500 miles of cycle tracks, in addition to eliminating all weak bridges.
He added that the manner in which the transport industry was being governed was an interesting experiment in modern legislation. The solution of its problems lay in making proper suggestions to the right authority.
Working Conditions: Yorkshire Negotiations Continue.
The sub-committee which was appointed by the Yorkshire Conciliation Board to make recommendations concerning the working conditions of employees of A and B-licence holders in the Yorkshire Traffic Area, has not yet completed its deliberations. After a previous adjournment, the sub-committee met again this week, and, -following a lengthy sitting, it adjourned until next week.
The sub-committee is considering the clauses in the National Board's scheme which provide for a 48-hour guaranteed week, a week's holiday with pay, and "higher rating."
Sales and Service Manager Available.
We know of a man with excellent experience on the selling and servicing sides of the commercial-vehicle industry, who would be suitable for a position as sales manager or assistant, service manager, or a combination of both, preferably in the Metropolitan area. He has an extensive knowledge of the trade and of important users, including thoSe in the municipal sphere. Letters addressed " Sales and Service," care of the Editor, will be forwarded, ULSTER APPEAL TRIBUNAL APPOINTMENT CRITICIZED.
During the second reading of the Road and Railway Transport Bill in the Ulster Parliament, last week, some criticism was raised regarding the appointment of Sir Lynden IVlacaey as chairman of the Appeal Tribunal., Mr. J. Beattie urged that from his interests in railways in England, Sir Lynden Macassey was not a suitable person to deal with road transport. .
The amendment was defeated and the second reading was passed. .
A Rumour Dewed.
Northern Motor Utilities, Ltd.. Walnagate Bar, York, informs us that there is no• truth in the rumour which has gained currency to the effect that an interest in the concern has been acquired by another undertaking.
Registering a New Equipment Co.
Mr. Frederick J. Gordon, 21, Store Street, London, W.C.1, advises us that he has acquired the goodwill of Frederick J. Gordon and Co., Ltd., and that he is registering a new company under the title of Gordon Equipments, Ltd., which will handle all the wellknown lines which have been associated with his name, including Hobart chargers, compressors, vehicle washers, etc., Gordon chargers and battery-shop tools, etc.
Stewart and Ardern Sales and Service.
Under the title " Let Me Explain," an interesting booklet dealing with the many ramifications of the Stewart and Ardern organization in connection with Morris private and commercial vehicles has been issued by Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., Morris House, The Vale, Acton, London, W.3. It includes a map supplement of the South of England and is altogether a most useful little production; it is available gratis.
Are Profits Evidence of Fair Rates?
A Licensing Authority is not directly concerned with the question of rates. Nevertheless, if an applicant's charges be lower than those of his competitors, the vehicles of the latter must be idle, and that circumstance is not in the public interest. The fact that an applicant is making a profit is not proof that he is not undercutting.
A statement to this effect was made by the Metropolitan Licensing Authority, on Monday, when Cattermole's Transport, Ltd., London, N.1,-applied for four additional vehicles for machinery transport. Pickfords, Ltd., E. W. Rudd, Ltd., Coulson and Co., Ltd., and the railways objected.
Application for one of the four vehicles was withdrawn, but the whole case failed. Difficulty in hiring was alleged. Rate-cutting was denied, and balance-sheets were produced to show the profits earned.
One objector suggested that it was economic to carry 6-ton loads in 127ton vehicles.