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Correspondence.

16th January 1908
Page 13
Page 13, 16th January 1908 — Correspondence.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Our Recent Tests of Steward's Tubeless Boiler.

The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."

Sir :—I have read with great interest the article in your paper on the Steward tubeless boiler which appears to me to be a remarkably efficient generator besides having the merit of being of quite unique design. There must be a great future before it. I think, however, that one of your statements is somewhat misleading, viz., you say that paraffin at 40. per gallon costs 3.5 times as much as Welsh steam coal. This is perfectly true, taking them weight for weight., but surely their respective calorific values must be considered in working out such a ratio.

The calorific values of coal and petroleum have been placed at about three and four respectively, but, as a matter of fact, the results shown in actual use are : coal, i; and petroleum, 2. On this basis, the difference in cost of these two fuels, as above referred to, must be reduced to one half. As a regular reader of your paper, I venture to draw your attention to this, and, to my mind, it is very essential that this should not be forgotten in dealing with the question of liquid fuels, so much in evidence just now.—Yours faithfully,

A. FITZGERALD.

31, Chesilton Road, Munster Park, S.W., tith January, 1908.

tabulating the results (given in our last isme) of the testa on Steward's hailer, we compared the results obtained, with some fig Jres given by Jamieson, as the outcome of tests on tubular boilers. The basis of the comparison was the number of pounds of water evaporated per pound of fuel consumed, and the respective cost per pound, or per ton, of the fads. Our correspondent states that paraffin has twice [Sc calorific value of coal, but that value is rather high. Petroleum has a calorific value of 20,000 B.T.U., a carbon value of 1.375, inul is, theoretically, capable of evaporating 20-711th. of water rex pound of fuel. The average calorific value for bituminous coal ii 14,111) B.T.U., its carbon value is -469, audit is, theoretically, capable of evaporating 14.601b. of water per pound of fuel. Their respective values are, therefore coal I, and paraffin 1.1. We quite agree with our correspondent that these figures inig,ht, have been taken into account, had we been making a VrOnparison on that basis—En.]

The Road-Car Strike.

The Edit Or, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."

Sir :—I read your article on the above and, frankly, J an disgusted with it. I have had your paper since number one and have always found sensible and instructive articles it what I consider a high-class weekly journal and I think i would have been better had the above article not appeared as it is entirely misleading. I am not employed by the Road Car Company, but I ham been on the journey system for another London compan: over two years and, although I claim to be a skille( mechanic and know my business, I say it is impossible, a all men with comnion sense know, to average 255. per wee] taking the whole year through, and it is with regret 1 notie you advocate the journey system. What do the men cart that know nothing about simple breakdowns? Why it i scandalous—it is not English—the way London motorbu -drivers are paid, and I consider that it should be brought m in Parliament. It is all very well to write from the Editoria chair, but actually earning your living at motorbus drivirq is another thing and I. invite the Editor to attemp it. In my estimation, a motorbus driver is not overpaid a jj2 108. od. per week of nine hours per day, and the present day state of things is disgraceful, inhuman, and calls fo much comment.

Can you wonder why the Press, which understands what i actually going on, states to the public the truth, and can yoi wonder why the Road Car men, who I am glad to Eee ctr men, stand out for justice ?—Yours faithfully, R, WiLts.

[We have no ob5ection to giving publication to ibis letter, as our column aro open to anybody, no matter how extreme. At the same time, we adher to our view that the journey system, subject to efficient organisation of tb engineering departracint, is a fair one. Far from its being um, that men o this system cannot average 25s. per week, practically the whole of he me can and do average a week. We should like proof that our corresponder is really adiver.—Era]

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