OPINIONS FROM OTHERS..
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters shodd be on ens side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and Ise responsibility for WOWS
Expressed is accepted,
Roads and the Community.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2371] Sir,—I have read the article published by you recently, under the signature of Mr. Edward S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., M.Inst.T., with some interest, and with an even more marked astonishment. I find it difficult to understand how a responsible writer, contributing to a responsible journal, could bring himself to express the views that Mr. Shrapnell-Smith has thought fit to present to your readers.
I should have imagined that it was now generally admitted that what this country needs most is a reduction of taxation ; your contributor appears to believe, on the contrary, that an increase would be good for us. Again, the experience of the past few years has made the average taxpayer distinctly disinclined to favour any measure calculated to "gladden the heart" of an official of the Ministry of Transport—or of any other Ministry. Frankly, with the average man, Ministries and their officials, however personally estimable the latter may be, are rather at a discount. What most of us want is an improvement in the quality of the State t.dministration, and most certainly not an increase in its quantity. Where your contributor comes completely unstuck—if I may use that expression—is, however, In his' emphasis of the argument that another "id. per head per day" will do all that he thinks ought to be done. This amiable suggestion would be all very well if the whole of our population paid taxes. Unfortunately, it does not. Consequently, Mr. Shrapnell-Smith, in common with other taxpayers, would have to find a good many other people's halfpence. This is sad, but true.
As, before writing his article, Mr. ShrapnellSmith presumably devoted a certain amount of thought to his subject, it would be ihteresting• to know how, and in what manner, and also from whom, he would propose to extract the extra millions desired by his Ministry of Transport friends ?—Yours faithfully, L. F. JONES. London.
Running Buses to Schedule.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR. [2372 j Sir,—Having read the letter (2369) of Mr. D. Graham-Davis in the issue of The Cornmercial.Motor for June 9th, I would like to state a case which I think worthy of his attention (as the Combine's unofficial whitewasher), and, incidentally, worthy also of consideration of the Advisory Committee at their public inquiry, which I note in your leader is to be held shortly, namely : the danger of running buses in London to schedule.
While proceeding down Park Lane, W., with a 5-tonner I pulled out to pass a horse-van, travelling well out in the middle of the road, and while recovering my near side was overtaken by an independent bus. Hearing the familiar noise of a Combine engine, I glanced back through my nearview window and saw a " General " showing "route 16" boards overtaking me on my near side at speed. Out of regard for his passengers I pulled out to allow him to squeeze through. He continued madly onwards, passing the independent, again on the near side and swinging out without warning in the path of the Independent caused' the latter to stop dead short to avoid a collision with an obelisk. I had to pull up in less than two lengths in order to avoid the independent. I noted his number, but, on second thoughts, I n44 hung on his tail until I ran him to earth in Victoria station yard. Here I told him in plain English exactly what I thought of him and his driving. He adopted a meek and mild attitude and said: "Well, old man, I have been held up at Brondesbury " (where road works are ptoceeding), "and I was only trying to pull up time." Before I had time to answer him, his conductor said : "You know, bus driving is not all honey. If he runs in here late he's on the carpet, while if he tries to pull it up he's at the mercy of anyone who likes to report him for driving to the common danger, so you see he's between the devil and the deep sea." I contented myself with quietly telling them that the next Combine vehicle which ..ttempted to pass me on the wrong side would either have to hit me or mount the footpath to avoid me, and left them. This is the state of affairs which Mr. Davis advocates when he cries aloud for running to schedule.
I notice in none of the three letters he has written whitewashing the Combine does he give the usual disclaimer regarding his connection with the Combine, nor does he state his occupation.
Therefore, as a driver and mechanic of 18 years' experience, having no connection with any bus concern, I would advise Mr. Davis to take in his hands for one week the wheel of a 5-tonner running on heavy work, in order that he may gain a little experience of this complicated subject.
I could: challenge practically all the points he raises, but I am afraid the Editor would not allow me the space.—Yours faithfully, Sydenham. LONDON LORRY DRIVER.
A Curious Wheel Trouble.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2373] Sir,—I have been an appreciative reader of The Commercial Motor for some years, and I wonder if you can spare me the space so that some of your mechanic readers could help me to solve the following problem : I am the driver of a B72-type Napier lorry, which has detachable wheels. I find that almost every week or so the four studs that hold the wheels and hub caps in position are either broken , or so loose that the wheel wobbles very badly. I have been fitting one stud per week, which, of course, is rather an expensive addition to the yearly cost of maintenance. I may state that I have not yet sought the makers' opinion, as I would like to solve this problem myself.
This trouble only occurs on the near-side rear wheel, but I have had one stud broken on the offside wheel; I have tried the lock-nut idea, vet these studs still come loose or break. This lorry is eight years old, and even now is running better than some new ones. My mileage is about 1,000 per month, so it will be seen that it has plenty of running about, and I cannot speak too highly of Napier lorries except for this trouble. Hoping that you will publish this letter and thanking you in anticipation.—Yours faithfully, ; JAMES P. GIIESDON.
London, W.8.