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METHODS of transport m a y have quite an appreciable effect upon the quality of the goods which are being carried. Not only are some materials, such as certain foodstuffs, highly absorbent so far as odours are concerned, but the vibration of solids or the surging of fluids may alter the usual characteristics, as in the case of milk.
An interesting example of this occurred during the war, when the timing of a certain fuse became very irregular. It was eventually traced to the fact that the particles of the powder employed were being more closely associated owing to the transport vehicles running over rough roads made of tree trunks. If the vehicle had been running on smoother roads there would have been no trouble, 1 ONE commences now to notice the practical effects of the tremendous movement towards co-ordination between the railway companies and roadtravel services, which has taken place since the railway companies obtained their statutory road powers. The closing of branch railway lines to passenger traffic and, more noticeably, the closing of intermediate stations on routes of small importance, has been a, matter of slow development, but it seems to be gaining prominence. Nothing could be more sensible than the replacement of littleused passenger services on the railways by flexible and convenient motorbus services, leaving the railway track free for through goods and passenger trains. RECENT experiments with rust-resisting steel • have shown that the addition of .4 per cent, of zirconium sulphide to 14 per cent. chromium steel facilitates the machining, grinding and polishing until these are practically the same as with ordinary screw material. In addition, the zirconium sulphide so lubricates• the threads that seizure is almost impossible, and the threads actually, wear smoother as the nut is repeatedly tightened and loosened; similarly, there is less tearing and wearing in the ease of pump-shafts.
THROUGHOUT the land the general opinion is that the modern bus driver is at least one of the best road users commonly he is described as the most considerate. The great factor which has contributed so much to this state of affairs is forward control, enabling the man at the wheel to see both front wings. This permits his driving much closer to the near-side kerb than if he were in doubt as to his left-hand safety margin. Certain modern cars, in which the driver sits so low that he can only see a large expanSe of bonnet and the tip of the off-side wing encourage space-wasting in urban areas. Doubtless we shall see cars in the future with a form of forward control, the engine being at the rear. Even more congested roads in the years to come will cause car makers to follow the lead of the commercial motor.
FROM all accounts it appears that the " outer circle " bus service recently• introduced in Birmingham is likely to be an extremely popular one. The 25-mile ride around the outskirts of the city costs the passenger the reasonable price of Is. The round trip takes approximately 2i hours and it seems to us that it would be rather a good idea if the holders of tickets for the whole journey could be permitted to change buses at will. The organization for such an arrangement could be simple.