WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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" The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all digculties of transport at whatever points ttriiing, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over Which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier,
New Issue by Tylor and Sons.
The offer for sale is announced by the Imperial and Foreign. Cornoration, Ltd., of 100,000 £1 ordinary shares, in J. Tyler and Suns, Ltd., at the price of 31s. per share, 10s. of which is payable on application, lls, on acceptance, and 10s. on May 8th. It is probably well known to OUT readers that the company has been engaged during the war mainly on the construction of engines for lorries and Tanks. During the war the company has made large extensions, fihanced mainly by advances from the Government and loans from bankers, and the proceeds of the issue will in great part be applied to discharging such advances and further increasing the manufacturing capacity.
Petrol Control Administration.
Brig.-General Sir 0. Thomas asked in the House of Commons last week how ninny of the 20,000 employed under the Petrol Control Board are still being retained at the expense of the tax-payer, and Mr. Bridgman, in reply, said that the staff of the Petrol Control Department has never at any time exceeded 453 in number, and the actual number at present employed is 341. This number is retained for the purpose of issuing motor-spirit licence duty imposed by the Finance Act of 1916.
Iron and Steel Stocks.
The Minister of Munitions desires to draw the attention of all concerned to the order made by him on January 7th, 1919, known as the Steel and Iron (Purchase and Returns) Order, 1919.
It may be explained thatduring the war part of the cost of production of iron and steel was met by direct subsidy from the Government. The subsidies in connection with the manufacture of pig iron have been continued to April 30th, 1919, and in consequence the prices of pig iron (as well at of manufactured iron and steel made therefrom) have been restricted to prices below the economic level. After the withdrawal of sub. sidles at April 30th the entire cost of manufacture will have to be met by the iron and steel makers.
It was explained in the Ministry notice published on December 2nd, 1918, that steps would he taken to prevent any hoarding of subsidized material during the period for which the subsidies were continued. For this purpose the above. mentioned order. was passed. It provides in effect that no person is entitled to increase his stock of iron and/or steel by more than 100 tons except under a permit from the Ministry, and that such permits should only be granted on condition that the holders should repay to the Ministry a drawback (representing the subsidies paid on the material by the Ministry) in respect of all such stock which may be held by them on April 30th, 1919, exceeding floy more than 100 tons the amount of stock held by them on October 31st, 1915, 'or October 31st, 1918, whichever is the greater. The drawback referred to, which, has been
1325 fixed at 30s. per ton in respect of iron and/or steel, is a refund to the Government of the subsidies paid by it in respect of material which has not at that date been incorporated in. any structure or plant or work in progress.
The order further requires all persons who on April 30th, 1919, hold a stock of iron. and steel, or either of them, of 100 tons or more to furnish to the Controller of Iron and Steel Production within 14 days after April 30thr 1919; a true and complete return of the stock of iron and steel held by them (a) on October 31st, 1915, or October 31st, 1918, whichever shall be the greater; and •(b) on April nth, 1919. Forms of return for the purpose of the order may be obtained on application to the Controller, Iron and Steel Department, Ministry of Munitions, Whitehall Place, S.V. 1.
The Minister of Munitions desires to point out that the order applies to all persons whether iron and steel makers, merchants, stockholders, engineers, shipbuilders or other users of iron and Steel, who hold over 160 tons of iron and/or steel on April 30th next. Instructions as to the classes of iron and steel to be ineluded will be found on the return form referred to.
Distribution of Ambulances-.
It is announced that a scheme to provide motor ambulances for use throughout the whole of the country is being prepared by the British Red Cross Society. Apout 500 of the aanbulances used during the war are to be retained, and in distributing these the needs of the country districts will be considered before those of the large towns. A small fee may be charged for the hire of the ambulances, but this may be remitted in eases of emergency. The present proposal is that -the ambulances should be stationed about 30 miles apart, so that one or the other may be available when needed as quickly as possible.
American Output Figures.
So great was the demand for motor vehicles during 1918 that the annual production of American makers increased almost 45 per cent. over the previous year. The figures were 56,410 for war purposes, and more than 175,000 for civilian use, as against 160,100, including 16,293 for the war, during 1917. Schedules for 1919 contemplate an aggregate output substantially in excises of -the 1918 figures.
Increased' Bus Fares.
Mr. Bridgeman, in reply to a question by Col. Sir H. Norris in the House of Commons last week, said that the Board of Trade ha.', no power to control omnibus fares generally, and as at present advised did not propose to seek to obtain such powers.
• Taxicab Law.
Mr. Shortt, in reply to a question from Sir Park Goff, said that legislation would be required to alter the law with regard to taxi-cabs at railway. stations.. The matter is at present, receiving attention.
Vehicle and Accessory Import Restrictions.
The President of the Board of Trade, after duly considering the recommendations of the Consultative Council on Imports, recently appointed, has given further directions.. in regard to the prohibitions of import. Amongst them are the following :---The importation of motor vehicles and accessories therefor to be restricted until September 1st, 1919, to 54 per cent, of the 1913 imports, to be licensed in proportionate monthly. quantities. The prohibition of magnetos is to be maintained and licences to import are to be granted only in very •exceptional circumstances.
The importation of forgings and castings for motor vehicles to be similarly restricted and licensed during the same period. Spare parts to be admitted freely under licence for renewal purposes only by way of repair for foreign-made vehicles already on the road.
Stocks of Non-ferrous Metal.
The following particulars are published of the stocks (exclusive of old metal and scrap) in this country in possession of the Minister -of Munitions on April 1st : Copper, 48,702 tons; spelter G.O.B., 27,676 tons; .Spelter refined, 10,371 tone ; aluminium, 11,210 tone; soft pig lead, 96,456 tans; nickel, 2,389 tone; antimony regulus, 4,361 tons.
• Death of Patent Lawyer.
Much regret has been felt at the news of the death of Mr. A. J. Walter, K.C., the well-known patent lawyer, who, was killed on the Metropolitan railway last Wednesday by falling in front of a train. He has been a great figure in the courts and has been briefed in a number of important cases including many in connection with the pneumatic tyre patents.
Tractor Trial Judges.
In connection with the S.M.M.T. Tractor Trials to be held at Lincoln in September, the folloWing have been nominated judges :—Mr. G. A. Bellwood, of Bishop's Norton Mr. P. J. Bradshaw, of Stamford ; dr. C.' Campbell, J.P. of Newark ; Mr. E. H. G. -Maddy, ofAbdale, Glos. ; Mr. W. J. Passmore, of Shoreham-on-Sea; MT. E. W. K. Slade, of Newbury, Berke.
Commercial Aviation.
The second lecture of the series arranged by the Industrial Reconstruction Council will be held in the Saddlers' Hall, Cheapside, E.C. 2, on Wednesday, April 30th. The chair Will be taken at 4.30 p.m. by the Rt. Hen. Lord Balfour of 13uideigh, K.T., and a lecture on "•The • Aeroplane in Industrial Development" will be delivered by Mr. Holt Thomas: Applications for tickets should be -made to the secretary, 2 and 4, Tudor Street, E.G. 4.
E. 0. Spencer and Sons, Ltd., are in a position to execute orders for hoods for use on lorries, vans and other motor vehicles in 48 hours.
Coastal Bus Services.
Now that many of the largest motor manufacturers are in a position to Cope with civilian orders, an unprecedented demand is being experienced for buses, and Many new types will probably very shortly be seen an the roads.
The illustration which we reproduce on this page shows six new A.E.C. 45 h.p. buses, which form part of .an order for 50 of these vehicles which has been placed with the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., by the United Automobile Services, Ltd., of Lowestoft. The bodies of these vehicles are partly being built from the company's ooachbuilding department and partly from the works of Livereidge and Sons, Ltd. Both single and double deck omnibuses and torpedo chars-aSbancs will be included in the fleet, and they are to be principally used by the company for its Norfolk and Suffolk coast services.
Tractors Wanted in Russia.
Affairs in Russia are not generally in such a settled state as to invite business houses to regard ventures into that unfortunate country as anything other than speculative to a high degree. It is nevertheless interesting to note, on the word of one of His Majesty's Consular offiCers in the Ukraine, that work on the land has commenced in the southern region of that province, and that them is an open. ing for the sale of a considerable number of small tractors. Before the revolution it was generally agreed that Russia offered vast possibilities in the way of markets for all kinds of goods. ' It is obviously only a matter of time until things there become more settled, when opportunities for the sale of all classes of machinery will be innumerable. It may not be too much to hope that this preliminary inquiry for tractors is but the beginning of such an era for which we hope.
U.S. Government Sales.
Another auction sale of U.S. army motor vehicles took place on April 8th at the Grahame-White auction mart at Hendon. This particular sale was very .poorly attended in comparison with the previous week's sale, and as a direct result the prices realized were consider
ably lower in most cases. Although the catalogue was a more varied one, it cannot be said that the machines as a whole were in first-class running order,
An Austin char-a-banns for seating 30 passengers realized £7.25, and although mechanically it appeared to be pretty sound the body was only in second-rate condition. A number of A.E.C. 3-ton lorries which, it will be remembered, fetched as new prices in excess of £10003 on this occasion only fetched a figure slightly below £500.. • Sonic of these were in need of repair, and one lorry we picked out had one of the front spring shackles missing, whilst from another the magnetowas missing. Ford ambulances and Ford vans in varying mechanical condition were knocked down at prices ranging from £130 to £190.
Taking things' as a whole, prices were considerably lower than at any other Government 'sale we have attended. This either portends a reduction in second-, hand values or else an argument amongst the dealer-buyers.
South Shields Buses.
In his 1918 report the South Shields tramways manager records an improvement in the omnibus service over the previous year. The receipts were £1,031 compared. with £905. The expenses were £1,000.
A Rate-saving Tractor.
Brixworth Rural District, Council is considering the purchase of a steam tractor. The Road Surveyor says, £1,000 a year could be saved, and a member of the council declared that a tractor would pay for its cost the first year and the next year effect a saving of about 20. in the pound on the rates.
• Karrier Concert.
-A most delightful concert . was given recently in the canteen of Clayton and Co., Ltd., Karrier Works, by the Karrier male voice choir. The choir is a new feature of the works' activities, having . come into existence only at the end of January last. It speaks well, therefore, both fen. the enthusiasm and the talent displayed, that such a successful concert was given within two months of the formation of the choir.. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. R. F. Clayton, Mr. A. Briggs, one of the directors, presided.
More London Cabs.
The British Motor Cab Co. has launched a scheme by which drivers may purchase their cabs by instalment (differences with the Union have already been composed), and it is expected that between 1.500 and 2,000 cabs will be disposed of in this manner. Already 200 drivers have paid deposits as a first step. The purchase terms are as follows : i',10 down ; £10 on allotment of the cab ; and the balance, gm, by instalments of £2 a week (Bs. a day. for five days a week). For the garaging of the cabs, the company is charging 30s. a week, thia charge including oiling, greasing, lamp cleaning, tyre fitting, paraffin, and minor repairs. Before the cabs are sold they will be thoroughly overhauled and painted the colour the new owner chooses.
It will be remembered that the garages of the British Motor Cab Co. closed down in February, 1918, following the strike, owing to the refusal of the Home Office to agree to raising the fare to is; a mile, This new scheme should help to eaee the dearth of cabs on the London streets,
Iron and Steel Subsidies.
The Ministry of Munitions hereby gives notice that all subsidies in connection with the rnan.ufacture of iron and eteel, including those on iron ore, coke and pig iron will be withdrawn on April 30th. The control of prices and allocation of all descriptions of metallurgical coke, iron and steel scrap, cinder and scale, iron. ore, pig iron, manufactured iron and steel and tinplates will cease as at that date.
Subject to the provisions of existing centracts and to any regulations in force from time to time with regard to export, makers and others are free to make their own terms and •arrangements in respect of delivery of any of these materials for horde or export on and after May 1st.
New Chairman of Solid Tyre Committee.
Mr. H. Shankland of the Shrewsbury S. T. and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., was recently .appointed chairman of the Solid Tyre Committee oiLthe S.M.M. and T.
Canada Calls for Cars.
Of all the Colonial markets for British automobile products, Canada would seem to call for earliest attention. This probability is emphasized by figuees published in a recent issue of the Board of Trade Journal, which indicate that the use of motorcars and commercial motors in the four states of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia has increased four-fold during the period of 1914-18. The actual figures of such vehicles in use are: 1914, 25,424; 1918, 109,499.
The Survival of the Fittest.
The survival of the fittest is aptly applicable to the 18 h.p. Napier in one of our illustrations, as the car is a 1903 model, and has been in use for the past 16 years. For the first • eight years it was fitted with a touring body, but for the last three years it has been run by the owner, Mr. Rowland Williams (a motor engineer of East Molesey, Surrey) as a light delivery van.
Mr. Williams states that it has covered many thousands of miles ; it has never given any trouble, and is still doing excellent work. The chassis is chain driven, and the engine still rune on the Napier synchronized electric ignition. The only. alteration made on the car is that the starting handle is now attached to the • chaasis, whereas before it was loose and carried anywhere on the vehicle.
Passenger Transport in Liverpool.
In his report for 1918 Mr. C. W. Manilla manager of the Liverpool Corporation Tramways, mentions that on the Armistice. being signed the TramWays Committee lost no time in taking action for the provision of an improved transport service for the citizens, and appointed sub-committees to dear with the matter. After careful consideration, it was decided to purchase 100 new motor omnibuses, as it was found that these vehicles could be obtained and placed in service much earlier than trafiacaaa. The omnibuses will not run in competition with the tram services, but will form a most desirable adjunct. Each of the systems has its sphere of usefulness if judiciously handled, and it is the opinion of the general manager that the motor 1328 omnibus will in the future play an important part in obviating the present passenger traffic congestion in large cities and towns.
The revenue for the year was £989,504, of which £273£25 was gross profit, and allocated as follows :—Interest, £50.069; sinking fund and repayment of leans, £52,734; reserve, renewal and deprecia
tion account, £29,322; and contribution in aid of the general rate, £140;000. The net profit amounted to £169,322, an increase of £2,078, as compared with 1917.
Some of • the new buses, which were ordered from the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., have already been delivered.
Petrol-driven Trams.
It is stated that the Ford Tractor Co. is proceeding apace with plans for the use of petrol-propelled tramcars, which it is intended shall replace the more expensive electrically-driven cars. It is said that a number of the new vehicles will he demonstrated on the streets of Detroit during the coming summer.
Char-a-bancs Licences.
The Horse and Hackney Carriage Committee of the Bournemouth Town Council has refused the application of Mears. Elliott Bros. for six more licences for motor chars-i-bancs, it being stated that the committee were prepared to consider
application for 19 licences only. The council came to the conclusiou that there were sufficient chars-à-hams licensed for local service, and that the limit, which is 50, adequately meets all needs.
American Taxicabs for Britain.
There is talk in Leeds of a scheme to place a number of American taxicabs on the streets for hire, revision of the by-laws being undertaken with this development in contemplation. In Leeds, as in other places, the scarcity of taxicabs during the war caused lunch inconvenience due to generally well-known reasons. Before the war the number of taxicabs plying for hire in the city was 40. The number so far licensed for the current year is 28, although more are expected when the necessary repairs are executed. About half the number of tabs in the city are owner-driveu, and a meeting of those -concerned has been held to discuss the proposed by-laws and the prospect of increased competition.
Bus Workers' Agreement. '
After several days of negotiation between the representatives of the London Omnibus companies and the committee of the London and Provincial -Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers a settlement has been arrived at under which the men will obtain an eight-hour day, the existing rates of pay being main
tained. Other clauses provide for six days' holiday with pay and bonus annually to all who have been in tke employment of the companies for six months; the payment of overtime rates on an agreed basis, and special rates of pay for working oil public holidays.
Efficiency Meetings:
The sixth, and last, of the fourth series of efficiency meetings was held recently at the L.G.G.Ca's Training School, Chelsea, when Mr. H. E. Blain, operating manager, presided over an attendance of some 250 members of the administrative and control•staffs of the associated undertakings. • The paper for the evening,. ". Safety First—The Progress and Possibilities of Accident Prevention Work," read by Mr. A. Winter Gray, of the operating manager's department, proved to be an interesting and comprehensive survey of the ".Safety First" movement from its early beginnings, both in this country and in the United States Of America; of British and American accident prevention methods, and of the eminently suecessful results achieved. Reference was also made to the " Safety First" campaigns of the National Safety Council and Museum of Safety of America; of the Midland. Great Western and London and South-Western Railways London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., and Underground Railway Group ; Lever Bres, Ltd., and the British Industrial "Safety First" Association. A special account of the Metropolitan campaign revealed the fact that, during the two years' activities of the London " Safety First" Council, there had been a gratifying decrease in fatal accidents of 23.75 per cent, and in the total of accidents to persons or property of 35.88 per cent.
Salving a Ship by Traction Engine. Attempts to salve the French steamer "Tours, ' which is lying on the rocks at Hunt's Bay, near Lowestoft, have had to be abandoned for several weeks owing to adverse tides. Tugs and traetion engines have already been employed in an endeavour to bring the vessel on to the specially constructed slipway, whence ,it was hoped it would glide into the Water.
The hope so far has proved in vain. The vessel, which is worth £100,000 when aileat, was eold for £1,500 after it had gone on-the rocks.
Licences Jeopardized by Mud,
Northampton Chamber of Trade has complained of the nuisance caused by mud splashing by motors and omnibuses, and the town council has requested the Wellingborough Motor Bu Co. to instruct drivers considerably to reduce the speed of the vehicles, otherwise the council will have to consider whether it may not become necessary to curtail the facilities afforded or even to refuse the renewal of the licences.
West 'Somerset agriculturists are endeavouring to secure better local transport facilities, especially, in regard to motorbuses,
Local Proceedings.
Thingoe (Suffolk) R.D.O. is to consider the purchase of a roller, tractor and trucks.
When elected the nevi'. R.D.C. for Guisborough. (Yorks.) will ga into the question of obtaining a motor tractor The estimates for the coming year in elude a sum equal to a 30. rate for the purchase.
Melton Mowbray R.D.C. will shortly have under review a proposal for the purchase of one or two steam tractors.
The Athletes Volimteer Nursing Section, East Ham, has given the Corporation the ambulance and equipment of the corps for the use of the public.
Reading T.C. is to consider a recommendation of the Tramways Committee to purchase five motor omnibuses to cost, with plant and appliances, about £7T50.