NEWS of the WEEK
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BETTER COLLABORATION BETWEEN M. OF T. AND HAULIERS
WE have reason to believe that the deputation from the Standing joint Committee of Road Haulage National Organizations, which was received on August 7 by Sir John Reith, the Minister of Transport, has achieved results which are likely to prove most beneficial to the interests of A and B licensees.
In future, there is to be far better collaboration between the haulage interests and the Ministry. Hitherto, much of this task of representation has been relegated by the Minister to the Transport Advisory Council, but it is considered in many quarters that haulage representation on this Council has not been all that was to be desired.
Extended Payment for Maintenance
WE are glad to learn from United Dominions Trust, Ltd., Regis House, King William Street, London, E.C.3, that its interesting and practical scheme for financing maintenance by extended payments, as in the case of the hire-purchase of vehicles, is attracting wide attention; in fact, proposals are being recOive•d every day.
From its inception the scheme struck us as being one likely to prove of considerable service to operators and of value in keeping turning the wheels of industry. So many people, in these days, have to live from band to mouth, particularly when payments for work done may be somewhat late, that the ability to obtain a fairly large amount of cash to cover, possibly, extensive overhauls is a facility which, we felt, was bound to be appreciated.
• Restrictions on Camouflaging
AT present there is no intention of requiring owners of vehicles to repaint or otherwise treat them so as to render them less conspicuous. They may, however, do so voluntarily, in which case they should pay .attention to the following guiding principles:—
Avoid glossy surfaces and light colours; adopt any neutral colour other than the greys and khaki employed by the Services; above all, do not • copy the Army style, for it is most important that camouflaged vehicles should not be rendered liable to be mistaken for those in the service of the Armed Forces.
" C.M." Publishing Day Advanced
THE last issue of The Commercial Motor for August and subsequent issues will be published on Fridays instead of, .as at present on Saturdays. The journal will close for press each week on Tuesday, instead of Wednesday. No doubt many of our readers will welcome this change, as it will afford them a better opportunity of studying the journal during the week-end.
Huge Purchases of Tanks From America
ACCORDING to reports, Britain is to buy from the U.S.A. 4,000 tanks of weights between 25 and 30 tons. These are said to be of a new design and will replace the medium-class machines of 20 tons. The Chrysler company is to share in the manufacture, and the total estimated cost is 50,000,000.
Masking the Interior Lighting on Buses I N some places in England, public-ser vice vehicles have had their windows covered with blue lacquer to meet the lighting regulations. This, however, is most depressing for the passengers during the day and, in most instances, the windows are being cleaned and the vehicles equipped with more modern types of black-out mask for the lamps. Various schemes have to be designed to suit different vehicle, and Nottingham Corporation buses will, next winter, use seven types of interior lighting to meet the needs of Motorbuses and trolley buses, • REGISTER OF MEN IN ENGINEERING AND OTHER WORK
BY the Industrial Registration Order, 1940, which covers the principal engineering occupations, and certain others', the Minister of Labour and National Service is enforcing the compilation of a register of all skilled men in those trades where a shortage of skilled labour exists or is anticipated.
Apart from the manufacture of iron and steel and non-ferrous metal, shipbuilding, ship repairing and railways, all men aged 21 and upwards, in the occupations specified in the Order. must, irrespective of the nature of their employers' business, register at an Employment Exchange during the five days August 19-23 (unless they are wholly engaged on Government work throughout these five days), according to the letters with which their surnames begin. Thus, those with names commencing A-E register on August 19, F-J August 20, K-O August 21, P-S August 22, T-Z August 23.
Employers must tell their men, if they ask, whether or not they are wholly employed on Government work and furnish to the nearest Employment Exchange, not later than August 26, a list e3f their employees in the specified occupations who were not wholly employed in such work throughout the five days, together with a certificate that all their other employees in these occupations were thus engaged.
Men 21 years old, but who have not attained 65, who are capable of work and who, a,t any time within the 12 years immediately preceding August 7, 1940, were engaged for not less than a year in any of the specified occupations, will be treated as if they were persons to whom the Order applies. The specified occupations form a list -too long -to include here, but the workers should make inquiries concerning them from their employers.
Road Blocks Heavy But Movable
A PARLIAMENTARY question, asked by Mr. C. Henderson last week, . related to the large cylindrical containers that were -being filled and placed near road blocks to be used to close the gaps in emergency. He inquired their weight and as to whether experiments had been made to find out how quickly they could be placed in
position. • Mr. Law, Financial Secretary to the War Office, answered that they were heavy enough for their purpose and could be moved into place without difficulty.
White Lines to Indicate Bus Queues?
AN interesting suggestion for indicating the sites of queues at bus stops by white painted lines has been put to the Hanley (Staffs) Highways Committee. This suggestion may be submitted to the Ministry of Transport. Theiclea is to avoid confusion in the black-out.
SALES REPRESENTATIVES ARE
BEING UTILIZED • SOME engineering concerns with specialized products have pursued the policy of giving a thorough training in the works to their outside sales staff and representatives before putting them on to their normal duties. These are now reaping the benefit.
In the present circumstances, these men are, in most cases, no longer needed to seek business, for the works are mostly fully engaged on production for the Government. Thus they are mainly concerned in securing leaders with a special knowledge rapidly to increase the output.
As an example, British Timken, Ltd., since the outbreak of the war, reduced the number of its representatives by over 75 per cent., but it is recalling many of these to superintend important jobs. One is now chief of the mechanical engineering department, others act as his assistants, another is planning production, whilst a representative originally recalled to control the employment of labour has also been appointed welfare superintendent, for which he had undergone an intensive course of training. The export sales manager, who spent 10 months a year abroad, is now deputy works manager.
Thus these soundly trained salesmen have become assets of great value and, when the war ceases, many will be available to concentrate on their more normal functions.
Dual-purpose Mask for Notek Lamps
NAANY operators have found that the AV./well-known Notek lamp, made by Notek Electric Co., Ltd.. 230-234, Brixton Road, London, S.W.9, fully meets their requirements and they have been disappointed at not being able to employ it in the black-out. Now the company has perfected a dual-purpose mask and lens for use in conjunction with it, and it complies fully with the lighting regulations.
Apart from giving an efficient driving light, the mask instantly permits conversion into a powerful fog lamp. The main advantages claimed are that the full 2.5 ft. c.p. is obtainable with a 36-watt bulb, only one small aperture is used for the driving beam, there is an even spread of light with a flat top, all optical parts are sealed and the lens is readily accessible for cleaning. The binged front plate for fog remains at any desired angle; the beam can, therefore, be controlled in intensity.
Complete with lamp, the retail price is 72s, 6d., but the mask and lens as a conversion set sells at 12s. 6d. Deliveries will commence during September.
Higher Rail Fares and Rates?
DESPITE the immense amount of L./traffic that has been forced on to the railways and which has resulted in a huge increase in their receipts, they are complaining that operating costs have risen to such an extent that it will be necessary for fares and freight rates again to be increased. The Minister of Transport has referred the railways' case to the appropriate committee, which will hold a public hearing in London on August 26.
Advice on Requisitioning Problems
ARRANGEMENTS have been made by Associated Road Operators, under which members may obtain, free of cost to themselves, the advice of the Association's solicitor, Mr. H. Norman Letts, in relation to all matters respecting the requisitioning of vehicles. Members wishing to avail themselves of this facility should communicate with Mr. Letts, at 55, Moorgate, London, E.C.2.
Pocket Guide to A.R.P.
AHANDY pocket guide to A.R.P. for issue to staff and other employees, or to customers, has been prejjared by Glovers (Bristol), Ltd., 1, Broadmead, Bristol, with acknowledgments to British Timken, Ltd. It includes a useful table of various war gases, their properties, and first-aid treatment.
Prices, including carriage, are:-25 copies, 5s: 10d.: 100, 17s. 10d.; 1,000, 87s. 10d. A name and address can be over-printed on the cover at 7s. 9d. for any quantity. WHY TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES HAVE LONG SPREAD-OVERS CRITICISMS of the long hours
worked by of
and conductors have been put before Mr. R. A. Fearnley, transport manager at Coventry. He points out, however, that the spread-over system cannot be avoided. No one was ever asked to be on duty for 14 hours, but this was frequently the period over which the spread-over extended. With factories working a 12-hour day, services have to operate at specified intervals between, 'approximately, 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., to meet the needs of workers.
There are three main peak periods and, with regular services cut down, it is almost impossible to make other arrangements, but employees are compensated when the duties are extended aver more than II hours, or when they are asked to report for duty three times daily.
Young Accumulator's Successful Year
THE trading profit for the year ended March 31 last year of the Young Accumulator Co., Ltd., amounted to 219,381, against £14,808 last year, the net profit being £11,622, against £7,718. The payment of a dividend of 5 per cent., which is recommended, will absorb £5,563, leaving, with the balance brought forward from last year, the sum of £11,282. From this various items totalling 24,626 are written off, leaving the carry forward at £6,656, subject to E.P.T.
Temporary Camouflage Sheets
THERE are certain circumstances in which the temporary camouflaging of motor vehicles is desirable, such as when they are parked for any considerable length of time close to premises which have been so treated. To solve this problem in the case of the smaller types of vehicle, which it may be undesirable to repaint, Weathershields, Ltd., Moor Street, Birmingham, 4, has introduced a special camouflaged cover of waterproof material, provided with eyelets for use in tying on to the vehicle.
Prices vary from £1 18s., 6d. for a sheet measuring 12 ft. by 15 ft., to £3 10s. for the largest, the dimensions of which are 15 ft. by 21 ft. Presumably, even bigger sheets would be obtainable to special order.
WAGE INCREASE FOR SCOTTISH
DRIVE RS
THE Scottish Horse and Motormen's 1 Association has accepted a second war increase of 4s. a week for men employed by the general contractors. Railway contractors have offered 2s., which has been refused, as they are paying Gs. a week less than the general contractors. The S.C.W.S. has refused to grant any increases, and has been asked to reconsider its decision.
About 8,000 men are affected. • Anti-chatter Advice on Bus Tickets
THE Ministry of Information is utilizing bus and tram tickets at certain places, as at Southampton, for carrying slogans in place of the usual advertisements. These are to persuade passengers to refrain from discussing war topics which might give information to the enemy.:
"A Monstrous Speed Track"
STEEL, timber, concrete, machines and skilled labour, said Mr. Leach in the House of Commons last week, were being used for expensive road and bridge schemes between Borough Bridge and Catterick, in Yorkshire, and it was difficult to persuade constituents that they could not have Anderson shelters, • because there was a shortage of steel, when they saw steel being used for these purposes. Describing the section of the Great North Road that would result as "merely a monstrous speed track," he inquired whether the work had the approval of the Minister of Transport.
• Sir John Reith replied that the trunk road scheme referred to was being carried out under Ministry of Transport direction, and the decision to continue it had been taken after full consideration of all the relevant circumstances.
• Rates for Commandeered Buses
ATTENTION was drawn in Parliament by Mr. Benson to alleged indignation among local authorities in the Northern Command at the excessive rates paid by the War Office for commandeered buses Not only was he unaware of this, replied, Mr. Eden, but also operators had complained Of inadequate rates of payment. Furthermore, local authorities had been consulted in fixing the rates. Such matters, he added, were carried out in close association with the Regional Traffic Commissioner with the object of reducing interference with normal local services and rates were negotiated locally.
The Empire at War
APARTICULARLY interesting contribution to the Ministry of Information's Empire Publicity Campaign has been arranged by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., Millbank, I,ondon, S.W.1, in conjunction with the Ministry. It takes the form of an extensive advertising campaign in trade papers which circulate here and throughout the Empire.
The objects are twofold: to let the Empire know that Great Britain is the advance post of Imperial defence, and to tell the people at home that theydo
not fight alone, but with the help of the five great countries, Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and New Zealand, . as well as all the Crown Colonies and Protectorates, Personal Pars
Miss IRIS FLEWITT, who is Well
known to many people in the motor trade, has been appointed manager of Flexible Lamps, Ltd., maker of the unbreakable rubber lamps. •
MR. W. G. M. BROWN, hon. secretary of the Scottish Centre Motor Trades Benevolent Fund, is DOW serving with the R.A.F. and Ma. A. D. BEGGS, chairman of the Centre, is at present dealing with all communications, which should be sent to him at the British Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd., 26, Kingston Street, Glasgow.
MR. FRANK PICK, who recently retired from his important position with the London Passenger Transport Board, and has since been engaged on special investigation for the Ministry of Transport, has been appointed Director-General of the Ministry of Information. We have always regarded Mr. Pick as one of the best-informed men that we have met, and we welcome this interesting change in the construction of the Ministry. •
MR. F. W. HOBDEY, sales manager of the commercial-vehicle department of Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., Morris House, The Vale, Acton, London, W.3, has retired after 15 years' close association with Morris and Morris-Commercial vehicles. During this period he has made many friends in trade and operating circles, who, we are sure; will extend their best wishes to him.
AIR RAID PROTECTION FOR P.S.V. WINDOWS
TO a suggestion that public service vehicles should have their windows treated with some adhesive to prevent the glass from flying in cases Of aerial bombardment, Sir John Reith said he would ask the advice of the Minister of Home Security. Mr. Cocks raised the matter in Parliament, . and when the Minister countered the proposal by reminding him that drivers were instructed to stop at the nearest place, of shelter when there was an air raid,. said that a bus with shattered windows was useless for service next day.
Mr. Noel Baker supported the pro-. pOsal by remarking that the greatest number of casualties had been due to splintered glass. Mr. Stokes. commented that most of the substances offered for this purpose were useless.
. No Dublin Transport Strike
AT a meeting on August 12, members of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union employed by the Dublin United Tramways Co. decided to withdraw the strike notice which was recently given. The Minister for Industry and Commerce sent a message to the meeting promising that negotiations with the company on the niatter in dispute, i.e., increased wages, would begin immediately.
Scrap Handled by Traffic Movement IT has been pointed out by Mr. Roger
W. Sewill that the figures we gave last week for scrap handled by Traffic Movement, Ltd., were far too low, the actual quantity being 10,000 tons over a period of nine weeks. This was in the collection' from village dumps.