WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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"'The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever paint, arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crazier.
New A.E.C.-English Electric Trolley-bus.
In our issue for next week we expect to be able to publish an account of a new A.E.C.-English Electric trolley-bus, having a seating capacity for no fewer than 74 persons and embodying several novelties of construction, including a central entrance having no step. The vehicle is reckoned to represent a marked advance in present-day trolleybus production.
Sentinel's Trading in 1932.
The report of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Lt-d., for the year ended December 31, 1932, shows a loss on trading, after meeting interest, income tax, etc., of 17,072, which is reduced to 14,906 after deducting the balance brought forward from the previous year. A sum of £9,717 has been provided for depreciation, whilst £5,052 has been applied in writing off experimental and development expenditure, so that the debit balance is 119,675, which is covered by a transfer of 120,000 from the reserve fund, thus leaving a sum of £325 to be carried forward.
The directors say that the bad state of trade abroad and at home—the latter seriously aggravated by the Salter Report—has made it impossible to keep the works employed for more than a fraction of their capacity. Foreign orders, sufficient to keep the works fully employed, have been held up by financial difficulties. In a reference to experimental work, it is said that the company will be putting on the market, at an early date, steam vehicles of an advanced type for use on road and rail.
First Dinner of Institute of Consulting Motor Engineers.
Approximately 12 months ago a new organisation, designated the Institute of Consulting Motor Engineers, with offices at Bush House, .Aldwych, London, W.C12, was founded. Confining membership to qualified insurance engineers, the Institute has for its general objects the circulation among its members of up-to-date information and the maintenance of the status of the motor consulting engineer
Last Friday the Institute held its first annual dinner, which was well supported. In the absenceof the president, Mr. P. A. H. Deligny, Mr. J. Arden White, the president-elect, occupied the chair.
Mr. Frank Gaccon, of Cardiff, a member of the council, in proposing "The President and the Institute," spoke of the responsibility of the consulting and assessing engineer. It was essential, lie said, that such a man should be a qualified technical engineer with sound practical experience and a knowledge of insurance.
We understand that, although full membership of the Institute is confined to assessing engineers who are not members of the motor trade, specialists in certain branches of the industry, and whose advice, therefore, is especially nI8 valuable to the Institute, are eligible for election as associates, The Institute publishes a monthly journal, and at past meetings a number of interesting papers has been read, whilst a paper on " Automobile Fires and Extinguishing Agents" is to be read by Mr. R. Sansome, of the National Fire Protection Co., Ltd., on March 17, and visits to the Ford and Rolls-Royce works are planned for May and .Tune respectively.
Armstrong-Satuer Buses?
It is understood that Armstrong Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., Scotswood, Newcastle-on-Tyne, is experimenting in connection with the production of single and double-deck oilengined passenger vehicles.
Future of the Road Fund.
We understand that the Government is considering the question of abolishing the Road Fund and placing road grants on the annual votes sanctioned by Parliament, and an early decision in the matter is expected.
151 G.W.R. Country Lorry Services.
The Great 'Western Railway Co. reports that country lorry services have now been arranged at 151 centres on its railway system, nine new services having been developed during the past year. Provision has been made for the collection and delivery of grain, oil cake and other feeding stuffs from and to outlying farms, whilst, in addition, merchandise of all classes is being distributed within a radius of 10-15 miles. The Britishbuilt Latil Tractor.
Latil Industrial Vehicles, Ltd., 11, Albert Embankment, London, S.E.11, is about to announce the British-built version of the famous Latil four-wheeldrive and four-wheel-steering tractor, and it is hoped that, in our issue for next week, we shall be in a position to publish a technical description of the new machine. The tractor is, practically speaking, unique in its design, affording high road speeds as well as remarkable cross-country capabilities.
"The Commercial Motor" at the B.I.F.
In connection with the British Industries Fair The Commercial Motor and its associated journals are included in the exhibit of the Periodical, Trade Press, and Weekly Newspaper Proprietors' Association, on Stand No. 1)D71d in the General and Sales Services section at Olympia, London, and Block SIC, Stand No. 4 at the Birmingham section of the Fair. Copies of the journals and all information concerning them will be obtainable from the clerks in charge of the stands. The Fair opens on Monday next and remains open until March 3.
New Registrations in December.
A return issued by the Ministry of Transport shows that during the month of December, 1932, the number of motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, was 22,353, as contrasted with 18,898 in December, 1931. Whilst the number of hackney vehicles has been almost halved, havinefallen from 413 in 1931. to 225 in 1932, the number of goods vehicles shows quite a small drop, the figure for 1931 being 4,235, and, for last December, 4,113. The increase in the gross total is mainly brought about by the increased registrations of private cars.
Railway Traffic Statistics for November Last.
Statistics recently circulated by the Ministry of Transport show that the total number of passenger journeye (excluding those by season-ticket holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain in the month of November, 1932, was 87,529,574, an increase of 328,874 on the figure for November, 1931. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares increased by 1,226,171, but those at standard or ordinary fares decreased by 897,297. The receipts from passenger train traffic were 1104,400 less than in 1931.
For the four weeks ended December 3. 1932, the coaching train miles showed an increase of 260,352 compared with the four weeks ended December 5, 1931. The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 20,855,977, a decrease, compared with the corresponding four weeks in 1931, of 1.152,538 tons. The freight train receipts at £6,546,420 were lower by /691,372.
Development with Petters Oil Engine.
The interesting A.C.V.-type twostroke oil engine for road vehicles produced by Petters, Ltd., Westland Works, Yeovil, has been modified to provide for fell forward control when this is required. The alteration takes the form of eliminating the air filters on the top of the scavenge bank on the off side of the power unit, and placing an air cleaner and silencer at the front end out of the way of the forward-control fittings.
Reduced Charges for Film Transport.
A flat rate for the transport of films to and from cinemas in Bradford and district, instead of the former charge per film, has been introduced by Film Transport (Broxburn), Ltd., which recently acquired the film-transport business known as the Bradford and Leeds Transport Co. The new flat rate is 10s. per week for houses where the programme is changed twice weekly, plus any rail charge. Its effect is that most exhibitors are required to pay less than under the old scale.
Contract Rates for Haulage.
At a recent meeting of the Leicestershire and District Horse and Motor Owners' Transport Association, at which the president, Mr. W. Burrows, occupied the chair, contract prices for haulage were fixed. So far as motor vehicles are concerned, the following were agreed :-1-ton tipping lorry and driver, 3s. 9d. per hour, or for periods less than eight hours, 4s. 3d. per hour ; 30-cwt, tipping lorry and driver, 4s. per hour, or for periods less than eight hours, 4s. 6d. per hour. In each case, double charges are made for work on Sundays and Bank Holidays. These rates take effect on March 1.
A Highway Film at the B.I.F.
At the stand of the British Road Tar Association in the quarry section at the British Industries Fair, in Birmingham, which opens on Monday next, a new talking film, entitled "The Highway," will be shown free in a cosy little cinema theatre, which is being fitted up to accommodate 50 people. The Association is bolding six sessions daily, each lasting 35 minutes, during the period of the Fair. The film traces the history of roads and opens with some attractive " shots " of early transport, and ends with some excellent pictures of arterial roads and by-passes.
Progress of the Oiler.
Mr. W. H. Goddard, the well-known Leeds motor engineer, speaking at a meeting of the Institute of the Motor Trade, in Newcastle, said that nothing could stop the progress of the oil engine in road transport. In spite of depression, much progress had been made in the development of the compressionignition engine, and there were now between 1,600 and 1,700 installed in road vehicles. He mentioned that the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., had over 100 oil-engined buses in service.
I.F.S. Imports More Than Halved.
Six commercial vehicles were imported into the Irish Free State, during December last, bringing up the total for the past year to 573 vehicles, of an estimated value of £112,867, as contrasted with 1,3= and £208,613 respectively in 1931.
Further Details of Pyrene Insurance Scheme.
As announced in last week's issue of The Commercial Motor, the Pyrene Co., Ltd., Great West Road, Brentford, Middlesex, has formulated its own insurance policy for vehicles carrying Pyrene fire-extinguishers. It offers a yearly rebate of 10 per cent. to policy-holders living in towns and 15 per cent, to those living in the country. This, it is claimed, shows a saving of II. Is. to 14 10s. per year.
In addition to the rebate, the Pyrene motor policy has certain other noteworthy features. A no-claims bonus up to 25 per cent. is one; it provides for a 15 per cent. reduction for one named driver, and it includes manslaughter defence up to ):250. Furthermore, refills for the owners of Pyrene fireextinguishers are provided free.
We understand that, so far as a commercial operator is concerned, the policy is confined to the ancillary user's vehicles and to private-hire cars, but that vehicles which fall into other classes are considered on the merits of the individual case and are by no means definitely excluded.
The formulation of this new insurance scheme was officially announced at a luncheon given by the Pyrene Co., Ltd., on February 9, at which Mr. W. B. Phillips, the chairman, outlined the scheme.
A Paper on Selecting a Goods Vehicle.
Mr. R. B. Shepherd, A.M.Inst.T.•
read a paper at a London meeting of the Metropolitan Graduate Society of the Institute of Transport a few days ago, choosing for his subject "Modern Motor Goods Vehicles." The paper was classified under four headings, namely, types of chassis, modern bodywork, legal requirements and general remarks.
After giving registration figures, the author proceeded to discuss the main points to which prospective buyers of goods vehicles should pay attention. He examined various components one by one, and discussed performance data, the legal aspect, etc., particularly stressing the need for obtaining a vehicle suitable for the work in mind.
A.E.C. and L.G.O.C. Dividends.
The Underground group of companies recently announced its dividends for the year 1932, that of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., being 41 per cent. (tax free), as against 61 per cent for the previous year, whilst the dividend on the ordinary shares of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., is 7i per cent. (tax free), as against 10 per cent. in 1931. In the case of the latter concern, the amount carried forward is 1230,258, as against £215,276 in the previous year.
According to the published traffic returns, the gross receipts of the Common Fund Companies showed a reduction on the year of £464,000, the actual takings' having amounted to £15,081,000.
A Mobile Soup Kitchen.
We publish on this page a couple of pictures showing an interesting vehicle which Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., has recently supplied to the Salvation Army. The basis of the vehicle is the maker's 30-ewt. chassis, and the special body has been fitted up as a soup kitchen for the distribution of food in distressed areas.
• The body is constructed on the lines of a travelling shop, with a serving counter and shelter on the near side. The equipment includes four 10-gallon containers and one of 15 gallons capacity for holding soup, which is heated at the depot and kept warm on the hay-box principle. There is an insulated compartment at the forward end of the body for puddings, etc., whilst there is a spacious cupboard below the serving counter.
The Problem of Traffic Congestion.
Mr. W. Vane Morland, the general manager and engineer of the municipal passenger-transport undertaking at Leeds, recently gave an interesting address before members of the Leeds Rotary Club, in the course of which he said that many social changes had added to traffic problems, mentioning that there was now more travel both by public vehicle and private cat'. Furthermore, only a few years ago the working day a the artisan class usually started between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., with a result that the traffic could be dealt with before the transport of shop assistants, office workers and others. Now the artisan commenced his day's work a matter of two hours later. This had m
ac) suited in traffic being merged and called for a concentration of vehicles, which, in effect, had to -deal with the traffic in from 1hour to 2 hours, as against 4i hours previously.
Discussing the question of congestion in busy areas, Mr. Vane Morland expressed the view that one-way traffic should never be inflicted on a shopping district, unless the congestion had arrived at a hopelessly acute stage, because of the disastrous effect it had on the activities of tradespeople.
Relief highways in most cities were, he stressed, an urgent need of the times, but the difficulties encountered in constructing them were often insuperable. He than went on to discuss the matter as it affected Leeds.
Vauxhall Works Re-organization.
Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., advises us that, until the end of the month, production at its factory at Luton has been suspended. For some time the demand for Bedford lorries and Vauxhall cars has, it is stated, exceeded output facili ties, and the company allotted £500,000 for building extensions and additional plant. The new machinery is being installed and the latest methods of flow production will bring the company's manufacturing methods up to a point of high efficiency.
The final re-organization programme will be carried out during the period of suspension and production will be resumed about March 1. To supply all reasonable demands from the home market during the period that the works are closed, all manufacturing sections have been working overtime for some time past, in order to deal with February deliveries.
A Broadcast of Granite Quarrying.
An interesting talk is to be broadcast from the Midland Regional Station on March 4, when listeners will be taken on a tour around the Leicestershire granite quarries and told about the making of raw material used for the construction of roads. The sounds of quarrying and crushing the granite for roadstone and tarmacadam will be heard, and a particularly big detonation, which will dislodge some 5,000 tons of granite, has been arranged.
February 17, 1933. India's Imports: Britain Second
Although there was a slight increase in the demand for commercial vehicles in India, during October last, only 1,310 machines, valued at £161,280, were imported during the April-October period of last year, as compared with 2,704 and £280,640 in the corresponding seven months of 1931.
The United States is still credited with the largest share of the total, namely, 805 vehicles which is, however, a drop from 2,24 in the previous year. On the other hand, Great Britain is second in the list, with an advance from 110 to 258 vehicles, followed by Canada with 222 and other countries 25.
Benevolent Fund Progress.
The membership of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund shows a gratifying increase of 1,459 since January 1, 1932, the figure now standing at 11,063. The increase in London of 97 members and 349 associates is most marked, although Scotland, Isiah an in crease of 114 members and 208 associates, is a close second.
A pleasing ceremony took place at the recent monthly meeting of the executive committee of the Fund, when Mr. Albert Thomson, president of the council for 1932, presented his recruiting prize, value £20, to Mr. C. H. King, of the East London Rubber Co. During Mr. Thomson's year of office Mr. King introduced 91 new members to the Fund.
The New Rawlings Window.
We are asked by the Rawlings Manufacturing Co., Ltd., 1-29, Larch Road, London, S.W.12, to draw attention to a feature of its latest half-drop window, which, in our description last week, was not clearly pointed out. It should be noted that in the event of a shock being given by " racing " the moving pane, the stress is taken by the guard rail and in the same direction as the glazing, so that no loosening of the glazing is set up. This feature, which is claimed to
be novel, is protected. •
Fuel Use in U.S.
The decline in the consumption of motor fuel, in 1932, was not as great as the industry had feared, according to figures compiled by Mr. Fred Van Govern, staff statistician of the Ameri can Petroleum Institute. The total decline amounted to about 41,000,000 barrels, or 9.2 per cent., compared with the consumption figure for the preceding 12 months.
Bristol's Report for 1932.
The report of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31, 1932, shows that revenue for the year amounted to £1,152,515 and working and general expenses and renewals to £1,032,675, leaving, with the balance brought forward from the previous account, a net revenue of £124,719.
An interim dividend of 2 per cent. on the ordinary shares has absorbed £20,000, and a similar sum represents the dividend for the year on the 4 per cent, preference shares, whilst interest on the 4 per cent, mortgage debenture stock, 4i per cent. mortgage debenture stock, and deposits and bank interest are given at £38,675, making a total of £78,675.
The balance is to be appropriated by the payment of a final dividend of 3 per cent on the ordinary shares (£30,000), making 5 per cent. for the year, and adding £10,000 to the reserve fund for contingencies and renewals, leavino f6,045 to be carried forward. The number of passengers carried on the company's buses and tramcars was 125,383,560, a fall of 2,017,356 on the previous year's figure.
Russia Meets Its Own Tractor Needs.
For some years past Soviet Ressia has been an important market for tractors, but the growing. output of the Russian factories has practically ended the trade for foreign countries. During the nine months ended September last, 246 tons of tractors were imported into the country, as compared with. 76,083 tons a year earlier.
An authoritative article on the Soviet industry appeared in our issue dated November 18.
Thornycroft Freight-vehicle Programme.
John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Thornycroft House, Smith Square, London, .S.W.1, has recently issued revised price lists and data sheets for the current types of its freight chassis. At first sight, there appears to be a bewildering range of some 50 types, but actually they are grouped into eight distinct classes of four-wheeled, and six classes of rigid six-wheeled, chassis. In each are offered alternative types with normal or forward control, standard or long wheelbase, four or six-cylindered engines and, on the heaviest models, the option of petrol or oil engines.
This new wrhornycroft programmeo which came into force on February 1, provides for a range of vehicles for loads of from 2 tons to 12 tons, so that the requirements of all classes of trade can be met. The new lists give much data concerning each chassis, as well as the revised prices, which, in same cases, show reductions from the previous lists.
Leyland's Chairman on the Road and Rail Problem.
The annual general meeting of Leyland Motors, Ltd., was held a few days ago, when Mr. J. H. Tonlmin, J.P., the chairman of the company, presided. After dealing with the accounts, which were referred to in our issue dated February 3, the chairman went on to discuss road-transport restrictions, and said that, apart from the general depression, there have been the effects of the drastic legislative restrictions in most of the Dominions, whilst in this country restriction of nubile-service vehicle licences and increased cost of petrol have curtailed the activities of operators and reduced their spending power.
He expressed the view that the railways can never regain prosperity by a process of hampering road transport by the imposition of legislative regulations and restrictions. In a further reference to the road and rail question, he said the true position is that we are experiencing an evolution in land transport, brought about by the combination of a rubber-tyred vehicle fitted with an internal-combustion engine and running on a hard-surfaced road—an evolution which is as great in its economic and social effects as the introduction, a century ago, of the steam engine.
In dealing with the Leyland six-cylindered oil engine, he mentioned that, within the past few weeks, the company had received the largest single order ever given by one customer for this type of unit.
In referring to the success of the Ley land Cub, the chairman said that now fire-engines, based on this model and having a capacity of 400 gallons per min., have been produced.
Proposed Anti-dazzle Regulations.
Consideration has beep given by the committee of the Royal Automobile Club to the draft regulations concerning dazzling lights on road vehicles, which have been issued by the Minister of Transport. The Club does not, however, approve of anti-deezle regulations being issued, the reason given being that British motor manufacturers are widely adopting dipping-beam devices as standard equipment, so that regulations are unnecessary.
Britannia. Batteries in Scotland.
The progress of Britannia Batteries, Ltd., in Scotland, is indicated by the fact that the company has found it necessary to take over more commodious premises in Glasgow, the depot in this city now being at 88-90, York Street. This depot will continue under the direction of Mr. A. Yate, the company's Scottish manager, and will distribute Britannia and Pertrix batteries throughout Scotland.
Personal Pars:
At a recent meeting of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association Mr. Thomas Taylor, of Messrs. John Taylor and Sons, was re-elected_president, Mr. W. J. Harper, of Messrs. W. Harper and Sons, being re-elected vice-president.
At a recent meeting of the Leicestershire and District Horse and Motor Owners' Transport Association, Mr, W. Burrows was re-elected president, Mr. J. Ward was elected vice-president, Mr. George .Smedley treasurer and Mr. J. All.sop secretary, Mr. W. Perry being appointed general secretary.
A New French Oil-engined Rail Coach.
Some time ago, the Paris, Lyons and Mediterranean Railway Co. carried out trials of various designs of rail coach and, as a result, has divided a contract for 21 such vehicles between several French concerns. Amongst the latter is the Societe Somua, of St. Ouen.
This company's type of railcar is equipped with a Peugeot-Junkers twostroke-cycle oil engine having an electric starter. The body of the coach is of all-metal construction and, with the object of reducing vibration, is, like the engine, mounted on rubber.
The coach has a wheelbase of 20 ft. and an overall length of 371 ft.; its weight, empty, is given as 11 tons. In some recent trials on the 56-mile route between Venisseux and Rives, in the Isere Department, a speed of 47 M.p.h. is stated to have been attained.
An Armstrong-Saurer staff Function.
A few friends of the ArmstrongSaurer concern were invited to the dance arranged for the staffs of that and other Armstrong-Whitworth companies, which was held on Friday last at the restaurant that has just been completed in Thames House, Westminster. The new building, with its excellent appointments, made a homely setting for what proved to be quite out of the ordinary in the way of staff functions. The cabaret was extremely good, and the event was enjoyable.