THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR 550
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• News of the Week
A VITAL FACTOR IN NATIONALIZATION
ONE of the most important points in the Transport Bill, and one to which little attention has been directed, concerns the tests as to whether ordinary long-distance carriage for hire or reward predominates.
This is supposed to be arrived at in either of two ways:—(a) If the total weight of goods for long-distance on hire or reward exceeds half the total weight of all goods carried, or (b) if the receipts from ordinary long-distance carriage for hire or reward exceed half the total obtained from all the services afforded by the vehicles concerned.
It is pretty obviousthat the second test is the overriding one. The receipts on short-distance work for a corresponding tonnage are almost bound to be less than if the vehicles were engaged on long-distance work. If the basis were ton-mileage, it would be a different matter. For example, one vehicle on long-distance work might easily run loads for three or four times the mileage of another employed on short-distance work, and although the cost per ton per mile woald be less on the former, the rate would certainly not be reduced to a third or a quarter.
This means that Clause 42 is entirely misleading, and either badly conceived or so arranged that the Government . will be able to take over far more traffic than would appear on the surface. The only amelioration seems to be that certain concerns also operating C-licensed vehicles would be able to count the whole tonnage carried by the latter in the proportion not run on ordinary long-distance yardage. the rate for such tonnage being computed.
Many operators are seriously concerned about this anomaly and are anxious that the House of Lords should act before it is too late.
UNOFFICIAL STRIKES CONDEMNED TNOFFICIAL strikes were con
LI at the biennial conference of the Transport and General Workers' Union, which opened in Hastings on Monday. Among the speakers who suggested that such lawlessness might arise from the remoteness of the Union leaders from the rank and file, was Mr. D. McNeill, a bus driver employed by Preston Corporation.
L.N.E.R. SCOTTISH TOTAL MECHANIZATION
LJAVING "nothing to do with nation.. I I alization." a plan has been formed by the L.N.E. Railway Co. for speedier delivery in Scotland of goods under one ton. New railhead and zone centres are to be established, and the transport is to be fully mechanized.
The company's intention is to scrap 154 horsed vehicles and replace them by A-licensed motor vehicles. Licence applications for these were approved by the Scottish Licensing Authority. Under the new system, merchandise would be handled four times, as against seven under the old. • BAKERS' DRIVER-SALESMEN HAVE NEW AGREEMENT WAN salesmen engaged in the wholesale section of the baking industry have secured a new agreement with the employers in the Manchester area.
The basic wage rate for a normal working week of 48 hours is £4 10s., but it is provided that each concern shall arrange a commission scheme based on sales as an incentive to the van salesman. The commission shall take into account the hours regularly worked by the van salesman and shall be arranged to compensate him for hours worked in excess of 118 per week.
Minimum earnings, calculated on a commission basis, shall be £5 5s. per week of 48 hours. That sum is also the minimum .payment for.a driver not receiving commission. When required, all men are to assist in the loading and unloading of their own and other vehicles in the service of their employer and generally to assist in any other work connected with the business of the employer.
• TWO MORE SALES OE GOVERNMENT VEHICLES 'TWO big sales of Government surplus vehicles are aanounced by the Ministry of Supply. One wilt take place at the Tullibardine Institute,. Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland, from July 23-25. ComMercial vehicles, including tipping lorries, tractors, and trailers, will be auctioned.
The vehicles may be inspected two days in advance of the sale at the Board of Trade, Home Timber Production Department, Equipment Depot, Blair Athol'. Catalogues may be obtained from Macdonald Fraser and Co., Ltd., and Hay and Co., Ltd., both of Perth.
Another large sale is now proceeding at Bentley Wood Depot, Winterslow, Salisbury, and will continue until July 25. The vehicles include ambulances, coaches, workshop lorries, tankers, oilengined tractors, and trailers. BILL PETITIONS: ACCUSATION BY M.P.
AN allegation that a number of women signed anti-nationalization petitions in the belief that they were petitioning for the return of soldiers from the Far East, of winch the sponsors did not disabuse them, was made in the House Of Commons last week by Mr. Ian Mikardo, when Commander Noble and Mr. Vane presented petitions against the Transport Bill signed by a total of 187,000 people.
The Speaker replied that he was not aware of the case, ENGINEERING • MANPOWER SURVEY
A SURVEY of existing manpower in rAthe fields of science and professional engineering is to be carried out by the Technical and Scientific Branch of the Ministry of Labour. A request for the survey has been made by the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, of which the chairman is Sir Henry Tizard.
NUFFIELD EXPORTS UP XPORTS by the Nuffield OrganisaLA tion have risen by 52 per cent. in the first six months of this year, compared with a similar period last year. This record has been achieved 'despite the fuel shortage, and the lack of steel and other raw inater...ils. PARK ROYAL AND ROE AMALGAMATE
A RRANGEMENTS have been made PA for the amalgamation of Park Royal Vehicles. Ltd„ and Charles H. Roe, Ltd.,
Leeds, The merger terms provide that the Park Royal company shall purchase for £237,500 the whole of the issued share capital of Roe's. The purchase price will be satisfied by the issue of 300,000 Park Royal Sc. ordinary shares to the vendor and £95,000 in cash. The cash consideration will be supplied by the issue of 100,000 5 per cent, cumulative preference share:,, in respect of which the underwriters have agreed to subscribe or procure responsible subscribers at 22s. 6d. per share. The balance from the proceeds kif this issue will be available as additional working capital.
Mr. Charles H. Roe, who founded the Roe business in 1916, will continue to be chairman and managing director of Roe's, and will join the Park Royal hoard. Mr. W. R. Black, managing director of the Park Royal comPany, will join Roe's board.
The new combination will have a capital of nearly £1,000,000. A .statement issued by the Park Royal directors says that they consider both companies will benefit commercially and technically from the merger, particularly as each company should be able to specialize on a smaller number of vehicle types, and both will adopt standard parts when possible.
Park Royal Vehicles, Ltd., has called an extraordinary general meeting for July 2i to sanction the issue of the 5 per cent. cumulative preference shares. .
NEW SOURCES OE OIL SUPPLY ESSENTIAL r'ONFIDENCE in the oil industry's
ability to meet the increasing demands for its products was expressed • by Sir Frderick Godber, chairman, at the annual meeting of the Shell Transport and Trading Co., Ltd. He pointed out, however, that temporary shortages were being caused partly by the lack of steel for plant and ships.
As a result of the rapidly growing demand for oil in the United States, North America could not be depended upon to supply the marginal require. ments of other countries, neither could South America make good the deficit in supplies from the U.S.A.
"That is why," said Sir Frederick, "the greatest importance is attached by the industry as a whole to the rapid and efficient development of other possible economic sources of crude oil supplies, including those from the Middle Fast."
THREE APPEALS: THEN RECESS
BEFORE rising for the summer recess, the Appeal Tribunal will hear three eases at Halifax House, Strand, London, W.C.2. Ott July 21 the appeals of Mr. J. A. Trinder against a decision of the East Midland Deputy Licensing Authority, and of G. and B. Watson,. Ltd„ against a decision of the Western Deputy Licensing Authority will be taken. On July 22, the Tribunal will hear the appeal of Mr. H. Howells.against a decision of the South-Eastern
Deputy Licensing Authority. • . DEATH OF MR. C. T. BLACKLOCK WE announce with great regret the VY death of MR, C. T. BLAi.KLOCK. managing director of the Clayton Dewandre Co., Ltd. He was 67 years of age. At an inquest on Monday, a verdict of death by misadventure as returned. His death is believed to have been accelerated by food poisoning.
Mr. G. H. Iles, general manager of the Lincolnshire Road Car Co., Ltd., and Mr. A. Hobson, secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of England, were among those who were taken ill after dining at the Lincoln hotel at which Mr. Blacklock was believed to have contracted food poisoning.
OBITUARY
• VUE regret to announce the death of
• VT the following: — MR. , LAUCEILAN MacLEarl, works manager of Macrae and Dick, Ltd., the well-known Inverness bus and haulage concern.
MR. THOMAS D. H. L. ALEXANDER, son of Mr. Walter Alexander, founder of W. Alexander and Son, Ltd. Mr. Alexander, who died from a heart attack, was about 40 years old and was district superintendent of the company at Stirling.
MR. W. WiirrE. general manager of Victoria Coach Station, who died on July 14 at the age of 64. •He had been ill for some months.
SHAREHOLDERS ACCEPT MERGER PLAN
IT is reported that holders of more than 90 per cent, of each class of capital of the British Piston Ring Co., Ltd. Hepworth and Grandage. Ltd., and Wellworthy Piston Rings, Ltd.. have
• agreed to exchange their stock and shares for shares in Associated Engineering Holdings, Ltd. The amalgamation of the three companies can therefore be completed.
DAVID BROWN MACHINE TOOLS
TO avoid confusion, Muir Machine Tools, Ltd., Manchester, will in future be known as David Brown Machine Tools, Ltd. This change has been deemed desirable ncw that the entire David Brown machine tool activities, including manufacture of worm gears, previously carried on at Huddersfield, have been centralized.
FREE TRAVEL TO SALES FREE coach travel is one of the•inducements held out by Walton
Garage (Stafford), Ltd., Walton, Stafford, to patrons who attend the company's weekly motor. sales. Two services are run—one from Wolverhampton and the other from Manchester. Coaches pick up passengers at various points en route.
FORD AT "ROYAL WELSH"
ALARGE display of Ford products will be seen at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show at Carmarthen, from August 641 In addition to tractors with hydraulically operated implements, the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., will show a range of vehicles, including a double-deck livestock truck, based on a Thames 4-ton chassis, with bodywork and equip
ment by Alfred Mites, Ltd., Cheltenham.
A dual-purpose two-horse box with Lambourn body, a 10-cwt. utility with converted body by Martin Wafter, Ltd., a 5-cwt. van, and a 4-ton lorry will also be exhibited.
BETTER STREET LIGHTING IN AUGUST?
PRESENT restrictions on street lighting, which were imposed as an emergency measure last February, will be somewhat relaxed when Double Summer Time ends on Sunday, August 10. From that date, lighting authorities throughout the country will be asked by the Minister of Transport to adopt a standard of street lighting which will achieve a minimum saving of 50 per cent. on pre-war fuel consumption.
Trunk roads and classified roads in .built-up areas should be lighted to a OKA standard, economies being effected by a saving in the lighting of other roads, says the Ministry. All street lighting should be extinguished at midnight, unless the police recommend to the contrary.
The Minister will not authorize any new or extended street-lighting installations except on roads where lighting is essential for the safety of traffic, or where it will not entail any material increase in fuel consumption and is justified on traffic grounds.
NEW STYLE IN POSTERS iN a new series of posters issued by 'Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., a central feature is made of reproductions of soft-pencil drawings. Each poster in the series deals with a different town and the bus services to it. Although simple, the posters are extremely effective. Green is the second colour.
A booklet of instructions for the mounting, use and maintenance of H.F. salvage equipment has been issued by Harvey Frost and Co., Ltd., Bishop's Stortford. Herts. PERSONAL PARS MR. S. Lomax, chief cleansing inspector of Gateshead Corporation, has been appointed transport inspector in the cleansing department.
MR. H. BRYANT, A.L.A.A., has been appointed assistant Accountant of the Hants and Sussex Motor Services, Ltd.. and Miss J. M. BROWN, A.C.I.S.. assistant secretary.
MR. E. HUGH ARMITAGE has, for business reasons, resigned his position as chairman of Hoffmann Manufacturing Co., Ltd., but retains his seat on the board. He is succeeded as chairman by MR. J. W. GARTON.
MR. A. H. GLASSPOLE, sales engineer of the Commer and Karrier concerns, has been elected chairman of the commercial vehicle technical committee of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He is a member of the joint technical committee ofcommercial vehicle, tyre and wheel manufacturers of the S.M.M.T. and the Automobile Industrial Committee (associated with the British Standards Institution). He is also the representative of the light commercial vehicle manufacturers on the panel, covering manufacturing and operating interests, which meets the Ministry of Transport on matters relating to the Construction and Use Regulations.
PAY OF INSPECTORS INSPECTORATE staff of Blackpool I Corporation is to be regraded to con• form with the award of the National Joint Council. Traffic and ticket inspectors, known as transport inspectors, will be paid a salary of £255 per annum, rising by £15 increments to 000; depot inspectors, £3454160; and sectional inspectors £360-405. Alt will receive bonuses.
N.R.T.F. TYRE. COMPLAINT BRINGS REPLIES
SSENTIAL services are not likely to J--■ be held up because tyres are being absorbed by vehicles for export. This is the view of Sir Harold Kenward, president of the Tyre Manufacturers' Conference, and was expressed after the National Road Transport Federation had issued a memorandum (as reported in "The Commercial Motor" last week) calling the Government's attention to the critical position with regard to tyres.
Sir Harold points out that tyre product ion has been reduced because of the shortages of fuel, fabric, and carbon black.
The N.R.T.F. memorandum has brought a reply from the Retread Manufacturers' Association, which also points out that the main difficulty in tyre production is the shortage of carbon black. The Association adds that its members are producing more than 1,000,000 retreaded tyres per annum, compared with 3,500,000 new tyres manufactured last year for home consumption. Retreaders could increase their output if they could obtain further supplies of raw materials.
Supporting the N.R.T.F., the National Tyre Distributors' Association has sent to the Ministry of Transport and Board of Trade a resolution calling on the Government to give British commercialvehicle operators the highest priority in the supply of tyres, even at the expense of requirements for new vehicles, including those for export.
" All the popular sizes are in short supply, and our members all over the country are being continually called out to service vehicles on the road, engaged in the transport of food and essential raw materials," states the resolution. .
WORLD-WIDE PLAN FOR EXCHANGING INJECTORS
.1"-I A REPLACEMENT scheme, under
which operators in any country are able to exchange worn oil-engine fuel injectors for reconditioned units, has been introduced by Leyland Motors, Ltd.
Stocks of reconditioned injectors are being built up by every Leyland service depot and agent at home and overseas. Part of the company's £100,000 injector manufacturing plant has been turned over to reconditioning injectors, whether of Leyland manufacture or not, which are suitable for Leyland 4.7-litre, 7.4litre, 8.6-litre, and 9.8-litre oil engines.
LEYLAND FACTORIES CLOSE
MHIS evening, the Leyland, Farington 1 and Chorley factories of Leyland Motors, Ltd., will close until July 28 for the annual holiday. Special service facilities will be available. The company's Kingston factory will close from July 25 until August 5.
FIRST ATTEMPT: FIRST PRIZE COMPETING for the first time at the
annuaj -camp and tournarnent 'Of the National Fire Brigades' Assoeiaticin, the Dennis works fire brigade secured a first award in a motor pump drill competi
tion. The drill was carried out in 42.5 seconds. MORRIS BUYS FOUNDRY CO.
TO provide potential capacity for the manufacture of iron castings for tractors and other purposes, Morris Motors, Ltd., has bought Thomas Butlin and Co., Wellingborough, a branch of United Steel Companies, Ltd, The newly acquired foundries will be operated as a department of the engine branch of Morris Motors, Ltd. The &Alin concern was first 'established in 1852.
I.O.T. APPRECIATION OF TECHNICAL PRESS
SPEAKING at a Press luncheon given last week by the Institute, of Transport, the president, Mr R. Stuart Pitcher, C.B.E., F.R.S.E., said that the Institute now has 7,500 members. The new headquarters should be ready shortly and are awaiting only official sanction. So far, the tund in connection with this " home " had reached 160,000 out of tho: total of £t00,000 which would be required.
He referred to the great value of the Technical Press to the transport industry. It helped to keep managers up to date! Its policy was constructive. Whatever criticism might be made of the general Press, this could not be extended to the technical. The members of the latter were the friends of the industry.
Response was made by •Mr, H. J. Ferguson, Editor of "The Passenger Transport Journal." Other speakers included Sir Frederick Handley Page, C.B.E., and Mr. T. W. Royle, C.V.0, M.B.E. The latter said that from the Technical Press transport men gained new ideas, food for thought, and news from all over the world.
TWO POSITIONS AVAILABLE
WJE would draw special attention to WV two positions referred to in our
small-advertisement columns. One is for a competent repairer for oil-fuel injection equipment, to take charge of a repair shop in South America. The other is for a first-class salesman with a practical knowledge of heavy goods vehicles.
The latter, if of the right type, will have an opportunity of promotion and of ultimately taking charge of the com
mercial-vehicle department of wellknown concern in the West NEW ACHESON COMPANY ANEW company, Acheson Colloids, Ltd., 9 Gayfere Street, London, S.W 1, has taken over the business of E. G Acheson, Ltd. Management and staff are unchanged
NORTH-WEST ZONE SCHEME . SENT TO MINISTRY
AT a Liverpool meeting last Friday. riCoun. G. W G. Armour, chairman of Liverpool Passenger Transport Committee, stated that proposals for reorganization, approved by 40 municipal road operators in the North-Western Traffic Area, had been sent to the Ministry of Transport.
The North-Western Area, which comprised Lancashire, Cheshire. and North Wales he said, was too big to be worked by one undertaking; hence the proposal to divide the area into four zones, based on Liverpool, Manchester, Preston. and Chester respectively. Each zone would be carefully delineated.
If the Ministry accepted the suggestions, it woula lead to increased employment and rateable value, for Liverpool would have main offices and works Or a much larger area thaq was served at present.
120 GUY 45-SEATERS FOR HOLLAND
THE first of an order for 120 45-seater buses, 33 ft. long and 8 ft: wide, has been delivered by Goy Motors, Ltd.-, for operation between Breda, Dongen and Tilburg. in Holland. Mr. I. H. Dodgson, export manager of Guy Motors, Ltd., personally handed over the first vehicle to Mr. J. Reignden, director-general of N.V. Bradantsche Buurspoorwegen en Autodiensten, of Breda, the operator.
The bodywork is by the Saunders Engineering and Shipyard, Ltd., Beaurnaris, Anglesey. The vehicle has an opening roof, and heating is provided by alternative exhaust pipes beneath the seats.
During the war the Dutch Army headquarters was situated near Wc Iverhampton. There is still a Wolverhampton-Tilburg Committee in existence. Tilburg also has a " Tilburg-Wolverhampton Committee," and the delivery of Wolverhampton-built .buses will cement the close relationship between the two towns.
COMPENSATION FOR BUS OPERATORS INADEQUATE 'THE Government's formula for
calculating compensation for bus undertakings to be taken over bythe British Transport Commission was welcomed by Mr. W. T. James, 0 BE, chairman of the North Western Road Car Co., Ltd., at the company's annual general meeting on Monday.
"With a specific basis of compensation, we shall at least have some idea as to Where we stand, but by no stretch of imagination can the basis be regarded as adequate," he said.
Dealing with operational matters, Mr. James stated that the company was now within 10 per cent of its pre-war mileage. Although revenue had increased, earnings per vehicle-mile were less than a year ago. Operating costs continued to rise.
DUNDEE TO RAISE FARES rACED with a possible deficit of 1£69,000 next year if fares continue at present level, Dundee Town Council has decided to increase fares on the trams and buses.
DECENTRALIZATION SPELLS SUCCESS '
ONE of our secrets of successful operation is the decentralization of the undertaking into eight areas under area managers, who are in constant touch with local opinion. They also maintain contact with the railway divisional superintendents, with whom headquarters co-operation is effected by periodical road-rail liaison meetings."
Mr. L S. Wills, Minst.T., chairman of the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., • Ltd., gave this information to share..holders at the comp.my's ordinary general meeting last week.
Referring to co-ordination arrangements, he said that the company had restored through-booking arrangements with the Great Western Railway, and inter-available tickets for use on road and rail were issued for 115 sections of route. Since the end of 1945 more than 80,000 passengers had used these tickets. Improvements had been made in other aspects of co-ordination with the railways and various bus operators, including municipal undertakings.
Mr. Wills also stated with pride that fares had not been increased since the company was formed.
TRANSPORT FOR MINERS MAY BREAK DOWN
A CCORDING to Mr. Arthur Horner_ Ii general secretary of the National Union of Mine Workers, the Government has been warned that arrangements for transporting miners to and from the pits may break down next winter. He said that the Minister of Transport had made an unsuccessful attempt to arrange a national survey of transport for miners by an expert and had referred the matter to the Traffic Commissioners.
Mr. Horner said that the Union had 'raised the question of the Coal Board running its own services, hut this action was apparently prevented by the Transport Bill.
A resolution proposed that miners should be carried free of charge for all distances in excess of three miles. Another called for an agreement with the National Coal Board for the payment of travelling expenses. It was stated that some Lanarkshire miners were paying 7s. to 10s. a week for transport to and from the pits.
LATIN AMERICANS WANT ORNATE BUSES
A LTHOUGH certain makes of British Pi bus continued to have a high reputa.tion for quality, long life and economy of operation, they lacked the superficial decoration of American vehicles, which appealed to some operators in the Latin American Republics, said Mr. D. G. Stokes, export manager of Leyland Motors. Ltd., at a -meeting at Leyland last week.
In many countries, he added, the high wages paid to bus drivers, sometimes amounting to £80 per month, enforced the use of one-man-operated vehicles. In the Argentine, coaches covered hundreds of miles non-stop on a strict time schedule, at speeds not under 60 m.p.h.
Speaking of the general rise in world prices_ Mr. Stokes mentioned that the present money value of a 26-year-old Leyland operated by a Buenos Aires timber importer was higher than its purchase price in 1921.
.• NO "DIVL" ON FARES •
AT a sitting of the Scottish Traffic Commissioners last week, Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, Glasgow, applied for licences to operate coach services, including tours. An agent gave an undertaking that no dividend would be paid on fares.
INDIA LOWERS TYRE RATES. 'THE mileage rate charged by the India
Tyre and Rubber Co„ Ltd., to Glasgow Transport Department for tyre maintenance has been reduced from 0.95d. to 0.88d. per vehicle-mile. FIRST 8-ft. BUSES RAVE ROE BODIES
AS announced in "The Commercial Motor" last week, Oldham Corporation has purchased the first 8-ft.wide buses to go into service in this country.
Charles H. Roe, Ltd., Leeds, has built the bodywork on Leyland chassis. Fifty vehicles have been ordered and the first 25 are practically completed.
The bodywork is of patented composite construction, ano air-conditioning and heating are provided in both the upper and lower saloons: The Clayton equipment is installedin the cab canopy on the near side and the motor and fan unit is easily accessible. The seats and the gangway are each 2 ins, wider than normal. Hand rails and fittings are polished.