Answers to Queries.
Page 20
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Women Motorcar Drivers for Military Service.
[4032] (N.B.).—Women motorcar drivers who are employed by the ' War Department are obtained through the Women's Legion. You should address Miss Christabel Ellis, Commandant, Motor Section, Women's Legion, 72, Upper Berkeley Street, W.
Lookout; Batteries.
[40a3] (Marmion).—If you put blinds at the side of the cab as you suggest, you will have to have, in addition to transparent portions, a loose flap on both sides, through which you could either put your hand for signalling purposes, or your head for when you are reversing or for some reason wish to see what is behind your vehicle. Accumulators can be got from these makers, amongst others : —Edison Accumulators, Ltd., 2-3, Duke Street, St. Ja.mes.:,s, S.W.; • The Chloride Electrical Storage Co., Ltd., Clifton Junction, Manchester; Fuller Accumulator Co., Grove Road, Chadwell _Reath.
War-loan Position.
[4034] (Surplus).--We do not profess to deal in THE COMMEECIAL MOTOR with general financial inquiries, although we are at all times ready to give our opinion, when it is asked, concerning the position and prospects of particular motor-manufacturing, motor-transport and similar undertakings. We are none the less prepared briefly to answer your inquiry concerning the position of the 3,1 per cent. War Loan of November,1914. This loan, which stands at the moment at about 85i, was issued at 95 per cent., and it is redeemable at par in 1925-1928. If, therefore, you are looking for a definite appreciation of the capital which you invest, rather than a high interest return during the currency of the investment, we should advise you to buy. Certain privileges in respect of borrowing facilities arid rates also attach.
Ford Figures.
[4035] (Light Van).—A higher proportion of Ford vehicles has been sold in this country, for commercial purposes, during the past twelve months, than in any previous period. We are quite unable to suggest the exact proportion, because the records are jealously guarded by the Ford Co., and naturally so. The profits of this company, the finance of which is entirely American, during its past financial year fended 31st July), were approximately 212,000,000. The company's capital is only about £400,000. and the dividend of 60 per cent, absorbed but a small portion of the profits. The total assets of the company now reach some 230,000,000, whilst the undivided surplus is approximately £24,000,000. The company had cash in hand, at 31st July last, 'n excess of £10,000,000. Timken and Brown-Lipe Agents.
[4036] (Bradford).—Timken roller bearings are sold in this country by the Electric and Ordnance Accessory Co., of Birmingham, and the Brown-Lipe gearbox by Benj. Whittaker, of 7, Victoria Street, London, S.W.
Unguarded Tree Left Across Highway.
[4037] (Obstruction).—The obstruction of any highway by a fallen tree is an offence under the Highways Act of 1835, and any damages which can oe proved, due to negligence fallowing such an occurrence, can be recovered in the civil courts. You will probably have to show that the farmer was aware that the tree had fallen, and that he thereafter negleCted to remove it with reasonable celerity, or to indicate its position by putting a light on it after dark. • Working Costs; Battery Life.
[4038] (N.W.).—We have mailed to you one of our pre-war sheets of standard working costs for petrol vehicles, but these are now liable to war increases, which average about 30 per cent. It is too soon to make any conclusive statement concerning the life of batteries in this country, and we prefer not to commit ourselves to any such estimate or statement, although we have before us at the present time data which satisfy us that the life of any good type of accumulator is about five-and-a-half years, so far as cost goes. It may soon be proved more.
Depreciation on Commercial Motors in Ceylon.
[4039] (London Office).—We do not know to what extent the fact of the locale of your use of motors may affect the situation. If the conduct of the business in Ceylon makes no difference, you will pronably find that in the course of the next few weeks an agreed rate of 20 per cent. depreciation will be sanctioned. There is no recognized allowance at the present time, although 121 per cent. or 15 per cent. is the general rule. We suggest that you become a member of the Commercial Motor Users Association by remitting 22 us. 6d. to the Secretary, Mr. F. G. Bristow, 83, Pall Mail, S.W., to cover entrance fee and annual subscription to the end of next year, by which course you will ensure being advised of all that takes place. The negotiations are being conducted, between Somerset House and the users of commercial motors, through the C.M.U.A., although any revision of practice will, of course, not be limited to members of that, body. We think it would in any event interest you to belong to it.
Profits of Engineering.
[4040] (Worker).—We have been interested to read your views on the .future relation of wages to profits. You may be interested to know that, at the Engineering Section of this year's meeting of the British Association, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, the subject was closely examined by Mr. Gerald Stoney, B.A.I. (Dublin), F.R.S., President of the Section. He pointed out that, taking the whole engineering industry of the country, the average capital invested was 2200 per man employed, and the return to the capitalist an average of only 4 per cent., taking into account all classes of capital—ordinary, preference and debentures. Whereas, therefore, the average wage in normal times is about 270 per annum per employee, reckoning the whole wage list, including youths and apprentices, the average return to the shareholder is 28 per annum per individual employed. It cannot be suggested, from this, that there is any very satisfactory average return to the investor, The return on which the capitalist works has been on the average a small one: the employee gets nearly nine times as much.