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The Wheels of Industry.

This journal, dealing as it does with the "Chariots of War," no less than with the "Wheels of Industry," continues of national importance. Its interests embrace impartially the transport wagon and the parcelcar, the military tractor and the steam lorry.

Proposals and Purchases.

• Waltharnstc..w U.D.C. has tested an Edison battery van for a week.

• llford U.D.C. Electricity Committee may shortly purchase a steam wagon for coal cartage.

The surveyor to the Ilford U. D. C. is preparing a report on the question of street-watering by motor.

Hull City Council, after considerable discussion, has authorized the expenditure of 22050 on a motor ambulance and motor brougham.

East Ham Town Council is experiencing some difficulty with its Finance Committee, in respect of providing 2628 for the purchase of a motor sweeping-machine.

Gamagee Bell.

The profits of the Gamage-Bell Motor Cab Co. for the year ended the 31st December last amounted to 28159, compared with 213,275 during the previous year. No dividend is paid, and the balance carried for-• ward is 2213.

Motorbuses for Reading.

The British Automobile Traction Co., Ltd., has concluded a favourable agreement with the Reading Corporation, and will shortly inaugurate numerous motorbus services in the vicinity of the county town of Berks. No fare of less than 2d. will be charged within the Borough, in order to protect the interests of the Council's tramcar services, but many routes will be de veIoped along which no tramcars are either run or commercially feasible. The motorbuses will run to and from the centre of the town.

More Motor Mails.

The Surveyor for the North-Midland District, G.P.O., Nottingham, is inviting tenders for a motor-mail service between Kettering and Northampton. Tenders must be posted on or before the 17th April. The contract will be let for a period of three years, as from the 31st August next, and a capacity for 8 cwt. of mails is required. The trip length is 141 miles each way. The Surveyor, G.P.O., Portsmouth, is asking tenders of conveyance of mails by motorvan between Kingston-on-Thames and Hounslow, A maximum capacity of 10 cwt. is required, and the routes to be followed are 9.1 miles to Hounslow, and 7.4 miles back to Surbiton. There will therefore be a small amount of dead mileage at the Kingston-on-Thames end. The contract will be let for three years, and tenders must be posted on or before the 10th April,

B36

A new catalogue of the publications of Temple Press Ltd. has just been prepared ; copies may be obtained from the offices of this journal, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, E.C.

Motors in War.

Mr. T. M. Sleigh, president of the National Federation of Scottish Merchants' Associations, gave an interesting address, in Edinburgh, on the evening of the 24th ult.; entitled " The Motor in War." Mr. Sleigh gave data, most of which is known to our readers, concerning the impressment of commercial vehicles, and the extent of ambulance service for the Red Cross Society. He stated that nearly 40,000 holies had been taken from Scotland alone, but that the magnitude of the motor transport work, in provisioning, manning and fighting, could hardly be realized, Our Fund.

The total of cash donations, to Saturday last, as appears from the list on page 87, was 23942. Details of the amounts which are grouped together under the head of

Sums on account of collections for the month of March" will be given in our next issue.

It appears likely that fresh in terest will be created amongst supporters of our "Campaign Comforts" Fund by reason of the fact that we have recently had added the pleasant duty of sending out gifts to the M.T. Companies "at and around" the Dardanelles.

A Lot of Americans.

We may publish in an early issue of this journal descriptions of further interesting commercial-vehicle chassis imported from America. It has been evident now for some time that the competition from this source is assuming considerable proportions.. The following list of such chassis, which covers most of those with regard to which inquiries are being made, or agencies established, and which is lengthening daily, is already a formidable one: it does not include several British assembled American trucks nor others which contain Americanmade components combined with some of British make, The B.A. Gramm ; Chase-: American Daimler: Dayton ; Federal : Schacht; G.M.C. : Gramm ; Indiana ; Jeffery: Kelly ; Knox Tractor ; Macear ; Modern ; Overland ; Packard ; Peerless ; Pierce-Arrow ; Reo ; Signal ; Speedwell: Wajenhals ; White ; Morton. Reference must be made ta batterysvehicles. including Edison, G.V.C. and. G. M.O. Durham-Churchill Output.

Mr. W. J. Thomson, the general manager of the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., writes to inform us, apropos a paragraph from the pen of "The Extractor" which appeared on page 72 of our issue of last week, that he is not in agreement with the reference. He states that his company has purchased the whole Durham-Churchill output for a long time ahead.

Hyatt Roller Bearings.

Now that so many American types of cars are being introduced to the British market, the question of replacements of many of their standard components is likely to become a considerable one at an early date. In this connection, we learn from Broom and Wade, Ltd., High Wycombe, that a special department has been inaugurated to facilitate the supply of Hyatt roller bearings. Stocks are held.

War-finished Vehicles.

Over a fortnight ago, when lunching with Mr. Lion-el Jaekel, this director of Commercial Cars, Ltd., took the opportunity to lay before us his suggestion for the ultimate satisfactory distribution of excess W.D. lorries after the closing of active operations. The proposal he had to snake was "a simple and a sound one, viz., that each manufacturer should be appointed ,by the War Department as agent for the sale of his own second-hand vehicles. These would be turned over to him on the understanding that they must not be disposed of below a certain minimum price, better prices being realized where possible."

We have not the space at the moment to devote to a careful consideration of the results of such a policy, but, on the whole, as we told Mr. Jaekel, it impressed us favourably. We were much pleased with the opportunity it would give to manufacturers to insure that machines returned from active service should not—if not given to the Territorials—find their way into purchasers hands until such time as they had been certified as overhauled and inspected effectively. We are, however, not concerned at the moment with the discussion of this scheme, but with our desire to ensure that Mr. Jaekel should have the credit of having suggested this method of absorbing the machines in question. It was his intention at that time to place the suggestion before the Committee of the S.M.M.T., of which he is a member, at an early date. The credit for the suggestion belongs to him Converted Lorries.

We have a note from Mr. A. Aldersey Taylor of the Industrial Motors Exchange, 29a, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C., with regard to a line of converted lorries, which would appear to merit the attention of those who find themselves in the position of not being able to secure machines for their present requirements, either on account of belated delivery or else

because of the necessity to limit the purchase price. The original models are all types well known to ua. They have behaved well in service.

"An Invincible Band."

We have received an interesting showcard from the North British Rubber Co., Ltd., Castle Mills, Edinburgh. It is well coloured and should make a useful display card for showrooms and garages. A copy can be obtained from the company's works at the above address. Roads, Roads, Roads.

• Mr. Frank Grove, the assistant county surveyor of Surrey, will read a paper entitled "Main Roads, Past and Present, and Modern Methods of Construction and Maintenance," before the Society of Engineers, at the Institution of Electrical Engineers, Victoria, Embankment, W.C. (south of Savoy Street, near Waterloo Bridge), on the 13th inst., at 7.30 p.m.

A Subsidized Halley.

The photograph of a Halley lorry, which we reproduce below on this page, is of a machine which was delivered to Mr. Robert Anderson, contractor, of Newton Mearns, in 1912. It was one of those which had been temporarily subsidized by the W.D.'and consequently was taken for Army service early in August. We now learn that it his been running on the Continent ever since that date, and so far as we know is still doing good work. This is an excellent record.

Buses for Valparaiso.

The project of establishing o properly-organized motorbus: service in Valparaiso is making progress. A concession has been granted by the Municipality to Senor Tole Malfatti. It is proposed to eatablish a service of 10 buses for the level Part of the city, four for Vina del Mar, and two for Playa Ancha. •

The machines, it appears, will be all of Italian or American make. Some of the bodies will be open and others of the closed type. There will be no top-deckers.

We are amused to read in a local paper that top-deckers are not to be employed "as it is known that these have not given the results expected and have been suppressed in the large European and American cities as being uncomfortable and dangerous."

Misinformed.

The titles placed under two of the photographs reproduced on page 11 of our issue of 4th March, showing a Commercar capsized in a roadside ditch were not correct. The accident illustrated did not " happen on a road on which a, shell had burst 100 yards ahead," nor, we are now informed, was it correct to state that" two men lost their lives here."

These photographs were submitted to us by an officer who was home on leave, but who, we under.stand, did not actually take the pictures. The titles were composed as the result of a conversation which ensued on that occasion. We desire to make this quite clear in (rider that there may be no misun derstanding that the officer who actually did take the pictures was in any sense concerned with the descriptions of them which were published. He was not.

Those drivers of Commercars of whom the company particularly wishes to express its appreciation are in future to be presented with a solid gold watch-chain medallion. The first driver to receive one is Mr. George Rich, chief demonstration driver in the company's service for the past eight years.He has never had an accident with a Commerear, and never failed to keep an appointment. We are also told that he has never had any mechanical trouble with the different machines he has handled while on demonstrations:, the company should surely on this count give a gold medal to the vehicle and not only to the driver.

Scottish Automobile Club.

The annual report of the Scottish Automobile Club contains no reference to commercial motors, except in so far as the Club's excellent work for the improvement of roads bears upon that branch of the movement. Users of commercial vehicles in Scotland do benefit, of course, by the Scottish Club's activities in respect of good driving and traffic regulation generally, and the Club's attitude has never been other than friendly to heavy_ motor traffic.

In regard to war activities, the Club has helped in providing drivers for the Mechanical Transport Columns of the Army Service Corps, and in a wonderful fashion in the matter of providing large numbers of motor ambulances for the Red Cross Society. Local service by its members, in furnishing cars for various duties, both on the staff and convalescent sides, has run into a very high total mileage. We congratulate Mr. R. J. Smith, the secretary, on the manner in which he has handled all the duties which have fallen to his care. The London Branch of the Splitdorf Electrical Co., makers of Split.. dorf and Dixie magnetos, etc., is in future to be known as American

Supplies, Ltd. The address remains as before.

Avon Tires.

We acknowledge receipt of No. 1 of a new house journal, issued by the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd., entitled "The Tyre Press." It is announced that this will he published "as the spirit moves us." The spirit of the Avon people is at all times progressive, and their tires— the latest instance being the new non-skid type for fire-engine requirements—certainly move with the times. The company is just now also directing particular attention to its high-grade radiator tubing.

Dennis Subsidy-model Catalogue.

We have just received a particularly interesting catalogue from Dennis Bros. (1913), Ltd., Onslow Works, Guildford. Its special interest is due to the fact that it is the first which has been brought to our notice that has reference to the company's subvention model. Its value is enhanced by its being introduced after some months of experience of Dennis vehicles in actual war service. It contains much interesting matter, and many useful illustrations, all within an unusually artistic cover. The text is in the form of three short articles, dealing with the subsidy scheme, the particular utility of the Dennis subsidy model, and a description of the chassis itself. All three are written in a style calculated to interest the reader, quite apart from the features Presented by the model describe-d. The catalogue concludes with some items of useful information, an admirable line drawing showing the general arrangement of the chassis, a coachbuilder's drawing, and another giving particulars of the standard body.

Sentinel Output.

The demands upon the Sentinel works of Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., of Polmadie, Glasgow, have grown steadily during the past few years, both in the company's aircompressor and steam-wagon departments. The respective buildings are adjacent to one another, and the work in them has recently been clashing to an increasing extent. These factors led Mr. S. E. Alley and his co-directors to decide to push ahead with the establishment of a factory in England ; a site at Shrewsbury has been chosen, partly beeause it is nearer to the company's principal markets, and partly because it gives more pleasant living conditions for the class of mechanics which the company will employ than do certain other districts in England.

This decision to transfer the steam-wagon branch, following the unpleasantness of being "pinched" for room at Polmadie for some years, has prompted Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., to purchase a large area of land, but the first Main building, now under construction, will cover little more than one acre. The shops will be running about the end of August next.

Liverpool Men Look Ahead: Noiseless Trams.

Mr. John A. Brodie, M.Inst.C.E., the City Engineer of Liverpool, recently gave an interesting and farseeing address to members of the Liverpool Engineering Society. His contribution to the proceedings was entitled "Notes on the Improvement of Local Means of Cornnaunication." We pass over matters of purely local interest, in regard to new and interconnecting highways, or the improvement of eld ones, but we are interested to find that Mr. Brodie is a believer in the possibility of " noiseless tramcars." He points out that tramway speeds of 20 m.p.h. have been authorized on certain of the Liverpool roads, and that "the noise has been much reduced by laying the rails on wooden sleepers, on a crushed-clinker ballast, and by filling in round the sleepers and rails earth which is sown with grass." Mr. Brodie proceeds, on this admittedly-pressing topic of noise from tramcars: "It seems likely, however, that still quieter ripining could be obtained by the use of rubber or resilient tires, and this is a direction which should be carefully tested, as, if found satisfactory in practice, the only really serious objection to fast tramways through residential areas would be removed. It should be borne in mind that rubber tires have made the fast-speed motorbuses possible." We do not follow Mr. Brodie in his comparisons with experience on heavy motorcars, because the area of contact between a, rubber-tired tramway wheel and the rail must be so small that undue intensities of pressure would appear to be unavoidable.

Mr. Brodie is a powerful advocate of additional motor transport, for communication between Liverpool and the industrial centres of Lancashire. He gives it as his opinion that "there appears to be good reason for thinking that but for the war close on 600 motor wagons would have been regularly on the road by this time between Liverpool and the manufacturing towns."

Mr. Brodie has also some practical suggestions to make in regard to the necessity for the better physical training of boys, and estimates that 300 acres in Liverpool might become "sports areas."

London Volunteer Transport.

The deParture of a composite Convoy of motor lorries. ex the Mechanical Transport Column of the London National Guard, was fixed for 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, the 31st March, starting from the open space in front of the Guildhall.. This was held to be a more convenient rendezvous than the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company in Bunhill Row, although the thanks of the Column are due to the officers of that Corps for their courtesy in the matter of placing their headquarters at the disposal of the convoy. We expect to refer briefly, in our next issue, to some of the work which was done at Brighton, and possibly also to simi

lar work at other centres.

We may announce the confirmation of the following appointments in the Transport Column of the National Guard : Column Commander (ranking as Company Collin-milder), Mr. S. E. Garcke (managing director of the British Automobile Traction Co. Ltd.); Convoy Commanders (ranking as Platoon Commanders), Messrs. Thos. Clarkson. (National Steam Car Co., 'Ltd.), Frank Churchill (J. and E. Hall, Ltd.), R. A. Dagnall (DagnalPs, Ltd.), F. S. Field (Commercial Cars, Ltd.), S. C. Moth (Commercial Car. Hirers, Ltd.), Kenneth Willmott (Belsize Motors, Ltd.), and G. M. Young (Albion Motor Car. Co., Ltd.). Mr. F. G. Bristow is confirmed in his appointment as Adjutant, whilst Mr. Ernest. :D. Lowy is appointed commander of a motorcar convoy (ranking as Platoon Commander). These appointments all concern the transport-infantry drill at Brighton, and announcements in respect of other convoys are reserved for the time being. The M.T. Col. offices are at 83, Pall Mall, S.W.