Passing Comments
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Good Appearance Impresses Passengers
FROM Mr. C. R. H. Wreathall, A.C.A., M.Inst.T., of East Yorkshire Motor Services, Ltd., of Hull, come some interesting remarks upon uniforms for bus conductors. In pre-war days a complete outfit of tunic, trousers, overcoat and cap cost the company
£3 88., now the price has soared to 5s. 4d. As 832 of the employees require uniforms, the size of the bill for clothing alone is considerable.
This is an overhead charge which is apt to be overlooked in this age of ever-advancing costs for petrol, oil, tyres and other incidentals. It is, however, a burden which the company bears cheerfully. As Mr. I. H. Richardson, the traffic manager, says, the company considers that the staff play a very important part in public relations. A smart and wellcut uniform not only impresses the travelling public, but in most cases makes drivers and conductors conscious of their appearance.. To avoid delays, orders for uniforms are placed nine months ahead.
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Controlling Hot-vapour Degreasers
DEGREASERS of the hot-vapour type must be maintained at the correct heat in order to operate at the highest efficiency; at the same time, they must not become overheated and the vapour, which is heavier than air, must not overflow from the top of the tank.
To control the heating elements and the vapour level, an. American concern is using sensitive thermostat-operated switches. For the vapour level, . a thermostat is situated inside the tank at the danger level.; it has a sensitivity of less than t0.5 degree F. When the hot vapour rises to this level, the instrument cuts out the heater circuit until the, vapour recedes.
Overheating rsay be caused by an accumulation of dirt on the heater unit; this is overcome by a second thermo-switch installed above the heater, which cuts off the power when the temperature rises .above the normal.
A Flying Mission
AT the recent display of coaches arranged by Duple Motor Bodies, Ltd., for Bedford dealers, there was one who could claim to be in the forefront of transport progress. He had flown from Derby in his private aeroplane, landing at Hendon an hour after taking off. No doubt the fine display of BedfordDuple vehicles impressed him, not so much as representing the newest means for travelling, but as a more 'spacious and comfortable means than the private aircraft represents.
On the other hand, if his flying experience extends to being a passenger on the latest machines operated by British European Airways, for example, he coulet, have speculated on how much the average coach operator can learn from the airline operator on the question of interior decor.
There is no doubt that some coach operators specify the most outdated of interiors. If they feel there is nothing to be gained from trying something new, they should examine the interiors of some Passenger aircraft. Not only are these gay, interesting, modern and restful, they are also eminently practical.
THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR Metric Revival
RENEWED pressure is now being exerted by the Decimal Association for a change-over from the Imperial system of weights and measures to the metric method, and for the decimalization of our coinage. It asserts that British exporters who still use non-decimal systems irritate foreign customers, and refers to a report by a Board of Trade committee which recommended the abolition of Imperial weights and measures.
Whilst there is much in favour of metric scales, a strong case could be made out for the retention of the existing methods. The pound sterling and the mile, to take two examples of Imperial measures, can be divided into not only those parts which metric quantities can be broken into—that is, inversions of two, live, and multiples of these prime factors—but into many other fractions.
Imperial scales have evolved to suit practical use by the clerk, the craftsman and the countryman. A great deal would be suffered if this country were to abandon its present system. Perhaps too much stress is laid upon the simplicity and logic of the metric method and too little upon the Imperial.