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WHEELS OF INDCSTRY.

"2'he wheel oj wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.

The Stock at Slough.

The directors of the Slough Trading Co., Ltd., entertained a party of visitors at the celebrated Slough depot last week, and showed them all that was being done in the reconditioning of the motor vehicles Which are there fOr sale, and the classification of spare parts and equipment for all makes of commercial and private motor vehicles. The vastness of the place and the colossal nature of the enterprise upon which the Ministry of Munitions had embarked impress themselves more than ever on visitors now that the place has become cleared up and got into an orderly state, and there is no doubt that the disposal ofthe surplus stores is in good hands. Prices are reasonable, but not at such a level as would injure the trade. The valuers for sale are as keen and well versed as anyone could want, and, whilst they leave many bargains to be :picked up amongst the odds and ends, ruinous prices are not accepted. The store of tyres is most impressive, for here one sees sorted out and stacked no fewer than 77,000 solid tyres, • 26,000 pneumatics, and 60,000 inner tubes. In another building we came across 1,500 Tank engines, ranging from 100 h.p. to 350 h.p., which have a sale price from £250 upwards. These engines are extremely useful for erecting in rail locomotives and for auxiliary power sets at electric light stations. The spare parts number no fewer than 180,000 different items, all carefully indexed, so that the Stock of a particular item can be instantly gauged.

Some of the buildings are now in the occupancy of tenants of the estate, and in course of time a great industrial centre will have sprung up with excellent transport facilities by road, rail, and canal.

Glasgow and West of Scotland C.M.U.A.

At a meeting of West of Scotland members of the Commercial Motor Users Association (Incorporated), held in Glasgow, -a few days ago, it was decided to form a Glasgow and West of Scotland area of the Association. Mr. H. Prosser, who presided, gave a brief résumé of the Association's history and objects. Mr. 3. C. Caldwell, a member of the National Council, submitted the resoluion in favour of the formation of a Glasgow and West of Scotlan.d area of the Association. Mr. Edward G. Guest, J.P., Edinburgh, a vice-chairman of the Association, also addressed the meeting, giving an outline of the scheme for Scotland, stating that it was proposed to have area committees in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and probably Aberdeen. An area committee of six members, who havo.power to add to their number was elected. Mr. 3. C. Caldwell was elected chairman for the area. Mr. Harold Riley, C.A., 156, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, was appointed area secretary. The area committee elected is as

follows C. Caldwell, S.C.W.S., Ltd., 95, Morrison Street, Glasgow (chairman) ; F. W. Gough, Montgomerie Stobo and Co., Ltd., George Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow ; H. Prosser, 98, Hope Street, Glasgow; A. Rodger, St. George's Co

B16 " operative Society, Ltd., 40, Gladstone Street, Glasgow ; Robert Scott, Caledorlian Automobile Services, Ltd., 27, Hope Street, Glasgow ; A. K. Stevenson, Blythswood Motor Transports, Ltd.; 432, New City Road, Glasgow. .

Hints on Overhauling.

The next article in our series devoted to the overhauling of commercial-vehicle chassis will deal with the-Tilling2Stevens T.S.3 type petrol-electric, and will appear in our issue dated March 8th. We have already dealt with both the electric and petrol vehicle, but this is the first article dealing with a combination of the two.

The New Subsidy Scheme.

Replying to a question in the House of Commons last vveek, Sir A. Williamson said that a scheme for the subsidy of mechanical transport vehicles registered for use in the event of mobilization is at present under consideration. He web not able to say, without notice', whether – it had already been decided that this subsidy would be 40 per lorry per annum, and what the total cost would be.

Setback for Ferry Reformers.

The 'Wallasey Corporation has been in, fermed by the Ministry of Health that they cannot agree to the proposed improvements at Seacombe ferry being proceeded with until they art assured_ that some financial arrangement has been made with the Birkenhead Corporation and the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board in respect of the remedying of the traffic congestion on the Liverpool side of the Mersey. The Wallasey ferry improvement scheme included the provision of a new floating roadway for goods traffic.

Death of Mr. Edward Lisle. • We had just closed our last week's issue for press when we learnt, with regret, of the death by drowning of Mr. Edward Lisle, of Wolverhampton, founder and, until recently, managing director of the Star Engineering Co., Ltd.

Mr. Lisle was one of the oldest mems hers of the trade, having commenced the manufacture of motorcars during the last year of the old century, he being at that time in the cycle trade as maker of the Star bicycle.

Of a hearty and indeed one may say jovial disposition, we should certainly have thought him to be little disposed to despondency, although the motor trade has been a source of trouble and worry to most of its members during the past 12 months. Our condolences go out to his family and the many friends he leaves behind.

We are informed by Mr. Reginald R. Smith, M.I.A.E., that he has terminated his business at Darlington, and has opened up in London as a consulting engineer, assessor, valuer, etc., at 4, Great Marlborough Street, Regent Street, WI. We have known him for many years, and feel sure that he will make a success of his new venture.

. A Coaching Directory.

We are glad to hear that the forthcoming "Travel by Road" Motor =Ili, bus guide, to which we recently referred; will include a section devoted to the motor coach. At any motor coaching centre the questions asked by potential passengers are " Where can one go'? " " Where do the coaches start and at what time? " and " Where Can one book?'" The T.B.R. (by which abbreviation it will become known) will include a directory of the motor coach services of England and Wales, with the fullest information-concerning the services brought up to date month by month, and carefully arranged. Proprietors of motor coaches who wish to profit by this new publicity scheme should communicate at once with the publishers, Messrs. Rieu Wiley and Co., Ltd., 123, Pall Mall, London, Ewa.

Motor Shows and Entertainments Tax.

Organized by the Motor Legislation Committee, and intrcalueed by Sir William Joynson-Ilicks, Bt., M.P., the chairman of that body, a deputation representing various organizations which promote trade exhibitions waited on the

• ChanCellor of the Exchequer on February 17th (too late for us to deal with the matter in our last issue), in order to press for the exemption of purely trade exhibitions from payment of the entertainments tax.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders was represented by Mr. Hamilton Hobson; the British Cycle and Motor Cycle Manufacturers and Traders Union, Ltd. by Mr. W. G. Bower ; thc Federation Of British Industries by Mr. B. Scott-; the International Building Trades Exhibition by Mr. H. G. Montgomery; and the Machine Tool Trades Association by Mr. H. G. Williams. Mr. Alexander Thomson, Parliamentary Secretary, accompanied Sir William Joynson Hicks as representing' the Motor Legislation Committee.

The Chancellor, in replying, announced his willingness to consider favourably an amendment of the law in the forthcoming Finance Bill, designed to effect the ohjects sought by the associations, on condition that all elements of personal prat' were excluded, and that exhibitions were limited strictly to trade purposes and contained no extraneous attraction

An amendment in accordance with the undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will probably be moved to the forthcoming Finance Bill by Sir William_ JoynsonHicks. So far as the motor shows are concerned, the concession means that the entertainments tax will not be payable if bands -are not a part of the attractions provided.

We know a gentleman who has had great experience in selling lorries, both

i

new and second hand. He s well known all over the North of England, but he would not mind a position abroad if something good is going ; he would, however, prefer any part of England. He knows the char-N-bancs trade well. Letters addressed to "Lancashire," care of this paper, will be forwarded.

The W.D. Subsidy.

With reference to the paragraph on the previous page concerning the proposed War Office subsidies for motor lorries, the matter was again raised in the House of Commons onThursday evening last, when Sir A. Williamson (Financial Secretary to the War Office) said he was afraid he could not undertake to promise that discussion in the House should precede the decision on the matter, at which statement there was considerable protest from other members. Mr. Locker-Lampson asked if it was not a fact that forms had already been sent out to people to fill in.for the purpose of getting the £45 per lorry proposed as the subsidy. 'Sir A. Williamson said he did not know of any such forms being sent out, but to the amusement of the House Mr. A. R. Atkey, M.P., crossed the floor, and handed him a form. Sir A. Williamson, after looking at it, said that it seemed that nothing binding shonld be done until the Army estimates were considered, and that the form was only a proposed form.

C.M.U.A. Progress.

At the thiM annual meeting of the Liverpool Area Committee of the Northwestern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association, .the committee submitted a very gratifying report of the progress which had been made during the year 1920. At the outset the chairman referred to the death of Mr. John Harper, the chairman, who was one of the five original members-of the Commercial Motor Owners Association, out of 'which The Liverpool area of the had grown. The year 1920 opened with a membership of 200, and this increased to 320 at its close. The members own collectively 1,300 vehicles, with a carrying capacity of 5,000 tons. Amongst matters of vital importance to commercial motor users dealt with by the divisional committee may be mentioned the condition of roads and bridges, the interests ofehar-a-bancs owners, including the proposed closing of roads to char-a-harms traffic and the testing of brakes. A scheme of insurance is now in eperation, and is meeting with an amount of support which will encourage its directors to extend the benefits. The secretary drew attention to the Liverpool Corporation Bill, which contained clauses of much concern to motor users. He had attended a meeting convened by the Liverpool Motor Hires Association, which, in the main, represented the taxicab proprietors, arid they had unanimously decided to lodge a petition against the Bill. Members of the Hirers Association also decided to levy each member 10s. to meet the costs. It was decided by the C.M.U.A. to petition against the Bill. The retiring members of the local area committee were re-elected.

Beating the Railway.

It was announced last week that Crosse and Blackwell, Ltd., the jam manufacturers, have sold their factory in Charing Cross Road, London, and have transferred their business to Brannstone, near Burton-on-Trent, where they have purchased from the Government a factory erected during the war. At this centre the company will be conveniently placed for distribution to 20,000,000 people. The company have a fleet of 152 motor lorries, which they are fitting with pneumatic tyres. They are out to beat the railways by the use of these vehicles, and in this direction the saving in packing, loading, unloading, and freightage charges will be very large. The company also contemplate running lorries to Liverpool for the conveyance of their shipping consignments.

London-Liverpool Coaches.

No longer a chimerical fancy, on Geed Friday there will be inaugurated probably the most ambitions daily motor coach service in the country, -between Liverpool and London and vice versa. The route distance is 212 miles, and, we understand, that arrangements are being made 'for passengers to book journeys for intermediatis distances. The arrangements willcarried through by -a Liverpool firm acting jointly with one of the Metropolitan coaching enterprises, and it is understood that Stratford-on-Avon will be the half way stopping place. The Liverpool coach will run to Stratford-on-Avon, when the passengers will change into the London coach, arid similarly passengers from London will also change at the same place for Liverpool. The southern route will bevia Chester, Whitchurch, Wellington, Bridgnorth, and Kidderminster to Stratford-on-Avon, a total of 120 miles, which will be done by the Liverpool coach. The remainder of the journey, 92 miles, from Stratford-on-Avon to London, via Oxford, will be undertaken by the London coach. Thus itwill be possible to arrange the arrival times to synchronize rather closely. As to the duration Of the journey,we understand that it is proposed that vehicles should leave Birkenhead . at 9 a.m. to arrive at Stratford at 7.30 p.m., 'vhen dinner would be awaiting the passengers. -Passengers will depart at 10.30 a.m. the following morning, will lunch at Oxford,. and arrive in London at 6.30 p.m. It will be possible to book either single or return journeys, and the single, we believe, will be slightly under the firstclass railway fare. In our next issue we intend to deal with this matter in fuller detail, as we regard' the project as one that is likely to be popular.

Coventry's Buses.

The Coventry Corporation have recently. received three of a fleet of four Maudslay Single-decker buses, which are of decided interest as showing the latest practice, particularly in. bodywork, of the Maudsliq Motor Co., Ltd. The four vehicles in question are built to seat, comfortably, 36 passengers each, as against the 28carried by Coventry's older buses. The bodies on the new vehicles are so light that, despite the increased accommodation available, the total weight of the vehicle is 7 cwt. less than that of the older pattern. If, as the manufacturers claim, the new bodies are actually stronger despite their lightness than those they replace—a fact which time alone can, of course, prove—the manufacturers deserve to feel pleased with themselves, -particularly as It appears that the new fleet takes Coventry's rather notorious hills on top gear without perceptible effort.

We understand that the secret of the lightness-plus-strength of the new bodies cons jail of the elimination of bulky timber, the use of light but very strong timbers of special shapes, and the reinforcement of all joints by light steel castings of patented patterns. A feature of the design. of the_bodies is the large radius of the curve of the rear corners, adding greatly to ease of negotiation in narrow or crowded streets.

Buses for Oldham ? •

Although at the moment nothing has been definitely decided, there is a distinct possibility of Oldham Town Council adopting either a motorbus or a trackless trolley system to link up the Chadderton suturb.

With such an idea in view, a deputation from the Chadderton Urban District Council met members of the Oldham Council last week.

Councillor .Cheetliam, chairman of the Oldham Committee, said 18 months ago the corporation obtained a provisional order empowering them to lay a tramWay route, -which was to be made within two years, but the Oldham Committee at present considered the outlay required too prohibitive, as the cost would be £48,000 simply for the track ar ewerhead equipment. In view of this, they had wondered whether buses of the trackless trolley type could be introduced

or whether a petrol-driven bus service would meet the situation.

Mr. W. Chamberlain, Oldham tramways manager, said, having regard to the present price of ranning costs, there would be 110 hope of even a bus service paying, for a bus could not be run profitably if the takings were less than 30d. per car-mile, and Oldham's takings on the tramways were only Zs. or 2s. 1d a mile.

After Much discussion it was decided to take steps to get the provisional order extended, and the members of the COM' mittees then made a trip over the proposed new route in a new type of motorbus which had been sent out by a Bristol fi-rm on a tour of northern towns, with a view of inducing coi-porations to acquire fleets ot them to supplement their existing tram services.

• Oldham .Corporation, it may be added, continues to loAe money on the trains, but should the idea of a bus service become an accomplished fact at Chadderton the present tram service might possibly be substituted by an up-to-date motorbus fleet.

Barimar in Yorkshire.

Barimar, Ltd., have opened another service depot at 117,Vicar Lane, Leeds. As in the cases of their depots at Mans chester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Cardiff, all classes of welding work will be dealt with, and the Barimar metallurgical process, for repairing scored cylinders and the salving of new castings which have been scrapped through blowholes or other blemishes, will be operated on the spot.

A Halley Guarantee.

The price of the 35 hp. six-cylinder Halley chassis, which can be used as a

31 ton goods orry or a 2535 passenger vehicle, is now £975, the price of the chassis for char-bebarics purposes being £20 extraThe company are now giving a guarantee with each chassis, which stipulates' that in the event of the price . being further reduced before August 1st, 1921, the purchasers will receive the corresponding rebate.

We have received an inquiry for the name and address of the makers of the Abbott-Davies gearbox, and shall be glad if the makers will write to us.

Lincoln Buses. •

There has been a great outcry just recently in Lincoln with regard to the price of a journey on the car service. The man-in-the-street is objectMg to paying the full fare of 2d. for a journey of half a minute, while he can go for the " full-journey of a mile and a half for the same amount. On the longest bus route the stage fare has been adopted, and the people want it on the tram service.

The matter has been brought before the city council sevei-al times, but thematter has been left on the table pending .a report from the traffic manager, but one or two members, it is undeiStood, are determined to have the question settled at the March meeting. But there will be strong opposition from a certain section, who point out the large sums expended on the car and bus services lately, The underground service has been converted into an overhead service at great expense, and then 11 new buses have been beught, at a cOst of £1,800 each. Some councillors aver that the stage fare system on the trams is the road to ruin. The expenses, they say,. will lay a heavy burden on the rates this year, and they throw 'out dark hints as to the effect that the mobile services will have on the coming Budget. The cars are paying their way, and on the buses there is a slight gain. However, the matter will be thrashed out at the' next meeting, and it is the hope of every citizen that some concession will be made,. while extreme optimists hope for a reduction of fares I.

Midland Motor Drivers' Wages.

Considerable agitation contihues to be maintained in Midland districts, of which. Nottingham is the centre, regarding motor drivers' wages,' among the latest who are pressing their claims being men. engaged in the commercial transport section of the brewing industry. It is complained that, whilst some have been conceded advances, others have been ,ignored, and officials of the VehicleWorkers' organization are rhaking applications in these cases for an advance of 4s. weekly upon present rates of 68s. On the part of employers, it is contended, however, that the decision's of the Joint Industrial Council have been • generally followed. The men affected, _continuing an irreconcilable attitude, are threatening trouble.

The Romance of Transport.

Mr. R. J. Armstrong, removals and warehouse manager, of John Walsh, Ltd., decorators and furnishers, of High Street, Sheffield, read a very interesting paper on "The Romance of Transport, at the Rotherham Rotary Club's weekly luncheon last week.

After dealing with certain phases of transport., he proceeded to uphold the merits of road motors. He said that the war made the motor lorry, literally and figuratively, and the railway strike drove the fact. home. The railway strike was, in his opinion, five years too late to be successful, because road vehiclesreached such a pitch of efficiency and the organization was so complete that it was broken in seven days. So long is there were numbers of independently-owned motor vehicles there should he no possibility of the country being starved into submission by the action of strike extremists.

His comparisons between the relative merits of road and rail transport were very interesting and, in his opinion, the corning era of transport was one of mechanical road transport, and although the railways were still going to be very valuable means of conveying certain classes of traffic, they would become partially subsidiary to roads and road transport. Motor vehicles were more flexible, and, above all more individual than any other form of traffic, and in the author's opinion they would before long see great lines of motor lorries run (be hoped by commercial and not by State effort), connecting every village and well-nigh every hamlet with the ,great towns on which they depended.

A Fitting for Smail,Vans.

For those users who take an interest in the appearance of their vehicles, and this perhaps more particularly applies to users of the lighter types of _vans, the Combine step mat and • scraper, which is being made by Messrs. R. W. Coan, of 219, Goswell Road, London, E.C., will strongly appeal. By its use dirt can be prevented from being taken into the driver's cab, for in addition to a good quality fibre mat, there is an efficient scraper on either side. The frame, which is 181 ins. by 84 ins., is very light, being constructed of solid aluminium, which is silver polished. As it is only held down by two bolts and nuts, it is very readily detachable for cleaning purposes. The price of the accessory is 25s, 6d.

The International Tractor Does Well.

The International Junior tractor has gained one or two marked successes in ploughing matches recently, amongst which we may mention the first prize at Newton St. Boswells' the first prize and gold medal at West, Calder, and first prize at*Wirrall ploughing exhibition.

It might be mentioned that the here of the engine fitted to this make of tractor has been increased from 4 ins. to 44 ins., which makes the horse-power of this light-weight tractor 28.9.

Boilerine Tablets.

Roflerineradiator tablets are very popular with commercial-vehicle drivers, for they have proved their efficacy in the removal and prevention of water deposits in the radiators and cylinder jackets of petrol engined vehicles. BoilerMe, Ltd. 885a-897, Old Kent Road, the makers of these tablets, inform us that their prices, commencing from March 1st, will be as follow For 100 tablets in tins, 10s. ; for 200 tablets 20s. ; for 400 tablets, 31s. ; for 1,000 tablets, 90s.

Road Spring Repairs.

A. Duncan and Co., 26, Page Street, Westminster, London, S.W., are at the present time specializing in the manufacture of road springs for commercial vehicles. They employ spring smiths solely for this purpose, and they claim to be in the enviable position of being able to supply any make of spring at 12 hours' notice. They also undertake repairs, and springs taken to them in the morning for repairs or resetting and, if necessary, re-tempering can he had_ the same day.

We understand from Messrs. Ripaults, of 1, King's Road, St. Pancras, London, • NW., that they have been appointed sole agents for the well-known 0.S. magnetic speedometers and clocks., We have received an advance copy of an English list dealing with these accessories, from which we note that the prices for the various types are remarkably low.

Local Proceedings:

Oxford City Council has obtained permission to borrow £725 for a motor fireengine.

Cleethorpes Urban District Council is borrowing £1,285 for the purchase of motor vehicles.

Slough Urban District Council has ob. Wined permission to borrow £3,500 for fire brigade purposes.

Ayr T.C. is considering the advisability of spending £2,000 on the purchase of a motor fire-pump.

A motor ambulance is required by Gosport TJ.D.C. The matter is in the hands of• the Health Committee.

Colchester Corporation has had deliverY of its new Merryweather motor fire-engine, purchased at a cost, of £2,000.

The surveyor of Vinbridge R.D.C. has reported in 'favour of the purchase of a motor ambulance for the Isolation Hospital.

Johannesburg Municipal Council has decided to invite tenders for a steam wagon. The council estimates the cost at £1,900.

• A loan of £2,342 is to be obtained by the West Bridgeford Urban District Council for the tsurposes of its motor omnibus undertaking.

Sanction has been given to the borrowing by the Ashton-in Makerfield Urban District Council of £1,467 for the purchase of a motor tipping wagon.

Mann and Overton's, Ltd., who have always been associated with the Unic vehicles, have found it necessary to acquire much larger premises. The address of their offices, stores, and repair works is now 177, Battersea Bridge Road, S.W. 11.

In our issue for February 8th, under • "Personal Pars.," we referred in the paragraph dealing with the company's directors, Mr. Percy S. Hargreaves and Captain G. F. Latimer, to the fact that the Perie Motor Co., Ltd., of 5, Alva Street, Edinburgh, were sole distributing agents for the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., in Edinburgh. Asa 'matter of fact, their activities are much wider in scope, and theyare sole Scottish distributing agents for this make of vehicle.

Routes for Char-a-bancs.

Some time ago the Southend Tows Council asked its Watch Committee to consider the desirability of making an order as to the routes to be observed by motor chars-6,-bancs when traversing streets in the town, with a view to their being excluded from the principal streets at certain times. Now the Watch Committee reports that the question is one which, on examination, presents many difficulties, and in the absence of ground in suitable positions where chars-a-banes could be parked, and in approaching which the principal streets could be avoided, the committee does not think it advisable, at the present time at any rate, to prohibit the use of any street by this class of vehicle. It would, in their opinion, be . better to make no order at the present time, but to leave the control of chars-a-bancs, so far as possible, in the hands of the police, who will deal with them in the way which appears best according to the prevailing conditions,

Inst. A.E. Meeting.

The next ordinary general meeting of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on Wednesday, March 2nd, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Storey's Gate, St. James's Park, London, S.W., at 8 p.m., when Dr. W. H. Hatfield will read a paper on " Automobile Steels." Cards of invitation for the meeting may be obtained by those interested on application to the secretary of the Institution, 28, Victoria Street, Louden, S.W.1.

A Short Wheelbase Tipper

Since users of tipping wagons frequently experience trouble when it is necessary to weigh their loads after loading,-owing to,the wheelbase of most tipping wagons being over-long for the weigh-bridge, it is interesting to note that the MaudsIay Motor Ca., Ltd., of Coventry, and 89, Union Grove, London, S.W.8, are at present making a feature of a three ton tipping wagon with 11 ft. 10 in. wheelbase, thus enabling the whole vehicle to be weighed withent trouble.

The whole vehicle is short, and is also narrow enough to suit gateways. Of 52 h.p., and with tipping gear hydraulieally operated by twm rams, this tipping wagon should be of considerable interest to those who experience the above-mentioned difficulty.