WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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" The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all diifioalties of transport a whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier, Tractors m Devonshire.
In the House of Commons on 23rd October, Mr. Carew asked the number of motor ploughs sent to Devenshire, the number of acres ploughed and the cost per acre, and whether the reports of work done by them was satisfactory?
Sir R. Winfrey The number of tractors working in Devonshire on 12th October was 51. Of these 35 have been supplied since the beginning of September, The number of acres reported as having been ploughed and cultivated by the Department's tractors up to 12th October was 2400. The average cost per acre in September was £2 8s. 9d. This figure, which covers all charges, including loss on tractors standing idle, and cost of repairs, compares unfavourably with the corresponding figures in other counties. The excessive cost in Devonshire is mainly due to the rough and hilly nature of the land, which is largely unsuitable for tractor _ploughing. Speaking generally, the work of the tractors in Devonshire has not been satisfactory, but, as the result of a special investigation just concluded, changes have been made, which it is anticipated will ensure better and more economical results in the immediate future.
Sir C. Henry :—Is my hon. friend satisfied with the motors?
Sir R. Winfrey :—It depends on the nature of the land.
Mr. Carew :—May I ask whether in future the powers used in Devonshire will be left more to the control of the War Agricultural Committees, in the county than in the Central Office?
Sir R. Winfrey :—I think the War Agricultural Committees have complete powers.
Mr. Carew :.—Is the hon. gentleman aware that there have been numerous complaints in Devonshire about the price of these motor tractors, and until now they have had no redress?
Mr. Lundon:—What are the various tractors in use in Devonshire which are not satisfactory? Sir R: Winfrey :—I think the WhitingBull is one of the tractors.
Shrewsbury and Challiner's New London Premises.
On Thursday last the directors a Messrs. Chas. Macintosh and Co., Ltd., and the Shrewebury S.T. and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., received a. number of quests representing the Press and their customers at the new works at 120, Wilton Road, London, S.W. 1, where heavyvehicle and tractor wheels were seen m all stages of manufacture, and where a large tyre stores and pneumatic tyre depot have just recently been established in order to take the place of the premises requisitioned in ether parts of London.
The guests were shown over the premises by members of the staffs of the two companies, including Mr. J. F. Birley, Mr. E. H. Beckwith., Mr. J. C. Lees, Mr. H. Shankland, Mr. L. Brown; Mr. N. G. Proctor, Mr. J. Windibank, Mr. J. Bishop, and Mr. A. Burgess. Mr. Windibank comes of an old wheelwright family situated in a district in Surrey for over 400 years, and he brings traditional knowledge to the' help of modern ideas in the wheel construction suitable for present-day requirements.
Amongst the tyres that figure prominently was the new cross-ribbed tyre which has proved so successful for motor fire-engines and similar heavy vehicles. At the luncheon which followed the inspection, the chairman of the company, the Rt. Hon. Baron Colwyn, presided. The speeches were commendably few, consisting of the 151a1 toast; the toast of the Press from the chairman, replied to by Mr. G. F. Sharp, of "The Commercial Motor." and The toast of the guests pro-, posed by Mr. J. F. Birley, and responded to by Mr. .L. H. Baxendale.
.Tractors in Germany.
Discussing the motor tractor situation in Germany at the present time the Allgemeine Automobil Zeitung " states that the price of motor ploughs has recentlybeen increased from 50 to 70 per cent, owing to the inability on the part of the manufacturers to cope with the growing list of orders. Second-hand petrol tractors are priced at £1500 to £2000, whilst steam-driven machines range from £2500 to £3000. The German motor tractors in general use have engines of from 50-60 h.p., but lately a smaller machine developing 18 to 25 h.p., and priced at £900, has given good results.
Subsidy for Users of Agricultural Motors.
We have frorn time to time kept our readers advised uith regard to the progress of the agricultural motor movement in France.. It is interesting to learn that the French Government have decided to subsidize users on certain conditions. A subsidy will be allowed to agricultural bodies of not less than seven members, also to the committees of local authorities. The receiver Of the subsidy must work his own machine, and he must guarantee that it shall be used for the cultivation of cereals only. A minimum amount of production will have to be shown according to the acreage and the nature of the ground. In the event of this latter condition not being complied with, the subsidy will have to be eeturned to the Treasury. Agricultural bodies in the liberated portions of invaded French territory will receive a special subsidy, as also in cases where five or more machines are to be supplied. The requests, giving full particulars, are to be made to the Minister of Agriculture through the prefect of each county.
The Works Committee of Westminster City Council report having considered a letter from the Commissioner of Police referring to the problem of the supply to motor vehrcles on the road of fuel-, water, powei', etc., from mechanical fittings on the highway. The committee say :—" We entirely agree with the Commissioner that there is great objection to the principle of permitting the setting up on the public streets of mechanical appliances from which water; fuel, and other necessaries' for mechanically-prepelted vehicles can be taken. Very little consideration of the subject is needed to show that the development of the project is bound to cause extensive and everincreasing obstruction of highways., In, this connection it is as well to call attention to,the legal definition of ' highway ' : it is " a passage open to all the King's subjects.' Highway authorities are invested. with powers under varieus. . statutes to prevent or cause the removal of obstructions in order that the pithlic
• may enjoy that free passage to which
• they are entitled. It should also be re-. membered that although great numbers of maina, pipes, and Wires are laid under the streets access to them Or fittings accessory to them are with few exceptions, only permitted below street level
and not above it. It is the constant endeavour of highway authorities to keep the streets reasonably free from obstaces.
"The City Council have a staff of inspectors whose duty it is to see that shopkeepers and others do not encroach on the highways. Appliances of essential
• public utility are not retained on the • highway when other positions can be found, e.g., pillar letter boxes are often removed from positions on highways where they have been found to be inconveniently or dangerously obstructive and placed in recessed positions at the back line of the footway. Several street lamp columns have already been abolished, and the lamps suspended across the street from building to building, the sole object. being to remove the obstruction of the highways caused by the column.
" If the principle be conceded that purveyors of gas, water, electric current, petroleum spirit, and other commodities necessary to . mechanically-propelled vehicles may retail those commodities to C30
the drivers of vehicles on highways, the licence must eventually be extende to . all such purveyors on a comprehensive basis throughout London. The twofold obstruction thus caused (one, the permanent fixed appliance, .and, two, the assembly of vehicles waiting to be served) might very well give ripe to an infinitely more serious and more general obstructive nuisance to the public than anything previously permitted'. We see no more reason why water, fuel,' etc., for all
vehicles should be available on the streets than any other commercial product, and we are strongly of opinion that if any facilities a,dctitionaP to those already existing are necessary they should be established in premises abutting on the street with lay-bye in such premises where vehicles . could stand' while recharging. There are plenty of examples of loading and unloading lay-bye at commercial establishments where large numbers of horses and vans can be and are accommodated without obstructing the highway." . A reply on the lines of this report is to be sent to the Commissioner of Police.
There are now over 200 charging statious in the country for electric vehicles.
Tractor School.
The Sweeney Automobile and Tractor School, Kansas City, Mo. a huge building of nine floors, has become widely-known establishment -for motor training. Pupils are received, not only from all pars of America, but from such far off-plates as China, Japan, Turkey, Australia, South Africa and 'other countries. The tuition coarse costs 85 dollars ,(217), and pupils. are required to attend the school for a minimum period of 'six weeks. The curriculum comprises motorcar engineering, smithy work; snoldering, brazing and welding, and-both car, lorry and tractor driving and construction. The pupils are taught in a practical manher, and in order that this may be done the Sweeney cars lorries and farm tractors are marketed, beingmainly built from assembled parts., the. work. being done by the pupils in the'course ef their practkal instruction. This is, indeed; a lucrative method of instruction.
Future Petrol Supplies.
During the past three months, the production from the Texas oilfields was over 7,700,000 barrels—an increase of close on 50 per cent. on the . previous three months: Seven new refining companies have recently been started, so that production promises to increase still further.
A Commercial Triumph...
The widespread success and popularity 'of the H.F. vulcanizing process is re-. footed by the new premises, 148-150,. Great Portland Street, W: 1, to which. Harvey Frost And Co.; Ltd., have now removed. The extensive building pro-vides *adequate aecomniodation for the conunercial. administration, repairing departments as well asthe demongrating showrooms,. school of instruc'tion,. etc. These who are concerned in the. vital questions of tyre economyand preservation are eordially.invited_to visit at their own convenience the company's. -new home, -where,' doubtless '-they will learn something to their distinct advantage. The original premises in Great Eastern Street, E.C., will be retained-for works and stores. 411 communications should now be sent to the new address:
Petrol and Invasion.
The Board of Trade makes the following announcement regarding the endorsement on the demand note forms recently circulated by the Petrol Control Department, for the renewal of motor spirit, licences (for motorcars) from 1st November.
"The issue of a licence will be subject to the conditions that the licensee shall hold himself, Or his paid driver, and his motorcar or cars at the disposal of the military authorities for use in the event of a national emergency." The particular " enieraency " contemplated by this endorsement, is that Which" would he caused by the invasion, or apprehended invasion, of our shores by an enemy force. In such an event the immediate supply of motor vehicles in dist:icts. affected 'would ,he of great military value.
The War Office propose to direct the County Commandants of Counties to ascertain the number of motor vehicles thus available in a county through the Motor Volunteer Corpss Organization. The object to be aimed at is the enrolment of sufficient motor vehicles to meet all "military" needs caused by such a contingency as the above.
To aceomplish this, the County Commandants will in due course approach owners of motor vehicles, who hold motor spirit licences, with a view In obtaining and recording such few particulars, as to type and saitability of vehicles, etc., and addresses, as may be necessary. It is further pointed out that the above endorsement and the endorsement to the same effect, which will be found on the next issue of licences, does not in any way affect or limit the powers conferred on the military authorities by Section 115 of the Army Act with rcgard to the impressment of motor and other vehicles.
M. Maurice Ajam, the editor of " L'Exportation Frangaise," recently opened a. school for exporters. The first lecture was attended by 30 pupils.
British Rail Cars.
Apart from other activities, Scottish Commercial Cars, Ltd., Duke Street, Glasgow, is at present turning out a, number of petrol-propelled cars for rail work. These light locomotives, are of sturdy cen.struction, and are primarily intended to be of use for yard and heavy contracting work. The utility of this class of engine embraces many classes of employment. Its range, of usefulness in large industrial establishments, such as shipbuilding yards.. and engineering centres, will he apparent. The Caledon railcar is fitted with a four-cylinder Dorman engine having a bore and stroke of 120 mm. and 140 mm. respectively. The geartex, a salient feature of the machine, gives four speeds in each direction.
The Bavarian Home Office has purchased seven motor ploughs representing the following makes :—Four HansaLloyd, two Stock, and one WendelerDohrn. These are distributed .amongst farmers haying medium acreage under Cultivation.
A newcomer to the German motor manufacturing industry is the Heim. Ehrhardt Co., Ltd., 'Germany's most famous arms Arm after Krupp, which is turning out numbers of touring cars and motor lorries for all purposes.
On page 197 of our last issue, in a letter from E. G. Wrigley and 'Co., Ltd., the company was referred to as being makers of front and rear axles, gearboxes and starting Bets. This last-named component should obviously have been steering sets.
We know of a young FreRchman, well educated and of good family, who is desirous of obtaining a position as French correspondent, or something of a similar nature, with a motor firm in England. He has a knowledge of English, and is exempted from further service with the French Army. Letters marked " Frenchman." care of The Editor, will be forwarded to the right quirter.
Local Proceedings.
'Hord U.D.C. is endeavouring to obtain a motor ambulance.
Norfolk County Council is being recommended by its Highways Committee to purchase two steam motor wagons.
Bath C.C. has accepted the tender of Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., for a five, ton Sentinel steam wagon at 2970.
East Ham T.C. has accepted the tender of Edison Accumulators, Ltd., for six electrically-propelled dust collecting vans at 21121 each.
New Registrations.
Lincolnshire Motor and Electric Traction Co. Ltd., with a registered capital of 25006 in 21. shares. Objects as indicated by the title. Registered office is at 5, Wellowgate, Grimsby.
United Stores Delivery Co., Ltd., with a capital of 210,000 in 21 Shares, to be motor-vehicle manufacturers and repairers, etc, Registered office is at 70, Ambergate Street, Kennington, S.E.
Neweys Motor. and Munitions Co., Ltd., with a capital of 220,000 in 21 shares, to be manufacturers, importers and exporters and dealers in motor vehicles and component parts, etc. Registered office is at 77-81, Bristol Street, Birmingham.
John Bagnall, Ltd., with a, capital of 25000 in 21 shares, to take over the business of wagon builder, wheelwright and blacksmith, carried on by J. Baenall as the Foregate Carriage and Wagon Works, Stafford, and to be-manufacturers of, and dealers in motor vehicles, etc.
Crawley Agrimotor Co., Ltd., with a capital of 220,000 in 25 shares, to acquire a patent granted to A. E. Crawley, an the business carried on by the Crawley Agrimotor Co. at Saffron Walden, and to be manufacturers of, and dealers in motor ploughs, agricultural tractors, etc. Registered office is at Tower Works, Mandeville Read, Saffron Walden.