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Passing Comments

20th April 1956, Page 40
20th April 1956
Page 40
Page 41
Page 40, 20th April 1956 — Passing Comments
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Not Penny Wise

A SMALL boy boarded one of Sheffield's pay-as

you-enter buses on Friday, April 13, and put 2s. 6d. into the box instead of a penny. He was very upset, because it was his mother's coin. But it was not such an unlucky day after all, for the driver had a bright idea. He let the lad stand at the front of the bus and collect the fares from passengers entering until he had received all this change. This is, however, not to be considered as a precedent which might encourage other boys to follow his example—the amounts dropped into the box might not be more than required?

Roads Over the Railways

THE campaign, for the construction of roads over

the railways now being conducted by the Daily Express with its huge circulation, is all to the good, as it will, no doubt, help in keeping the urgency of the road transport problem well before those whose obvious and explicit duty it is to solve it.

It is also interesting to find a national daily thus backing up an idea which was promulgated by The Commercial Motor in the issue for March 5, 1929, when an article running to three pages, with original drawings—including one depicting St. Pancras as it might appear with roads over the rail tracks—was• published.

A leading article in the same issue said: "What appears an impossibility today may be a commonplace tomorrow and we must not fall into the error of allowing the future to look after itself—therein lies the cause of many of the intricate problems with which we are now confronted." How true that reads now, when neglect over the intervening 25 years has brought the nation almost to an impasse in this connection.

Translation By Electronic Machine

EVEN the work of translation-from one language into another may be performed by an electronic machine. Recently, one originally designed for calculating was modified by Russian technicians in such a way that the insertion of a tape, punched to correspond with one language, resulted in the .production of a second tape carrying the translation. In this instance, it was from English into Russian, and the "vocabulary" comprised about 1,000 words and scientific terms. No doubt this will be enlarged if the experiment is continued.

Riverside Highway Explained .

THE elimination of trams from the Victoria I Embankment, London, and the construction there of a fine dual highway not only expedited traffic and avoided much congestion over this area, but has whetted the appetites of the citizens for further improvements.

In this connection, the plan for a riverside highway, largely built out over the Thames, which was put forward by The Evening News last December, received cortsiderable support, much of it from wellknown road engineers and others qualified to express opinions which must be given appropriate weight.

Now the full details of the plan and many comments upon it, have been issued as an attractive and well-illustrated booklet, priced at is.

Much of the success of the proposed highway must, necessarily, depend upon other improvements at its ends. This matter is given due consideration. Certainly the appearance of the river frontage would be greatly enhanced, particularly that section running alongside the Houses of Parliament.

Constructional costs are estimated at £8m. but the total, with compensation and the modifications at the outlets, would probably be considerably more.

Send Them Some Engineers

WELCOME as managing directors and sales " officials from British manufacturers are in Australia, there are many operators and salesmen who are not altogether happy about the situation. Australian conditions, both in respect of roads and methods of operation, differ so vastly from those in this country that it is felt that only by sending out technicians, designers and service engineers,, will all the bugs be finally beaten out of British chassis.

Whilst operating conditions in the Commonwealth might not be the most severe in the world, every operator's principal aim is to keep all of his vehicles on the road for as long as possible, and minor spares hold-ups are infuriating to them. If British technicians were to see for themselves where their vehicles are running, and what is expected of them, it is probable that more than a few design changes would result.

Contact with a few drivers and operators themselves would be illuminating as to what goes on "down under," and would certainly give these people a chance to tell—and show—the man at the drawing board just what is wanted. This is a heart-felt cry from many users which should not be ignored.

Tags

People: Penny Wise
Locations: Sheffield, Victoria, London

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