WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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"The wheels of 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.
International Road Transport Congress in Berlin.
An International Road Transport Congress is to be held in Berlin on February 15 and 16 during this year's German Motor Exhibition. It will undoubtedly prove the most comprehensive on this aspect of transport which has ever been held, and invitations to participate have already been sent to many road-transport interests in Britain and on the Continent.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the British Road Federation have intimated their intention of being represented.
The object of the congress is to focus attention on the serious consequences which must follow any transport policy aiming at hampering. by excessive taxation or restrictive regulation, the development of' efficient means for transport. Papers will be read from delegates from various European countries, and the congress will be addressed by the Transport Minister of Germany.
The affair is organized by the Bureau Permanent International des Construetours d'Automobiles.
F.B.I. Move Against the Surtax.
Considerable importance is attached by the Federation of British Industries, 21, Totbill Street, London, S.W.1, to the deterrent effect on industry of the drastic and penalizing legislation which, in certain circumstances, imposes surtax on the whole of the profits of a large number of companies to the extent that surtax would have been payable by the members if the whole of such profits had been distributed. This is a direct discouragement of the setting aside of adequate reserves. Suggestions have been 'formulated to amend the law, and these will be laid before the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Latest Addition to Tillotson Group.
We are officially informed that Mac Carriers, Ltd., of Bournemouth, has become associated with the Tillotson group of road-transport companies, Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., having subscribed the capital to allow for the proposed ex pansion of the business. With this object, the capital of the company has been increased from 110,000 to 125,000. The management remains unchanged, but Mr. :T. Oswald Tillotson, chairman of Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., and Bouts Brothers, Ltd., has joined the board as chairman, and Captain Tahu Rhodes, a London director of Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., and chairman of Bradford "City Express Motors" Ltd., and W. V. Greenwood, Ltd., has also joined.
The first step in the development of Mac Carriers, Ltd., has been the acquisition of Messrs. Parker and Sons, Portsmouth, and orders have been placed for several new A.E.C. oilers.
The companies now associated with Oswald Tillotson, Ltd., are Bouts Brothers, Ltd., Bradford "City Express Motors" Ltd., W. V. Greenwood, Ltd., and Mac Carriers, Ltd. An up-to-date u1.8 fleet approaching 200 vehicles is now being operated. The routes covered by these concerns provide a direct service from Lancashire to Yorkshire, and from both areas to London and the south.
Road Transport of Cattle: A New Order.
Under the new Order of the Ministry of Agriculture relating to the-admission of Canadian cattle of all classes to this country, some special regulations are introduced regarding disinfection of vehicles.
The following rules are to be observed in respect of road vehicles :—
No person shall use for the conveyance of animals from an approved landing place any road vehicle which has been used for the conveyance of animals or carcases unless, since the last occasion on which it was so used, the vehicle has been cleansed and disinfected in the following manner:—
Ii) The ffoor, roof and sides of the inside of the vehicle, and the sides and ends of the outside of the vehicle and all other parts thereof with which any animal Or its droppings or other excretions have come in contact shall he scraped and swept, and the scrapings and sweepings end all dung, sawdust, litter and other matter shall be effectually removed therefrom; the same parts at the vehicle shall then he thoroughly' washed or scrubbed or scoured with water; and then be disinfected by being thoroughly coated or washed with an approved disinfectant. Ili) The scrapings and sweepings of the vehicle and all dung, sawdust, litter and other matter removed therefrom shall forthwith be well mixed with unicklime and effectually removed from contact with animals, or be destroyed by fire.
(2) A .person intending to use a road vehicle for the conveyance of any animal in course of movement from an approved landing place shall, if so required by an inspector of the Ministry of Agriculture, immediately before the animal is placed therein thoroughly spray the vehicle with an approved disinfectant to tho satisfaction of the inspector at the expense of the person owning or using or in charge of the said vehicle.
Booking Agents to Represent Hauliers?
There are possibilities of certain coach-booking agents in London taking up agencies for haulage concerns. This procedure is, to some extent, already in force in the provinces, but it would be a new departure for London. The goods would be booked in the same manner as are coach passengers, and we hope to be able to give more definite details during the next week or so.
Dennis and Chevrolet Mobile Cinemas.
A contract has just been completed by the Western Electric Co. for a wellknown concern with a large export trade. It consists of two daylight talking-picture vans for shipment overseas and five special films for use on these vans. They are constructed on a 35-cwt. Dennis and 2-ton Chevrolet chassis respectively, both having coachwork by Normand Garages, Ltd. In both sides of the body illuminated showcases have been incorporated.
The electric power for operating the various sound systems is derived from dynamos within the vans, which are driven from Scott single-cylindered twostroke engines when the vehicles are in motion. For picture projection when the vans are stationary, the dynamos are driven by the vehicle engines.
There is a speaker in each of the rear doors ; a third speaker is in the roof. There is a speech amplifier, and a reproduction can be effected by records.
The Armstrong-Saurer Durable in Production.
The first production vehicles of the Durable chassis are now being turned
• out at the works of Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., Newcastleupon-Tyne. The Durable is a modification of the Diligent 4-5-tonner, it full description and road-test report upon which appeared in our issue dated October 28, in which, also, reference was made to the forthcoming introduction of this modified version.
Whereas the Diligent has a fourcylindered 60-b.h.p. engine and an effective pay-load of 4-5 tons, the Durable has a six-cylindered 100-b.h.p. engine, a Maybach-type super gear as a standard fitment '(this giving eight forward speeds with extremely easy change), and is intended for hauling trailers, thus giving it a pay-load capacity of 8-10 tons. Instead of a 7.14-to-1 singlereduction rear axle, the Durable has a 9.58-to-1 double-reduction axle.
New Registrations in November.
A. return recently issued by the Ministry of Transport shows that, during the month of November, 1932, the number of motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, was 20,146, the comparable return for the previous year being 16,771. In this year's total are included 3,529 goods vehicles and 152 hackney vehicles, as contrasted with 3,775 and 337 respectively for 1931.
Progress with Gas as a Fuel.
Dr. C. M. Walter, the head of the research department of Birmingham Gas Committee, recently gave a lecture before the midland section of the Junior Institution of Engineers, during which he reviewed the work that has been carried out in the development of equipment for the use of town gas.
He emphasized the fact that the use
of gas as a fuel for internal-combustion engines was not new and long ago Mills used as a cheap fuel for running in engines on the test bench. He referred to the use of gas during the war, and pointed out that, even with the crude methods then employed, the results were exceedingly satisfactory. At that time it was necessary to store the gas in flexible bags and a drawback was the limited range of action.
In 1927 investigations were made into the possibility of using lightweight high-tensile alloy-steel bottles for storing gas at a high pressure. After further discussing the progress made with cylinders, he said that a good deal of research had been undertaken in connection with pressure-reducing valves and suitable mixers. Be pointed out that a van which had been running on gas for over 2,000 miles had proved most efficient.
War Department Six-wheelers.
A espy of War Department Specification No. 32 for rigid-framed sixwheeled pneumatic-tyred lorries .has been received from the Director of Meehanzation, War Office, London.
It is a comprehensive document divided into 28 different sections and eight appendices, and deals with vehicles ranging from 30-cwt. to 12-tons capacity which may be required with either forward or normal-control position for the driver, the four rear wheels to be arranged close together as a bogie and driving.
Questions relating to the interpretation of the specification, to the design of new vehicles intended to comply with it, or to modification in design of accepted vehicles, should be addressed
New Dunlop Appointments
to the tinder-Secretary of State (M.G.0.8), War Office, London, S.W.1. Those concerning contractual procedure, tenders, etc., should be addressed to the Director of Army Contracts, Caxton House (West), Tothill Street, London, S.W.1.
Fords at the B.! F.
The Ford Motor Co., Ltd., is to exhibit examples of its commercial vehicles and tractors at the Birmingham section of the British Industries Fair, which opens at Castle Bromwich on February 20. A continuous cinema show will be an added attraction at the stand, and the films to be displayed will give glimpses of farming, coal-mining, Ere-fighting and other activities.
Dagenham's New Fire Tender.
We are informed by the National Fire Protection Co., Ltd., Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey, that, although the body of the Dagenham Fire Brigade tender was built by Wilsons (Kingston), Ltd., 20, High Street, Kingston on-Thames, it was to the design of and carried out to the instructions of the first-named concern, and that this concern holds patents for chemical fire tenders of this description, Bush amt Twiddy's Activities.
We are informed by Messrs. Bush and Middy, Sussex Street, Norwich, that although the firm has recently disposed of its interest in motor coaches, it has retained that part of its business dealing with the construction and repair of motor-vehicle bodies.
Personal Pars.
At a recent meeting of the Grand Council of the Federation of British Industries, .Lt.-General Sir George Macdonogh, G.B.E., K.C.B., was nominated to succeed Sir George Beharrell as president of the Federation for the forthcoming year.
Sir George Macdonogh is connected with the Shell-Royal-Dutch group, is chairman of Scammell Lorries, Ltd., and a director of Venezuelan Oil Concessions, Ltd. He is a member of the council of the Royal Institute of Inter.. national Affairs.
We publish on this page a portrait of Mr. H. J. Ashby, who has been appointed London manager in charge of the general sales division of the Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd. Mr. Ashby is well known in the tyre industry in London and is frequently to be seen at trade gatherings.
We also include a picture of Mr. H. J. Holmes, who has been appointed assistant manager in London, following several years' duty at Fort Dunlop.
Another Dunlop aimointinent is that of Mr. A. Smith, hitherto the company's regional manager for the West Midlands, who is taking over the management of the area covered by the Dunlop depots at Birmingham' Coventry, Leicester, Norwich and Nottingham.
Mr. A. Hales, who, for some years, has been the Dunlop sales manager in the East Midland region, is now appointed regional sales manager for the western area. Mr. Hales has spent his business life in the tyre industry, being a director of the Bates concern at the time of its fusion with the Dunlop organization.
We learn that Mr. W. T. Hilder, of Swindon, has been appointed electrical engineer and transport manager to llaslingden Corporation. Mr. Hilder served his apprenticeship at Swindon electricity works and, subsequently, at Aberdare, where he was engineer and manager, he gained much experience in bus and tramway operation.
The International Railway Congress.
Several British railway officials are acting as delegates to the International Railway Congress, which opened in Cairo yesterday, and at which the question of competition between road and air transport and the railways will be discussed, a report on the subject being read by the traffic manager of the Southern Railway.
A Road Vehicle for Transporting 250-ton Loads ?
In a recent address before members of the Liverpool Rotary Club, Mr. E. C. Marston, of M.R.S., Ltd., dealt with the carriage of abnormal traffic by road, and intimated that his company was trying to devise a vehicle which will carry 250 tons, the load being spread over 60 wheels. It will have no platform and the weight will depend from an overhead girder.
Mr. Marston said that the railways were handicapped in dealing with abnormal loads because they were built when the large engineering products of to-day were beyond conception. He dealt with some of the difficult jobs that his company has tackled and with the special provision that has often to be made for the transport of unusual loads.
Forthcoming Annual Dinners.
The annual conference of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Association will take place at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue, London, W.C.2, on Thursday and Friday, May 18 and 19, the annual dinner of the Association being on the former day.
The annual dinner of the Diesel Engine Users Association will take place on Tuesday, February 7, at the Coventry Restaurant, Wardour Street, London, W.1, when the chair will be taken by the president, Mr. C. F. Mounsdon, M.I.E.E.
R.H.A. Meeting In Manchester.
A successful meeting of the East Lancashire area of the Road Haulage Association was held in Manchester a few days ago, when Mr. F. Tophain presided and welcomed Mr. E. C. Marston, the chairman of the Association, and Mr. Donaldson Wright.
Mr. Marston addressed the meeting on several important questions, including the standardization of rates, cooperation, and what the R.H.A. can do for its members. Mr. Donaldson Wright dealt with the objects of the Association and spoke at some length upon the negotiations that are• now being carried forward in connection with clearing houses.
The Calmer Centaur Refuse Collector.
Commer Cars, Ltd., of Luton, has recently issued a pamphlet describing its new 7-cubic-yd. refuse "collector, the basis of which is; the company's wellknown Centaur chassis. The pamphlet embodies a brief, description of the collector, and points out that the Principality patent moving floor is an outstanding feature of the body; certain of the illustrations published clearly show the merits of this type of floor.
Road Transport Economics.
The problem of the competition between road and railway transport figured prominently in a paper entitled "The Economics of Road Transport, Illustrated by Statistics Relating to Lancashire," which Mr. Jack Stafford recently read before the Manchester Statistical Society. At the outset the author expressed the view that the preference of some concerns for road rather than rail service was less the outcome of expense than of the necessity of dispatch in the handling of goods.
He quoted figures to show that the greatest increase had taken place in lighter vehicles and in those used for B20 heavy haulage. So far as the latter are concerned, he said that in the case of rigid six-wheelers there had been an increase in the country as a whole by 148.7 per cent. between 1927 and 1930, whilst the number of articulated sixwheelers had increased by 185 per cent.
The author mentioned that, from an inquiry made among a selection of 25 firms engaged in different industries, in all parts of Lancashire, not one was found that did not do some of its own transport work.
A Tricky Transport Task, Sir Malcolm Campbell's famous racing car, "Blue Bird," which has been rebuilt and fitted with a Schneider Trophy-type engine, and with which Sir Malcolm hopes in the near future to break his own record at Daytona, was recently moved by Pickfords, Ltd., from the bodybuilders to his private address.
Owing to the great length of the car and to 'the fact that there is a ground clearance of only 31 ins., great care was necessary in loading and unloading. Pickforcis, Ltd., employed a special lowloading rubber-tyred trailer, equipped with a 20-ft. ramp to assist in the work, the car being loaded and unloaded by means of a power winch fitted to one of the company's petrol tractors.
Modern Railcars Save Time.
We learn from Paris that a Micheline pneumatic-tyred railcar has recently been shipped to Madagascar for use on the Autananarivo-Tamatave line. The distance is about 230 miles, which, it is expected, will be covered in 8 hours, as compared with 14 hours by ordinary trains.
Trial of Gas-producer Vehicles?
According to a report from Vienna, a movement is in progress to encourage the use of gas-producer vehicles in Austria, where it is proposed to organize this year a reliability trial of such machines.
The Continued Decline in Railway Traffic.
The Ministry of Transport has recently issued statistics relating to railway traffic for the calendar month of October and for the four weeks ended November 5, 1932. In addition to the usual information, the latest volume contains goods station statistics.
The total number of passenger journeys (excluding those by season-ticket holders) taken on all standard-gauge railways in Great Britain in October last was 92,982,893, a decrease of 3,438,379 as compared with October, 1931. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares decreased by 1,437,539, and those at standard or ordinary fares by 2,000,840. The receipts from passengers (excluding seasonticket holders) were 4.5 per cent. down.
For the four weeks ended November 5, 1932, the coaching train miles showed an increase of 362,597, when contrasted with the four weeks ended November 7, 1931. The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 19,859,596, a decrease of 1,867,463 tons as compared with the corresponding four weeks in 1931. Freight train receipts at £6,376,303 were down by £860,837. The freight train miles run were 692,121 fewer than in 1931.
Steel Barrel's Manchester Office.
The Steel Barrel Co. (of Uxbridge), Ltd., advises us that it has opened an office at Midland Bank Chambers, 77, Kiug Street, Manchester. Mr. J. S. Dunn, the company's northern representative, is in charge.
Redeeming Debenture Stock.
We learn that the London and Suburban Traction Co., Ltd., proposes to redeem at par on April 15, the whole of the outstanding 5 per cent. " A " debenture stock. The half-year's interest (less tax), due on April 15, will be paid by warrant. The debenture stock outstanding totals £68,807.
Company Registrations in 1932.
The annual statistical report prepared by Jordan and Sons, Ltd., a company of registration agents, 116-118, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2, shows that during the year ended December 31, 1922, 255 public companies and 9,949 private companies were registered, the ne.gregate capital of the former being £17,858,458 and of the latter £52,346,038. Although the figure for public companies is down by 21 when compared with 1931, that for private' companies is higher by 1,840.
Under the heading of motors two public companies, with a total capital of £2,000, and 479 private companies, with an aggregate capital of 11,200,991, were registered, whilst under the title of " oil" 72 private companies (capital £1,310,855) were registered. In the class for roads 30 companies were registered, 28 of them of a private character.
During the whole of the period from 1862 to 1931_ in which limited liability companies have been registered, the number of registrations in England has only once exceeded 10,000—in the boom year, 1920—but, incredible as it may seem, 1922 has beaten that record with totnl of 10,204, as against 10,065 in 1920.
Crankshafts for Oil Engines.
A short time ago it was announced that the Laystall Motor Engineering Works, Ltd., Ewer Street, London, was specializing in the repair of oil engines, and to this work has been added the manufacture of crankshafts for compression-ignition engines of the high-speed type.
In view of the increased stresses imposed on a shaft of a power unit of this class, it is necessary that the highest grade material and the most careful workmanship should be employed. Notwithstanding these facts, the company informs us that the cost of an oil-engine crankshaft is little greater than that of a similar component required for a petrol engine of corresponding power. Not only are these shafts available for oil-engine manufacturers, but also for use as replacements, Handbooks for Garage Workers.
Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons, Ltd., Parker Street, London, W.C.2, is, on February 7, commencing publication of 26 weekly volumes entitled " The Garage Workers' Handbooks." The price is is. weekly, and the total work, which is edited by Mr. J. R. Stuart, will comprise 1,660 pages of up-to-date and practical instruction in garage work. Almost every phase of motorvehicle maintenance is to be dealt with, including engine overhaul, chassis overhaul. repairs of all kinds, garage equipment, store-keeping, etc.
The first weekly part deals with garage equipment, and covers the subject comprehensively, there being numerous illustrations and a considerable amount of technical data.
A Permanently Fitted Tyre Gauge.
In our issue dated December 16 we made a passing reference to, and illustrated, the Michelin permanently fitted tyre-pressure gauge. It will be seen from the accompanying sketch that the dial, encased in a stout casting of light alloy, with a thick glass face, is attached to the wheel by making use of two of the wheel-holding studs. A flexible metal pipe connects tile gauge to the valve, and the act of screwing it on depresses the valve plunger.
A red needle is set to the correct inflation pressure for the tyre, and a black needle shows the actual pressure in the tyre. When inflation is necessary the flexible tube is unscrewed at the gauge end, and contains a standard valve centre and threaded neck for fixing the usual pump connection.
The device can be used on twin wheels simply by fixing two gauges in opposition. In fact, for twin tyres, this fitment is of particular value, because it is not possible to ascertain, without actually testing, whether both tyres are properly inflated.
Progress with a Piston.
We are advised th'at, in view of the successful results obtained during the past two years from the Lancaster patent bi-metal piston, the engineering department of Hobbies, Ltd., has commenced extensive production at its Dereham works, and quick deliveries can be given for most pistons up to 80-mm. diameter.
An Inexpensive Valve Refacer.
A useful tool for engine maintenance, which appears to possess a number of practical features, is the Holmes Topin valve refacer, shown in an accompanying illustration.
The valve is held at the required angle in a chuck rotated slowly by a flexible cable driven from the main gearing. Provision is made for bringing the face of the valve into contact with the grinding wheel, this being done by a fine-threaded screw.
The wheel is given a reciprocating axial motion, besides its rotation, to prevent scoring and to keep its periphery true. It turns in the opposite direction to the valve. Fittings are supplied for valve stems of various diameters.
The tool stands 10 ins, high, weighs 28 lb., and costs only £8. The sole distributors are Messrs. A. Holmes, 508, Leeds Road, Bradford.
Important Furniture Remover Dead.
Mr. D. A. Furniss, head of one of the biggest firmS of removal contractors in the north of England, founded in about 1877, died on January 14. He was at business until a week previously, when he caught a chill which was followed by pneumonia. Up to the time of his death he was a member of the executive committee of the Leeds centre of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Association.
"Repeats" for Thornyerofts.
Amongst important orders recently received by John I. Thernyeroft and Co., Ltd., is one from the India Store Department for a further six 3i-ton sixwheeled vehicles, whilst the British Cotton and Wool Dyers Association has placed its 25th repeat order, this time for three Bulldog 2-ton lorries, and Boots Pure Drug Co. Ats 13th repeat order for 2-ton chassis. In spite of the uncertainty created by the Salter Report, the company is receiving a steady flow of orders from present Thornyeroft users.
A Booklet on Welding Repairs.
A new vest-pocket edition of that useful booklet, " The Welding Test," issued by Berimar, Ltd., 14-18, Lamb's Conduit Street, London, W;C.1, is now available. It .contains many illustrations and descriptions of examples of Barimar which give a good idea of the scope of the company's activities. A copy can be obtained from the address we have given.
Neat Pillar Lamp for Coaches.
Hailwood and Aekroyd, Ltd., Morley, near Leeds, announces a special pillar lamp for passenger vehicles, the main features of which are rigidity and compactness. The lamp, which is illustrated on this page, has a back-plate 94ins. deep and 4i ins, wide, and projects ins, from the pillar. The back plate is fixed before the glass is inserted, and the top is secured in position by means of screws, although, if desired, it could be made to hinge.
The company advocates its MoonHalo satin-finish glass, which, apart from having a pleasing appearance, obviates glare without unduly dimming the light. The metal portion can be finished either in bronze or in chromium plate.