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Davies' Heels. Luton Skulls, Artistic Advertising.
By 'The Extractor."
If I were to be made a Judge of Assize or a Recorder, and a delinquent sub-editor were to be brought before me, my thumbs would go down with a vengeance. Never mind if his offence were only that someone had "heard him speak disrespectfully of the equator," he would receive the benefit of a pentup accumulation of resentment froni years of sub-editorial wrong-doing. To come to the point, the subeditorial blue pencil disposed of half of a paragraph of mine last week referring Ito Mr. F. W. K. Davies. I intended it to be recorded that he was only temporarily away from business. I give hi a letter, however, full of righteous indignation, and should the time ever come when a, sub-editor is" at my mercy," it is precious little mercy he will get.
" Sir,—I notice in this week's COMMERCIAL 'VICTOR that you have the audacity to publish the misleading statement that the writer has been "laid by the heels." Much as I appreciate your free advertisement, I should be glad if you will give equal publicity to the fact that 1 am not yet in gaol, have not married a widow or thrown in my lot with the suffragettes. The fact is that, owing to a long stretch of overwork, I find it imperative to my health to drink in the ozone of this well-known watering-place, and so obtain the necessary strength to cope with further anticipated labour.---Yours truly, F. W. KELLNER DAVIES." Margate.
A lot of people who can get away find Gine to see the Diamond Sculls competed for at Henley. Most of us follow the newspaper reports with much interest, but here is a minor " Diamond" being competed for in our midst, as it were. The waterway was the lake in Luton's Public Park, and the contestants the Drawing Office staff of Commercial Cars, Ltd. A novelty was introduced in the race under notice—I should have over-ruled the innovation myself for my own sculling, but that is by the way—the steersman had to change places with the sculler during the race. I understand that the trophy, which we illustrate, consists of a pair of " gold " sculls set with "diamonds," made by Mr. George Gibbs, the " Commerear "
metallurgist. The *inners were Messrs. Turner and Stone, and the presentation was made after -the event by the chief draughtsman.
" 'Tis not in mortals to command succf_.ss, but we'll do more, Sempro we'll deserve it." One can imagine the broken-down tragedian standing outside a theatre, which has " made good," as the Americans put it, and one can understand the tones of scorn and bitterness with which the above sentiment is often uttered by the unsuccessful. Our artist, in the series of pictorial advertisements in connection with Original Berna motors, has contrived to convey this. We have heard many favourable comments
on this novel form of adveitising, so I have induced our Editor to reproduce the sketch on this page.
One of the most obvious examples of progress which has recently come under my notice is that of the C.A.V. concern. Why, eight years ago I bought a spare battery from them for my motor-bicycle. This was before the magneto came in, and the spare quickly became the standard with me. And then they had a tiny place at Willesden Green, with a baker's dozen of employees. Now they have a gigantic establishment at Acton Vale, with an "administration building" and nearly a thousand on the wages list. Thoroughness seems to have been their watchword, and C.A.V. lighting spells quality. We have a sketch by Mr. Arthur Goodwin in progress, and I hope to return to this subject within the next few weeks.
Mr. Frank Brown of Davis Brown and Sons (Huddersfield), Ltd., is still in America on business. He is expected back about the middle of June.
Bell Bros., Ltd., of Ravensthorpe„ is making commercial vehicles. The Bell pleasure car, in the hands of Mr. Peter Bell, achieved great distinction in the various Scottish The question of earlier holidays has a practical exponent in the person of Mr. Alan Scammell. He has already departed for his summer vacation—a little fishing down in Zummerzet.
A prominent commercial-vehicle maker contemplates buying a Sheffield Simplex pleasure car, partly because it is as nearly perfect as it can be, and also to give the self-starter a good trial, because, in his opinion, selfstarters will be a standard equipment even on commercial vehicles
before very long. The Leyland Motor Ltd., flotation was subscribed for more thantwice over.
I ran across Mr. J. Warwick, of the Altnagam Co., looking very fit on his return from America Mr. C. S. Challiner, of the Shrews bury-Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., has had a week in Ireland.
A new Dennis char-a-bancs is shortly taking a pleasure party from Eastbourne to Cornwall and back. This kind of trip, started, I believe, by the Lancashire people, should spread quickly and be most.
popular.
The business of the Automobile Exchange, 91, Great Portland Street, 'W., is now taken over by M. Trevor and Co., Commerce House, 72, Oxford Street, W. They are fixing up an agency for an American recorder and expect to
be ready in a few weeks.
Mr. G. N. Guest, a director of* Hollings and Guest, Ltd., Birmingham, is about to take a business trip to Canada, Vancouver and through the States.