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Opinions from Others.

22nd April 1915, Page 14
22nd April 1915
Page 14
Page 15
Page 14, 22nd April 1915 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Brakes on Horse-drawn Vehicles.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1401] Sir,—I have at odd times, wondered why you have never, in your admirable journal, referred to the inadequacy of the brakes usually fitted to horse-drawn vehicles. It is quite a common experience, when it is necessary for a heavily-loaded lorry to come to a sudden stop, for the kerbstone to be used as an accessory to the act. My ruminations on this subject were brought to a head on a recent occasion, when, the kerbstone being for once unavailable, the driver of a large coal cart complacently brought his.load to a standstill on the rear wing of my car.—Yours faithfully, Palmers Green. j. A. DAwrifxs.

Finance for Overseas Motor Services.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1102] Sir,—I am, by this mail, in receipt of letters from Colonial business associates of mine asking to be placed in touch with motorbus manufacturers, as in the near future they will be in need of a fair quantity for use in their neighbourhoods, and in addition to the above request they ask me if I could place them in touch with a firm of motor manufacturers or financiers who would be willing to co-operate with them in a scheme of motorbus •services, as they are in a position to secure very advantageous concessions.— Yours faithfully, P. Lt. DANIEL. 40, Calais Gate, S.E.

[We know nothing of the scheme in question, nor of the writer of the letter, Exploitation of this kind • is not promising at the moment, but we publish the • request for what it is worth in regard to future deliveries. ]

A High-powered Fire-engine on a Low-duty Test. The Editor, TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1403] Sir,—The wonderful American fire-pump, illustrated recently on page 112, has, I imagine, achieved records in more things than duration of nonstop runs. It is probably the first time on record, and may be the last, that 115 h.p. engines are set to pump out basements at a load of 6 b.h.p., allowing a good ma.rgin for, pump losses, while the normal delivery, stated to be 750 gallons at 115 ft.. height, is a theoretical load of '27 b.h.p., where, agAin, a record' margin is obtained ; but perhaps this work is accomplished beside a canal with a good towpath, and at, say, 60 m.p.h, travelling speed all at the same time, which would account for the indispensable half-crown hurricane, lamp hanging on the side for night work of this exacting nature.—Yours faithfully, Regent Street, Cambridge. ALFRED J. Wietsmr.

[The writer of the above letter has evidently overlooked the important effect of nozzle size on the power required. No such particulars were given by our correspondent. If basements require to be pumped out, available plant has to he used—not

necessarily of the required capacity. non-ston run was quite an engine achievement, even although on such an obviously light load.—En.]

The C.M.U.A. Subscription.

The Fditor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1401] Sir,—In reply to the letter from Mr. T. Taylor (Great Northern Laundry), in last week's issue of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, he has evidently overlooked the paragraph in the circular letter which accompanied the Annual Report, in which it stated that it was anticipated that with the small increase in the subscription proposed, the Association would be " a stronger financial position to oppose the various Bills promoted from time to time, containing clauses D32 prejudicial to the interests of commercial motor users."

Experience had shown that the recent nominal subscription was just sufficient to meet the expenses of the Free Legal Defence Scheme, the engineering expenses, and other general benefits and organization expenses. It was thought by the Committee that a Reserve Fund should be raised for contingencies.

The fact that the preposal was carried unanimously at the Annual General Meeting would appear to indicate that the members generally wore in entire agreement with the views of the Committee.

With regard to the class of member who take advantage of the legal benefits, in the majority of cases they are small users of one or two vans.--Yours

faithfully, FRED. G. BiaisTow, Secretary.

Horse v. Motor Comparisons. A Criticised Illustration.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1405] Sir,—We notice in your "Opinions from Others," page 135 of your issue dated 15th April, 1915, a letter calling attention to the anomaly as to the loads on the three-ton Garner wagon and a threehorse-single timber-carriage team.

We should like to record the point that probably the three horses have drawn the load of timber off the soft land, where it would be quite impossible far the three-ton lorry .even to approach empty, and where, when loaded, it would quickly work itself into holes in the ground.

As we remember the picture, the horses were quite capable of carting on the hard road two tons each, and, by their training as timber carters, would be able to exert an effort in drawing load off the sefl-, land double or treble that required to WOY7 the 5:7,!-.C.") load on hard road.

The only motor vehicle which does ec-eee.:elish th7:7,

sort of work with any satisfaction ie th :ctor C2 traction engine with wire cable.

We are users of steam wagons and peLrel CJYS, and we also have large experience with horses in all classes of work. In fairness to both types of haulage, we should like -to say that each system has its advan tages.—Yours faithfully, BAKER BROS., Feltham, Middlesex. pp. W.J.B.

[The only comparison we suggested, in our title to the picture in question, was one of general unhandiness. Neither is of a type capable of effectively discharging all the duties of the other.—En.] The Claims of Steam.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1406] Sir,—Your striking leader of the 8th inst. on the above subject is well worth the serious attention of every steam lorry maker in the kingdom. As a modest user and observer, since 1902, of steam lorries in particular, and with a knowledge, therefore, of the commercial value of steam lorries for loads of over two tons, it has been a frequent comment of • mine that there has been a comparative neglect, by makers, of this branch of their business in favour of the higher-priced petrol vehicle.

You have pointed out one of the chief flaws, viz., that makers do not study owners' requirements, and, incidentally their own interests, by having in training a constant supply of drivers ready, if necessary, to be supplied with their machines as and when they are turned out.

One speaks in this sense, of course, in normal times, There will, in my opinion, be enough business in the near future for steam-lorry makers and their object should be to cater for running makers, in lorries with long lives, driven by their own trained men, instead of turning out machines which are to be put into the hands of bad or indifferent drivers whose practice has been, to the discredit of the makers, to have the lorries back in the repair shops -under twelve months for general overhaul. I would like to see interested owners and makers ventilate this subject in your columns.—Yours "STEAM."

Manchester.

Departmental Committee: Freight Exchange.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1407] Sir,—The Departmental Committee of the Local Government Board will commence taking evidence shortly on the sufficiency of the existing laws and regulations relating to the construction and use of road locomotives and heavy motorcars. In view of the activities of those who desire to place further restrictions upon commercial motor vehicles and -tractors, it is necessary that careful and trustworthy evidence should be presented to the Departmental Committee, and also that the Committee should have at its disposal very full and accurate statistics and information. I, therefore, enclose herewith a first schedule of questions, and I am to ask that you will be good enough to answer -as many of them as you conveniently can, as by so doing you will render valuable assistance to the committee of the C.IVI.U.A. which is now preparing the evidence on your behalf. I may add that individual returns will be regarded as strictly confidential, and only such general results will be used as the committee may decide. The enclosed particulars of the Freight Exchange, which the " Times " has just established, after consultation with the C.M.U.A. may be of interest and value to you. [See our advertisement pages.—En.]. Yours faithfully, F. G. BRISTOW, Secretary. 83, Pall Mall, S.W. [We deal separately, on pages 141 and 153, with the important subjects which are about to occupy the attention of the L.G.B. Committee.—End


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