The Wheels of Industry.
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This journal, dealing as it does with the "Chariots of War," no less than with the "Wheels of Industry," is now of national importance. Its interests embrace impartially the transport wagon and the parcelcar, the steam wagon and the ambulance.
We wish to draw special attention to our "Campaign Comforts" appeal on page 135.
British M.T.C.
The British War Department is already on the point of obtaining from British works not fewer than 280 new three-tonners (average capacity) weekly.
Green Aeroplane Engines.
We have received an official communique from the Army Council, giving the result of the Naval and Military Aeroplane Engine Competition. The prize of 25000 is won by the Green Engine Co. (using Shell spirit), for the Green 100 h.p. water-cooled engine No. 1, which best fulfilled therequirements of the competition and possessed the greatest percentage of attributes desirable in an aeroplane engine.
Awards of 2100 for each engine go to the under-mentioned competitors, in respect of the engines entered by them which performed successfully the eliminating trial of a six hours continuous run at full power :—
Argylls Ltd. ... ... £100 Beardmore Austro-Daimler
• Engine Co. ... £200 British Anzani Engine Co.... ,E100
Dirdbridge Ironworks Co. £300 Gnome Engine Co. ... ... 2200 Green Engine Co. ... ... 2100 Sunbeam Motor Car Co.,
Ltd. ... ... 2100 Wolseley Tool and Motor Car Co., Ltd. 2200 Shell Spirit.
Mr. Samuel Samuel, M.P. , managing director of the Shell Transport and Trading Co., Ltd., has given a. direct answer to three questions which were addressed by way of challenge to his company on the 5th inst., in the columns of "The Globe," over the nom de plume of " Veritas " iii the course of a letter challenging the directors of the Shell Transport and Trading Co., Ltd., to answer the following questions fully and categorically : —(1) What contracts for oil or spirit were in force between the marketing organizations connected with the Konninklijke (Royal Dutch Co.) and Shell companies and the German or Austrian Governments (or agents acting on their behalf) at the same time when war was declared? (2) What deliveries were made under these contracts within one month before the declaration of war 1 (3) What deliveries have been made under these contracts since the declaration of war ?
c26 Mr. Samuel, in his reply, gives the absolute statement that the answer to the three questions is in each case "None." Be proceeds to comment upon the fact that the identity of the writer of the attacking letter was hidden in anonymity, and expresses the view that
our Editorial footnote to that letter, in ascribing correctness to the views of another correspondent, Mr. Alex. Steuart. Mr. Wilhanas joins issue with Mr. Steuart in regard to the statement that " all costs except tires and petrol are fixed per day." He very properly points out that this is not necessarily the ease, and that the further statement by Mr. Steuart, that a three-ton vehicle might fairly be stated to cost 22s. every weekday, whether it was working or not, and an additional 4d. for each mile travelled, is open to misconstruction. Although we have not room this week to include any "Opinions from Others," we regard the matter as being of sufficient importance to draw attention to it at once. There are, as Mr. Williams proceeds to argue in his letter, undoubted economies to be effected when a vehicle does not go out, in respect of the daily incidence of charges for maintenance and depreciation, in addition to savings on tires, fuel and lubrication. Possibly Mr, Steuart had in mind a rest day, with higher mileages on other days of the week, in which event his contention is sufficiently correct to be endorsed. If numerous rest days are not off-set by abnormal mileages on numerous working days, Mr. Steuart's views do not apply. Impressment Action.
The Secretary, of State for War and the Army Council were sued by Waring and Gillow, Ltd., in the Bloomsbury County Court, on the 15th inst., in respect of the valuation of one of the motor lorries which was taken over by the Government at the beginning of August. It was agreed between the parties that Judge Bray was to be viewed as the revising assessor, and to this attitude counsel for the Army Council took no objection. The judge announced that his decision was reserved. • A Useful Harrier Comparison. The following is an account 4.4 "one day's work" with a two-ton
• Karrier lorry purchased by Mr. R.' IL Inman, mineral water manufacturer. Huddersfield, about 12. months ago, who also has a 21-ton, vehicle of the same make. His twotonner is illustrated below.
The works were left about 9 a.m. with a full load of mineral waters. The first run was to one of the suburbs of Huddersfield, about 2 miles from the works, where about 18 calls were made • this took up to 12 o'clock. Next made; was a run of about 8 miles to Holmfirth and about 12 calls were made in that neighbourhood, which is a very hilly one. The lorry arrived back at about 5 p.m., having covered about 25 miles in the course of the day's work. Formerly this trip would occupy four two-pair horse lorries the whole day, and the two lorries doing the Holmfirth portion would get home at 11 p.m.'
Are American Lorries Contraband? The following opinion is authoritative :— "The importation of American lorries is conditional contraband. Having regard to the fact that there are no military operations at present existing in this country, it is doubtful whether they would be treated as absolute contraband, unless they were consigned to a military or naval base."
Halleys for the Naval Arm. An interesting delivery from the Halley works at Yoker, and illustrative of the diverse manner in which Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., is \ occupied in producing transport and equipment for the Empire's forces, is depicted herewith. Two special vehicles have been completed and supplied to the North British Welding Co., Ltd. and they are specially designed for use on electric-welding repair work for the British Navy. Each chassis is a standard threetonner, but provided with four adjustable struts below the frame, in order to take up vibration due to use of the welding plant. Excellent provision is made for ventilation and the admission of ample daylight, whilst the interior of each vehicle is fitted with folding bedsteads.
A Driver of Capacity.
Much publicity in the lay Press has recently been given to the following account, circulated by several press agencies :— " Five motor lorries convoying ammunition were cut off by the Germans. The men in charge, to escape capture, made off across the country after blowing up the ammunition. One, however, refused to leave, and remained bidden in a wood by the side of the road. The Germans, finding the ammunition destroyed, went off. The soldier who stayed behind thereupon came out, and seeing the wheels of the lorries were intact, managed to get one of the motors going. He hitched the other four behind, and slowly brought the convoy into the British camp."
Without in any way wishing to be captious, we should like to know if the blowing up of five lorry-loads of ammunition did not very seriously damage the wagons, and, moreover, how the solitary soldier managed to control the steering gear of the four other lorries he is reported to have towed. What happened to him if it became necessary to apply all five sets of brakes on a down gradient ?
Albion Works, The directors of the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., are finding the recent considerable additions to their factory of great value just now. A large, four-storey building was completed at the beginning of the present year, as recorded in our pages at the time. Every three-ton and four-ton chassis which the Albion people can turn out is being taken by the War Department, whilst additional orders are recently to hand from the Admiralty and the Scottish section of the Red Cross Society. Notwithstanding these requirements for military, naval and allied purposes, the Albion Co. is doing its utmost to fulfil civilian orders.
Whites for England.
If we required an excellent illustration of our constant contention that the proper kind of photograph to use for illustration purposes is a " live " one, we should not need to do better than to refer our readers to the current catalogues which deal with the White Co's motor lorries, or trucks as they can them. It is anticipated, we learn, that a batch of this company's three-ton and five-ton machines will be available for delivery in this country before Christmas and a -few at a much earlier dale. The demand in America for White trucks, we are informed, is a very considerable one, and, as a matter of fact, a figure has been quoted to us which anticipates the production of 500 a month at an early date.
In the present state of congestion in the three-ton and five-ton markets, to "say nothing of the coming big calls for lighter models, many users we feel sure will be interested to learn of the renewed activity in this country of the White concern. Good service results have been obtained in England. Official news has been received that the Minerva works at Antwerp are undamaged.
When You've Got a Gun.
The seoond edition of " How to Use a Rifle," that practical little handbook on rifle shooting, is now on sale. An excellent chapter on map reading, and a special new section dealing with flag signalling by semaphore and Morse code, has now been added. This book and its companion, "Army Drill Made Easy," are published at 6d. net each from the offices of this paper.
The Macintosh Triple Tire.
Gamage's have given a testimonial with regard to the guaranteed mileage of the Coleman triple soft and hard rubber tire, which has been fitted to one of their lorries. This set has now completed 10,000 miles, and "apparently will continue such service to at least 15,000 miles in all. The centre still stands proud by the same margin as when first fitted, and the nonskidding qualities are as good as ever." These tires are known as the Macintosh triple non-skid tires (Coleman's patent). They are also being used with success in connection with fire-engine work.
Their Own Troubles.
A Bohemian concert is to be held Olt the 30th inst. at the Stratford Town Hall, in aid of what is known as the T.O.T. Mutual Aid, an organization which is to provide for the 12,000 dependents of the 4000 employees of the L.G.O.C. and allied concerns who are now serving with the Colours. It is the company's intention to Took after these people. and to keep them from charity until the men return from the Front. An active programme of events intended to raise funds for this object has already been compiled. The football match last Thursday was one of the first on the programme.
North British Solids.
We have now received the latest catalogue of the North British Rubber Co.'s solid band tires. Particulars of the guarantee for 10,000 miles are included, and the usual sections with their prices are carefully listed. In a, note accompanying this catalogue, the makers write as follow :—" These tires are manufactured by fixing to the steel band the soft rubber crown or tread through the medium of a semi-hard rubber portion, which unites the soft rubber to the steel. The surface of the steel band is first cleaned, and roughened so as to give a holding surface to the rubber. On this is run, in a soft state, the semi-hard portion, and then on top the crown or soft portion, still in a soft unvulcanized condition.
When run up to the required size, the whole is moulded under hydraulic pressure whilst heat is applied
to effect vulcanization. The tire is then pressed on to the steel felloe by hydraulic pressure."