AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

23rd February 1932
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Page 30, 23rd February 1932 — WHEELS of INDUSTRY
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"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.

Morris Commercial Changes.

We understand that Mr. 0. Bodeu, formerly works director at Wolseley Motors (1927), Ltd., has become managing director and general manager of Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., and that Mr. W. Wilson Hamill, managing director, Mr. C. F. Lawrence King, assistant general manager, and Mr. W. J.Ward, secretary and chief accountant, have resigned. Mr. G. W. Rowe, from Cowley, has been appointed chief accountant.

An Important Paper on Oil Engines.

A meeting of unusual interest will take place on March 1st, at 7.45 p.m., at Caxton Hall; Westminster, London, S.W.1, when 11 engineering societies will combine to hear a paper entitled "Some Problems Connected with Highspeed Compression-ignition Engine Development," by Mr. C. B. Dicksee, of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.

Amongst the societies which will participate are the Institution of Automobile Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Diesel Engine Users Association, The Snatituto of Fuel, the Institute of Petroleum Technologists and the Society of Engineers. The chair will be taken by Mr. Alan E. L. Chorlton, M.P.

A.G.E.'s Position.

According to the report, issued One day last week, of Agricultural and General Engineers, Ltd., a holding company, Sir Gilbert Garusey has been appointed receiver and manager. The company's operations for the year ended March 31st, 1931, reveal a loss of 1235,226, and the debit balance on the profit-and-loss account is now shown at 1591,344.

As was mentioned in our issue for last week, the former chairman, Mr. G. E. Rowland, has resigned from the hoard of the company and its associated undertakings, whilst we now learn that Messrs. G. D. Perks (vice-chairman), 'H. Carlisle, L. W. Smith and A. Leggett have also resigned their directorships.

Short Distance Hauliers' Activities.

A meeting of haulage contractors was held recently in Carlisle with the object of forming a local branch of the Short Distance Hauliers' Alliance. It was. a representative gathering of interested hauliers from a widespread area. The chair was taken by Mr. E. J. Williams, of Carlisle. and Mr. T. R. Sanders, a member of the central committee in London, attended.

He explained the aims and objects of the Alliance. Amongst the points to which he referred were collective insurance, facilities for representation to Parliament, legal defence at a low fee per vehicle and collective buying. Each local branch when formed will manage its own affairs under the guidance of the central committee, and suggestions for the improvement of the trade will be welcomed and considered.

A temporary committee was formed, a member being elected for each district represented at the meeting to enlist the interest of contractors in their neighbourhoods. Mi. M. B. Hughes, of Hughes and Beattie, Ltd., was appointed hon. secretary pro tern.

Death of Sir Arthur Duckham.

It is with much regret that we record the death, in his 53rd year, of Sir Arthur McDougall Duckham, which occurred on February 14th at his home at Ashstead, Surrey. He served his 'apprenticeship in engineering under Sir George Livesay. In 1899 he was appointed assistant engineer to Bournemouth Gas and Water Co., and, in conjunction with his chief, Col. Woodall, devised and patented a new method for the continuous carbonization of coal.

During the war he was Deputy Director-General of Munitions Supply and later chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Munitions. He also acted as Director-General of Aircraft Production.

At the time of his death Sir Arthur was associated with a number of important companies, one of the best known in the road-transport industry being Alexander Duckham and Co:, Ltd.

"The Commercial Motor" at the British Industries Fair.

The Corn mercial Molar and its associated journals are included in the exhibit of the Periodical Trade Press and Weekly Newspaper Proprietors' Association, on Stand No. D 123 in the General and Sales Services Section of the British Industries Fair, at Olympia, London, and on Stand No. 4, Block 8K, at the Birmingham section of the Fair.

This Fair opened yesterday (Felsruary 22nd) and continues until March 5th. Copies of the journals and all information relating to them are obtainable from the respective stands.

L.G.O.C. Operations in 1931.

The accounts for the year ended December 31st, 1931, of the Underground Electric Railways Company of London, Ltd., which is a holding company controlling the group of London passenger-transport companies that are associated in a common fund, have recently been issued.

A summary of the results of the individual companies shows, so far as the London General Omibus Co., Ltd., is concerned, that traffic receipts amounted to £10,219,864, from which expenditure amounting to £9,515,527 has to be deducted, this amount including reserves for renewals. Although traffic receipts were lower by £260,102 than for the previous year, the expenditure was £274,923 less, so that the net receipts at 1704,337 were higher by £14,821 than for the previous year. Miscellaneous receipts, however, at £405,829, were lower by 141,674, so that the total net income of 11,110,166 shows a reduction of £26,853. After deducting interest., rentals, etc. (1369,656) and an appropriation for reserve for contingencies and renewals (1490,000), there Is a balance available for the dividend on the ordinary shares of £351,845.

An interim dividend of 31 per cent. (free of tax) was paid on the ordinary shares in August last. This absorbed 1124,194, and the directors now recommend the payment of a final dividend of 31 per cent. (free of tax), making a total for the year of 6/ per cent. The carry forward is £108,485.

The number of passengers carried by the buses of the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., was 1,933,653,844, a decrease of 26,240,302 on 1930.

The total amount expended during 1931 on buses and equipment was £1,557,000.

The Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., paid, in August, an interim dividend of 5 per cent. (free of tax) on its ordinary share capital of £1,500,000, and has declared a similar final dividend, thus making 10 per cent. for the year leaving a carry forward of £215,276.

The War Office Convoy.

The convoy of British-built vehicles which is making a 5,500-mile tour in Egypt and the Sudan reached El Obeid on February 16th. Although many stretches of soft sand were encountered, the distance of 424 miles from Khartoum was covered at an average speed of 22 m.p.h.

A report has now been •received regarding the first 900 miles of the journey from Cairo to Wadi Haifa. This part of the journey was comparatively easy.

The weather was very cold at night and a strong following wind prevailed. No mechanical trouble of any description has been experienced. Seventeen miles south of Luxor, rotting planks in ' a narrow, curved bridge almost caused the Crossley six-wheeler to drop 15 ft. into the water below, but the load was removed, the rear bogie jacked up and the gap made was bridged with channel iron. The vehicle was then extricated. Crossley's Report for 1931.

The report of Crossley Motors, Ltd., for the 14 months ended December 31st, 1931, shows a profit of £1,137, and, after deducting this from the £44,118 to the debit of the profit-and-loss account there is a sum of 142,981 to be carried forward to the next account.

During the period covered by the report, substantial progress has been made with the company's oil engine, which has been embodied in chassis supplied to a large number of municipalities, and it is interesting to learn that the company has a four-cylindered power unit of this class in coarse of development, in addition to a 6-ton oil-engined chassis which is almost ready for production.

Micheline Railcars in America.

A Micheline pneumatic-tyred railcar is nearing completion at the works of the Edward G. Budd Manufacturing Co. at Philadelphia, -U.S.A., which has been assigned the right to develop and sell

in America the Micheline car. A report on its performance in this country appeared in our issue dated February 16th.

Various modifications will be incorporated in the American-built car, as a result of developments in the use of light-gauge stainless steel. The vehicle is to be a 40-seater and is expected to be able to attain a speed of 60 m.p.h., using a 50 h.p. oil engine.

Traffic Sign Regulations.

The Minister of Transport has made regulations with regard to the size, colour and type of traffic sign used for the purpose of indicating a school, a corner, a double corner, a cross-road, a steep hill, level crossings (guarded and unguarded) and road junctions.

The signs now prescribed are identical with those already approved by the Ministry for these purposes. The regulations have been made so as to overcome the difficulty arising from decisions in the courts that the Minister, having made no regulations under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, could not authorize the erection of light signals and that, in consequence, no offence was committed if light signals were disregarded.

The regulations do not, in any way, prejudice any recommendations which may be made by the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs.

U.S. Loses Over £16,000,000 in Two Years.

A new low record was established in November last in the shipments of commercial vehicles from the United States, a total of 1,161 vans, lorries, buses and chassis being recorded. This figure brings up the aggregate for the first 11 months of the past year to 44,605 vehicles, valued at £4,689,010, as compared with 79,411 (£10,497,350) in the corresponding period of 1930, and 185,850 (£21,015,378) in the similar 11 months of 1929. Thus, in two years the exports have declined by 141,245 in number and £16,326,368 in value.

Of last year's total the bulk of the vehicles (33,438) , were in the 1-1i-ton

class, 6,239 were for loads under 1 ton, 3,463 between 30 cwt. and 2i tons, 1,289 over 21, tons, whilst 176 consisted of bus chassis. America's principal markets, in the order of their importance, were Japan, Denmark, Sweden and Venezuela.

Legal Dispute Over Level Crossing.

The question of whether a level crossing was the private property of the Great Western Railway Co., or constituted a public right of way, was recently argued at a resumed hearing at Neath Police Court.

A bus driver and conductor were summoned by the G.W.R. Co. for leaving open a level-crossing gate on the NeathSwansea road, it being alleged that it was their duty to close the gates, because the property was private. For the defence it was contended that a right of way existed, and that it had been established prior to the railway.

The magistrates held that a bona fide claim of right of way had been set up and, therefore, they had no jurisdiction in the matter. This case and others similar were dismissed.

Personal Pars..

We understand that Mr. Sydney D. Degbie has joined the board of T.S. Motors, Ltd.

Mr. Cyril F. Dennis has recently been appointed a deputy director of W. B. Dick and Co., Ltd., the well-known company of lubricating oil and grease specialists.

Mr. B. Clifford James, who for the past six years has been manager, of the Tredegar depot of Red and White Services, Ltd., has now assumed charge of the Chepstow branch.

We learn that Sir William Morris is shortly to undertake a business tour in South Africa, with the object of studying first-hand the possibilities of that country for British motor vehicles.

Newport Chamber of Trade has elected as president, for the ensuing year, Mr. W. Claude Venn, a partner in the well-known Newport concern of haulage contractors, Venn and McPherson, Ltd.

Mr. W. P. Bradbury, road-transport assistant to the passenger manager of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Co., has, for the present year, been appointed chairman of the Huddersfield Corporation and L.M.S. Railway Joint Omnibus Committee, which controls the joint bus services operated in Huddersfield and district

It is stated that Mr. H. J. McCormick, the general manager of the Cheltenham District Traction Co., is shortly to retire, although we understand he is to retain his position on the board of the associated companies which control the Cheltenham concern and others in the same group. He has been associated with the company since it started the operation of tramways in August, 1901. It was in April, 1930, that the company commenced the abandonment of tramcars and introduced motorbuses, which are now in use on a number of routes in and around Cheltenham.

Cheaper Chevrolets in America.

A new line of Chevrolet commercial vehicles at prices as much as $65 below those of previous models has just been announced in New York, U.S.A. The new range includes 28 standard models, or eight more than last year. Prices vary between $355 and $1,020.

Two Toll Bridges Freed.

Since the passing of the Road Traffic Act two toll bridges have been freed. These are the Bursledon Bridge, on the Southampton-Titchfield road, and the bridge over the River Avon, Nelson Road, Salisbury. Negotiations for freeing another toll bridge have been suspended owing to the need for economy of public funds. The authority concerned does not propose to take any action under the Act.

The Used-motor Show.

The 14th Used-motor Show, organized by Mr. William Glass, 252, Regent Street, London, W.1, will take place from April 25th to May 7th at the Royal Agricultural Hall. . Sections in the Main Hall will be devoted to the display of all classes of road vehicle -which have been registered for not less than six months. New Vehicle Registrations.

The Ministry of Transport has issued a return which shows that the number of motor vehicles registered for the first time under the Roads Act, 1920, during the month of December, 1931, was 18,898, as compared with 20,273 in December, 1930. Included in the figure for last December are 4,235 goods vehicles and 413 hackney vehicles, the comparable figures for the precedbig year being 4,455 and 654 respectively.

Trans-Sahara Trial Postponed.

The French oil-engined-vehicle trial across the Sahara, from Algiers to Gao and back, should have commenced on February 20th, but the start has been postponed for a few weeks in order to give makers more time to prepare.

The Saurer, Leffly, Renault and Lathl concerns have entered teams of vehicles, and there is a chance that one or two other manufacturers may participate. Paying loads may be carried by the lorries, and business houses in Algeria and the French Sudan have been circularized to this effect.

An eliminating trial will be held before the start, from Algiers to ElGolea, a distance of 946 kiloms., the minimum average speed imposed being 20 m.p.h. for all vehicles. The actual date of the start is to be announced within the next few days.

Warwick Reduces Haulage Costs.

In his annual report, Mr. D. H. Brown, the county surveyor of Warwick, states that during the past year the cost of working the council's 12 steam wagons was £7,079 6s. 5d., or an average cost of £2 11s. 7d. per day. This included the wages of drivers and loaders, and the cost of fuel, oil and ' repairs, but no amount for depreciation, interest on capital, etc.

The tonnage of material hauled was 64,820 and the haulage cost of material delivered on to the roads was 2s. 21d. per ton, which is slightly less than in the previous 12 months. There were 11 petrol lorries in use during the year.

Sentinel's Progress.

The 12th ordinary general meeting of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., was held one day last week in London, when Mr. S. E. Alley, chairman and managing director, presided. After reviewing the financial position, he went on to deal with the products of the company and said that some of its pneumatic-tyred wagons are now being fitted with its

A30 new gear that automatically feeds the coal and water, thus leaving the driver free to give his undivided attention to the task of driving, without requiring a second man.

In dealing with some of the merits of the modern Sentinel steam wagons, he said that they can travel up to 50 miles on a tank of water and can run on less than 5 lb. of coal per mile, costing under id.

Urging Increased Lorry Speed Limit.

Scilly Islands flower and bulb growers attended a meeting, a few days ago, for the purpose of sending a petition to the Ministry of Transport requesting that the speed limit for lorries carrying perishable goods be raised to 30 m.p.h.

An Anti-daule Device Tested.

The report of the Royal Automobile Club's Trial No. 750 concerns the Doubleday lens, made by J. and It. Oldfield, Ltd., Warwick Street, Birmingham. This lens is of the piano-convex type, having its flat side towards the source of light. In the case of the examples tested each weighed 2 lb. 13 oz. and was 8i ins, in effective diameter.

With a 32-watt bulb in each lamp it was found that a pedestrian, dressed so as to be visible only with difficulty, could first be seen when 338 ft. from the vehicles, so long as he was no farther than 23 ft. from the centre of the beam. In the case of a pedestrian stepping off the kerb into a 30-ft. road a driver would see him at 366 ft. Dazzle was found to cease when within 63 ft. of the vehicle.

Improved Garaging Facilities in North London.

Hauliers and other commercial users whose vehicles are not permanently garaged in London, in addition to those who need regular garaging, will find that the new night-and-day facilities offered by Messrs. James Nolan, 105, Pentonville Road, London, N.1, are of much value, especially in view of the firm's central position and their proximity to north-bound traffic routes.

The firm, who are now working a 24-hour day for garaging, specialize in commercial-vehicle repairs and have a good name amongst users for the quality of their workmanship. They have good garaging accommodation for a number of vehicles. Their name is well known in the transport-contracting branch of the industry.

Singer Sales in Scotland.

We learn that Armour and Melvin, Ltd., Newlands Garage, Newlands, Glasgow, the Singer distributor for Scotland, has opened a commercial-vehicle department under the management of Mr. F. M. Milligan, late of Bean Cars, Ltd. This move has been occasioned by the increased sale in Scotland of Singer commercial vehicles, particularly the 5-cwt. and 10-cwt. delivery vans. Specialized sales and service will be a feature of this new department.

Railway Traffic Still Falling.

Railway statistics for November, 1931, recently issued by the Ministry of Transport, show that the total number of passenger journeys (excluding seasonticket holders) taken on all standard gauge railways in Great Britain in that month was 87,200,700, a decrease of 6.2 per cent., compared with the figure for November, 1930. The journeys taken by passengers at reduced fares decreased by 2,181,409, and those at standard or ordinary fares by 3,575,414. The receipts from passengers (excluding season-ticket holders) showed a decrease of £335,168, i.e., 10 per cent.

The total tonnage of freight conveyed (excluding free-hauled traffic) was 22,988,606, a decrease of 9.1 per cent., compared with the figure for 1930. Freight-train receipts at 17,530,148 were lower by £677,861, whilst the miles run by goods trains were 468,574 less than the total for the corresponding month of 1930.

British Measures for U.S. Products.

A report by the public control committee of the London County Council reveals the fact that certain American motor lubricants and polishes distributed in this country have been sold in quantities based on American standards, which are about four-fifths of the capacity of the corresponding Imperial denominations. The concern involved in the matter has undertaken to comply with the law.

Companies distributing oil, etc., have been advised that sale by American measure is illegal.

Controlograplh Representatives Required.

Mechanical and General Inventions Co., Ltd., 10, Charles Street, London, S.W.1, which markets the Controlo,graph in this country, requires representatives, to work on a commission basis, for London and the suburbs. Full particulars, with past experience, should be sent to the company at the address given._


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