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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

23rd November 1920
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The wheel of wealth will be mowed by all ditikulties of transport at whatever points arising, tis a carriage is by the roughve, • of the roads over which it runs."--John Beattie Crozier.

Ford's Cork Factory.

The steady evolution of Mr, Henry Forel'e plan to suppler the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa with tractore from the Cork factory, leaving to his factory at Detroit, Michigan, the task of catering for America, is referred to in The Times, a representative of which paper has recently visited the works.

Large shipments of the tractors are leaving Cork each month for England, France, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Roumania, Egypt, and other parts. The parts of the car which are made in Cork are sent to the neediest-ex plant for assembly. The factory has now been enlarged to six times its original size, with three cupola furnaces, and covers about an acre of land, Twonnetehine shops are now in full working order, and the total output equals 25 tractors daily, in addition to a large quantity of motorcar parts. Each department of the works on the banks of the River Lee is being rapidly enlarged, and the number of workers—already 1,400—is being steadily increased. The ferro-concrete wharf, which was purchased from the Cork Harbour Commissioners, is being enlarged to half a mile ill length, and to this wharf the railway system of the south of Ire land has been linked up. •

Dumping German Magnetos.

Considerable feeling has been aroused over the dumping on the British market caf German magnetos. In spite of a 33i import duty, these magnetos can be plated on the British market at about

9 each, leaving ample profit for everybody concerned in their handling. IVO British appliance can be sold, an today's cost of production, at less than LIG, and at the present time about 70 . per-oent. of the men employed iti making ma,grietos in this country are either working short tinee • or are out of employment. There certainly seems here an opportunity for the British makers to get together and to agree to support an Important home industry, but, naturally, difficulties must arise in connection with ordersfor export to countries where the English magneto would have to compete with the dumped German article. In the Overseas Dominions some fight is being put up against the German production, particularly in Australia.

Road Transport and Industrial Management.

The. Institute of Industrial Administration is holding a meeting at the Central Hall, Westminster, on December 7th, at 7 p.m. when Mr. Richard

Twelvetrces, will read a paper on "Road Transport at an Aid to Industrial Management." The chair will be taken by Mr. E. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., Chairman of the Commercial Motor Users. Association, and the subject will be discussed from various aspects, including the development of roads. traffic congeetion, handling of goods, and the design and maintenance of road motor vehicles.

The lecturer will illustrate his remarks by a cinematograph, and various interesting models will be on view. Up to the .present time the development of road ea

transport has been largely regarded as the province of the engineers responsible for the manufacture of the actual vehicles employed, but it is expected a much wider field of discussion, will be opened by the lecture, which should be of interest to our readers, who are invited to attend.

The Divided Show.

More than one manufacturer of commercial motor vehicles has 'askettfor infermae. that concerning the result to exhibitors through the dividing of the recent Motor Show (private care) between Olympia and the White City. We believe we are right in saying that the attendance at the latter place was over 75 ker cent of that at Olympia, the char-a-banes service between the two parts of the exhibition workiug very well The private view day, as in the case of the eon:anemia] Motor vehicle exhibition, was greatly appreciated by exhibitors, agents, and those interested in the technical side of

the industry. •

"Efficiency in Lubrication."

Although issued free, with the compliments of C. C. Wakefield and Co., Ltd., a 24 page boOklet dealing With the above subject deserves careful study, for, apart from Casten], naturally a leading theme, it contains interesting facts about viscosity, specific gravity, flash paint, emulsification, and other matters, passing onward to power house problems, estimating the power of ste,ain or g,as engines, and the initial combustion pressure of gas engines, each division being treated with technical precision, supported by illustrative formulte. Insisting on the study of lubricatio.n problems from the chemical aspect, it is stated "Factors, such as deposits caused by superheated steam depneits in turbines, sludge deposits in electric, transformers, difficulties in the luhrication• of Diesel engines and . air corapreseors, eke are subjects on which considerable work has been serried on here, and suitable oils evolved to meet

the conditions." Supplementing this, we have the assurance that the Wakefield Research Department is at the service of interested parties. A copy of the brochure, which is well printed, may be obtained from Wakefield House, Cheap-side, E.C. 2.

The address of the Association of British Motor Manufacturers, Ltd., has been changed from 39, St. James's Street, S.W. 1, to 40-41, Conduit Street, London, W. 1. The new telephone number is Mayfair 6524.

The Macintosh solid band tyre is now guaranteed for 15 months or 12,000 miles, whichever expires the sooner. This gives users an advantage of three months on their old guarantee, which was for 12,000 miles or 12 menthe' service.

At the Harinsten ploughing matches (at Hatmston, near Lincoln) a few days ago in the class for motor tractors arid ploughs (open class), the first prize was won by a. Saunderson type "G" 23-25 bhp. Universal tractor.

Oil in Germany.

A small find of oil is reported at Nen.. graben in the neighbourhood of Harburg (on the Elbe, south-west of Hamburg); which has lad local geologists to believe that they are on the track of a considerable oil field. With regard to the quality, the ail is reported to be the best so far found in Germany, containing 30 per cent. of light burning petroleum, 45 per cent, of first-class lubricants, and 21 per cent. of fifet-class usable products.

The discovery was made in consequence of the careful observation and deduction on the part of a raining engineer, who noticed light alkaline deposits on the leaves and barks of certain trees in the woods near Harborg, and from this deduced that a depasit of salt stock must be cloee at hand. lie Klan located the veins of salt stock, and, following them to a common centre at Runneburg, found there several ail ducts, and then made several borings which confirmed his view that oil would be found.

Zenith Ascendancy.

The popularity of the Zenith carburetter was strikingly emphasized at the recent Motor Shows (Commercial and Touring Car). At the former exhibition 108 vehicles out of a total 214 exhibited were fitted with Zenith carburetters, whilst at the Olympia-White City Shaw 303 out. of 641 cars exhibited were fitted with this company's accessory. The fact that 411 out of 855 vthicles exhibited at the two Shows—neerly 50 per cent —w-ere fitted with the Zenith carburetter as standard is remarkable proof of its excellence for earburaticei purposes.'

Show. Souvenirs.

Many interesting little souvenirs were given away by exhibitors at the com mergial-vehicie Show. Amongst those which have come into our hands, we may mention a steel foot rule given away by the Associated Equipment • Co., Ltd.; a diary presented by the Steel Barrel Co., Ltd. ; pencils distributed by Commercial Cars, Ltd.; and a pack of cards by Vandervells, the lighting specialists, of Acton; whlt Hoffmann'e, the ball bearing manufacturers, gave away avery interesting puzzle, which caused considerable amusement to visitors to the eland.

An international motor exhibition will be held at Berne, Switzerland from June 18thto July 3rd, 1921.

"Thu Extractor "—it seems almost a name of the past—tells us that he has recently given a trial to the motor oil prepared by the British Motes Tradiug Corperatio Ld.'Apparently, from what he says, it has giaca splendid results. Three grades of oil are made for engine lubrication, two for gearbox and backaxle lubrication, as well as a clutch oil for metal-to-metal clutches.

He also tells us that be had an accident with one of the wings of his Buick recently, and that he entrusted the job of replacement,' to J. H. Randall and Son, of Paddington, who carried out the work to his complete satisfaction.

The Oxenhope Motor Coach Accident.

Some interesting facts came to light at the inquest held on the three unfortunate people who were killed in the charit-bancs accident at Oxenhope a, few weeks ago. Inspection of the vehicle after the accident revealed the following facts —Onebrake shoe was fractured and the brake lining was entirely worn away on one side; the foot brake was also said to be oat of action. The owners of the vehicle stated that the brakes had on several occasions been re-lined. The jury advocated a regular inspection of such vehicles plying for public hire, the inspection to be made by disinterested parties, and were also of the opinion that three brakes would be safer than two .

A Yorkshire Rhyme.

The following rhyme has been communicated to us by an enthusiastic user of. the Yorkshire wagon. It brings back to our mind the rhyming competitions we had in this journal a short. while ago, and it also opens up the possibility of re-instituting a similar competition at an early date s

1' The Yorkshire is a wonderful 'tip,' It always gives its load the slip. Whilst others struggle and shovel the

' load,

The Yorkshire is empty and back on the road."

Life on M.L Patrol.

Many skilled engineers were recruited from the garage and the worship for the marmite& of the Motor Launch Patrol during the war, and it, was said that they were bred in a garage and sent to sea. Their work was strenuous and nerveracking on a rough day—attending to high-powered engines in such a narrow apace the the engine-room of an M.L. afforded. The life of the motor launch patrol, the history of the launches, from the deadly mount:prey of patrol work to the fierce excitement of the Zeebrugge raid, are admirably dealt with in a book entitled "The Motor Launch Patrol," written by Li Gordon S. Maxwell, R.N.V.R., with illustrations by his brother, and published by Messrs. 3. M. Dent and Sons, Ltd., at 10s. 6(1.; published last, week. The book is interesting from cover to cover.

The Barking By-pass Road.

The estimated coot of constructing the Barking by-pass portion of the eastern avenue arterial road is 2350,000.

Chars-a-bancs Forbidden.

The rural district councils of Ringwood, Fordin_gbridge and Christchurch have applied for regulations prohibitins the use of certain roads by heavy motor vehicles and chars-a-laancs on the' ground that the roads are unsuitable for such traffte.

Housing Traffic at Dagenham.

In view of the heavy traffic on roads during the development by the London County Council of the Dagenham hou.smg estate terms are being made with the Essex County Council with regard to contributions towards the costs arising from the "extraordinary traffic."

No Trams Across City Bridges.

According to a statement at the London County Council the City authorities refuse to allow the construction of tramways across the Southwark Bridge, which has been re-built and will shortly be reopened for traffic. Efforts will be made to have trams across the proposed new St. Paul's Bridge.

Municipal Motors in Sheffield.

According to the annual report of Mr. Hadfield; the City Surveyor of Sheffield, every possible use is being made of motor appliances. Home sweeping has long ago been discontinued. Street watering is entirely carried out by motor vans (which a* night haul the sweeping machines) and .very few horses are employed for the collection of sweepings, most, of this work now being done by motor lorries. Experiments have been made with machines to sweep up the roads and at the same time collect the sweepings.

Rail Lorries in New South Wales.

In the report of the Commissioners upon the working of the New South Wales Govern/neat Railways and Tramways for the year ended June 30th, 1920, it is stated that a motor train service, given by a converted 5 ton Moreland motor lorry, petroIdriven, was put into operation over the section Grafton to Lismare, in October, 1919, "and has proved successful, although the type of motor is not the most desirable for the purpose. During the year, a mileage of 16,346 miles was run' and 7,157 pasgengers were carried. The earnings amounted to 22,377 and the working expenses to 2922, or 58.79 per cent, of the earnings." The report adds that in view of the satisfactory results obtained, the Commissioners propose to construct more motor vehicles as rapidly QS suitable motors and other materials can be obtained, and to extend the service for passenger transport over other branch lines in the State.

Compulsory Queues.

Consideration is being given by the Local Government Committee of the London County Council to a suggestion that the Police and the Ministry of Transport should be approached with regar to a by-law providing for the formation and regulation of queues at all busy stopping places, whether for trains or omnibuses.

Boilerine Radiator Tablets,

Boilerine, Ltd., London, S.E.15, have recently received a-report from W. IL Dorman and Co., Ltd. of Stafford, on the results of a sex months' trial of their Boilerine radiator tablets. The company have been very satisfied with the results of these teats, and they emphatically recommend them for use in the water jackets of engines.

In the case of Dorman engines, they are said to be specially valuable for use iii conelection with type 4 A.N.O., where aluminium is used for the cylinder water

i jackets. When employed n this type of engine, they prevent the white deposit which would otherwisa .form due to the action of water on aluminium.

Sidecar Taxicabs,

A group of seasoned taxi drivers,cauld have been seen outside New Street Station, Birmingham, a few days ago critically inspecting one of the new B.S.A. Mead and Dea.kin taxi sidecars_ This machine, which weighs complete about 61 cwt., and carries two people and luggage in addition to the driver, is the result of efforts made by the County Cycle and Motor Co., 307-308', Broad Street. Birmingham, to produce something in the taxi Brie that can be run for 8d. a mile with an initial charge of is. for the first mile.

It is expected that within a very short time the final police tests will have been completed, and that the machine will be on the Birmingham streets. The motorcycle is a standard 6-7 h.p. twin B.S.A., with all-chain drive and three-speed • gear. The chassis is a strengthened edition of the Mead and Deakin W.D. model, whilst the body is entirely new,

and seats two people side by side with ample fe,ot and head room. it is sprung in front on a full elliptic spring set across the tubular sidecar frame, and behind by means of two long und,erslung halfellipties.

The car is extremely mobile, and can turn practice:113, in its own length, the sidecar wheel being free and actually turning backwards on a full left lock. The rear part of the body cover lets down. All windows are of Triplex glass, and electric light is fitted to the cab. A vertical panel at the back of the body serves to accommodate the spare wheel. When the panel is hinged backwards and downwards into a horizontal position it serves as a platform for luggage, being then held in position by leather straps. The body is made of three-ply panels mounted on an ash framework.'

We were driven in the machine up Gough Street, the Birmingham police-test hill, which has a gradient. Of 1 in 6, and , it was easily climbed on bottom gear. A brake test, down hill was equally eatisfaotory. The machine has been designed for use by ex service men with motorcycling experience. They will be subC8 jected to a stiff piactical driving teat. by the police, which, however, should not be difficult for an experienced -rider. The price of the vehicle has not yet been fixed, but inquiries are being received in numbers from these Who have seen the first experimental model on the road. Taxi owners and drivers generally are favourably disposed tn the " sideeab," realizing its special advantages for short trips with one or two passengers and luggage. The taxicab will continue to be used for heavier fares.

A National Freight Exchange ?

In a recent issue of Tile Commercial Motor reference was made to a feint meeting, attended by representatives .-Of the Association of Road Transport Clearing Houses and several other of the national read transport associations, including the Automobile Association. At that meeting, we were given to under

stand, a discussion centred round the possibilities of a national freight exchange movement, in which all the ease,. ciatioas could have an interest. The subject was obviously too great to he dealt with at one meeting, and further discussion was adjourned. The parties again met on Thursday last, November 18th, in London, when further consideration was probably given to the proposal. In a succeeding issue we hope to make further reference to the case that has been put forward.

Saving by Tractor.

The London County Council proposes the purchase of a motor tractor and plcugh for the farm at the Cane Hill Asylum. The Asylums Committee reports that the estate is hilly. and the wear and tear upon horses -is extremely heavy. There is little doubt that the ploughing and cultivation cf the land could be undertaken more economically and _satisfactorily by the use of mechanical appliances than by horse-power. By se doing a 'saving of 450 per annum is anticipated.

Municipal Co-operation.

Writing to the Hertfordeliire County Council with reference to the Hertfordshire, London and Middlesex County Council Bills to enable them to run omnibus services, 'Sir Henry Maybu:ry, Director of Roads, Ministry of Transport, says although these Bills were rejected J3V Parliament, the agreement come to by tlie three county •couricils in connection 'with the Bills which the Hertfordshire Cotinty Council had so large a share in bringing about, in his opinion, marks a very important advance in local government, more particularly as he believes that in the past it. has been anything but easy forlocal' authorities to come to. agreements in matters of this kind, and it is very much to be hoped that the amicable ariting.ernent arrived at will constitute a. precedent for similar agreement in other matters. T'he. London County Council; writing on the same subject to the Hertfordshire authority, says it hopes that the conferences may result. in a better enders:tending and closer coOperation in the, future., especially with regard to. the solution of traffic problems,

• Leyland Service.

At 5.55 p.m. on SepWnber 23rd a telegram was. despatched from Messrs.

Schmidt and Yde, at Copenhagen, to Leyland Motors, Ltd,, London, instructing them to`ship immediately one com

plete set of gear wheels for the gearbox.

of a two-ton Leyland chassis.. The telegram was received at London office the following morning, and Messrs. The Airco Co.. were, iminediately communicated with in, order to find out when the next Copenhagen air express would leave Croydon aerodrome. It was found an express aeroplane would leave at 10.30.. a.m. on September 24th, bound in the first place for Amsterdam. A complete set of gear wheels was accordingly immediately prepared and packed in a case of the smallest cubic capacity and despatched by Leyland_ lorry to. Croydon aerodrome, where, after the lattal NAOMI; examination, it was passed for delivery by air express. Therefore, the consignment left Croydon at 10.30 a.m. on September 24th, and a, cable communication was received at the London office of Leyland Motors, Ltd., from Messrs. Schmidt, and Yde. saying that the goods arrived safely at Copenhagen at 7 p.m. on the same date. The Leyland lorry for which the gear . Wheels were ordered was then 'fitted at the repair shop of Messrs. Schmidt 'and Yde; and 'in the shortest possible time was driven away under its own power. Thus, the whole transaction was carried out well inside three days, whereas if the matter had been left to forwarding by steamer at ,least two weeks would have been lost. Leyland Motors, Ltd., ,,have been complimented on the prompt -, e.,ss with which the whole matter was carried out

An Eighteenth Century Bridge.

Chain Bridge, which bears tha date 1702, and which crosses the river Wad on the London-Ohelmeforal Main road, about half a mile from the village of Mount.nessing: is to be patched up. The feet that this old bridge, erected for the comparatively light traffic of the ancient. coaching times, has survived so long and withstood the burden of so much modern heavy traffic is testimony to the skill CI old bridge builders who well upderstwcl the art of brick construction.

Sheffield Roads.

In the report of the Highway and Sewage Cenamittee for the City of Sheffield for the year ended March 28th, 1920, just made available, it is stated that the total amount of asphaltic paving laid in Sheffield was 78,600 super yards, as against 24,500 super yards a year pre vious. A large ,proportion of this is clinker-asphalt, a mixture of destructor clinker and bitumen, of which 22,712 yards were laid during the year. This is a very economical form of road -surface, and stands up to heavy traffic conditions well.

During the year the length of tar macadam roads was increased by five miles. There are now well over a million square yards of tar macadam in the City of Sheffield, possibly a larger quantity than in any other provincial city, and it is certain, that nothing has done more to keep dawn highway expenses than the wide introduction of tar macadam and tar-spray work.

No concrete road, pure and simple, has been laid in Sheffield, but many reinforced concrete roads with a thin sur

• face..,.of asphalt have been put dawn, and, so far they have shown no sign of .failiare„. although some of the roads are carrying very heavy traffic.

Tyre Service.

The facilities which the Brighause Mater Agency, of Bailiff e Bridge, Brighouse, can offer, enable them to re-tyre completely a petrol vehicle in 11 to 2 hours, and in eases of fast wheels, stmh at employed on the Fallen and other wagons, the work can be performed in s half a day. The company's skilled staff and their up-to-date equipment, coupled with 15 years' experience in this class of work, enable them to place expeditious facilities at the disposal of their customers.

Ploughing Trials at Cirencester.

A few days ago an interesting tract& ploughing Match took place at Crrencester. The event was so successful that the hope has been expressed that it may become an annual one. The three handsome silver challenge cups which have been secured aia., trophies should have a great effect in-accomplishing this end.

The event owed its inception to Mr. Aubrey Rees, of the agricultural departmerit of Bridges' Garages, Ltd. No less than 20 tractors took part.

The test for two-furrow ploughs was one acre to be ploughed in three hours; for three-furrow ploughs one and a half acres in three hours; and for four-fur

row ploughs two acres in three hours,•furrows not to exceed 10 ins, in width

and a minimum depth of 5 ins.

There were three ploughing prizes, as welt as a prize for the best-maintained tractor, while Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., and R. A. Lister. and Co., Ltd., offered special prizes for the best work done with their ploughs. The chief awards were as follow :—

Class 1.—For beat ploughing done with a Titan tracthr and three-furrow self-lift plough, a silver challenge cup and £3 in cash, presented by the International Harvester Co., Ltd., was won by Mr. A. Kearse, of Lattort.

Class 2.—Sterns, Ltd., presented a silver challenge cup and £3 for the best ploughing done by any make of tractor

with two men and a two three, or four furrow plough. This was won by Mr. E. P. Cox, of Tarlton. He also won a special prize for best work done by a Coekshutt, plough, presented by R. A. Lister and C.9. , Ltd., two prizes of £2

being won by Mr. S. Mitchell, Of. Ched.

worth (who also carried off a special prize for beet work done by a Ransome plough, given by the makers); and a third prize of L-1 by Mr. W. Stephens, of Bieley.

Class 3.—The silver challenge cup and L3 presented by Bridget' Garages, Ltd., was won by Mr. Isaacs, ol Chippenhatri.

The first prize in Class 4, offered for the. best-maintained tractor, was won by Mr. W. II: Hitch, of Elkstone.

We owe our thanks to The Wilts. and Oloutestershire Standard for details of this interesting demonstration.

A Clearing-house Registration.

The Warrington Road Transport Clearing House has been registered as a private company, with a capital of £100 in .21 shares. This is ono of the

first read transport and motor haulage clearing houses which has been established to aid commercial-vehicle users. The first directors are :—J. F. Shaw' W. J. Conies, R. L. Hall, R. W. G. Barnett, and J. B. DugdaIe. The registered office of the company • is at Midland Buildings, Winwick Street, Warrington.

Road v. Rail Transport.

"The Case for Motor Transport" is the title of a little booklet which has just been issued by the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Scotstoun, Glasgow. This deals in a, very lucid and interesting manner with motor transport as a commercial proposition, and presents in a very, readable form the pros and cons for road traffic as against rail traffic. As is stated, the facts and figures which are contained in the booklet are based upon the 20 years' specialized experience of the leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles in the British Empire and upon data supplied by many of the largest users of •motor transport in the world. £2,000 is to be spent by HastingS T.0 on the purchase of a motor fireengine.

Essex Comity Council finds that the .cost cif the new Wickford bridge at Wickford-will eXceed £17,000.

Lancashire County Council estimates that in the county there are about 10,000 commercial motor velaldes.

Bolton-on-Hearne' D.D.C. is making inquiries into its prave.xs as regards the provision of a. motor ambulance.

'International Motors, Ltd., are supplying the Metropolitan .Aayinms 'Beard with a motor lorry to cost about £237.

The question of purchasing four additionai motorbuses is being considered by Perth Corporation..-Finance Goitunitt se.

Westminster City Council has arranged with the Eagle Engineering Co. to supply three bodies for Thornycroft chassis at a total cost of L717.

The toventry Tramways Committee has ordered four .36-seater single-deck "Maudslay buses.

Two motorbuses and two chars-à-banes are required by Dundee Tramways Departraent, which recommends their purchase to the Corporation.

Stone-breaking plant, to include a. convertable tractor and wagons' is to be purchased . by Newport (Staffs.) R.D.C. at. a cost of about £3,000.

For the work of reaa construction the Essex County Council props to purchase three Foden steam wagons at £1,395 each and two Clayton steam wagons at £1,395 each.

The London County Council has permitted the Hammersmith Borough Council to raise a loan of £2.832 for the purclaasevof two steam wagons. The loafl period is to be five years.

Glasgow Corporation Cleansing Committee,which recently arranged for the Scottish Electric Vehicle Co. to supplythe chassis of four electric vehicles' has now arranged that the company shall supply the tipping bodies, the cost per complete vehicle being £1,342.

LINCOLN AND RUSSIA.

The Question of the Resumption oi Commercial Relationship.

WHILST Sir Robert Herne' e recent optimistic utterance at a meeting of the Oxford University Carlton Club, in connection with the resumption of commercial relationships with Russia, is obviously capable of general application, in no seine does it more pareicuIarly appeal than in regard to Lincoln's mannlecturing interests, representing potentialities as to a vast output of muchneeded appliances in which mechanically propelled vehicles, for agriculturel and other purposes, must constitute dominant factors.

flergetic efforts of the City's Paella_ mentary representative, who undertook a special tour of investigation with the approval of the British Government authorities, appear, therefore, destined to teach fruition at an early period. If present decadent commercial conditions in the Cathedral centre are to be substantially alleviated, it is necessary that the old trading associations with the erstwhile domain of Ceardom should be re-established, and, whilst there may be jealous considerations so far especially as France 1.9 concerned, as to the fulfilment of pre-war financial obligations being made a preliminary inseparable to the step, Lincoln's concern towards repproohement constientes a factor in the economic position, which, apart from Gallic interests, has rendered the"problem of a vety exigent character upon the insular score..

There is no department of British commerce, typified by purely mechanical output, whieile has such a pertinent bearing upon the matter as that which is present-ed in Lincoln's case, with the ability of manufacturers to supply motor tractors and other aids indiapenisable to the development of Russia's vast agricultural resources.

LINCOLNSHIRE TRAFFIC..

A: Scheme for a Light Railway Under Consideration. pONSIDERABLE interest, has been aroused by the proposals which have been,submilted to the Ministry of

Transport by the County Council for th

i e Holland Division of "Lincolnshire, in

favour of the .construction of a, light railway to meet the needs of that rich agricultural area of the Fen territory. The project has not yet advanced beyond its incipient stage, Mr. W. S. Royce, M.P. for the Holland-with-Bosten Division, having received a commuMcetion intimating that it is now being inquired into by the Ministry's civil engineering staff.

The scheme, it is also pointed out, well need to be examined by other departments' of the Ministry, and in the light of their reports it will have to come before the Departmental Committee for a recommendation as to whether Governinent aseititance will be forthcoming. Typical of cireuneectitory methods, the communication naively adds that it will then be a matter for the Ministry to determine, and finally the decision will rest with the Tree-eery, it. being imposaible to give an indication at present as to the chance a the scheme receiving assistance.

So it is rendered fairly obvious that, under present procrastinating methods, inseparable from bureaucratic control, agriculturists and others within the Hot.

CIO land area may have to wait quite a long time before the light-railway project emerges from its embryonic state, and, meanwhile, in evidence of more easily accomplished developments by less tortuous means, it is significant to note that the growth of motor traffie for agricultural and other purposes is expanding enormously, not only in the Holland Division, but in the Kesteven and Lindsey areas, into which the county is divided for administrative purposes, the chances apparently being that if the Government Departments do not accelerate their rate of progress, wants will have been completely met by motor facilities before light-railway projects get beyond their chrysalis stage. •

IN PROHIBITED HOURS.

Midland Police and the Refreshment of Char-a-bancs Parties.

LARGELY INCREASED numbers of instances in, which magisterial proceedings have of Into been instituted against drivers of chars-ê.:banes and, in many cages, also ef the passengers eoncerned, appear to euggest, as far as certain Midland districts are more particularly affected, a perpetration inofficial quarters of a feeling of antagonism towards this form of traffic, calling for a protest which may make itself felt through Parliamentary cbannele, in the diseetrion of bringing pressure to bear upon the Home Office authorities. There has been a recrudescence, especially in Lincolnshire of police activities suggestive of undue encouragement of proceedings by county authorities, and, as the matter is one which in its application affects large bodies of pleasure seekers, as well as those concerned in commercial traffic, steps have been taken in several areas to direct the attention of Parliamentary representatives to palpable grievances which bear no relationship to obvious infringements of the law iii regard to which proceediegs are legitimately undertaken. In relation to a large volume of traffic trending from the chief Northern and Midland ceetnes of population towards the Lincolnshire mast., the authorities appear to be going the right way to work to kill arrangements which, encouraged within reasonable limits, would afford a valuable source of revenue to Skegness, Mablethorpe, and other of the popular coast resorts.

A recent ease, in Which a party of ehar-e-bancs excursieniste travelling from Nottingham to Skegness was involved, is typical, many having alighted at a wayside inn en t route to partake of solid refreshments, and all being summoned for conimming drinks upon licensed premises during prohibited hours.

It was demonstrated dearly to the magistrates of the Kesteven area, who tried the case, that there had been no attempt at concealment in the matter, and that cie a reasonable break in the journey of over 70 miles from Nottingham the house was openly entered, with a police officer standing cense by, so that he could sea everything that happened, drink being supplied to one or two of the pasty only, all pleading that they had acted honestly, in the belief that they were within their right in being upon the premises as bona fide travellers, but the whole of the defendants, influding several Nottingham men of good standing, who had not partaken of any alcoholic liquor, were fined £3 each, giving rise to a vigorous protest, of which probably the last has not yet been heard.

THE BESETTING EVIL.

Hauliers Views on Rate-cutting and the Remedy for the Evil.

CONVERSATIONS with road transport men in Liverpool reveal a profound discontent at the low rates. that are being accepted by hauliers. One particular ease mentioned was of a. -conagnment of copper, Liverpool to Manchester, for which the first rate quoted was 22s. ed. per ton. The.closin,g price was les. a ton Whether it is a fact or net that there is a movement afoot to enforce a standard ratefor traffic from Liverpool to Manchester, there is this Outstanding fact to be contended with, that, whilst a, big proportion of men are outside any of the existing hauliers' cieganizatione, it is impossible for anyone to say at what rate he must work; but if he rans his lorry at less than an economic figure, that is his awn concern and loss. Certain it is, hewever, he cannot nen at a. lose all the time.

" It is a business proposition for a men chant to get the best possible service at the minimum of cost, and for a. haulier to give the best possible service at the minimum of cost, taking into consideration rurrine, maintenance and establishment charges, phis a reasonable margin of profit. The haulier is the connecting link between the importer and the manufacturer on one hand and the manufacturer and the consumer on the other. His service has a ,real and definite value, and if he himself underestimates this, there is only one person to blame, and that is himself.

Repeatedly have local efforts been made to standardize rates, with scant

r11eeess. it has now been suggested that the interests concerned in transport the haulier, merchant, manufacturer, 'etc.—through their respective trade associations, should agree between themklvett upon fair rates, and insist upontheir enforcement. The proposition, however, is not sound, for this reason, that, while transport is essentially an industry of all industries and is interdependent upon the trade and commerce of the country, if local and national minimum rates were agreed by the various interests concerned, how can the detached haulier be prevented in slack times from offering his services at a lower figure to a merchant in, say, an -association which has approved of the rates?

Trading associations exist to further the interests of their members just as transport organizations seek to protect their members, and it seems that they do not start from a common basis, bm cause., assuming the service to be all that it should be, the merchant is out to get the lowest rate, whilst the 'haulier wants the best he can get. Will they sacrifice the law of supply and demand and accept a compromise?

Rates are a very seem point in most transport areas. Perhaps a geed way out would he, in view of the fact that under.-cutting is such a widespread, evil, for the local associations to get the matter teken up nationally and have scale-s drawn up on a mileage basis, according to the size and tepe, of the vehicle employed. There does not appear to he any short cut to a satisfactory solution of the probe lens, but the first step should be to determine beyond all doubt what is a minimum rate, which, of course, would have to be adjusted in certain districts, hut it should never cease to 'be a minimum.


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