OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference, The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
Cool Air in Pneumatics.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2018] Sir' —We have noticed Mr. Shrapnell-Smith's letter with to the importance of the, elimination of internal heating, which, as Mr. Shrapnel!Smith rightly says, is due principally to flexion of thecover walls, and, this being so, it naturally follows that, as he indicates, any device which will reduce the wall flexion must result in less internal heating and increased cover life, and we would desire to point out that this is exactly the result obtained by use of the Brame() compression tubes, which, owing to their thickness and to the material being in compression, hold up the sides of the cover and enable the tyre to retain its rounded shape better, whilst the fact, that this is done. with only 15 lb. . pressure per inch of cross-section further tends to reduction of internal heating. The reduction of wall flexion also is beneficial in itself, because the destruction of the cover is very largely the result of wall flexion, particularly with fabric tyres, due to the internal friction of the material against itself during the process of flexion. Anyway, the proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof, and we have ample evidence of the fact that, when. compression tubes are used, the cover mileage is sub stantially increased. For instance, we recently received a cover from a user who removed it after 10,500 miles with compression tubes inside. This tyre we shall be happy to send for your inspection if wished., and you will note that it shows very little signs of wear and should stand for several thousand m:les more. Our customer informed us that he only removed it because he was about -to commence a. long tour and he thought that he had better be on the safe side. The matter is more interesting because this gentleman informed us that he had never, before Using compression tubes, been able to get more than 3,500 miles out of a cover on his.car, and he informed us that all of his covers had run the same distance with the same result, and that several very nasty puncturing instruments had been extracted from them. But this record of increased cover life has been substantially exceeded in America. Thus, the Prairie Pipe Line Co., of Tulsa, Oklahoma, record getting as much as 20,000 miles out of one set of casings with compression tubes, as against 5,00°0,500 miles with tubes of the bladder type, and it may be mentioned that this particular company has no -fewer than 400 trucks in use, all of them are now being fitted with compression tubes, a fact that speaks for itself, and we enclose you a photograph showing a truck, in the possession of Mr. Catalano, produce dealer, of Ohio, fitted With two 40 by 8 compression tubes, together with a close.up view of one of the rear wheels, showing the tyre after 13,200 miles of continuous service, and the very little worn core: dition of it will be noted.—Yours faithfully,
BRAMCO (1920) LIMITED.
Illicit Commissions.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2019] Sir,—We were interested in the comments Of your contributor " The Inspector," and also have observed the letter from the Secretary of the Bribery and Secret Commissions Prevention League, which our organization supports. The Autocraft Board has been running a campaign for a considerable time now in connection with the relation of this matter to the private motorcar user and the industry,, and our further activities embrace means by which commercial vehicle owners can combat the evil. A leaflet on the subject has been widely circulated by us. It explains to the vehicle owner why the "level price" or fixed price is right and proper, both for the manufacturer and the user.-4
Yours faithfully, THE AUTOCRAFT BOARD, Hanover Square, J. MORSE Scow,
London, W.1. Controller.
Assembled or Made Under One Roof.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2020] Sir,—No man enjoys being called an idiot even by implication, and I must, therefore, ask per mission again to use your columns to reply to your leader of the 10th inst. headed "The Disadvantages to the User of a Maker's Instability," My object in writing the letter which has brought such scorn from you in two leaders was to point out;— 1. The economical advantage of using standard components.
2. The growing use of such components in this country.
3. A hope that this growth will continue and thus enable English manufacturers to capture the trade now going to importers of foreign vehicles. In reply, you and Mr. lItla,ughfling can only call attention to the number of firms who have gone out of business in America. I would ask :— Are there no concerns in Great Britain in the same position ?
Are there not many firms still in business in Great Britain who cannot give delivery of spare parts for old models in any reasonable time and often, then, only at unreasonable prices?
Does not your contention point to the benefit of having the component manufacturer's service to fall -back upon ? So far as boosting Americanmethods goes, this was far from my object, but I am well aware of the average British manufacturer's attitude of having "nothing to learn." If there is any good reason to be adduced against specialized manufacture I should be pleased to hear it, but abuse of your opponent is not considered a good argument.--Yours faithfully, Cable Street, London, E.1. R. P. BRADLEY.
Is a Petrol Tax Fair MI Round ?
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2021] Sir,—With reference to your article on "Taxation " in The Commercial Motor for October 17th, I think that most of us are agreed that the present system is unfair. Now, if it be unfair for one section of users of motors, surely it is also unfair or all sections? Why, therefore, in the proposed memorandum are steam and electric vehicles to be taxed under the existing -acale ? On April 11th I submitted an idea, which you published (and later I got this scheme out in detail at the request of the Manchester Committee of the C.M.U.A.), for interchangeable licences, and which, I think, would have proved workable and found favour amongst vehicle owners.
The objection to a, tax on petrol, to my mind, is that it would not cover the steam user, and, if adopted, the steam user would have an unfair a,dvantage, whilst if the steam user is still to be taxed On the existing scale the petrol user will have an unfair advantage, if we grant that the present system is unfair, which I think most of us do.—Yours faith
fully, EAST CHESHIRE TRANSPORT CO., Macclesfield. Aareus GREG.