WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by Ow roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier,
" C.M." Staff Vacancy.
s There is a vacancy on the editorial 'staff of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR for a man (not liable to military service) who possesses seme technical knowledge of motor engineering with a bent for journalism. Apply in writing, giving full details of experience, to the Manager, CotNIPICIAL MOTOR; 7-15; Rosebery Avenue, London, E.C.
• Albion Dividend.
With reference to the dividends recently intimated in connection with the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Scotetoun, Glasgow, we have been asked to point out that the 10 per cent, payable in respect of the ordinary shares js a further interim dividend, and makes the amount so far paid on the ordinary shares for the year 1917 15 per cent. This further dividend has been reported in some quarters in such a manner SS might lead readers to believe that this was the final dividend for the year, which, of course, is not the ease.
Tilling Report.
The report of the directors of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., shows a profit for the year 1917 of £77,307, which, added to £28,464 brought forward from the previous account, makes a total of £105,771. After making provision for items detailed in the profit-and-loss account, there remains a balance of £76,826. The dividend on the preference shares for the half-year ended 31st Deceniber, 1917, absorbs £8250. The directors now recommend that a dividend of 15 per cent. (less tax) be paid on the ordinary shares, which will amount to 221,018. This will entitle the income debenture . stock holders to additional interest at the rate of n per cent., which will amount to £5792. These thee items amount to £35,060, leaving a balance of £41,766 to be carried forward subject to any lia bilitythere may be for excess-profit duty.
Owing to the increasing amount of capital invested outside the business, it has been considered advisable to create a special reserve fund against possible variation in the value of these securities and other capital outlay. The investments reserveamount and the reserve obsolescence have therefore been merged, and a sum of £3879, added thereto out, of profits, renders available a -total of £18,000. .
The three senior difectors, Messrs. R. S. Tilling, E. W. Tilling and W.. Wolseley, have resigned their poSitions as managing directors, but will still continue to interest themselves in the affairs of the company.
Solid Tyres Available., -We have been asked to state that Mr. Frank Clew, late of the Manchester depot of Wood-Milne, Ltd., has recently taken up an appointment with W. and A. Bates, Ltd., the established indiarubber manufacturers, of St: Mary's Mills, Leicester, as solid tyre sales manager. It is interesting to recall that"this company has beau manufacturing solid tyres for a matter of two years past, but owing to the fact that the whole output has geers requisitioned for national needs, the company has not up till now been in a position to cater for the private trade. We understand, however, that the solid tyre department has now .been considerably enlarged, with the residt that: they are now in a position to take on civilian business.
Petrol Imports.
The figures of motor spirit imports are omitted for the first time in the' Board of Trade returns for March, 1918. In the " Notes" prefacing the returns it is stated :—" The publication of certain particulars hitherto given in these accounts has been temporarily discontinued."
South Africa's Business Representative.
His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in South Africa, Mr. W. G. Wickham, is about to visit this country in order to meet the representatives of British firms who may wish to have an interview with him. The interest taken in his visit is very great, as up to-the present 660 business firms -and 32 Chambers of Commerce have communicated with the Department of Overseas Trade (Development and Intelligence); about 610 firms asking for interviews, and nearly a hundred have insited Mr. Wickham to visit their works. He has also been invited to address the members of prominent trading associations, as well as of the Chambers of Commerce in London and the provinces. -He will visit the principal trade and industrial centres of the 'United li.lingdom, Ond will thus be able to meet the representa-tives of many firms in their own districts. Applications for appointments with Mr. 'Wickham should be addressed to the Comptroller-General, Department of Overseas Trade (Development and ntel-. ligenee), 73, Basinghall Street, London, ' E.C. 2. The reference number (D.O.T.2873/18) should be quoted.
Motor Volunteers.
' There are still a number of vacancies in Group No. 1 of the City of London Motor Volunteer Corps both for motor drivers who have their own vehicles and other drivers who are willing to enrol-as , spate drivers as occasion arises. In view of the new regulations making it compulsory for all exempted men, in future, to join the Volunteers an excellent ow portunity i5 afforded to motor drivers to fulfil this condition. There is no subscription to the corps and the number of drills required to be performed is not excessive. Full particulars can be -obtained from the Adjutant, Group No. 1, Capt. F. G. Bristow, at. the Headquarters; 83, Pall Mall, S.W. 1.
The Lorry Triumphant.
picture of a lorry overturned is seldom elevating or prone to create confidence, but the impression made by an accident or view of an accident is different nowadays from what it Used to be because we new --understand • that the motor vehicle, whilst being no More immune from mishap than any other movingobject, can cover Large distances in all sortsof conditions of service— through • the heavy traffic of a vast city or in the wilds of the desert or tropical country—wi0 but a microscopic proportion of time lost through accident and
with but a rare failufe. • • • • Solhe picture of a Leyland overturned across a railway track in German .East Africa instead of leading one,to think of
• the vulnerability of motor lorries -causes one to ask what happened and what was the outcome. It appears that the lorry in question was passing over the railway level crossing just at the time that an ' engine, pushing some steel vans, was . coming along the line. ' The leading van struck the -lorry .amidships, throwing it over and pushingit some 30 ft. it the, line before the train could be at d.' The train was stopped and with awn and the photograph was taken. • Tbe driver of the lorry was shaken? though otherwise uninjured, and with the assistance of others the lorry was pulled back upon its wheels and • towed on to the road. The driver; more as a forlorn hope than anything else, . thought he would try to start Up the engine; to his surprise he found that the engine was in perfect worhing eider. He then mounted the driver's seat to see whether it was possible le change the gearsand move the lorry, and again found to his surprise that not only would it move, but he drove it back to the'. yard whence it had come, when the few repairs, which were found to consist of a bent steering arm and a portion of one of the lugs on the gearbox brokers, were duly exeFuted. Hence the lesson to be learned from the incident . is that the .-Well-made motor lorry is difficult to put out of action.
The Arnerican army Lorries.
Despite statements to the contrary we have it, direct frorn an official .source in the States, that up to the end. of March the Model B lorry (the 5-tonner) was the only oneupon which production had cornnienced. Drawings of this model total altogether 3500, so that the Work of design has been one of some magnitude. The drawings of the Model A (3-tormer) were then being made, whilst the Model A.A.(15-cwt.) had yet to be projected. At the date of our communication minor changes were militantly being made in the Model B lorry, and even then it was considered scarcely practicable to provide manufacturers concerned, with the work of produetion with the necessary drawings and specifications for parts.
Road Transport Board.
In connection with the administration of _ the Road Transport Board, Great Britain has hems divided into 13 dis-' tricts, folloiving to a great extent the Areas of the District CoMmissioners of the _Ministry of FoOd. In each area there will be .a Divisional Board, the chairman of which will be a whole-time official appointed by the Board of Trade. The other members of the Divisional Board will be: A representative of the Ministry of Food; a representative of the Ministry of Munitions; a representative of the Association of Chambers of Commerce ;_ a representatiite 'of the transport trade, to be appointed by the Road Transport hoard on the nomination of the Central Advisory Committee; and a representative of general local interests ch-opted by the Divisional Board, if necessary. Each Divisional Board will appoint ad Advisory Committee in order to keep in touch with trade interests.
The Board have further divided the country into 'approximately 100 areas, ill each of which it is propozed to appoint an Area Road Transport Committee. The constitution of these Committees will necessarily" vary according to the district,but, speaking 'generally, they will be -constituted as, follows ::---Four meinbers appointed by the Food Control Committees within the area; four members of other local interests; two members appointed by the Horse Transport Department of the Board of Trade; one member appointed by the Ministry of 'Munitions. . The total number of memberswill not exceed eleven, including the chair an, who will be selected by the members from their number: So soon as the local organization has been set up, it is proposed, as a preliminary measure, to provide for the registration of all power-driven vehicles and of four-wheeled horse-drawn vehicles with a load capacity of over 20 cwt. A scheme of priority, classification is -in course of preparation, so that in case of emergency vehicles' carrying goods in a low class of • priority may be employed to carry goods in a higher class.. A•-•. permit will be issued in respect Of each vehiclein order that the owner may understand that, on Orders from the BoaN, he must place his vehicle, fully equipped, at their disposal. The question of the-co-ordination of the work of Government Departments in connection with road transport is being considered by a Sub-committee of the Board.
From April 10th, all spare parts of commercial vehicles of two tons and over will be aubject to 70 per eent, duty in France.
Electric Charging Stations.
We have received a copy of a map from the General Vehicle Co., Ltd., 4, Southampton Row, Holborn, W.C., which shows very clearly the charging stations for electric vehicles within a radius of 20 miles of Loedon. The folder not only gives a map. of the charging stations, detailing those op main rode as diatinct from secondary roads, but also a key which refers to the numbers on the map, and the names and addresses of the charging stations, telephone number of each station to whom inquiry has to be made, and other facilities regarding hours of charging and cost per unit. A number of hints to drivers issued lay the London Safety First Couneil is also embodied.
.New Road Transport Scheme.
We observe an interesting article by Mr. Walter E. Sturgess, Staff Workshop Officer of the Leicestershire Motor Volunteer Corps, which appears in a recent issue of the "Leicester Mail," and which outlines a suggested organization scheme for road transport. Mr. Sturgess sug gests that the Road Control Board should, appoint representatives, in large cities ' and towns, ,selecting garage proprietors who have suitable accomnecidation for re ceiving or depositing goods to be trans ported or called for. These represent-a • fives would be charged with the cfuty of inspecting and superintending the work • under the scheme. Earh would have charge of a defined area embracing allotted lengths of main roads. He points out that an official of the Board could visit the garage, view the premises,. Ob tain details of the staff, learn the amount of floor apace which could be spared, and ascertain if a suitable workshop etaff is employed to effect immediate repairs in case of breakdown of vans" " enrolled" by the Board. The proprietor appointed under the scheme would enter into an agreement to keep a stated portion of his premises
always -available to the Board, and allow precedence in his workihop. for
repairs or breakdowns to vans or lorries. • The proprietor would be responsible for the goods during the time they were in his charge. Lorries or vans on passing through from other towns would call at his garaee as the appointed depot for goods. •Firms in the district would telephone to the depot to ascertain when goods could be sent down for despatch • by road. With regard to charges, he states that it would be advisable in the interests of the country and of the motor industry for
the Road Control Board to meet a denotation from the C.M.U.A, and other
motor-transport associations to enable them to agree on a flat rate for the whole of the country. It could probably be agreed ,upon at is. per ton per mile as a basis, which would, show a reasonable working profit. Commercial-motor owners must natnrally charge in addition for re.turn empty running at 50 per cent. less, that. is,-of course, providing it is not possikle to pick up return goods. Mr. Sturges& emphasizes the point that, amongst other advantages of this scheme, it would enable the Food Con• trol Committee to get the food of the country more equitably distributed in the thickly-populated and industrial dis. tricts, which would dispose of much disc content and propaganda work.
Accounts could be collected by the respective vehicle owners-and handed in C28
at the garage, a commission of 5 per cent. to be charged by the proprietor to the motor-vehicle owners for accommodation. He recommends the use of lorries belonging to the different M.T.Varks. He also suggests the employment of heavy lorries in place of railway rolling stock for the transport of 'munitions. In the case of a food ship coming into dock on account of submarine activities, he points out that it should be possible to unload that ship immediately, and if insufficient railway facilities were at hand for the prompt despatch of the food inland, the nearest Army motor transport could be used for this purpose. Itmight only be necessary to take the food inland for a few miles, and then it could he picked up by motors and lorries belonging to registered firma.
Messrs. Brown Bros., Ltd., have issued a portfolio of 20 beautiful illustrations of British aircraft prepared in connection with their department of special machine fittings for every type of aeroplane that is made. We believe the portfolio is sent free to anyone who is deeply interested in the subject. At any rate, those who are favoured with one will greatly appreciate it.
Local Proceedings.
A fund is being raised to provide a motor ambulance for Wineford (Cheshire) and district.
In view of the abnormal price of horses Fulham B.C. propose to purchase a Sentinel steam_ wagon at a -cost of 21050. A priority certificate P5 has already been secured., Glasgow Corporation Electric .Committee recommends the purchase from lthe Electromebile (Leeds) Co. of a 5-ton electric, tipping vehicle for removing ashes at at cost of 21430.
Building plans have been passed by -the local authorities for the National Steam Car Co., Ltd., for premises at Writtle Street, Chelmsford; and for the Advance Motor Co., Ltd., for additions to factory in Kingsthorpe Road, Northampton.
Manchester .C.C. has accepted the following tenders for the -Tramways Department:L---Shrewsbury and Challiner Tyre Co., Ltd., supplying and fixing solid rubber tyres on motor omnibuses, motor tyre miter covers and inner tubes. Dunlop. Rubo., Ltd., supplying.and fixing rubb.res on motor wagons, motorcar outer covers and inner tubes.
Mr. Ellis Green's New Duties..
Councillor Ellis Green, F.C.A., secretary of the Manchester, Liverpool and -Counties C.M.U.A., and secretary also of various other organizations, including the local Motor -Trade Association and resident secretary of the-United Motor and General Insurance Co., Ltd., is finding' time amongst its ..multifarious duties to play a) useful part in civil life. After five years as a member of the Prestwich Urban District Cciuneil he was, on' Wednesday, appointed chairman. This was the culmination of valuable services rendered by him to that body beginning five years ago, when be received a handsome acknowledgment for valuable work in solving some financ'al difficulty. His export knowledge of aceounteney has -made him a valuable asset in public life and motor circles..
The Value of an Accident.
When. one of the North British Rubber Co.'s warehousemen was bringhig a Clincher solid band tyro up on the lift, it rolled towards the edge, and was caught between the upper floor and the platform of the lift, with the result that it was bent entirely out of shape.
The effect of this damage is most interesting. The tyre has taken a shape exactly like that of a horse's collar, and the great point about it is that, in spite of -the enormous pressure to which it must have been subjected to bring it to this shape, there is no fracture of the rubber either between the steel and the semihard rubber or between the latter and the soft rubber.
Not only has the steel band withstood the enormous strain put upon it., brut, as will be observed from the illustration herewith, the juncture of the semi-hard rubber with the steel band and the steel band with the soft rubber is absolutely intact. This accidental test has afforded reliable proof of the quality of manufacture of North British tyres.
The band organized by the works staff of Foden'e, Ltd., has been engaged by the Birmingham Corporation to play in the parks during the coming summer.