The 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 the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Defence of the Realm Losses Royal Commission.
The ease of Messrs. T. Greenwood and Sons, which we last week recorded as being down for hearing on the lath inst., was taken in camera.
Austin's "Matter of Importance" to Agents and Users.
Further to the reference in last week's "One Hears," concerning Austin's "matter of importance an article which goes into some detail will be found on pages 466a and 467 of this issue.
Proceedings of Local Authorities.
The Cleveden has called for a report in respect of motor fireengine equipment.
Cheltenham T.C. is purchasing a battery equipped dust collecting van, at an estimated cost of 21050.
The Tramways Committee of the Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation is Seeking early delivery of a motor tower-wagon.
The Shrewsbury T.C. is considering the possibility of a joint scheme with neighbouring local authorities for the acquirement of motor fireengines.
The Road Board has offered the Bromley R.D.C. compensation for damage to the roads between Farnborough and Crayford, arising from motorbus traffic.
The Cheadle and Gatley has appointed a. sub.-committee to investigate matters appertaining to the use of motor equipment for fire-brigade purposes.
An L.G.B. inspector. held an inquiry, at Stoke-on-Trent, on the *3rd inst., concerning the applioation of the Town Council for sanction to purchase a motor fireengine.
The Electricity Committee of the Poplar B.C. has bought an additional Foden steam wagon,--at 2744, the price to be charged against the revenue account of the electricity undertaking.
The Leatherhead U.D.C. has been notified by the Aldershot and District Traction Co. Ltd., that the Guildford Leatherhead motorbus service cannot be resumed until staff difficulties are lessened.
The L.C.C. has applied to the Board of Trade for an Order allowing an extension of the times for the -construction of various authorized tramway alterations and connections in Finsbury, Battersea, Mitcham and Hammersmith. Barnsley T.C. having recently failed to obtain L.G.B. sanction for adoan to purchase a motor fire-engine, is purchasing two motorcars, as an emergency measure, to add to the efficiency of the local brigade. These will cost 2500, which sum will be provided out of revenue The Ministry of Munitions has sanctioned Messrs. Merryweather's supplying a motor pump to Willesden Fire Brigade, in place of one which was commandeered by the Government. Steps are to be taken by the Council to obtain a fourth motor fire'-engine for the brigade.
Certified Occupations.
The Local Government Board has notified the Tribunals of the country that, at latest by the 31st March next, all men classed for service in category A or category Bl, who can be spared without seriona detriment to work of national importance, or who have not .very strong grounds for exemption, should be made available for military service.
It is pointed out that in the case of men under thirty-one years of age in the above-mentioned categories, the only exceptions can be in respect of men in the occupations that are specified in appendix A to the list of certified occupations dated the 20th November last. Furthermore, a man under thirty-one years of age, who is in one of these occupations, should not be exempted unless he is engaged also on work of essential national importance, or becomes so engaged within 14 days, or such extended period as a Tribunal may allOw, or in suitable cases enrols as a, war-munitions volunteer.
Men in agricultural occupations do not fall within the new instruction.
It is apparent, from the foregoing, that any single or married commercial-motor driver, who was under thirty-one years of age on the 4th April, 1916, may be called upon, himself or through his employer, to prove to the satisfaction of a local Tribunal that, as well as being in the certified occupation of "power carter" to a certified trade, he is directly engaged on work of essential national importance.
"Mechanical Aids to Agriculture."
The foregoing has been an oft-recurring heading to paragraphs and articles in this journal, and especially so during the past two years. Our advocacy of the claims of agricultural motors dates back to the, month of June, 1905—nearly 12 years ago. We have frequently published estimated and, realized costs, and we have not omitted to describe in detail any new agricultural motor that has been put on the British market. Furthermore, we have, through our special correspondents in Winnipeg and other Canadian centres, followed with the utmost degree of closeness the 'various tests and records oh that side of the Atlantic. We are sorry that a Canadian-born correspondent, whose letter appears amongst our "Opinions from Others" this week, adopts a hectoring attitude towards this and other journals. He is mistaken in thinking that he can, after a few weeks or months in England, understand all our circumstances. There is, none the less, much of interest to many of our readers in his letter. We may say that the writer of the, letter is now a mechanist-sergeant in the M.T., A. S.C.
The claim that American and Canadian agrirnotors will getrerally stand up to service on hard roads is one which an examination of the structural features of many of them shows to be impossible. They might stand up at speeds of 1 m.p.h. to 2 m.p.h., hut, when agrieultural tractors are taken on a highway, for the purpose of travelling on that highway, they are never kept down to such low speeds as those which obtain when working over the land. That is the difficulty, to meet Which provision has not yet been made in the majority of American-built and Canadian-built agricultural tractors. The wheels, more particularly, are wrongly built.
Mr. S. F. Edge, Director of the Agricultural Maehinery Branch of the Ministry of Munftions. now has the plans in hand for purchase and outnnt on the one hand, and for allocation on the other There is no time to be lost, and he, we know, is not the-man to lose any, Half-duty Petrol Wrongly Used. The Petrol Control Committee gives notice that there is reason to believe that some buyers of half duty petrol, for commercial-motor purposes, pass on or use part of such petrol for motorcar purposes. It is pointed out that these -practices are a direct contravention of Section 16 of the Finance Act, 1916, under which both seller and purchaser are liable to a penalty of ENO. The Petrol Control Committee intends rigorously to prosecute any such offenders, if the facts are brought to its notice. . We think it has struck a "mare's nest."
The Dunlop Meeting.
Sir Arthur Du Cros, Bart., M.P., deputy chairman and managing director, presided at the 18th ordinary general meeting of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., in London, on the 17th inst. He reviewed the progress of the company, the manner in which its German assets had been written off, and particularly referred to the acquirement of new premises in Albany Street, London, as well as in Broad Street, Birmingham, and Abbey Street, Dublin. The chairman touched upon the company's pending developments in South Africa, and its increased manufacturing and raw-material resources generally.
Sir Arthur du Oros, dealing with some -of the difficulties by which the Dunlop board and management had been confronted during the past year, particularly referred to the necessity for training new labour forces, which were constantly changing. The company had found it practically impossible to maintain a permanent staff at a strength sufficient to carry on the affairs of the company as they would wish. New plant was very hard to get, and the completion of building operations most difficult. Their transport arrangements had been enormously facilitated by the acquirement of a fleet of motor vehi
cies to the value of some £20,000, and they had taken many new depots at railway centres, as well as at ports and docks, for storage purposes. They had also surmounted the problem of furnishing the endless returns which were required by the Government. The scope of the company's business had been widened, they had paid greatly-enhanced wages, salaries and workingexpenses generally, without raising prices to consumers, which record they hoped to maintain.
The net profit for the year was
£432,400, allocations £227,000, and the carry-forward—after a dividend of 15 per cent.--£82,900
A Year's Imports.
The total imports, for the year ended the 31st tilt,, into the United Kingdom' under the following headings, will be noted with interest, the figures in parentheses being those for 1915: Motorcars, £940,938 (3,118,980); motor chassis, £820,292 (21,135,138); .tires, tubes, etc., 22,207,210 (1,984,563); other parts, £1.467.073 (22.183,183).
New Managing Director of G. W. and W., Ltd.
We learn that Mr. Arthur W. Robinson, formerly of Bridgeport, Connecticut, who is now in London, has been promoted from the post of an ordinary director of Gaston, Williams and Wigmore,' Ltd., to the position of managing director. Mr. Robinson was at one time "truck sales manager" and a director of the Iocomobile Co. of America.
The m.r., A.S.C., Fund.
It will be evident to our supporters, from the particulars which appear on wise 471, that next week will see the total incoma of our Campaign Comforts Fund reach a . sum in excess of X15,008. We have taken the opportunity, op, completion of each £5000 sta,gi.'4.7Z give a brief review of the progress of the Fund, and we shall hope to be able to make space for a third review of that kind next week.
Recent Registrations.
Spa Garage, Ltd. (21000), to take over the business of T. J. Lewis, of Ripon, Yorks. • Motor Trade Association, Ltd. (R100), to protect and preserve the name of the company.
John Batten, Ltd. (X1500), to take over a furniture-removing and storing business at Queen's Road, Manchester.
Joseph Eva, Ltd. (R2000), to take over a haulage and contracting business at 60, Fann Street, Aldersgate E.C. Theatre Transport Co., Ltd. (22000), with its registered office care of G. G. Mitcheson, Joint Stock Bank Chambers, Newcastleon-Tyne.
Lavington Bros. (Paris), Ltd. (21000), to carry on a forwarding and shipping business, with its registered office at 68-69, Old Bailey, E.C.
N.S.C. Motor Engineering Co., Ltd. (25000), to take over the businesses of J. J. Blackett, Ennessee Works, Park Gate, Darlington and of the Northern Side Car and Motor Co., Darlington.
Midland Syndicate, Ltd. (2500), to carry on the business of manufacturing fuel from coal, coal dust, refuse, coke, charcoal, etc. Private company, registered by C. Crowther, solicitor, 23, Abingdon Street, S.W.
Ransomc and Marle4Bearing Co.. Ltd. (X60,000), with its regAtered office at Stanley Works, Newark-onTrent, to take over the ball-bearing and roller-bearing branch of the business of A. Ransome and Co., Ltd.
Selling"Don " Lining.
Mr. Leo Harris, who recently joined Hays, Hunter and Standen, Ltd., is hard at work pushing, amongst other commodities, "Don" brake lining. This company has also acquired the sale of "Fastnut" specialities for the motor trade, with -certain reservations.
Further Scottish Interest fdr Agrirnotors.
The East and West Aberdeen Agricultural' Committees on Food Production, at a joint meeting in Aberdeen on the 12th inst., noted the willingness of the Board of Agriculture to supply two tractors and two cultivators. The committees decided to be guided largely by any decisions of the Board of Agriculture, but it was thought that a preference should be given to threefurrow ploughs. Several members pointed out that the season was fast wearing on, and that, complete terms for hire or supply should be notified at the earliest possible moment. It was announced that the estimate of the Board of Agriculture for the total cost of ploughing by tractor, was between 16s. and 18s. per acre.
The Morayshire District Committee held a meeting at Elgin, also on the 12tla inst., when it was reported that no British-made tractors were available. The Committee, as a result, favoured the Emerson, Mogul and Overtime agricultural motors from America. Some of the members complained about the high price of manure, and it was decided to make recommendations to the Board of Agriculture in this regard.
"Safety First" Organization Makes Healthy Progress..
The London "Safety First" Council is making good progress with its organization, under the guiding influence of Mr. H. E. Blain. We gave in our last issue the names of the principal officers who have been elected, and it has now to be noted that the Council has delegated some of its duties to four principal committees. These -are : General Purposes Committee ; Street Dangers Committee ; Publicity Committee ; Drivers' Educational Committee.
The work which lies before the Council appears to us to be of the utmost importance, and it is satisfactory to observe that practically all the local authorities of Greater London have appointed delegates to attend the Council. The same practice has been adopted by the leading transport associations and trade unions, railway companies, tramway and omnibus companies, the police, and several individual large industrial undertakings in the London area.
All communications to the Council should be addressed to the joint hon. secretaries at 43, Westminster Broadway,. Westminster, S.W.
Roads in Morocco.
A daily service of transport cars has been. opened between Fez, the capital of Morocco, and Taza. This service has only been made possible by much widening and improving of the main roads.
Ford Van Alterations.
• It is only fair to Mr. William Vincent, the well-known motor coachbuilder and engineer, of. Castle Street, Reading, to mention that the Ford vans, for Y.M.C.A. uses, as illustrated on page 415 of our issue of the.11th inst., were altered by him, from the ordinary standard Ford model. The method of alteration is essentially the follosving :— The side panels are cut in two, and in place of each upper portion, which is removed, a roll-up curtain, of waterproofed material, with two mica windows, straps and turn-buttons, is substituted ; the two doors at the back of the van are removed, and the back made up with a mica window, a special tailboard, and a step ; upholstered tip-up seats are fitted lengthways in the interior, one on each side of the van, running longitudinally. The van can thus be used for the conveyance of passengers or supplies at will.
Ivel Agrimotors.
Some interesting testimony has recently, been forthcoming from users of Ivel agrimotors, and their comments will no doubt be a guide, to students of the subject at the present time. Mr. T. H. Thomson,of Gowdall Lbdge, Snaith, S.O., considers that his Ivel tractor can do the work of six horses when the .
land is suitable ; Mr. R. Davidson, of Road Head, Langwathby R.S.O., Cumberland, finds that the tractor can work on the sides of hills, and that it has never had a stop ;
Lord Ancaster, Grimsthorpe Castle, Bourne, reports that his bailiff has the highest opinion of the tractor, which prevents him from getting backward in his work ; Mr. S. F.
Edge (now Director of the Agricultural Machinery Branch of the
Ministry of Munitions), Gallops Homestead, Ditehling, Sussex, who has used Ivel tractors for nearly five years, finds "that they do very well indeed, even on heavy weald clay"' • Colonel the Hon. Le Poer Trench, St. Huberts, Gerrard's Cross, Bucks., states that his Ivel tractor behaves very well ; Mr. W. Britten (of S. Fairbairn, Esq.'s, estate),
Thame Park, Oxon, who worked his 1 vel tractor practically every day from June to November last, re ports that it required nothing except oiling and greasing to keep it in order, and that he can use it
satisfactorily on a hilly portion of the estate, roughly 100 acres in ex tent, which was too much for horses, whilst he also uses the tractor, suitably adapted for rolling the land, to the extent of between 20 and 30 acres per day. New Steel Cover Invented forTires.
A new cover for tires has been put on the market in Dusseldorf in Germany. It is woven of fine steel wires' which cover the tire completely. The life of the cover is given as 4500 -miles. The only objection to this new cover for tires is the weight.
. No Sale for Tireless Cars.
Another example of special German enterprise is concerning the sale of motorcars with regard to British, French • and American vehicles in stock in Germany at the outbreak of war. The same dealers, who offer worn-out • war vehicles, can also sell Fords, Daimlers, De Dion Bouton, and Delaunay-Belleville cars, amongst others, at fancy prices in Denmark, Sweden and other neutral countries, but the difficulty, unfortunately; is with regard to tires. Obviously' with the shortage of rubber ...so acute, as it is at present in Ger taany, it is impossible to supply the cars complete ; on the other hand, the Danish and Swedish Governments have by agreement with the British Government agreed not le supply tire's for cars from Germany, this agreement taking effect from the 1st April of this year'. The con sequence is that these undoubted ba 'gains (1) are not really available at the moment. The Shipping Position.
" The Times," in its issue of the 8th inst., draws attention to the use of British " bottoms " for the conveyance of motorcars from America to South Africa, and the use of the same vessels on the return voyage for the conveyance of SouthAfrican cereals to the United States. Whilst the steamers to which reference is made are registered in Canada, it is pointed out that here at least is one urgent case for the attention of Sir Joseph Maelay.
Ancient Landmarks.
The Underground Railways and the General Omnibus Co. are most convincing in their efforts to render London and environs interesting to its inhabitants. A booklet of much artistic merit entitled "Ancient Landmarks," has recently been issued by the companies, consisting principally of a. series of excellently reproduced originaldrawings de-pieting spots near or in London of antiquarian and historical interest, such as Hadley Beacon, link extinguishers in Mayfair, Wapping Old Stairs, and London Stone, in the wall of St. Swithin'S birch,: Cannon Street. It is astonishing how many points -of interest there are within the area Otmetropolitair motor or electric passenger service absolutely unknown to the average Londoner ; it is usually the foreign Visitor who finds them out.. Traction Engine or Heavy Motor ?
Sheriff Sym, in Dunblane Sheriff Court, has decided that a steam tractor which belongs to Mr. John Campbell,-, contractor, of Aber, foyie,. is a heavy motorcar, despite its having, according to police evidence, one day emitted dense black smoke. Mr. Learatouth,. of Stirling, conducted the defence, the verdict being "not proven." The smoke had not been emitted continuously? but through temporary
and accidental causes. . . 1917 Calendars, etc.
We have further to acknowledge receipt of interesting aids to the year 1017 from George Spencer; isloultoo and Co., Ltd. (combined 'diary and pocket book), the Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd. (wall calendar), John I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd. (wall calendar), Scottish Commercial Cara, Ltd. (special calendar) Messrs. E. T. White arid Co: (desk,blotter), Richard Garrett and Sons, Ltd. (refill for 1914 almanac), Car and General Insurance Corporation, Ltd. (folding desk diary); and Leyland Motors (1914), Ltd. (tearLoff daily calendar, with back=
ground in relief). •
The, :Royal' Mail Steam Packet Co., which last year adopted the scheme of issuing a july-june calendar, has sent an admirable pocket-book diary including an illustration of the R.M.S.P."Asturias" as one of ILM[hosPital ships. For Dealers in Electric Bulbs.
The value of electriclighting on a motor vehicle has been accentuated by war conditions. By the use of. electricity as a lighting'agent, conformity with the lighting -regulations is facilitated, since electric light can be regulated with ease by using lamps of less candle-power, or screens; if necessary, complete extinction can be effected by the mere touch of a switch.
To all dealers in electric-lighting bulbs the new Lamp-bulb Guide, issued by the British Thomson Houston Co., Ltd., should be a handbook of some value. By its means, the correct rating of the. lamps required for any car can, on reference to the tables, be easily ' ascertained. In these tables, cars of British, European and American makes are included, and opposite the name of each car will be found the voltage and wattage of the correct Mazda bulbs. Thus a driver requiring a new bulb while on the road can be provided with the one beat suited to his machine, provided that a good and various amount of bulbs are kept in stock. The figures given are based on the best data that it has been possible to gain. There is also a lot of other useful information for the dealer in this handbook, a copy of which. can be obtained by any motor vehicle Oder on application to Mazda House, 77, Upper Thames Street, E.C.
A Mechanical Tipping Device.
The accompanying illustrations show a mechanical tipping device which has been used with success on motor wagons, and seems specially suitable for motor vehicles engaged in the coal industry. The mechanism is quite simple, the main part being an aluminium box containing a pump and oil. An operating lever is lowered so that a leather-faced friction wheel is brought to. bear on a flywheel; this friction wheel drives the pump; by which the oil is forced into a ram
cylinder at the bottom, lifting the ram, and with it the load. In 30 or 40 seconds the body of the vehicle will be tilted at an angle of 40 degrees or thereabouts. When the body is empty, a by-pass tap is i turned, the oil s liberated from the ram, and flows back to the tank, while the body comes back into horizontal position by the force of gravitation.
A complete set of fittings to suit any chassis, and to tip up 50 cwt. with a single ram, ean he had for E30; for loads of four or five tons, a double ram is necessary, and such an installation costs £40. The patentees and vendors are William Edwards and Sons, Parkfield Garage, Dawes Street, Bolton.
Standardization Work in U.S.A.
The Society of Automobile Engineers of America has become a powerful body in the States, and now numbers over 2000 members. It continues its campaign of standardization, and many of its standaids are widely used, as, for example, that of steel specifications, which has considerably developed the production of high-grade steel.
The S.A.E. has recognizedthe community of interests in the four "automotive" divisions, viz., the motorcar; the motor ship, the tractor, and aircraft. The changing ef the name of the society to the Society of Automotive Engineers is being considered. Motor boat engineers are co-operating fully in the work of standardization when possible of motor boat parts, and it is presumed that tractor and stationary engine manufacturers will take the same course. With the widening of interests the S.A.E. is being recognized by the Federal Government as a body of importance, the authorities 'having learnt one of the lessons of the European War, that of the advisability of cooperation and clear understanding between Governments -and engin. coring bodies.
• Germany's War-used Vehicles.
• We have previously in these columns stated that steps were being taken by the German authorities to dispose of war-worn vehicles. Further information is now to hand. It is clear that a company has been formed during the war with the direct sanction of . the German Government for this special punpose. It is known as the " Feld:
kraftwagengesellschaft." It was formerly stated that such enterprise should not become active until after the end of.the war, but it now appears that, this company has already commenced its activities. The modus operandi is to sell *through agents: The company disposes of the cars which are more or less worn out amongst the existing second-hand dealers. These dealers have already commenced an advertising campaign in Scandinavian countries, and offer complete cars, individual engines for fitting to agrimotors, and oil engines. Photographs of the goods available are sent to prospective buyers. It appears, however, that one or two consulting. engineers, who have been sent to inspect the cars prior to negotiating saleer, have found it to be their duty to warn the public against any dealings. .concerning them. The condition of the machines is not such as to warrant purchase.