AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Opinions from Others.

26th January 1911
Page 16
Page 16, 26th January 1911 — Opinions from Others.
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The Circus Tricks of Taxi-drivers."

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,298] Sir,-1 have noticed the views expressed by your correspondents Messrs. P. C. Meers [No. 1,288] and Sturmey Motors, Ltd. [No. 1,296], in the issues of TILE COMMERCIAL MOTOR for the 5th and 12th January, respectively. it seems to me that Mr. Meers, when commenting upon the exceptional stressing of front wheels in the matter of steering on " slippery surfaces," overlooks the fact that the degree of stress to which the front wheels and steering connections are subjected is really more severe on a dry surface. His view is an outcrop of the erroneous idea that the tires of a motorcar are subjected to the worst usage when the car skids or side-slips, but this is not, by any means, the case, owing to the fact that the limit of adhesion is then low, and therefore is soon exceeded. There is much more damage clone on a dry surface, or, in the case of a slippery surface, in the event of the sudden absorption of the kinetic) energy by impact with an obstacle, such as a kerbstone. In my judgment, the Metropolitan police did an extremely-wise thing, when they specified the 25 ft. turning circle. Let any impartial reader picture to himself the state of London thoroughfares, had it been necessary for taxicab drivers to manceuvre backwards and forwards, instead of their being able to turn in half the width of an average street? Messrs. Sturmey appear to have an initial grievance, in respect of the width between the springs, but 1 do not think that it is one which is sufficient to have kept them out of the cab industry, so far as London is concerned, which seems to be the situation.- Yours faithfully, R. J. WILLIAMS.

Heavy Motorcar Axle-weights.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL Moron.

[1,299] Sir,—" No Ambiguity," " Registration," and 4` Puzzled " will, I feel sure, desire to associate themselves with me, in offering a hearty vote of thanks to "An Owner near Bolton" for the delightful manner in which he has gathered us unto himself (metaphorically speaking), and expounded the law unto us. My pride is uncontrollable, when I reflect that I have scored a bull'seve, in suggesting the substitution of the term " chassis eight" for " unladen weight," but I must honestly .confess that I was unaware that the distinction, to the -official mind, between a traction engine and a motor wagon, rested upon such. a slender basis. In the matter

1.!10 fines, I shall certainly quote " An Owner near Bolton "the next time I have the felicity of interviewing the Bench of that ancient borough, though, at present, my intelligence refuses to understand why an owner should be fined in excess, simply because he is an owner.

With respect to the reason why certain boroughs adopt a hostile attitude towards steam wagons, as explained by "An Owner near Bolton," I can only say that, if the attitude became universal, steam wagons would cease to exist. It may be logical for the authorities to express themselves in the terms suggested by "An Owner near Bolton," as regards steam wagons, but, it is not equitable, unless the same language be applied to every other form of transport. This owner has raised the following queries, and, whilst 1 quite understand that they are intended to test our ignorance, and not his own, I venture to have another shot for a bull's-eye.

I suggest that a rubber-tired tractor of a registered axle-weight not exceeding six tons can legally travel 12 miles an hour alone, and that, if a heavy motorcar draws a trailer, the speed is limited to five miles an hour, irrespective of the nature of the tires fitted. The speed to be painted on the tractor is, the maximum speed which the tractor may legally travel without a trailer.

In conclusion, I would venture to suggest, that the authorities of boroughs, who desire to be logical, can still adopt an alternative argument to that suggested by "An Owner near Bolton," and one which, I believe, contains at least an equal modicum of wisdom. They might say: " The true solution to the present difficulties lies in bringing the machines and the roads into closer harmony. 'We know that this costs money, on both sides, and, 60 long as owners do not, of intent, defy the regulations, we will give them every encouragement to develop their businesses, and be in a position to adopt the latest and best types of machines that money can buy."—Yours faith fully, "MOTOR-WAGON CARRIER."

Show v. Trials.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL Moron.

[1,300] Sir,—In looking through the columns of the current " C.M.," I find the announcement "No London Show." For some time, this Show has seemed to be doubtful. I daresay the amount of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by most makers exhibiting does greatly exceed the profits reaped on sales derived therefrom. Of course, not being a maker, 1 am unable to say, but I doubt if I am far wrong. As a rule, in the Shows, there is a host of different makes and improvements, SG that the uninitiated goes away quite as perplexed as when he arrived.

I want to ask your opinion on. the subject of R.A.C. trials. Don't you think that this course would better prove to the country at large the capability of the class of vehicle that is required ? Also, now that motors have come to stay, buyers would spend their money with a better heart, in going to the place where the trials were taking place, to judge for themselves, than in going to a Show. I think this would be a means of confirming the statement in your current issue that " the day of the demonstration trial is nearly over." I daresay many new makes of cars have sprung into existence since the last R.A.C. trials, and that the public at large is not well acquainted with them, and I should imagine the makers would get good returns for the money spent on them.

We hear a lot about low petrol consumption for the loads carried, a thing, I think, you wrote upon in one of your issues some time back. By this means this subject would be proved, not only to the buying community, but to the engine and carburetter inventors, and we should have a Show that would show us reliability, simplicity, hillclimbing and pulling powers, petrol consumptions and flexibility, and other things of value.—Yours faithfully, 23rd January, 1911. O.N.M.

[The day for competitive road trials was over before that for free demonstrations. The movement no longer requires either. New makers must "gel in " in the manner which we indicate in our third leader, En.]

Tags

Organisations: Metropolitan police
Locations: London

comments powered by Disqus