Correspondence.
Page 25
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On the Trials Routes.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—I have subscribed to your journal for more than a year, and there have been a larger number of articles of interest in it than in any other motor paper. [We thank our correspondent for this complimentary reference, but he is evidently studying only the commercial side of motoring. —ED.] Your trials' booklet and reports must have been of great value to many, and a number of people who own horses and carts used the former as a key to enable them to identify the vehicles when they were here. The high first cost is, I can assure you, the greatest bar to the placing of orders, but the arguments contained in your addresses to the Bristol and Birmingham Chambers of Commerce should help to remove that deep-rooted view from the minds of possible buyers who possess capital, and of which class there are plenty.—Yours truly,
Newcastle-under-Lyme. WArcnruL.
Steam or Petrol?
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—When will this controversy be settled? Do you think the R.A.C. Trials will be conclusive in proving one or other the real superior? It is very hard to come to a decision, and I think, myself, that another ten years will elapse before the internal-combustion engine becomes as generally understood as is the steam engine. There are comparatively few drivers who know all they. should about petrol motors, and the necessary adjustments for them, as well as for the transmission, but there is an excess of steam-wagon drivers. Can you tell me whether the superheated-steam systems are coming into use more widely, and is it true that their fuel consumption per mile, for equal loads and speeds, are no more than for petrol engines?
Let me conclude by assuring you that the 48-page booklet about the trials has been much appreciated here.- Yours faithfully, R. T. WILLIAMSON. Birmingham.
IOur correspondent should continue to study the trials reports. They will certainly establish reliable hnd comparative data. Drivers of steam vehicles require more special knowledge, as a mile, than do drivers of approved types of petrol vehicles, and the experience of large users of petrol motorvans indicates that the supposed difficulty over the provision of drivers is not a real one. Superheated steam systems, such as the Darracq-Serpollet, arc rapidly coming to the front, but their fuel consumptions are not so low per mile as where internal combustion is employed. It should be noted, however, that paraffin is burnt.—En.)
A Protest About the R.A.C. Trials.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—As numerous customers and prospective buyers have written to us to know why we have not entered our wellknown 1, 2, and 3-ton " Arrol-Johnston " commercial vehicles in these trials, we would be obliged if you could see your way to publish the enclosed correspondence between us and the Royal Automobile Club, We may say that we would have liked very much to enter for these important tests, but could not do so on the inadequate information sup_ Plied as to the basis on which the awards would be given.
We are taking this step in justice to ourselves and the numerous users of our vehicles all over the country, and would point out that, to date, we have not received a full reply to ours of 2nd ultimo., and, so far as we are aware, the entrants themselves do not know even now on what basis they are competing against each other, although the trials are now entering on their third week.—We are, yours faith
fully, TUE NEW ARROL-JOHNSTON CAR CO., LTD.
ERNEST A. ROSENIIEIM.
Underwood, Paisley, N.B.
[Copy of letter from the Royal Automobile Club to the New Arrol-johnston Car Co., Ltd.] The New Arrol-Johnston Car, Co., Ltd., Underwood, Paisley. 26th July, 1907. Dear Sirs :—I beg to enclose a copy of the Regulations for t57e Commercial Vehicle Trials, which are being held by this Club, starting in September next. You will note from the appended list of entries, that tho great majority of makers of commercial vehicles have already entered. These Trials, which will be the most important that have vet been held in this or any other country, will probably not be repeated for some years. You will note that no entries can be received after noon on Saturday, August 10th next.
If I can give you any other information, I shall be pleased to do so.—Yours faithfully,
(Signed) J. W. ORDE (Secretary).
[Copy of letter from the New Arrol.Johnston Car Co., Ltd., to the Royal Automobile Club.] The Secretary, The Royal Automobile Club, 119, Piccadilly, London, W.
2nd August, 1907.
Commercial Vehicle Trials, 1907.
Dear Sir : —In reply to your letter of 26th ult., we shall be glad to have some information from you on the following points
(a) On what basis or system of marking will the awards be given?
(b) What will be the penalisation for repairs, renewals, or replacements made to the vehicle?
(c) Dow many marks, etc., will be allotted to each stion under paragraph 23 of the rules?
(d) Ditto, marks for petrol consumption?.
(e) Are replacements and repairs that can be effected in the hour allotted each day for replenishments, etc., allowed without penalisation?
We shall be glad to have information on these points per return in order that we may definitely decide whether we enter for the Trials or not.—Yours faithfully,
For the NEW ARROL-JOHNSTON CAR CO., LTD., (Signed) JOHN S. NAPIER
(Managing Director).
[Copy of letter from the Royal Automobile Club to the New Arrol-Johnston Car Co., Ltd.]
Messrs. The New Arrol-Johnston Car Co., Ltd.,
Underwood, Paisley. 6th August, 1907.
Dear Sirs :—In reply to your letter of August 2nd, I have pleasure in enclosing entry and specification forms. You will note that entries finally dose at noon on Saturday next.
Your letter will go before the Committee at their next meeting, and T will let you know as soon as possible the answer to the points you raise.—Yours faithfully,
(Signed) J. W. ORDE (Secretary).
[Copy of letter from the New Arrol-johnston Car Co., Ltd., to the li'dyal Automobile Club.] The Secretary, The Royal Automobile Club, 119, Piccadilly, London, W. 8th August, 1907.
Dear Sir :—We have yours of the 6th inst., enclosing entry and specification forms for the Commercial Vehicle Trial, 1937.
I regret that, as you do not give us the information we ask for in our letter of the 2nd inst., we cannot see our way to enter for this Trial.—Yours faithfully, For the NEW ARROL-JOHNSTON CAR CO., LTD., (Signed) JOHN S. NAPIER
(Managing Director).
[Copy of letter from the Royal Automobile Club to the New Arrol-Johnston Car Co., Ltd.] Messrs. The New Arrol-Johnston Car Co., Ltd., Underwood, Paisley. 9th August, 1907.
Dear Sirs :—Your letter of August 2nd was laid before the Committee at their last meeting, and in reply I am instructed to inform you that the judges will decide the exact ratio of the marks to be awarded under the various headings set out in Regulation No, 23. This ratio will only be determined after the most careful consideration.
I am also instructed to inform you that replacements and repairs effected in the hour allotted each day for replenishment, etc., will be allowed, but that their nature will he noted for the information of the judges. Should you decide to enter, kindly wire us on receipt of this letter, and, if your cheque is received Monday morning, your entries will be accepted.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) J. W. ORDE (Secretary).