WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels 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,
The Sessions at the Show.
During the ensuing weeks there will be sittings at Olympia in connection with the commercial motor show ,(a. Road Traffic Conference), and, at the Agricultural Hall, in connection with the Public Works Roads and Transport Conference.
To deal first of all with the. meetings. at Olympia, on Monday there was a conference of retail distributors to discuss the relation of transport to retail distribution, opened by Mr. A. E. Cowper and supported by many Men prominent in this" branch of industry To-day (Tuesday) there will be paper land discussions on "Fuel Resources and Suppliers for Road Transport" and on Roadside Reviccualling." On Wednesday Mr. Gosselin's paper on "The Advantages and Limitations of Road Transport for Goods and Mineral Traffic," and Mr. G. W. Watson's"-paper on "Multiaxle Vehicles and Combinations" will be read and discussed. The session at Olympia closes with a Safety First conference on Thursday and a townplanning conference on Friday. The congress at the Agricultural Hall extends from Thursday last until Thursday next and covers jnany matters of interest to water, gas, electricity, municipal and county engineers, to cleansing superintendents and administrative officials, subjects in connection with road making, repairing maintenance and"planning being dealt with on three of 'the days.
Converting Boilers to Clarkson System.
We are asked to mention that where an offer is made to fit Clarkson patent thimble tubes to steam-wagon boilers (as shown in a recent article, this has in certain cases been done with satisfaction to the owners), steps should be taken to ascertain from Clarkson Steam Motors, of 4 and 5, Queen Anne's Chambers, London, S.W.1, that the firm or person so offering has a licence to do the work. The makers of steam vehicles to licensed are Leyland Motors, Ltd., and Messrs. Stoddart and Irvine. A number of users have also been licensed, and so far as the demand for Clarkson boilers may justify it, the granting of additional licences to approved makers and repairers will be favourably considered.
Carrying Passengers in Excess of Licensed Number.
We have in the past referred to several cases in which passenger-vehicle owners have beenc prosecuted by the police authorities for permitting their vehicles to carry passengers in excess of the number for which the vehicles were licensed. • A case of this description was recently heard in the Dunbletnea Sheriff Court. The case followed on one of a similar 'naturewhich was recently heard at Kilmarnock. The respondents in the action were the Carnelon Transport Co., of Falkirk, and they were charged with having used a vehicle for the purpose of seating. 22 adult persons and 7 children, when their vehicle, for which they had paid a licence fee of 218, was only licensed to carry 20 persons. It was stated that the accused were not charged with using the vehicle for " standing " passengers, but of allowing the vehicle,to carry a larger number of passengers than that for which it was licensed. In the Kilmarnock case the argument was used that " seatiag "
meant "carrying," and it was on that point that that particular case was decided.
After further' arguments on points on points of law involved, it was found that an offence had been committed, and a fine of 23 was imposed.
London Street Accidents.
According to an official return just issued 158 persons were killed through street accidents in London during the months of July, August and September, 140 of these fatalities being brought about by mechanically propelled vehicles. The total number of accidents was 19,263.
New Lambeth Bridge.
The Loudon County Council is seeking authority to reconstruct Lambeth Bridge, which, for R period of 12 years, has been closed to vehicular traffic. It is intended to widen the bridge to 60 ft., and the approaches on each side of the river will iieed to be altered. The esti. mated cost a the scheme is 2568,000.
Green Headlights for Buses.
Flalford tramways authorities have recently adopted an interesting scheme of arranging for theit omnibuses to carry a distinctive green headlight in addition to the usual lamps. This it intended to warn waiting passengers of the approach of the vehicle and is considered necessary in view of the large „number of vehicles on the roads running through Salford. The light is situated in .the -centre of the front of the vehicle.
Dennis Bros., Ltd., announce a finaA dividend of 7 per cent, and a bonus of 31:per cent., which, with the interim dividend of 3 per cent, already paid, will make a total distribution for the year of 13 per cent.
Our Regular Features.
In the next issue of The Commercial Motor we hope that the contents of the journal will return to normality. . In the pressure of Show matter, many of the regular features have bad to be 'suspended. We devote a special section each week to the doings of the motor coach industry: it is a section which has been much appreciated because of the. guidance which it has afforded in motor Coach operation throughout a most difficult period. Special pages are devoted to the problems that beset owners of single vehicles and of fleets in maintenance and upkeep ; the advice given therein is valuable es snaking for reliability of running and economy in maintenance. There are regular contributions for hauliers from the pen of an expert who has made a life study of haulage and contracting methods, one phase of this work being displayed in the tables of operating costs and hauliers' charges appearing in thls issue. We are at the moment dealing in detail with the equipment of motor coaches with wireless sets for the reception of broadcast entertainments—the first article of the new series to appear next week. The opinions of readers on matters of moment are given publicity inpages devoted to their reception. The Commercial Motor aims to he of service to its readers, and that it has succeeded is proved by its constant ..growth in-circulation, which is by far the largest amongst all journals dealing with read transport Not Far from Olympia.
Those visitors to London in connection -with the Commercial vehicle Show at Olympia who are particularly interested in passenger vehicles should make a point of visiting the works of J. M. Roberts, Cathnor Motor Works, Cathnor Road, Shepherd's Bush, Lonclbn, W.12, which can be easily reached from the Show. Mr. Roberts has paid particular attention to the production of buses of the saloon and double-deck type and is able to give delivery of various models at, most attractive prices. Those who make a point of calling at the -works will note the thorough and workmanlike manner in which the overhauling and rebuilding of chassis are undertaken.
'A Show Offer.
In connection with the Show at Olympia the Tyre Service Co., Ltd., of 89-93, Little Albany Street, Regent's Park, London, N.W.1, make an offer which will probably interest many visitors. For a cash order for tyres to the value of 28 they will pay the return fares of purchasers within a 50-mile radius from London, an additional order for a like amount being required for every 50 miles beyond this distance.
The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., Seastoun, Glasgow; inform us that they have just received a large order for their .30-cwt. War Department subsidy model from the British War Office. Institute A.E. Matters.
At the last meeting of the Institution, of Automobile Engineers an interesting paper on " The Misuse of the Internalcombustion Engine " was read by Mr. L. Murphy. The point emphasized by the author was that every vehicle had to be fitted with an engine capable of taking it up a severe gradient and that the power was very much in excess of ercli nary running requirements on the level road. He appealed for a combined internal-combustion engine, dynamo and battery system to average up the speed and the power output.
Arrangements are being_ made by the Institution for joint meetings next session with other 'bodies, such as tho Rubber Research Association, when lee-tares will be given on the production r.nd treatment of rubber and the difficulties connected with the manufacture of tyres, whilst another lecture will be given on the production of fuel throughout its various stages. Offers of further papers are invited by tho council.
The Crompton medal for the session 1922-23 has been awarded to Mr. E. B. Wood for his paper on "Sleeve-valve Engines."
Bus Congestion at Lowestoft.
Lowestoft Watch Committee reports that a complaint has been received as to the congestion of traffic in Waveney Road, and the deputy: town clerk has been instructed to write to the owners of omnibuses using the stand in this road, calling their attention to the matter, and requiring them to observe the bylaw prescribing the time which each vehicle may occupy the stand, and to suggest to them that vehicles not proceeding immediately on service might conveniently park in Battery Green Road, between the Sailors' Bethel and Grove Road.
Medical Certificates for Drivers.
At the last meeting of the Barnsley Rural DistrictCouncil it was reported that the council had received a number of applications for the renewal of hackney carriage licences from the Barnsley and District Traction Co., the West Riding Co., and .several private bus owners Mr. A. Hague objected to the renewal of those licences unless the drivers pro
duced medical certificates. He thought they ought to undergo an annual medical examination. They granted these licences whether the men were capable or not.
The clerk (Mr. W. Robinson) pointed out that this precaution was hardly necessary in the case of the Barnsley and Wakefield companies, who had a high standard of their own which the drivers must come up to.
It was agreed that other licences should be granted subject to the production of a medical certificate.
New Powers for Wakefield.
Wakefield Corporation proposes to seek Parliamentary powers to enable it to impose tests On motor drivers ; to control traffic ; to regulate omnibus routes ; and to grant occasional licences for public vehicles to ply fur hire.
. More Reduced Bus Fare's.
The Ministry of Transport. has sanctioned a schedule of reduced busfares submitted by theBedwas and Machen Urban District Council. The council is to extend its services, and has received assent to an expenditure of 900. Nottingham Motor Haulage. Forming a, striking commentary upon the proposition which was advanced recently on behalf of the L. ii, and S. Railway Co. that road transport work uncle' the auspices of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce should be discontinued, operations are being maintained in connection with the motor haulage section of that body to the great advantage-of local manufacturers. In relation to the city's textile trades -particularly the services, and especially those to London, have. proved of inestimable value, not only by providing means of expeditions transport, but also for the rapid delivery of goods. More adequate utilization of the facilities presented is alone dependent upon the revival of prosperity in one of the chief local industries of lace production.
Meanwhile, in relation to haulage work it is satisfactory to know that the application ofthe motor haulage section of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce has been granted for affiliation with the National Road Transport Employers' Federation. It has been decided that the necessary affiliation fee shall beborne by each member of tbe section according to the number of vehicles which he possesses, and thus any charge upon the general funds of the. chamber will be avoided.
Examining Buses Every Three Months. A conference of local authorities held recently at Newport (Mon.) considered, amongst other questions, the running of buses in the Mining valleys, and recommended to the constituent councils the adoption of a rule whereby buees are to be examined once in three months by a competent council official. No renewal of licence to ply for hire will be granted to persons. whose-vehicles are found unsafe or do not come up to the standard of cleanliness laid down.
This recommendation has been generally adopted by the councils concerned.
The New Traffic Bill.
The Ministry of Transport informs the Wandsworth Borough Council that the question of preventing, so far as possible, the breaking up of newly repaired roads will he dealt with in the London Traffic Bill.