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
rrols...—John Beattie Crozier.
ROAD TRANSPORT CONFERENCE BANQUET.
The banquet of the National Road Transport Conference was held last Tuesday, the chairman being Major R. A. B. Smith, President of the The toast of the Mayor and Corporation of Southport was proposed by Mr. S. N. Horne, and that of the C.M.U.A. and Kindred Organizations by Mr. E. Clement Davies, KC., M.P. The latter said that of the 450,000 commercial vehicles on the road, more than 100,000 belonged to members of the C.M.U.A. He hoped that any. Government would consult transporters, then legislation would be on commonsense lines. He was afraid the railways desired a monopoly. Only the public could have this—the way to rnotiopoly is the way to nationalization.
Responding, Major R. A. B. Smith thanked Mr. Davies for his valuable support in the Commons. Motor legislation has emphasized the need for wider support by M.P.s if road transport is to receive due consideration. He pleaded for reduced motor taxation, and stressed the importance of improving roads, strengthening bridges and eliminating level crossings. Hundreds of bridges in key positions, its the North and Midlands, had been sCheduled as incapable of safely carrying 7, 8 or 10-ton vehicles. At the General Election candidates should be asked if they would support reduction of motor taxation, cessation of the diversion of taxes to other purposes than road improvement, the pressing forward of schemes for reconstructing bridges and the increase of the speed limit on heavy vehicles. Further legislation should be amendments of regulations to take advantage of the Improvements in vehicles.
In proposing "Our Guests." Mr. W. E. Macve referred to the invaluable work done by Mr. 13ackhouse. If the C.M.U.A. could assist its members to obtain licences easily and cheaply, it would continue to prosper. He visualized an amalgamation of road interests in the broadest sense, to include all, private and commercial.
Rootes' Commercial-vehicle Department Reconstituted.
By reason of general business expansion it has been decided to reconstitute the commercial-vehicle department of Rootes, Ltd.., which will control the wholesale, retail and fleet sales for Commer and Karrier vehicles, under the management of Mr. C. W. Breaclmore, whose staff will be augmented by Messrs. Miller and Lingard. Mr. P. G. Watson, hitherto in general charge, will, in future, concentrate on the private-car side of the wholesale sales department. .
As from the commencement of the contractual period for Commer-Karrier, i.e., August 1 last, arrangements were
lab
made for the factory sales departments to operate the counties' territory, previously controlled by Rootes, Ltd. The territory now controlled by the commercial-vehicle department comprises Greater London, the County of Middle sex and that part of Essex whist) adjoins Greater London on the eastern boundary. Kent remains under the joint control of Rootes, Ltd.. Maidstone, and the Canterbury Motor Co., Ltd. .
Taxation on Gross-weightBasis?
We understand that a consensus of opinion with regard to a system of taxation based upon gross weight instead of unladen weight has been reached among manufacturers and that the prospect of Parliamentary action to revise existing regulations on this subject is anticipated.
Big L.N.E.R. Orders for Road Motors.
Big developments are foreshadowed by the latest contracts recently placed by the London and North Eastern Railway Co. with concerns in the commercial-vehicle industry. Orders have been placed with the following:—
Sean:linen Lorries, Ltd., for 11 Trivan chassis with flat platform bodies, 27 3-ton mechanicalhorse tractors, 9 6-ton mechanical-horse tractors, 51 3-ton low-loading trailers, 5 6-Lon 1.5:iers, 2 3-ton timber carriers, 1 6-ton timber carrier and 80 sets of coupling gear; Cranes (Dereharrd, Ltd., for 82 trailers of various types; Vauxhall Motors, Ltd.. for 3 30.cyrt. Bedford lorries, 6 2-ton Bedford lorries, 2 3-ton Bedford lorries and 5 2-too Bedford sh,,rt. wheelbase chassis; Truck and Tractor Appliance Co. (Manchester), Ltd., for 5 3-ton trailers with platform bodies, 5 3-ton trailers (chassis), anti 5 sets of coupling and brake-control gear; Rootex, Ltd., for 6 Karrier Cob Junior 3-ton. tractors; Car Mart, Ltd., for 4 Austin 10-cat. parcels vans; John I. Thornycroft and Co. Ltd., for 3 30-cwt. lorries; ITnasins (York), Ltd., for 3 Ford 1-ton parcels vans; Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., for 2 Morris 30-cwt. parcels vane; Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd. for a 30-owt. lowloading vehicle; and Latil industrial Vehicles, Ltd., for a reconditioned Latil K.T.L. tractor.
THE FARCE OF THE H.G.V. DRIVING TESTS.
A farcical situation has arisen in connection with the regulations concerning heavy goods-vehicle drivers' licences. We deal editorially in this issue with the impending danger of a shortage of qualified drivers for heavy lorries, but an important operator informed a representative of The Commercial Motor, this week, of another vital aspect of the question.
He stated that it was impossible to test a driver on a heavy motorcar, because, directly the unlicensed man took control, the insurance policy be. came invalid. Therefore, he stated, the authorities in some areas were testing drivers on vehicles of slightly under 2iton -unladen weight and passing them as qualified to drive heavy motorcars.
It is obvious that if the tests are to be of any practical value—the necessity of them is, in any case, doubtful—some revision of the law will be necessary.
Soviet Honours L.P.T.B. Officials.
At a luncheon given, last week, at the Soviet Embassy by the Charge d'Affaires, Mr. Frank Pick, vicepresident of London Transport, Mr. A. R. Cooper, chief engineer, Mr. E. Evans and Mr. J. C. Martin, of the engineers' office, and Mr. E. T. Brook, of the London Underground group of railways, were presented with a special decoration of the Soviet in appreciation of their help in the construction of the Moscow Underground Railway.
Yorkshire Board and Permanent Settlement.
The Yorkshire Conciliation Board will meet at Leeds, next Tuesday, to consider a permanent settlement of wages and conditions for goods-transport workers. This will be the first time that the Board has met specifics ally to discuss this matter, and keen controversy is likely to arise. A breakdown in the negotiations of the Yorkshire Area Board has already been predicted in well-informed quarters. In such an event, the matter will immediately be referred to the National Appeals Committee.
A.R.O. South-Eastern Area Forms Its 14th Sub-area.
On Monday last the number of subareas in the south-eastern area of the Associated Road Operators was• increased to fourteen, when the Members of the Association in that part of Sussex met and formally set up the Chichester Sub-area. Mr. D. Richardson, the area chairman, presided, and was supported by the area secretary, Mr. P. S. Woodhouse. Mr. B. C. Floyd of Littlehampton, and Mr. Graham Penfold of Barnham, were unanimously elected chairman and hon. secretary,
respettively. ' • • ' The next meeting of the sub-area will take place at Barnham, on October 7, at 8 p.m.
S.A.R. CALL FOR TRACTORS.
The South African Railways and Harbours Administration is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in South Africa by November 4 next, for the supply of a 'limber of four-cy-lindered and six-cylindered petrol-engined
tractors. Alternative quotations are required for tractors propelled by. oil engines. Further details may be obtained by those concerns in a position to supply products of United Kingdom manufacture by communicating with the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, reference TY5302 being quoted.
19,000 Tons of Beet to . Railheads?
When the London and North-Eastern Railway Co. applied at York, last Friday, for short-term licences for 20 4-ton vehicles to be used for carrying sugar-beet during the campaign from October until the end of the year, Mr. Hodgson (for the applicant) said it was estimated that 19,000 tons of beet would be carted to railheads.
The application was granted, as was also that of the Artillery Transport Co., York, which sought licences for 14 vehicles for the haulage of beet during the same period.
I.A.E. Opening Meeting.
• The opening meeting of the session of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held at the Royal Society of Arts, John Street, London, W.C.2, on October 1, at 7.45 p.m., when the president for• 1935-36, Mr. A. J. Hancock, will be inducted and will deliver his presidential address.
Before the presidential address Miss Hazel Crompton will be presented with a painting of her father, Col. R. E. Crompton, C.B., F.R.S., the founderpresident of the Institution. The portrait was subscribed for by members to mark the 90th birthday of Col. Crompton.
A.R.O. Campaign in Lancashire.
With et view to preparing members and other hauliers for the issues Of a general election, and explaining the need for combining to secure justice for the industry, meetings have been arranged by the Associated Road Operators, next week, at Wigan and Preston. They will be addressed by Mr. J. Wyndham Gibbs, the new, superintendent organizer for the Manchester and Liverpool areas, The Wigan meeting will be held on Monday at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, commencing at 7.30 p.m., and the Preston meeting on Friday, at the Bull and Royal Hotel, also commencing at 7.30 p.m.
Road-accident Returns.
The following figures are extracted from the Ministry of Transport return of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended September 14, 1935, the figures in parentheses being those for the corresponding week in 1934. The number of persons who died as a result of accidents during previous weeks is included in the total. In England 127 (142) persons were killed and 4,347 (4,852) injured, whilst in Scotland 18 (14) were killed and 397 (487) injured. The figures for Wales show that 8 (3) persons were killed and 197 (216) injured.
Germany Wins Soviet Oil.engine Prize.
The Soviet Committee for Tractor Oil Engine Tests, which held a series of trials of tractor oil engines from July to November, 1934, has awarded the first prize to the Heinrich Kamper Motorenfabrik Gesellschaft, Berlin. The concern entered two four-cylindered engines developing 38 b.h.p. at 1,250 r.p.m. The trial comprised brake and fuel-consumption tests, as well as 500 hours' running in actual ploughing and other agricultural work.
Further Transport Education.
Classes in transport will be inaugurated at Huddersfield Technical College, on October 2, when an address will be given by Mr. H. C. Godsmark, manager of Huddersfield Corporation's tramways department. Alderman T. Canby will preside. Students will be prepared for the examinations of the Institute of Transport and for the diploma in transport instituted recently by the Royal Society of Arts. PERSONAL PARS.
Last Friday a presentation was made to Mr, Robt. Raffan, formerly of the Radio Bus Service, on the occasion of his retirement from business.
Three directors of Leyland agencies abroad have recently returned to their home countries after visiting the Leyland factories in England. Mr. Rutenberg, of the Consolidated Near East Co., Ltd., Haifa, has returned to Palestine, Mr. A. G. Pruden has sailed for Buenos Aires, and Mr. Forsyth, the agent in Cairo, has returned to Egypt.
Mr. A. H. Butterwick, of Leeds, chairman of the Yorkshire Conciliation Board, and chairman of the Yorkshire Area of the Associated Road Operators, was taken into a Leeds snursing home on Monday to undergo an operation. In his absence, Mr. Charles Holdsworth, of Halifax, is acting as chairman of the Board; Mr. L. Blackford, of Leeds, is presiding over the Yorkshire Area Committee of A.R.O.; and Mr. J. Simmons, of Rotherham, is deputizing as the Yorkshire goods-vehicle-operators' representative• on the National Council of A.R.O.
The chairmanship of Albion Motors, Ltd., rendered vacant by the recent death of Mr. N. 0. Fulton, has been filled by the election of Mr. George Pate, B.Sc., M.I.A.E., M.Inst.E.S., Scotland, M.I.I.S., managing director of the company.
Mr. Pate joined the Albion concern in September, 1910, when, as an assistant to Dr. Blackwood Murray, he was employed mainly on development and experimental work. 1n 1920 he became technical advisor to D. Napier and Son, Ltd., a few months later being appointed chief engineer, whilst, in the following year, he became a director,
In December, 1929, Mr. Pate rejoined Albion Motors, Ltd., as a director, becoming specially responsible for the design and development of a new range of vehicles. In 1930 he was appointed joint managing director and, three.years later, became sole managing director.
Mr. H. W. W. Baker, A.M.I.A.E. whose portrait is reproduced on thh page, is chief transport engineer tc Advance Laundries, Ltd., the transport organization of which is described else where in this issue. Mr. Baker's experi. ence of transport dates from 1906.
During the war, he earned the distinctions of Military Cross and Croix de Guerre. Later he returned to the old London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., with which he was associated before the war, and was afterwards appointed local engineer-manager to the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd. After completing certain pioneer work for the latter company, he acquired an interest in the Commonwealth Omnibus Co., Ltd., which was bought out by the London Public Omnibus Co., Mr. Baker then becoming divisional manager and engineer to the purchasing concern. He was latterly manager of the road-wagon and storage-tank department of the Steel Barrel Co., Ltd.
OFFICIAL LOG-BOOKS SUGGESTED.
That Licensing Authorities should issue for each vehicle official log-books with consecutively numbered forms is suggested by Mr. J. C. Francis, secretary of the United Road Transport Workers Association, as a precaution against the destruction of records of drivers' hours.
" This, my committee believes, is the only way in which the law that should ensure reasonable hours will be enforced," said Mr. Francis to a representative of The Commercial Motor. " The present system is obviously Open to wide abuse."
It is alleged that large numbers of hauliers, especially in the north-west, coerce employees into faking or destroying records, so that working beyond the permitted hours shall not be discovered.
" The allegations of the U.R.T.W.A.
are a direct attack on road hauliers in general," said Mr. S. Preece, the Commercial Motor Users Association organizer for Liverpool and Manchester, to our representative. " If this abuse has taken place, as asserted by the trade-union officials, the remedy is in their own hands and does not require more Government forms or further regulations. If these allegations be justified, I suggest to the trade unions that they produce the drivers before the Observance Committee of the North-West Area."
C.M.U.A. Developments at Whitchurch and Wrexham.
With the object of establishing a branch for the district, a meeting of the Commercial Motor Users Association is to be held on Monday next, at the Swan Hotel, Whitchurch, Shropshire, commencing at 7.30 p.m. The chairman will be Mr. John Jackson (Messrs. S. Jackson and Son, Wistaston). Other speakers will be Mr. W. E. Macve, chairman, North-Western Division, Mr. H. H. Lapsley, Manchester area secretary, and Mr. S.
E11,8 Preece, Manchester and Liverpool area organizer. Another open meeting will take place next Wednesday at the Wynnstay Hotel, High Street, Wrexham, at 7.30 p.m. The chairman is to be Mr. A. Lloyd (Messrs. F. A. Lloyd and Sons), and the speakers will be Col. Arthur Jerrett (C.M.U.A., Liverpool area) and Mr. Preece.
Police Accused of " Making" an Offence.
The contention that 24 men carried on a lorry constituted a load that might cause danger to persons in the road was unsuccessfully put forward in a prosecution at Bingley (Yorkshire) Police Court, last week. Summonses against the driver, and the owner, a building contractor, were dismissed.
A police-constable said that the men were standing in the vehicle, owing to there being insufficient room for them to be seated. There was no hand-rail of which the men could take hold. Had the driver had to swerve or brake violently, some of the men might have fallen into tile road.
Mr. H. Wall said that he was defending as a protest against the tyranny of the application of the regulations. There were some 3,000 offences which motorists might commit, and here was an attempt to make an extra one. The workmen had been riding in the firm's lorries for eight or 10 years, to the number sometimes of 30, and there had never been an accident.