Opinions from Others.
Page 16
Page 17
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Trained Steam-Wagon Drivers Wanted.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1408] Sir,—May I, as an owner of steam wagons, add a word or two to those of your correspondent who signs himself "Steam " in the issue now before me ? [Letter 1406.—En.] The continuous search for competent drivers of these machines is a constant embarrassment to us owners. If manufacturers, and the C.M.U.A., do not take up this problem seriously, the steam-vehicle industry will in years to come be artificially limited.—
Yours faithfully, "A DmvximEss OwxER."
Tire Guarantees and Electric Vehicles.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1409] Sir,—As a result of the action recently decided upon by the " fling" of solid tire manufacturers, whereby it is resolved that in future all makes of tires will only be guaranteed for a service of 10,000 miles within a period of twelve months, I am authorized to state that Messrs. Edison Accumulators, Ltd., have decided to undertake full responsibility of guarantee of all tires sold by them with their electrically propelled vehicles. Therefore, in the future, all solid tires coming within this heading will be guaranteed for a service of 12,000 miles within a period of 15 months.
This decision is arrived at after the experience obtained from a large number of vehicles giving successful service, both here and in the U.S.A.
We appreciate that, the decision of the " Ring " removes one of the many talking points of the electric vehicle, insomuch that it has always been admitted by tire manufacturers with experience of electric vehicles that this vehicle, owing to its more even turning movement and lack of clutch and gear, gives a considerably increased mileage on tires in comparison with any other type of vehicle.
shall be obliged if you will give publicity to this matter, as it is one that will interest many intending users who may be now enterta,ining the installation r)f electric vehicles. Thanking you in anticipation.— Yours faithfully, EDISON ACCUMDLATORS, LTD.
"Jim,' an A.S.C., M.T., Cat.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1410] Sir —In your issue of 11th March last, page 36, under the heading of "Despatches from the Front," you published an account of a black cat which I have on my Leyland lorry.
I now have pleasure in enclosing a photograph of "pussy," who answers to the name of "Jim,' and has been through all the most important stages of the war oince the commencement.
The lorry, a Leyland, was originally owned by Messrs. John Grey, Ltd., Livingston and Cameron Mills, Burnley, and is still going as well as ever.
Previous to the war I drove Omnibus G1 on Service 40 for the L.G.O.C., and it seems almost uncanny to meet out here friends whom I have been in
the habit of passing on London Bridge or in Commercial Road. However, I do not think any of us look any the worse, or feel any the worse, for our novel experiences. With best wishes, and thanking you on behalf of my comrades and sell for the gifts which we have from time to time received through the Campaign Comforts Fund.—Yours faithfully, I Corps H.Q. Sup. Cot, B.E.F.
Frying Pans Wanted for A.S.C., M.T., at Avonmouth The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1411] Sir,—I beg to inform, you that mackintoshes are very acceptable at Avonmouth. Shirts and socks are also largely in demand to make up deficiencies in the case of men who have lost them or who for various other reasons are not in possession of them when they embark. Some blankets would be most acceptable, and if you possess any cooking utensils, e.g., frying pans, these would be gratefully received. Men are frequently embarked in a hurry and sent on as soon as landed, and there is at times no opportunity for issues from official sources.
Our scheme is in reality, on a small scale, supplementary to the C.C. Fund, and in nowise, of course, in opposition to it. We are able to make up deficiencies due to many and various causes, such deficiencies at times not being noticed until the men are at the point of embarkation.
If you can spare us some Comforts we shall very gratefully accept them. The best plan would be to forward direct to Officer in Charge, M.T. Depot, Avonmouth, who will acknowledge their receipt.— Yours faithfully,
T. W. HUTCHINSON, Hon. Sec., Reading M.T. Committee.
fWe are making arrangements to assist this committee's useful work from the stores of the C.C. Fund as opportunity occurs.—En.]
From British Columbia. For Russia or France ? The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1412] Sir,—In the last copy of your valuable paper to hand, I noticed that Russia had applied to Britain for men for transport drivers. Now, as the Canadian contingent does not appeal to me on account of the types of truck they are using, other than the White, and perhaps I might be six months before getting to the Front after enlisting, I wonder if it would be possible for me to get into the Russian transports from here, as they are shipping a considerable number of trucks from Seattle, which is five hours journey from here in U.S.A. Then they sail to Vladivostok.
Would I have a chance to get into the British Transport, if I came to England.. I may say I have been in the truck business for the past five years here, being amongst touring cars in Scotland and London before coming here. I have been mostly amongst the heavier types of Comrners, from fourton to seven-ton. I have also handled White and Peerless wagons and a great many American makes of ears. I was also demonstrator for the Commer people in Vancouver.
I have yet to see the Yankee that will beat the Commer. Some of them may have more power, such as the Peerless, but it is the cost of running a truck that counts, and that. is where the Commer shines. I read the "0.M." paper every week, especially the War Despatches, and I notice the conditions under which the trucks are working. But this Western Country is a rare one on trucks, and if the roads in Franca are any worse than here, the trucks cannot run.—Yours faithfully, Lulus BRENNER. Victoria, B.C. .
[We have advised application to the local Russian 'Consul as one alternative.—EDJ The Solid Tire Guarantee.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1413] Sir,—I thank you for publishing the note I sent on this subject, and I notice it is headed "communicated by the Hon. Sec. Solid Tire Committee of the S.M.M. and T."
I am afraid you are under some misapprehension, as the guarantee is the result of a mutual arrangement between the band tire manufacturers, and this has not been done under the auspices of the S.M.M. and T., which Society has nothing whatever to do with the matter.
There will, I think, be no harm in saying that the Solid Tire Committee of the S.M.M. and T. had in the early stages this guarantee under consideration, but later it became apparent that the Society was unable to authorize the issue of any such document in its name.
I am simply acting as secretary to an informal Solid Tire Committee, which, in view of the disability of the Society mentioned above, met for the purpose of arranging a guarantee which would remove the anomalies up to that time existing. I■shall be glad, therefore, if you will be good enough to make this correction in your next issue.—Yours faithfully, WALTER BOND.'
American Load Ratings for the British Market.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1414] Sir,—We read with considerable interest the article in THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR in regard to the. serious mistake that is being made by many American motorcar importers, by selling their cars as being fit for certain loads, when, as a matter of fact, in their own country they would not carry half the weight. We quite agree with your article in many points, but, as importers of American commercial vehicles, we would like to point out that, although the practice may be common, there are exceptions. We would refer v to a copy that we have sent to your publishing department for an advertisement in your next issue, in which you will see two photographs of the Shakespeare 35-40 cwt. lorry,. with an actual load, including driver, cab, and temporary body, of 47 cwt. stopped on a hill with a rise of 12 in 100, being a gradient of 1 in 84. Another illustration in the same advertisement sahows the same wagon, after having mounted the hill, starting on 1 in 84 from a standstill, turning round, and pulled up on its foot brake only at a descent of 1 in 9.
We are writing this letter firmly endorsing most of what you have said, and think, to legitimate traders, you are doing a good turn.—Yours faith fully, SHAKESPEARE MOTOR CO., LTD.