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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

29th July 1919, Page 4
29th July 1919
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads ores' which it runs,"—John Beattie Crozier,

Government Still Taking Lorries.

In the House of Commons recently, Major Nall asked. the .Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if delivery is still being taken of new motor chassis; and, if not, what was the last date on which a new chassis was delivered by the makers?

Mr. Kellaway : There are approximately 550 new motor chassis,rertaining to be delivered at the manufacturers' option, by the terms under which the contracts are being liquidated.

Major Nall : Is it not possible to put the vehicles in order and eon them direct to the public, instead of leaving them out in the open to go rusty before they are sold by auction?

Mr. Kellaway : That is not what is being done at all. These, chassis are being delivered because, under the terms of the liquidation, we thought we could do better by taking them.

Major Nall : Is the hon. gentleman aware that from factories in the Manchester district new chassis are being sent . south, dumped outside, and left -until. they are rusty, and then are offered for sale?

Mr. Kellaway : No, I am not aware of any such fact ; all the new chassis offered are being sold quite readily.

Road Improvement.

The grants which have been made for the reconstruction and improvement of our roads, inducting the advances already announced and those promised to highway authorities in connection with the programme o for the financial year 19191920, amount to £8,610,194. More than 25 per cent, of this .amount has been given or promised to highway authorities in the greater Landon area, and the balance has been apportiene.c1 to road authorities in the Home Counties who are responsible for areas both within and without the Metropolitan district.

;Transport in Scotland.

The report of the, Rural Transport (Scotland) Committee has just been issued. The committee, of which Sir T. Carlaw Martin was chairman, was appointed to consider and report upon (1) The rfiral areas in Scotland which were most in need of transport facilities for the promotion. of agriculture, forestry and other rural industries; (2) The means of improving communication in such areas, with special reference to new or improved roads, light and narrow-gauge railways and motor transport, inclading modification of existing steamer service.

The committee in their report take the broad view that there is a national duty to provide every community with reasonably convenient means of communication, and in considering what assistance is passible it would be too narrow a view to look merely for a direct pecuniary return on the capital expended. They press the view that the indirect return is important--that of increased productien and better diffusion of wealth. There is D28 in Scotland a well-defined field for the improvement of rural transport.

On the question of land transport statistics are given of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Scotland showing area in square miles, population, Miles of railway per 10,000 of population. Not only does Scotland stand all but last on the list, but the distribution of railways—the report states—is very unequal relatively to the area and also to the population though.to a much less degree.

Among measures of relief light railways are mentioned, and motor transport is also recommended. "Not only is a motor service for goods characterised by great flexibility, but also when roads are good, as , is usually the case of the Lowlands, and it many,of the dales and in 20111e of the straths, it is the natural pioneer of the railway. From this 'point of view moteltransport in these regions might be described as a . rudimentary form of branch line. It-develops traffie, and when a time arrives at which the increased volumo Of that traffic has become greater than can be handled economically by this method the railway extension follows naturally and necessarily. If motor traction be regarded as supplementary to tho railway system of the country the rates charged for that service should be uniform with railway rates."

The necessity for the improvement of the roads to bear motor traffic is brought under notice by the committee.

New Motor Insurance Company.

Guardian Eastern Insurance Co. Ltd., has been registered with a capital of £1,000,000 in. £1 shares to carry on all kinds of insurance, re-insurance and guarantee business in any part of the world, except (a) issuing bonds: or endowment certificates by which the company, in return for subscription a payable at periodical intervals of three months or less, contracts to pay the bondholder a sum at. a future date, and not being life assurance business, and (b) the business of guaranteeing the sufficiency or• repayment of any mortgage debentures or other security. for any loan; and particalarly to carry on fire, boiler, 'engine,• motorcar, accident, life, fidelity, marine, publicans' licence and other insurance and guarantee business with Special. reference to persons and property in, exports to and imports from, and all forms of trading with regard to Egypt, Palestine, Mesopotamia, -India, and other Eastern countries. £31,400 5 per cent. War Loan 1930-47 Bearer Bonds have been deposited . with the paymastergeneral of the Court in respect of life assurance, and a like amount in respect of employers' liability assurance, pursuant to the Assurance Companies Act, 1900. The number of directors is not to be. less than two nor more than seven ; the first directors are A. I. Belisha, T. G. C. Browne, S. J. Cohen, P. L. Gell, J.P., E. Hubbard, Sir Edward R. Henry Bt., Col. Sir Herbert N. Jesse!, Bart., N. Larki, and C. W. Reynolds. The registered, office is at 11, Lombard Street. E.C. 3.

To Provide Employment for Women. •

The prospectus of a company proposed to be incorporated under the title Transport and Produce, Ltd., with a capital Of £10,000 divided into 8,750 ordinary shares of £1 each and 2,500 founders shares of 10s. each, has been filed at Somerset House. The proposed directors are Miss N. A. K. Bird, H. E. Hewing, Miss E. A. Stout, J. H. Pattman and H. St. John Cooper, who is a director of the Thames Engineering and Aircraft Co., Ltd. One of the principal objects of the company is to provide employment for trained women who desire to continue to act as motor drivers and farni hands. The secretary (pro, tern.) is Mrs. E. Hodgson, and the registered office is at 27, King Street, E.C.2.

London Traffic

The Select Committee on London Traffic met in private, after hearing Lord. Cave, on July 22nd, to consider the draft report of the chairman (Mr. Kennedy Jones). Agreement was reached on the main principle of the report, viz. that

London should have a Board of viz,,

port of its own with executive powers over trains and omnibuses, the Underground, and the tubes. It will have jurisdiction over traffic in the whole of greater London and will be entirely free from control by the Transport Ministry.

Manchester Wants a Fire Engine.

The Watch Committee of the City of Manchesterare prepared to receive tenders for *the supply ,of a four-cylinder, petrol-driven, turbine motor fire-engine eafiable or delivering not, less than 400 gallons of water per minute at a pressure of 120 lb. Tenders with specifications must be delivered at the Chief Fire Ste'tion London Road, Martchesiter, on or before August 5th, addressed ." Chairman of the Fire Brigade Sub-Committee.

Date of Tractor Trials.

The date of the S.M.M.T. tractor trials at Lincoln is now fixed. They are to take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Sentember 24th to 26th. The Agribulturaf Machinery Exhibition, for which buildings in the centre of the ploughing area have been secured, is open from September 24th to the 27th, inclusive. Entries for the trials • now total 52 tractors, the Maskell (British), an Illinois (Asnerican) having been entered since our last reference to this event.

Rubberine, Ltd., inform us that as they have now completed all Government orders of jig and gauge work and general engineering, they are in a, position to execute promptly turning, shaping, jig and gauge and general repetition work, all inquiries to be addressed to Chief Engineer, Rubberine, Ltd., 3, Market Road, Caledonian Road, N.7.

Metropolitan Road Costs.

The average annual cost, including all. charges, of the maintenance of the roads and streets in the metropolitan •azea for the nine years 1906-19.14, is more than £160,090, or over 9 per cent. less than the tsarresponding cost or • he seven years 1899-1905.

This remarkable fact is brought to light in some statistics that have.been extracted by she Roads Improvement Association. For the seven years: ended 1905 the average annual cast was £1,532,766 and for the nine years ended March, 1914, it was. £1,665,379. After 1914, of coarse, no comparable figures are availahle. It is common knowledge that transport on the streets -has multiplied several times since 1905-1906, and as one has heard cries from many quarters of the " enormously increased cost of the roads " due to the growing self-propelled traffic, the figures quoted are particularly interesting

The chief factors contributing to this result are (a) the coming into use of an increasing number of modern reconstructed ,streets which provided stronger and better wearing stirface.. These aeronstrnetioas needed heavy capital outlay, but the cost was provided by loans spread over a lengthy period, and the years 1906-14 have, of course, borne their proportionate share, and (b) the substitution • of mechanicaUy-propelled traffic for a large proportion of horsedrawn vehicles which has reduced the cost of cleansing and scavenging and caused a minimum of wear and tear to modern surfaces.

It is thus demonstrated conclusively that modern road surfaces can successfully meet the demands of the rapidlyincreasing heavy commercial and general traffic at a cheaper rate than that at which the old type of road surface were able to carry the considerably lees mixed traffic Of 10 to 15 years ago.

F.I.A.T. Capital Increased.

The capital of the Fai.A.T. Co. has been increased from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 liras at a. special general meeting just held in Turin. This increase has been made by the creation of 500,000 shares of a nominal value of 200 liras each, to be offered in option to the present shareholders at par, at the xate of one new share for each share now held.

This increase in capital has been decided on in order to transform and moder

nize many of the present shops with a view to efficiency and economical output and the consequent lowering of chassis prices.

Other work to be carried out comprises an increase in electrical power for the rolling mills and steel works held by the F.I.A.T. Co. and producing exclusively for the F.I.A.T. motor factories. An increased capital is also required to enable the company to take up interests either in Italy or abroad in order to prepare the automobile markets for commercial expansion.

Manchester Waking Up,

The Manchester Corporation has appointed a special committee to topsider

the substitution of mechanical vehicles for horse traction in the -service of the city. This was upon the motion. of Alderman Johnston, an interview with whom lately appeared in The Commercial Motor. The facts then given formed the main points of his speech converting his colleagues to hi a views.

Personal Pars.

To anyone sufferingfrom war fatigue or general ennui, a chat with Mr. Harry Allen, production manager of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., is most refreshing, He has a wonderful fund of interesting anecdotes covering the period of his stay as manager of the Austin Works in Russia during the time of the last revolution. Ile was in MOSCOW when 3,000 people were killed in the streets in one day, and. he informed us that on this particular day he did not take his usual constitutional.

Ae manager of the works he had a particularly difficult time with his stallpractically the whole control was taken out of his hands and veeted in a committee of the workmen who merely sent their orders through him. On one occasion he refused to carry out a certain order ; his office was immediately invaded by the committee, the head man requesting him at the point of a. revolver to sign the order. Needless to say, Mr. • Allen wisely acquiesced. Incidentally, whilst he wan in Petrograd, he cattle across Mr. Peter Serek, of the Motor Radiator Manufacturing Co. Mr. Serok was at that time also running a factory in Russia, which be sold up on the eve of the revolution and departed hurriedly for the frontier. The revolution having broken out before he reached his goal, he was asked as to whether he carried any money. He replied in the negative, and was searched and relievedof eome., 100,000 roiablea which were contained in a leather waist belt. As more than this sum was hidden in his teat, which had been hung up during the search, he was quite satisfied to get out with this amount as he had previously hardly expected to escape with his life. Moreover, the frontier authorities returned 500 roubles out of the suns they took from him, this heirag the maximum arnannt which it was permissible to remove from the country. in Birmingham recently we had. a few minutes!' chat with Mr. McKnight, of Belize Motors, Ltd. Few people in the trade are unacquainted with this breezy gentleman from Birmingham with hislfund of dry humour, and who is never seen without a twinkle in Ids eye. He is, very busy just now on the mass production of the new Relsize 15 h.p. van. He has been with the Belize Co. for over 20 years and has handled every vehicle which has been through the works. Some people will, perhaps, remernber that he timed the cars in the original one-thousand-miles trial. We gathered from, him that he is not over keen on the present-day ideas of immediate quantity production. In his own words, " It ie. rather like a gambler staking his all on one threw of the dice, for if there is a weak spot in the design it may not show for some months, and this may mean that every vehicle of a large quantity incorporates -this mar. It is only by protracted tests that the suitability of a vehicle for a certain job can be guaranteed."

FortunatelySc' far as the Belsize Co. is concerned, -lista does not apply, for the new model is really a refinement of their pre-war 12 h.p. van.

Messrs. Stott and Seddon, of Ramsey Road Metal Works, W. Hendon Loneon, N.W.9, are now in a' position to undertake all classes of sheet metal and coppeasmithing work, for the aircraft, motor; and kindred trades. Oxy-acetylena welding plant is available,

Imports into France.

After a trial of exactly one month the French Government has abandoned its system of ad .valorem duties on all imported goods. It will be remembered that import restrictions were removed one Month ago and the old-import duties put into foree, plus a variable ad valorem duty. This has been swept away and the pre-war duties put into force, plus a Variable coefficient. For instance, Commercial motors can be imported into France on the 1914 tariff of 50 francs per 100 kilos. the ansourit of which must be realtipliea by the eoefficientiof .1.3. A lorry weighing the minimum of 2,500 would thus pay 1,625 francs duty, this being equivalent at the present rate of exchange to £54. Nothing has been changed with regard to touring cars, or at least to anymotor vehicle weighing less than 4 tons; all of. these pay an ad valorem duty of 70 per cept, • . .

In making this change the French offie dais point out that the principle of an additional ad valorem duty was satisfactory, but its application raised innumerable difficulties. It was necessary to determine accurately the value of goods delivered at the French ports; this was not always an easy matter and, as a conse

quence, numerous disputes arose between the shippers and the Customs officials. he new scheme has therefore been adopted on account of its simplicity. The maximum coefficient adopted is 3. In addition to admitting lorries, the new regulations make provision for most automobile parts. For instance, automobile axles, springs, cylinders, either air or water-cooled, and accumulators, can be D30

imported on the pre-war duties multiplied by 3. For complete' internal-combustion engines the co-efficient is 2.6; -aluminium parts 1.2; automobile bodies for lorries and omnibuses, 1.1 ; frame members and rims also 1.1; tyres, whether pneumatic or solids, must have their value multiplied by 1.3.

Motor vehicles weighing less than 4

tons appear to be the only article on which the French have maintained a 70 per cent, ad valorem. duty. Although no official announcement has been made on, this point, we believe that this almost prohibitive duty has been adhered to in order to bring pressure on America. The French are prepared at a very early date to lower their import duty to a -reasonable figure providing reciprocal treat-. merit is obtained. Some of the leading European meter countries have agreed to this, and developments may be expected very shortly. Unless America decides to abandon her present 45 per cent. duty, there is every probability that the French will maintain their 70 per cent: titi valorem duty against America for a long time.

Body-building in Manchester.

Messrs. Whitehead and Furness of Dukinfield, near Manchester, have taken ever • new works in which they will specialize on the repair and overhaul of— commercial vehicles. The business has been converted into a limited liability company. The old premises in. Cecil Street are to be retained•for body building, and a start will be made with 100 bodies for Ford one-ton vans. Other types of bodywork will be manufactured, and, wherever possible, standardized.

A Novel Road Locomotive.

We learn from The Daily Mirror of "rigid steerable road locomotive " which is "steered automatically in either direction by the engine or by hand power," and which "promises to revolutionize road transport."

We not only believe the last phrase, but believe, in addition, that it is under

estimated.' We confess to being somewhat puzzled over the meaning of "rigid steerable," but possibly this is one of the novel features of the new machine. We also have doubts as to the advisability ofproviding a, road locomotive with automatic steering. We can see the engine suffering from a terrible attack of "wind-up ': as a pedestrian leaven the kerb and suddenly darts in front of the vehicle. There will certainly be a rapid rise in third-party accident insurance rates when this fact becomes known. We are glad to note, however, that the vehicle will steer in either direction— those whiet steer to the left or to the right only are sc awkward to handle.

Huddersfield Items.

Messrs. Joseph Hanson and Son, the motor haulage contractors, of Longwood, have opened a branch in John William Street, Huddersfield. They have motor lorries running daily to all the principal towns in Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Allen, Knight and CO., Ltd., of Lir' ithwaits, have opened a new garage for .heavy vehicles at Bargate, Linthwaite. -Mr. J. A: Marshall, who was lately with W. and G. du Ores, lid., at Acton Vale, has been appointed manager.

Roads as War Memorials.

At an opportune moment there is ,sued -from the office of "The King's highway" a suggestive, pamphlet entitled " Roads of Remembrance as War Memorials." It is pointed out that the first Principle of such a memorial shoirld be that all can participate in any benefits which it confers, and, secondly, that it. shouldbe of a permanent character. Roads and bridges comply with both conditions. The present is a unique opportunity to remove the reprOach that British highways. lack dignity and adornment in comparison. with the roads of many Continental towns and districts.

Briefly, the objects Which it is hoped to obtain are :- (1) The transformation of suitable existing highways to the dignity of Roads of Remembrance, adorned with trees; and (2) The organization of the. building of highways of exceptional dignity and beauty, with open spaces at intervals, as special memorials of the Great War.

How are those things to be accomplished? There are two obvious methods —the one collective and the other individual. By the former a confraternity

of service must be brought together....---the Government to sanction and subsidize; the Road Board to advise; councils worlting shoulder to shoulder to construct and maintain; landowners goner, busly meeting the authorities half-way by selling what is required; or, it may be, generously giving wayside land, or offering to give memorial parks.

Individual road users may also lend a hand, as is well pointed out by Mr. Rees Jeffreys: They can make suggestions to the Government .authorities and the local bodies, and can start local movement's with the object of carrying out local schemes. For example :— A road requires to be widened. The widening might be rendered possible by public subscription and with the cooperation of the landowners, as a war memorial. The site of the improvement could he indicated by a memorial stone which would record that "This road for a distance of 200 yds, was widened by Public Subscription as a Memorial of the War of 1914-1919."

This is a memorial that would last for all time, and would keep ever fresh among sucgoeding generations who used the road the great efforts of the past four years.

In a useful 'appendix definite schemes are suggested for various parts of the country,

Fire Engines for Johannesburg.

The Municipal Council of Johannesburg placed an order for two petrol motor fire engines with the General Fire Appliances Co. (agents for Merryweather and Sons) in February 1915, at a cost of £1,416 each, delivery to be made by August 5th, 191.5.

The original tender of this firm contained a clairse protecting them in ease of delay in elivery on account of war conditions, but did not provide for increased cost of production. -It has been the councilis custom in the. past, however, to consider applications for increased cost of production on their 'merits, and. in .many cases silehlthave-rben granted. • The firm of Messrs. Merryweather and Sons has been under the control of the British Government during the war period, hence the engines could not be delivered. An offer has now been made by the General Fire Appliances Co. to

import the engines at a cast to the council of the actual landed cost, plus 5 per Cent. commission.

The council has agreed that the offer of the General. Fire Appliances Co. be accepted: .

Municipal Cartage.

Sydney Municipal Connell has asked committee to e'onsider the advisability of legality of initiating a system of n.tunicipal-cartage from the council's markets in order to chear.en the cost and increase the facilities for the distribution of food. Reports on the subject are to be obtained from the City Solicitor and the Comptroller.

A Commandeered Motor.

Willesden T.r.D.C. has had a letter from the War Office stating that it is not empowered to make a grant towards the cost of a, petrol wagon in 11eh of the one commandeered by the War Department from Leyland Motors, Ltd. The council has asked the engineer to make a claim to the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission in connection with the matter.

Local Proceedings.

Heston and Islewortb E.D.C. has purchased to Government, motor lorriea: Willesdentl.D.C, is purchasing an electric vehicle from Ransomes, Sims and Jeffreys, Ltd.

Pickering R.D.C. has decided to purchase a 5-ton Clayton and Shiuttlewortb steam wagon at a cost of 41,290.

Hackney T.C. is purchasing four electrically-propelled . motor vehicles to expedite4dust collection, which, it is estimated, will save la. 10d. per ton col

lectcd .

The Watch Committee of the Ipswich T.C. has received sanction from the L.G.B. for the borrowing of 41,500 for the purchase of a motor fireengine, the loan to be repaid within a, period not exceeding 10 years. An order has accordingly been placed for the engine with Dennis Bros., Ltd., of Guildford.

The following local authorities are to purchase dust N'aithl—Sout1-4gate T.C. 3 electric vehicles estimated Cost 45,000; Hove T.C., four Edison electric vehicles, estimated cost 41,300 each. Thc following authorities are to purchase other

motor vehicles :--Mitcham Council, motor fire engine tender, etc., estimated cost 41,100; Northallertim R.D.C.; tractor and two trucks for haulage. work; estimated cost 41,400; Luton T.C. two motor vehicles ; Hof mfirth C.D.C., steain wagon, estimated cost 41,177; .Berwick T.C., motor ambulance ; Clutton R.D,C., motor lorry, estimated cost 41,260; Bristol CorporaUo.h. four motor lorries, estimated cost 42,400; St. Pancras B.C. has under review a proposal to collect house refuse by motor vans.

A Leyland for the L.C.C.

At the London County Council on Tuesday the Firs. Brigade Committee reported that a new motor lorry is required for the London Fire Brigade service. Inquiry was made to ascertain whether a suitable lorry was available. The committee therefore obtained tenders for the supply of a new lorry and the following were received :—Dennis Bros., Ltd., £997 10s., delivery six weeks Leyland Motors (1914), Ltd., 41,000, delivery immediately ; TillingStevens, Ltd., 41,193 5s. deRvery five months. The tender of Leyland Motors, Ltd., has been accepted. .


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