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By "The Extractor."
King Demos.
Labour troubles .are very real just now and are likely to continue. One Midland motor works I was visiting had granted their men the 47-hour week, and the next request was for the use of a room so that the mensould discuss and settle how the working hours should be arranged. I was talking to one of the principals, and suggested that the men would probably object to them taking a day off shooting in the immediate future. "We shall have to clock in," was his reply.
Settled by Ballot.
In another case that of C. A. Vandervell's electrical works at Acton Vale, the works manager, Mr. George Steel, threw the onus on the employees. He suggested :they' should hold a ballot on the question of arranging the hours. The shop stewards, in conjunction with the management, supervized the voting, which resulted in the 7.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. scheme being selected by a very large majority.
Advisers on Publicity.
What was forecasted as a "Little Dinner" given by the Siviter Smith Service, of Birmingham to their Press friends recently, turned out to be a most pleasant informal evening. Mr. V. Siviter Smith had no announcements to make, no new policy to promulgate; he merely desired, as he said, "to make the better acquaintance of those with whom we had to work." The Siviter Smith publicity service is worked on aplan of its own. The firm seeks no commissions from newspapers ; it leaves advertisers VI place their contracts and pay their accounts direct. They do give excellent advice, however, to the manufacturer, or concessionnaire, and they look to be treated as one would treat a solicitor. They do not handle competing lines, unless by the consent. of both parties. Mr. •Edward H. Reeves and Mr. H. C. Longley are the chief consultants in connection with the motor trade.
"Time is Money."
• In addition -to those already acknowledged, I have received most tasteful calendars from the following:— Anglo-Mexican Petroleum Co., Ltd.. John.I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd., Tilling-Stevens, Ltd., E. G. Wrigley and Co., Ltd. and a handsorne..engagement diary arranged for refills -from Gaston, Williamsiand Wigmere, Ltd. This latter is appropriately inscribed, "To choose Time is to save Time."
An Expansion.
The word " automotive " reaches us from the U.S.A., and it is most comprehensive, embracing as it does the use of the internal-combustion engine in all its forms. A sign of the times is that the Institute of British Carriage Manufacturers, at their annual meeting last week, showed a desire to amend their title. and Mr. W. J. McCormack, of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., proposed that in future it should read thus : The Institute of British Carriage and Automotive Industries. It has an unfamiliar sound, but it expresses more than automobile," which was favoured by some, and it may save this Institute from further extending its title at some future date. There is the objection, however, rbhat it may cover too large a field. The use of the word "Manufacturers," instead of "Industries," would probably meet the case.
046 "Rich Mixture."
The above name is the title of a sort of Printer's Pie emanating from the staff of the Home Mechanical Transport Depot, R.A.S.C., as a souvenir number, and a very uplifting, lively volume it is. It is chock full of good things, starts with a coloured frontispiece by John Hassall, has_caricatures of the officers. with snappy descriptive tags to each, which excite one's envy and admiration, full-page illustrations, both grave and gay, good-humoured gibes at Army methods, and a few valuable contributions from outside sources. I extract a set of verses which will appeal to a large section of our readers.
The Lorry Driver.
Starting up the engine, cold and fog and rain— Coughing from the silencer--stillness once again— Turning on the petrol—cursing at the man" Crank the blinking thing once more ! D—n! D—n 11 D—n!!!
Starting up the engine—cold and fog and sweat— Priming up the test cock—nothing yet to eat— Job to start at 6 o'clock—pistons seem to jamb" Crank the blinking thing once more!
D [ D—nll fl—n!!!"
Starting up the engine—" Lord, who made this bus ? Must ha' been a mission'ry learning how to cuss ! Get some lubricating oil, don't stand like a lamb I Crank the blinkinglithing once more !
D--11! D—n11 D—n!!!"
Starting up the engine, A.S.C., M.T.
"Wish to Gawd I'd never left A.S.C., Gingering up an 'orse or two, child's play, can-can, "Crank the blinking thing once more !
D—n! D—n !! D—n !!!"
Starting up the engine, "Have you switched 'er on?" "Sorry, Bill, I clean forgot, now it's all quite bon," "Call yourself a motorite 7 How I loves yer, Sam! Crank the blinking thing once more ! , fl—n! fl—n!! D—n !I !
Starting up the engine—" Now she's off at last, Got no chance of breakfast—' Detail' time is past.
Jump up straight and let's be off—this ain't no blooming pram, Prank the blinking thing once more !
D--n! D—n!! D-111112' P.S.P., Capt. H.M.T.D.
An Opinion on Lighting.
The valued opinion of Mr. D. Elyard Brown (Technical Expert of C. A. Vandervell and Co., Ltd.), on the subject of the light necessary for safe driving at night, is in favour of thatgiven by a, pair of 32 e.p. bulbs in 9-in. or 10-in. reflectors. "Side lamps should be on the front wings,',' he says. "They should be of streamline form with bull's-eye, so that those meeting the light will not be long on the direct beam, and not at all when actually passing," Mr. Brown very properly objects to the village constable being the judge as to the " length of beam" allowed by the' powers that be, and he desires that users and "makers of light," as he puts it, shoukl get together and find some means of impressing the authorities.