A NEW ROAD TRANSPORT AID.
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Listing Fuel Supplies and Depots and an Arrangement to Look Into Complaints About the Quality of Coal.
"We believe that a great deal of harm has been done to the steam-wagon world through so many Unsuitable coals being offered for use. . ." —Mr. J. D. Mewton, a director of a well-known colliery.
AS many steam-lorry owners have lately indicated, no " investigated " list of steam-vehicle coals is at the moment obtainable, and occasionally unscrupulous persons do not hesitate to vend " black " coal at high prices. There has also been no means of knowing quality without actual trial or of" checking up" on unsatisfactory' serviee. Collaterally, too, trustworthy merchant have found themselves unable to bring good coals cheaply before users.
Very shortly, however, this state of affairs will be altered by the publication of "Fuel Supplies--and Suppliers," under which title investigations over nine months by the new Fuel Service Office of the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrewsbury, have been analysed and tabulated. The pages will contain :— • Sentinel laboratory reports on 25 Welsh and 3 Scottish " branded " coals, many of which have been marked "tested in bulk and found satisfactory."
A survey of coke and substitute fuels.
c38 Suppliers' remarks on distribution and addresses, telephone and telegraph particulars.
Statements on prices, smokelessness and the contract system.
A lengthy list of fuel depots. and night shelters.
After a preliminary hesitation, coal-trade co-operation was assured, the Sentinel publishers state. Nearly all suppliers submitted samples for analysis, whilst many had sufficient confidence to forward truck-loads for road and running shop tests. In the booklet there will be an important announcement concerning arrangeinents for inquiring into complaints of unsatisfactory service or of bad coals. Coal, from the road transport viewpoint, is already cheaper than petrol, and the company aim at making its quality as regular.
An effect of listing will undoubtedly be cheaper prices and a tightening up of the cleaning and screening conditions. Already suppliers who have seen proofs of the articles in the booklet have assured the publishers of their determination to help steam road transport. Good coals mean fewer boiler overhauls, better steaming and no smoke.
Members of the newly formed Steam Transport Association--the subscription for which has now been fixed at a guinea a vehicle up to 15—will automatically receive copies of this useful new publication.