Correspondence.
Page 18
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only, and type-xtoritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views expressed is accepted,
Cook's Resilient Wheels.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir If is very gratifying to us to read Of such satis factory results obtained with our wheels as your correspondent "Argyll " relates in your issue of the ioth of November. His opinions are supported by other users, and also by such a leading authority as Col. Crompton, who, after several tests and trials, has given his unqualified approval of the system. The only trouble that has arisen has been with the treads, but, with an improved method of fixing, this difficulty is now entirely overcome, and the fitting or replacing of our new tread can be easily and quickly performed by an unskilled individual and without removing the wheel.
We are prepared to make the necessary alteration for the improved method of fitting the treads, on any wheels that we have supplied, free of charge. I may say we guarantee a minimum of 12,000 miles with these ‘vheels.--Yours truly,
9, South Street, 0. Cook. Greenwich, S.E.
A Central Traffic Board for London.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :--I have read, with much interest, your references to Sir Herbert Jekyll's report on London traffic, and it appears to me that you have been able to give an admirable synopsis of what you term a precis of the bulky tomes which appeared in the year 5905. A very considerable amount of public money has been spent, and no inconsiderable amount is presumably still being spent, on Phis investigation, but we do not, unfortunately, appear to get any more forward in the matter of effective administration. It must be a great blow to all students of London traffic to observe the degree of ignorance which the Prime Minister displayed on the occasion of his reception of the recent deputation from the London County Council.
You, Sir, in your issue of last week, remarked upon the lack of unanimity which pervades the London County Council, and hinted at a measure of opposition from the Progressives. My own view is that both the Progressive Party in the London County Council and the Ministerial Party in the present House of Commons, have not the remotest intention of helping forward a measure for the establishment of a Central Traffic Board for London. It is, no doubt, not permissible to touch upon political questions in your journal, but I would that the late Government had remained in office long enough to give effect to the Bill which Sir Francis Hopwood, who wits then Permanent Secretary to the Board of Trade, announced to be in course of preparation during the month of November, 1905. Three years have slipped away, motorbus and other surface traffic has developed enormously, while the original state of chaos not only remains, but has admittedly been intensified. It goes without saying that the London County Council is not a fit body to act as the court of appeal in traffic matte. owing to its ownership of tramways, so nothing can done until we do SCT in office a Government which will gi pledges on the matter, and subsequently redeem them.
The object of this letter is to express the hope that evei body who has the smallest interest in utility motoring—a they are becoming more numerous each year—will ‘vhatever political influence they possess to obtain proud: from candidates for London constituencies.-1 am, S
yours faithfully, " LONDON DIRECTOR.'7 soth November, 1908.
Some Difficulties of the Manufacturer.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :• -As a manufacturer, myself, in a small way, althoui not of complete motor vehicles, I was interested to re the article entitled " Some Difficulties of the Man-ufacturei by your contributor who hides his identity under the nom plume " A Sympathiser."
The manufacturer, of course, has no monopoly of di cultics, but I feel that it is commendable that your contril: tor should have drawn attention to the tact that the sudd call for heavy petrol-driven commercial vehicles, whi should unhesitatingly perform prodigious feats of reliabili was, to say the least of it, embarrassing for many a mar facturer.
I, personally, was not badly bitten. Far from being su an Englishman, as he of whose " characteristic plod, your contributor vaunts, I have learnt that, within limits; is best to profit by other people's mistakes. I cannot ot scientiously say that I have ever actually invented a sink detail, but I have improved a great many which legitimat belong to other people. The other people have, more oft than not, lost money in their pioneer work. I am glad say that I have managed to make a little all the whi Someone must pioneer, but I don't like it as a hobby.
I am, indeed, as sorry for the manufacturer who has p; the price of his precipitancy, as is your contributor, but, corrigible rogue that I am, I glory in my own caution. this date, I would even venture on the design of a I. chassis.
Sorry as I am for the manufacturer and his difficulties cannot refrain from commenting that it is foolish to atten to manufacture anything without the putting forth of nu: effort to secure everything available in the way of such d: as hear on the design that is contemplated; it is foolish assume that the man who uses the production can give y no useful information which should be employed to mod your designs; and it is foolish to " rush in where ang fear to tread."
I will hide my identity under a nom de plume, or I sh be branded as a purloiner of other peoples' ideas.— Yot fa ithf ully,
Birmingham .
A Donc.ER 1)15.71(1-LT1Es