WHEELS OF INDUSTRY,
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The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whateverpaints Oeising„ as a carriaqe is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—john Beattie (Jrozier, We wish specially to directthe attention ofaciur -readers to the editorial and contributed articles in this issue on tbe subject of motor transport and the need for a Transport Department.
Paris Municipal Lorries.
The 200 motor lorries ownedby the Paris Municipality-100 3i-ton F.1.A.T.s and 100 5-ton Pierce-Arrows—still meet with a considerable amount of criticism. The lorries themselves are admittedly satisfactory, but there is no doubt the city of Paris. has undertaken a difficult task in attempting to run such an important service under war conditions. It is contended by many that the lorries shotdd have been placed in the hands of a contractor, who would have been responsible for their maintenance and their running. The transport committee of the municipality was in favour of this plan, but had to abandon it because no acceptable offers were made.
-Great difficulty has been experienced in getting drivers. An appeal was made to the Army for a few of the older professional drivers out a the motor .service, but the military authorities refused to grant them. Atthe pseeent time about 100 of the lorries are in service, driven: by all kinds and conditions. of /Veil -e-and women. To anyone acquainted with Paris traffic conditions and familiar with the physical effort ' required to handle a heavy lorry, it appeers almost impossible that women shotdd -be undertaking such work. A number of them, however, have formed -pain, and have made them-selves responsible for the driving of the Pierces and theF.I.A.T.s. Men are generally available for loading and unloading.
According to the official report just presented to the members of the council, the purchase of these lorries WM a wise decision; for they are making possible the delivery of essential foodstuffs whioh otherwies could not have been got to their deitinations. Several municipal contractors -have been 'unable to fulfil their contracts owing to the lack of haulage tfacilities, and the municipality has either had to take over these cent-sects
CM or provide the necessary transportation. Numbers of private -firms, -too, have appealed to the city for assistance with their lorries.
Operating charges have been -fixed at 37e. 2d. per day fixed charge for the 5-ton lorries, and 33s. 3d. per day for the 3i-tonners, plus 1. id. per kilemette covereclefor the big lorries and 84c1. for the smaller vehicles. These prices are based on petrol at 3s. 3d. per gallon (watioh is the price outside the city of Paris at the present time), and are liable to adjustment according to variations in the cost of petrol. When transportation is undertaken for private firms the above prices will be increased by 15 per cent.
Agrimotors in France.
Plans are under way to work all abandoned and uncultivated lands in the St. Etienne district by agrimotors, to remedy the deficiency in manual labour,
says an Americanreport. Through lack of fertization the land has fallen into a very backward condition, and the crop yields are ind:ffeeent. Some time age a decree was issued authorizing the cultivation of all unused land by agrimotor, not only for the duration of war, but for some time afterwards. The Ministry of Agriculture has been given full authority to purchase both at home and abroad all the machinery and implements the situation demands, a credit of 30,000,000a francs being voted to carry out the scheme, Agrimotor purchasers will receive a subvention from the departmentale authorities equal to-one-third the purchase price, the idea being to stimulate individual and collective efforts to the maximum.
Pooling Motor Transport.
It will be zecalled that in a resent issue of TETE COMM ERCI AL MOTOR we described the official Miendons to organize the motor transport of the country to ensure the equitable and prompt distribution and delivery of coal, food and monitions. We learn that the schema is now well under way, there being 800 transport committees of the Ministry of Food available to organize local schemes of transport. Peeling of vehieleis is also in active progress, and by this arrangement pronounced economies in petrol consumption are being effected. It is stated that five food firms, by adopting this scheme, are saving 7000 gallons of petrol a month, while, in another instance, a single firm has cut down its petrol bill by 4000 gallons a month.
Speeding-up ih the U.S.A.
Vivid idea of the tremendous task laid upon the industry of America may be gathered from thefact that all increase of at least 50 per cent, in the pim perative efficiency of every producer is owing to the withdrawal of two to three million young men from the production line of America. Two millions of men, it is said, already have gone out of American industry—the strong, active young men of the country. Another million stand on the threshold of the training camps. And there may be more millions called to follow. These millions are withdrawn from the production lino of America. The total wealth produced in the U.S.A. during lot year was in the region -of fifty billion dollars. During America's first year of war twenty, billion dollars -of this wealth will be diverted to war purposes.
Maintaining Goodwill.
It is surprising to know that in the industry there are still people not aware that the Ministry of Munitions, in dealing with controlled establishments for the purpose of munitions levy, hiss made full allowance for advertising on a prewar leseis, being regarded as part-of tie legitimate establishment charges of the
concerns, although it is possible that cases may arise in contracts with the Ministry in which advertising charges-would have to be more or lees disregarded owing to the particular contract basis. Allsuch -rases are deelt with separately ea their merits.
Army Convoys for Freight.
The French Army motor service -is rtow making a practice of accepting priVately,owned freight for all motor lorries having to be sent from Lyons to the Paris district. Lyons, the third city in France, and roughly 300 miles south-east of the capital, is a very Important army . motor centre. It has bases which receive all the lbrries and light tractors .produced by such Italian firms as • Fiat, Lands, Seat, Spa and IsotitaFraschini, and also takes over the lorries from the Lyons factories, among them being Berliet, Rochet-Schneider, and Cottin-Desgouttes. Many of these lorries, particularly those for the aviation service, have to be sent to Paris before, going lathe Front. Originally they were loaded empty on the train, or sent up empty by stack Now they are very frequently formed into convoys and sent to Paris fully loaded. Notification is made through the local Press one or two weeks in advance of the .departure of a convoy and the 'Weight of goods which can he carried, also the date at which these goods must be delivered to the army base. The price charged is 30 centimes (3d.) per kilometric ton, with a 'limit of 141 cubic ft. for any one package, and a minimum load of hall ton for any one destination or consignee. Goods are accepted for three towns en route—Ohalon-sur-Sainm, Auxerre and Fontainebleau. Goods are-not delivered direct in Paris, but are deposited at 'the Army Aeromintical.Faetory; in the suburbs of the city, where -theconsignee's ronst, take
. delivery Of then'.
A somewhat similar system has been iii vogue for several months between Havre and Paris (120 miles), and St. Nasaire and Paris (250 miles), the vehicles used being American lorries landed
' at these ports. The army motor service is• -much appreciated by the public at, a time when all the railroad lines are con
gested. ,
Holding Up Electrics:
Ransorne, Sims and Jefferies, Ltd., contractors for the supply to SOuthendon-Sea Corporation of electric vehicles for dust collection, recently wrote to the authorities stating that it V: (mid , he necessary te increase -their quotation for the supply of these vehicles from £932 to £966 each. , In regard to this matter, the Town Clerk reported that application had been made to the L.G.B. for sanction to a loan of £4150 for the purchase of these vehicles. The Board has replied to the effect that they were unable to comply with the application as the Treasury did not consider the eiremnstances of the case sufficient to justify same at present. The Corporation is to ask the Hon. Rupert Guinness, M.P. for South-East Essex, to approach the Treasury in regard to the matter.
23,000 Miles on a Dixie.
In our issue date 13th December we published an illustratiOn of a Daimler lorry in milk-carrying service which had covered 23,000 miles. We are now informed that this lorry is fitted with a Dixie 40 magneto, which has given and is.still giving every satisfaction.
Those Bang-Boys Again!
It is to 'be feared that many catastrophes of a minor yet significant order are due to the Bang Boys from Rocheland. The last aerial assault upon London disturbed the equilibrium of Our artists and printers to such a degree as to pro yoke them to give one of our advertisers, to wit, Premier Policies, the wrong address. It should be-Broad Street House, London, E.G., instead of that given in our issue dated 20th December. Will readers please note?
Company Reports.
Tfie profit's of Halley's Industrial Motors, Ltd., for the year ending Sep tember last, to £40,290, from which £6069 has to be deducted for
depreciation.
The directors of Mauds,lay Motor Co., Ltd., in presenting the latest report, while still unable to give accounts for the years ended 31st August, 1916 and 1917, recommend the payment of three years' arrears of dividenddue on the 7 per cent cumulative preferred ordinary snares (less tax). Inability to supply the accounts for the Years named is stated to be due to 'the absence of a satisfactory settlement with the Inland Revenue authorities concerning the munitions levy -and excess profits ditty.
The National Steam Car Co., Ltd., in presentingithe report for'isie year ended 31st October last, declare a profit of £35,059, after providing for depreciation, etc. Of this sum, 213,931 have been placed to special renewal reserve, and £2968 representing the fbalanceof preliminary expenses of new issue written. off. Out of ,the balance, •a dividend of 6 per cent, is declared, absorbing £15,450, leaving, with the amount of £11,725brought forward, a. total of . £14,435 to be carried -fee-ward, but against which -there is the special taxation for the three years ended 31st Nth-. ber, 1917, the amount of which has not yet been determined.
The ,net profit of the Scottish Motor Tractionteo., Ltd., for the year ended 30th ,Septemlicr, after making 'provision fort...liability, under the Finance d ..other.;A,ets, and after allowinV for epreciation; and transferring £4000 ,-to reserve fund, •amounts to £8560, to which •itid i!balance from last year, £2142, making £10,702. The directors recommend a dividend for year at 71 per cent., free of, income tax, carrying forward to next year £3308. The passenger traffic has been well maintained during-the year, -but the expense of operat log has been heavy owing to the increased wages and cost of material, and also the cost of petrol. During recent months, however, .gas has been largely used for power purposes, but, details of saving effected tnereby are not available.
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U.S.A. Requisitioning. ,
The American Government has commandeered machinery much in the same :way as has been done here, although not
to the same extent. Six hundred machine tools, valued at over two million pounds sterling, have been taken from warehouses at various seaports, where they have been stored for. export, and these machines have been distributed to firms engaged on Government work.
A Motor Firm's Offering.
The town of Turin, the motor manufacturing centre of Italy, subscribed the sum of 7,000,000 liras in one day in aid of the refugees from the territory invaded by the Anstre-German forces. In addition to this, the workers at the F.I.A.T. factory voluntarily decided to eontribute one day's pay per month for a period of six months in order to relieve distress caused by the invasion.
Staff Co-operation.
A successful and enjoyable evening wag spent recently in London by the executive staff of the works of D. Napier and Son, Ltd. Seventy-five members in all sat. down to dinner under the.chairmanship of Mr. H. T. Vane, C.B.E., the genial managing director, Who was 'supported 'by Mr. W. H. White, Mr. Henry Cooke (fellow-directors), and Mr. E. Bruce Ball, the works manager. The evening was passedby all those present in a most agreeable manner. • -After the dinner itself, an excellent entertainment provided was appreciated to the full. . The prevailing note of the evening was the apparent complete and harmonious eooperation, which exiatd between the directors and their staff. The speeches of the executive showed not only sympathetic feeling, but a determination on the part of the whole of the staff to continue,. to proceed with the very important national Work which the• company has in hand with the utmost raPirlity.
Chekko Linings.
Owing to the heavy increase in the demand for Chekko brake and clutch: linings during the past year, Cresswell's. Ltd., have found it necessary to make a second extension of their Wellington Mills, Bradford, which they hope to bring into productive operation earle, in 'the New Year. This will enable them to fnlfil orders with the _promptitude they desire. It will be recalled that the outstanding claim advanced for Chekko by its makers is that it is made front 100 per cent, pure asbestos bonded with wire intoone solid body, irrespective of thickness, up to one inch. It is extremely firm and tenacious, while it contains nothing 'liable to destruction by frictional or other heat. During the current year, in addition to an augmented home trade, large shipments have been made to India, South Africa, and Aus
tralasia.. '
Caledons Going Strong. •
Brisk demand prevails for Caledon vehicles, and those firms who, engaged upon duties of national importance, secure fulfilment of. their orderi, must indeed be counted fcrrtunfite. Among,thest May be mentioned the Anglo-Scandinavian Box Co, Ltd., to whom has re curtly been delivered the Caledon shown in this'accompanying illustration, by W: Rinmarc'e:Cominercia.1 Motor Works, 1-5, Fitzalan Street, Kennington Road, London, S.E. 11, the London agents for the hnilders," the Scottish Commercial Cars, Ltd., of Glasgow.
2,000 Lorries a Day.
According to a statement recently issued by Mr. Henry Ford, the factories over which he presides eve able to produce 2000 of the one-ton trucks, which we described in a recent issue, daily. In the Course of a dew weeks it Will he possible to increase the output by. 50 per cent. to 3900 vehicles each 24 hours. Each lorry can carry eight men together -with eqnipment. The output of the Ford shops during the first month; therefore, will provide facilities for moving 480000 men by motor, and thereafter for an additional 720,000 men each month.
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. and the Pacific &kali-) Navigation Co.'s re. minder of ths.New Year season takes the form, on this occasion, of a red leather pocket case for Treasury Notes.
Recent Registrations.
Geeeral Engineering Co., Ltd., with a capita/ of £500 in £1 shares, to carry on tbsa business of electrical, mechanical, constkictional, sanitary, motor, aircraft, and munitions engineers and manufacturers, etc.
Garden City Rubber Co., Ltd., with a capital of £100 in £1 shares, to be manufacturers of and dealers in rubber products and substitutes, exploiters of processes for the utilization of waste or perished rubber, etc.Registered 'office is, at Works Road, Letchworth, Herts.
Northumbria Motors Ltd., with a capital of £25,000 in £1. shires, to carry on the business of mechanical, hydraulic, and general engineers and contractors, .mannficturers of dynamos, engines, rheostats and electrical apparatus, dealers in • motorcars, wagons' (steam, petrol, •gas or electric), etc.
Pyne, Hughinan and Co., Ltd., registered in -Calcutta, 1st :March; 1916-; to take over the businesibf_Pyne, Hug-hrean ind Co., and to 'carry on the_business of engineers, builders, contractors, iron,. founders, electrical engineers, ship, boat, carriage, and /tinter builders, etc. The British address' is at 329, High' Holborn, W.C.
. Nowell and Cox Engineering'Cor, Ltd., with a capital of £10,000 in _£1 -shares, to take over the business Carried on by the Parkside Motor 'Engineering • Co., Ltd.; .at.Sheen Lane, East Sheen, and'to carry on the business of motereab, car, and omnibus proprietors, motor en gin •
eers, manufacturers of and dealers in tools, lamps 'and accessories; etc.
Whiteman Manufacturing Co., Ltd., with a_ Capital of £7000 in 3000 Th per cent. cumulative -preferred and 3000 preferredcujlinary -shares of £1 each and 10,000 deferred shares Of a each; to be nianufi.6turers of and dealers in aero • planes, motor and '.-steam carriages and boats, agricultural implements, locomotiyes;:wheels„ tyrei and lamps, meehaiiicaL.Clectricaland general engineers., etc. Registered -officeat 15) Bateman Street; Kingsland, _Research Syndicate, with acapital of 2000, in £1 shares., to enter -• into anagreernent With Marie-FrancescoTorazzi---telatingto_ certain 'inventions,' and to carry on the' business of constructors of and dealers in ships and machinery, Wel makers, iron, brass and metal founders, manufacturers of reversing and reducing gear, engines; locomotives, tractors and other evipment, etc.
Douglas Motors, Ltd., with a capital of £400,000 in £1 shares (100,000 preference and 300,000 ordinary}, to take over the business carried on at Kingswood, near Er;stal, and at 39, Newman Street, Oxford Street, as "Douglas Brothers," and to carry on the business of mechanical engineers, and manufacturers of motorcycles, motorcars and motor vehicles Of all kinds, etc. The registered office is at Hanham Road, Kingswood, near Bristol.
London and Provincial Omnibus Owners' Association (Incorporated) (word " limited " omitted from title by licence of the Board of Trade), to take ovalall or part of the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated association known as the London Omnibus Owners' Federation, and of the Provincial Omni
bus Owners'. Association (Incorporated), to watch over arid. protect the general interests of owners of on-inflames in the United -Kingdom' etc.. The registered office is at 11, Old Jewry Chambers, London, E.G.
Local Proceedings.
Frame R.D.C. is considering the purchase of a steam motor wagon.
Bedwellty U.D.C. has decided to purchase a motor fire-engine for £1100.
Haddington C.C. is to purchase a. motor ambulance for the western dietrier.
Lambeth B.C. purposes to purchase two Ford motor delivery vans in connection with the establishment of a Municipal kitchen.
The Local Government. Board having withdrawn their prohibition; the Selby Urban Council has deoided to purchase a motor fire-engine. . .
Stoke-on-TrentGuardians have accepted a tender from Alley and Mactollan, Ltd., at' £960; for a. five-ton Sentinel steam wagon.
Municipal tramway authorities_ are urging that the Board of Trade committee appointed to deal with -tramways should also deal with the control of motor omnibuses.
A motor trailer for transporting wounded has been purchased with the proceeds of a sale of waste paper collection at Exeter and presented to the Red Cross for the use of local auxiliary war hospitals.
Companies Struck Off.
Notice is given that the names of the undermentioned companies have been struck off the register of joint Atock companies" and are dissolved :—Brighton and South Coast Motor Garages, Ltd. ; County 'Motor and Cycle Co., Ltd.; Middlesex Motor Carriage Co.,Ltd. ; Motor House, Ltd. ; Osterfiel
Motor Car Syndicate, Ltd. ; "Relyante" Motor Works, Ltd. ; Burmar Motor C.o., Ltd.' Car Equipment Co., Ltd. ; Coast to Coast Motor Touring and Garage Co., Ltd.; Evans-Doubleday.. Chassis, Ltd. ; Jones' Newport Garage, Ltd.'; London General Haulage Co., Ltd.; London Taxi Drivers' Mutual Supply Co., Ltd. ; Lyric Cycle and Motor Co.
Ltd. ; M. and W. Motor . Syndicate,
• Ltd. ; 'Motor Coaches, Ltd. Moterist's'. Co-operative Wholesale Society, .Ltd-. ; Reliance Motor 'Garage, Ltd.'; Seal Motor Co., Ltd.; West Yorkshire Motor and Garage Co., Ltd.