The War Department Trials.
Page 1
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It is a matter for deep regret that only three tractors had reached Aldershot by g o'clock on the morning of Friday last, at which hour the official time for arrival expired. Our condolences are offered alike to the disappointed entrants, the competitors whose longing for a stiffer fight must remain unsatisfied, and the military officers whose desire to allow a longer interval between the announcement of the conditions and the holding of the competition was frustrated by the unusual limitations which attach to Government votes. Another three weeks would hve seen at least four more of the ii entries "at the post," but such a postponement would have earried the conclusion of the tests over into the next financial year, and the money would not then have been available. This difficulty certainly savours of " red tape," but it is none the less real : the prize-money and other disbursements have to be paid not later than the 31st instant.
‘Ve were able, in last week's issue, to include full details and maps of the routes, profiles for the hillclimbs, and plans with cross-sections for that portion of the Long Valley in which the manceuvring and roughcountry trials are to take place, as well as a fully-illustrated technical description of the Thornycroft heavy-oil machine (No. 4). To-day, our report proceeds to give information from the centre of the contest, and it includes particulars of the Broom and Wade paraffin tractor (No. to): next week, our pages will contain, infer (Ilia, corresponding references to the only representative of steam—the Stewart tractor (No. 3). Every competent and impartial visitor to the Mechanical Transport Committee's dept, where the tractors and their trailers are accommodated, endorses the view of this journal—to which full and clear expression was given six weeks ago —that the specification which applies to the present occasion is eminently one that fits many Colonial and Foreign
conditions. Independence at external supplies for a miniMUM of too miles; high clearance between the wheel
tracks; and ability to run across sandy or other yielding ground : thesethe outstanding features in the design required—are pre-eminently the qualities which are needed in the virgin or partly-developed areas of South Africa. Australia, Egypt, Persia, South America, China, and numerous other countries to which our "Tractor Special" of the 18th instant will be circulated.
We, too, must confess to a measure of disappointment at the smallness of the competitive total. The large number of readers who have evinced anticipatory interest in our issue of a fortnight hence shows us that the actual position of many would-lie purchasers abroad, who are their correspondents, is as correctly appreciated by them as by ourselves, and the fact that the peculiar merits of tractors have not previously been explained and set down, solely and exclusively, in any of our several " Colonial Specials," emphasises the necessity for that course to be • adopted. Ouerists, however, have no occasion to he ill doubt for one day : the promised " case for the tractor " will be made out, in relation to all normal opportunities for use in the United Kingdom and other developed countries, whilst the " War Department Trials Supplement " will be added to those copies which are posted elsewhere, in strict accordance with our earlier announcements. No petty considerations will prevent this journal's accepting the call, of the motor industry and the Country, to encourage the commercial demand for all classes of trac tors. The resources of the Military Authorities must thereby be widened, and their facilities for reasonable purchase improved.
The Commercial Motor Users'
Association and the R.A.C.
The gratifying announcement is made of the signing of a special affiliation agreement between the C.M.U.A.
and the Royal Automobile Club. This is as it should be, and it proclaims to the commercial motoring world a definite settlement of difficulties which at one time threa
tened to cause open rupture of relations. Supporters of "Tint COMMERCIAL MOTOR " will recollect the acrid disputes of too6, at a time when the Club on its side was supposed to seek to deny the Association any representation on the Trials Committee, and the Association on its side was prepared to conduct its own trials if necessary. The great trials of 5907 were, after all, most excellently organised by the Club Secretary, Mr. J. W. Orde, and the C.M.U.A. had very fair representation, both in respect of the Committee and the Judges. Careful negotiation has now smoothed away all differences, and the Association has formally recognised the Club as the -body to control motor competitions, a decision which,. after the Club expenditure and services, it would have been most ungraceful—had there been any desire to do so—to avoid. The C.M.U.A. is a useful and live body, and this latest agreement should go far to consolidate its position where hesitancy has previously existed. The report for tookt may be expected shortly,