NEWS of the WEEK
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COLLECTING EVIDENCE ON HOME-PRODUCED FUELS
'THE Committee which has been set 1 up by the Secretary for Mines to consider and teport on the best means for encouraging and developing the use of home-produced fuels in internalcombustion engines under war conditions, has already been in touch with a number of representative organizations and has received evidence from them. Before completing its report, the Committee wishes to be satisfied that all bodies or individuals who have views on this subject have had an opportunity of submitting them.'
Consideration will, therefore, be given to any further correspondence or evidence provided that it is forwarded not later than May 10 to the joint secretaries, Committee on Homeproduced Fuels for Internal-combustion Engines, Metropole Buildings, Northumberland Avenue, London, W .0 .2.
Payments for Civil Defence Hire THE situation in respect of payments 1 for civil defence hire of motor vehicles is still most unsatisfactory. In no case does it appear that any operator has received, even yet, more than the preliminary interim payments which were sanctioned some six months ago. Moreover, there are no signs that any payment is likely to be made. It seems that it is nobody's business to agree what the payments should be and, so long as that state of affairs persists, no one is likely to be paid.
The position is further aggravated by the fact that large numbers of small hauliers, in desperate need of money, and unable to await a final settlement on equitable terms, have accepted, either the interim payments as final or, in the case of military hire, which appears to be on all fours with civildefence hire, so far as payment is concerned; the meagre and inadequate offers which were made, some time ago, by army officers in charge of
camps. A precedent has, in this manner, been created, which is proving most difficult to overcome.
Mr. J. L. Kinder, assistant to the director of A.R.O., 120, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, is moving in the matter and is endeavouring to collect, from operators in the London area, concrete evidence concerning the treatment they have had in this affair, notably as to payments they have received (if any), period of hire, size and type of vehicle, and other relevant factors.
All operators in the London area, therefore, whether members of A.R.O. or not, should get into touch with Mr. Kinder at once, giving him the concrete evidence he needs. I UNAVOIDABLE WEIGHT INCREASES—NO CONCESSIONS
INCREASED weight of commercial vehicles, as a result of shortage of Materials, notably light alloys and softwoods, was • the subject of two questions addressed in Parliament last week by Sir Joseph Lamb to the Minister, of Transport and the ChancelIor of the Exchequer, respectively.
He asked the former that a vehicle which normally weighed unladen 50 cwt., but now exceeded that figure by the difference thus brought about, might be permitted to run at speeds up to 30 m.p.h. The reply was that the proposition seemed impracticable.
In the question to the latter, a corresponding dispensation was sought, namely, that the duty payable should not be increased where the class weight limit was just exceeded through the unavoidable use of heavier materials. Captain Crpokshank, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, stated in reply that the rate of duty must be determined by readily ascertainable facts, adding that the question of the extent to which a vehicle was heavier than it would have been, but for the unavailability of certain materials, was a matter of technical ' opinion which licensing authorities could not reasonably be called upon to decide..
NEW WAGES SUPPLEMENT
I N the next issue of this journal' we shall publish, as a Supplement, a completely revised and up-to-date edition of The Commercial Motor Wages Scales for Road Transport Employees. The first set was highly appreciated, and the new scales will he even more valuable, as they should be current for a Jong period.
Bristol Industries New Acquisition WE understand that J. Spurling, W Ltd., Bethnal Green, London, E.2, has. :been _acquired by Bristol Industries, Ltd.. The terms of sale provide for the -transfer of 15,000 6 per cent. £1 shares in the latter conipany to the directors and shareholders . of the former It will be recalled that J. Spurling, Ltd., has for years been in close co-operation with the Bristol concern, for which it has acted as London agent.
Metropolitan A.R.O. Discusses Wages and Rationing
DISCUSSION of problems arising from fuel rationing and wage increases has been prominent during the past week, especially in the
metropolitan area, in which three subarea meetings of A.R.O. have been held.
Lt.-Commander J. Havers, chairman of the Association, presided at each meeting, and it augurs well for the spirit of goodwill which prevails amongst members that, although he had to deal with two controversial and vexatious subjects, the discussions were free from signs of acrimony or ill-will.
The chairman was on safer ground when he turned to deal with the internal affairs of the Metropolitan Alea of the Association. He was able to report that it was in a stronger and more satisfactory state than ever before: the financial situation was excellent and many new members had joined since the outbreak of war. He told them—as some already knew from personal experience—that whenever cases of hardship arising as the result of petrol rationing were brought to the notice of the secretary they were taken up and satisfaction obtained.
C-licence Operators Do Rail Haulage
COMPLAINTS of the employment of 41...C-licence 'holders on haulage work for the railway companies in the Bradford district, when A and B operators' vehicles are available, were strongly voiced at last week's meeting of the
OTransport Section of the Bradford and District Chamber of Trade. It was stated that professional hauliers in the district were also suffering in other directions from competition by C-licence holders.
The railway companies were said to have begun employing C-licence operators on haulage work during the long period of snowy weather not long ago, when, owing to the had road conditions, hauliers had difficulty in meeting the transport requirements of their individual clients. No exception, it was stated, was taken to that procedure at the time, in view of the special circumstances then prevailing, but Dciw that A and B .operators' vehicles were available for railway work, it was felt to be unjust that the companies should continue to employ C-licensed vehicles.
When their attention was drawn to the matter, the railways took up the attitude that`they did not feel inclined to take work away from people who had helped them during a difficult period.
As it was felt that unfair advantage was being taken of the emergency provision whereby C-licence holders may operate for hire or reward, the meeting decided to make representations on the matter to the Transport Commissioner for the North-eastern Region.
It was also decided to take up a complaint that, in some cases, C-licence holders had been employed in carrying 'domestic " consignments of wool on Wool Control account, outside the hauliers' West Riding pool for the transport of wool on behalf of the Control. In the cases mentioned, it was explained, the textile firms using the wool had arranged the transport, although the transport costs were paid by the Control.
Minister to Attend Scottish C.M.U.A. Luncheon THE Minister of Transport has accepted the invitation of the Scottish C.M.U.A. to attend its annual luncheon in the North British Station Hotel, Edinburgh, on May 16. He will be accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Leonard Browett, K.C.B., C.B.E.
A.R.O. Banquet Success AS a result of the banquet and ball held at Grosvenor House, London, on February 19, by the Metropolitan Area, A.R.O., the organizers have been able to send 50 guineas to Admiral Taylor for the Merchant Navy Comforts Fund, and 50 guineas to Lieut.Colonel D. C. McLagan for the R.A.S.C. and R.A.O.C. Comforts Fund.
PERSONAL PARS MR. A. T. HOBBS, M.Inst.C.E., has resigned his appointment as secretary of the Diesel Engine Users Association.
MR. ARTHUR BROWN, HOW chief assistant, has been appointed deputy transport manager at Brighton by the corporation transport committee.
MR. HAROLD Etuorr has resigned his post with the Ministry of Transport, and has reverted to his previous position with Pickfords, i.e., as assistant to the general manager of that important company.
MR. E. S. SHRAPNELL-SMITH, C.B.E., for many years president of the C.M.U.A., and the first Editor of this journal, has, since the end of February, been giving his full-time voluntary services at the headquarters of the National Savings Committee as honorary organizer of poster. display. Help is being received by him from many. passenger and goods-vehicle
operators in the display of large and small posters at their premises and on their vehicles, Applications for supplies should be addressed to him at 20, Great Smith Street, London, S.W.I.
MR. FREDERICK ASKEW, formerly service managerto Loxham's Garages, Ltd., of Preston, has been appointed engineer in charge of the servicing of 700 motor vehicles used for A.R.P. purposes in Lancashire county area. His successor as service manager is Mr. Thomas Moore,
MR. H. BRYCE, of the Scottish Co.. operative Wholesale Society, Ltd., Leith, has been appointed chairman of the Edinburgh branch of the Industrial Transport Association, with Mk. G. W. ADAMSON, of Leven, as vicechairman, and. MR. A. S. CROSME, of the Craigmillar Creamery Co., Ltd., Edinburgh, as hon. secretary and treasurer.
New B.R.P. Member i-na latest organization to be elected I to associate membership of the British Road Federation is the National Tyre Distributors Association. The B.R.F. membership now comprises 54 national organizations.
BRADFORD PAYS MORE FOR HAULAGE
HAULIERS employed by Bradford 1 1Corporation have obtained an increase in rates. At a recent meeting of the transport section of the Bradford arid District Chamber of Trade, it was reported that following representations by a deputation from the section, corporation departments employing haulage contractors had increased the rate for 2-ton motor vehicles from 4s. to 4s. 8d. per hour, and for 30-cwt. vehicles from 3s. 9d. to 4s. 3d. per hour.
That the operators still feel dissatisfaction on certain points was indicated in the discussion on the new rates. It was pointed out that whilst hauliers working for one corporation department were employed by it for only 36 hours a week they now had to pay their drivers on the basis of the guaranteed 48-hour week, enforced under the Road Haulage Wages Order. It was suggested that, in such cases, the corporation should pay the haulier an addi
tional 3d. per hour or employ him for the full number of hours each week.
The deputation was asked again to approach the corporation, with the object of raising this point and pressing for a general rate of 4s. 9d. per hour for 2-tonners.
Highlands Hard Hit by the War
QUESTIONS concerning road. transport are dealt with in a memorandum, calling attention to the serious nature of the present and future effects of the war upon the Scottish Highlands, which has been sent to Mr. John Colville,' Secretary of State for Scotland. Reasonable road, rail and steamer services, and a drastic reduction of freights are urged, and it is suggested that extra allowances of petrol for holiday traffic should be per
mitted. • • The, completion of all roads and piers started or definitely contemplated before the war, in so far as labour is available, is also advocated. In other cases the Government should ensure maintenance of public roads which would have been included in the five years' programme.
Regarding tourist traffic it is suggested that there should be a restriction of the " protected area ", to the narrowest dimensions consistent with national interests.
Compact Mobile Canteen
I LLUSTRATED on this page is a
mobile canteen that has been srpplied to Lady Congleton, the Assistant County Organizer of the Hampshire Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence, by H. C. Nelson, Ltd., of Jerrnyn Street, London, S.W.1. The basis of the vehicle is a Ford standard 10-cwt. van. The body height has been increased and loading space carried over the driver's head. The rear of the body has been built in with a centre serving door and a top flap. The interior is fitted up' with storage cupboards and drawers, cooking stove, urns, washing sink, spirit tanks, water tank, shelving, etc. The outfit was designed and the work carried out by Sully, Blackford and Hawkey, Ltd., 588, Lea Bridge Road, London, E.10, the result being a most compact and serviceable canteen.
Carbonization Plant—Producerfuel Scope A LETTER from Mr. E. Shinwell, rtMember for Seaham, regarding the coal carbonization plant at Seaham, in which it is stated that the future of the plant depends upon whether a coke suitable for transport gas producers can be made, has been received by Seaham Urban District Council. Investigations in this connection are being made.
Mr. Shinwell, in the House of Commons, asked the Secretary for Mines if it were intended to use the plant, which was capable of producing oil and other by-products. Mr. Lloyd said the matter was under consideration. Mr. Shinwell has also urged upon the Committee of Low Temperature Carbonization the urgency of the matter. AIMING AT ASSOCIATION COLLABORATION ON RATES
THE Heavy Woollen' District Trans
1 port Association, which recently introduced a road-haulage rates schedule, details of which have appeared in our columns, has suggested to the Bradford Horse and Motor Owners' Association that there should be a joint meeting between the two 'bodies with a view, to collaboration in rates stabilization. • •
Mr. H. Pickard, of Dewsbury, chairman of the former, told a correspondent that the •Association alsO intended to make contact with hauliers' organizations in other Yorkshire districts, with the same object. It desired, he said, to obtain agreement on rates not only for inter-town traffic in the county, but also for longer-distance work.
Mr. Pickard said the rates schedule which his Association had introduced to cover traffic in the heavy woollen district, and between that area and surrounding West Riding cities and towns, was working quite satisfactorily.
The Association, the secretary of which is Mr. ,Milfred Crosland, Union Street, Dewsbury, would welcome inquiries from other districts on rates matters.
New Registrations Slide Badly
AFURTHER example of the way in which the war has affected the registration of new vehicles is to be obtained from the statistics for March, just released by the Ministry of Transport. The total for all motor vehicles in that month was 14,590, last year's registrations totalling 56,821.
Naturally, the biggest fall was in respect of private cars, but vehicles in the commercial-vehicle field also suffered. For, instance, the number of hackney vehicles registered in March last was 386, whereas, a year earlier, it was 1,110. In the case of goods vehicles, too, the drop was considerable, this year's total of 2,850 having to be set against 7,188 for March, 1939_ The biggest fall in the goods class was in respect of vehicles covered by the limits of 12 cwt. and 2f tons, the figures for March of each year being 1,925 and 5,454,. The one category that made a good showing was that for agricultural engines (5s. class), with 2,185 registrations, against 885 a yeast earlier.
LEEDS EXAMINES COAL-GAS POSSIBILITIES
T"Equestion of using compressed coal-gas as an alternative to liquid fuels for motor vehicles is being examined by the gas committee of Leeds Corporation. The chairman, Alderman A. R. 13retherick, has giyen the committee a good deal of information as to costs and research results, and the subject is to be further considered.
Alderman Bretherick told the committee that the cost of compressing equipment for charging gal cylinders on vehicles would be £11,000 for triplicated plant, with a gas output equivalent to 50 gallons of petrol per hour. The cost of vehicle conversion, he said, ranged from £100 to £160. One charge of gas would give most vehicles a range of 100 miles, and if the use of this form of propulsion grew sufficiently, then filling stations would he available at well within that range.
Conserving Metals
THE national demands for steel and other metals sometimes makes it difficult to obtain supplies for any other purposes. In this connection. Barimar, Ltd., 14-18, Lamb's Conduit Street, London, W.C.1, points out that the wide use of welding would result in an appreciable saving and render unnecessary many applications for supplies for new material.
Practically any broken or worn part can be restored to perfect cOndition by scientific treatment, and, if necessary, the wear-resisting qualities of the metal can be greatly improved.
Stoke Raises Rates
AT a meeting of Stoke-on-Trent Corporation general purposes committee the town clerk submitted a letter from A.R.O. accepting the offer of the corporation of an increase of 10 per cent. in haulage charges.
Call for Policy of Confidence
ADDRESSING, at Newton Abbot, the annual meeting of the Southwestern Area of the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers, Mr. T. Greenslade, of Exeter, emphasized the necessity of every member not only co-operating but observing the spirit of loyalty whiph was being shown by the men on service. He said there would no doubt be a tightening up of petrol supplies, and, speaking as a group organizer, he hoped they would do everything that was possible to avoid empty mileage and to prevent overlapping. If all the operators would maintain constant contact with one another and adopt a policy of confidence it would, he said, be to the mutual advantage of all concerned.
Tributes were'paid to the work of the retiring chairman, Mr. W. E. Plat ch ford . DUTY-FREE LICENCES FOR TRACK-LAYING TRACTORS
AT the end of the past year, further representations for the removal of duty on imported track-laying tractors were made to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Treasury by the National Farmers' Union.
The Treasury has replied to the effect that it is unable to remove the duty from these tractors, but has agreed that duty-free licences may be issued for such tractors used for agricultural purposes. From the farmer's point of view, this is equivalent to the removal of the duty.
L.C.C. Grants Fuel-storage Licences
AT a meeting of the London County Council, the public control com-, mittee reported that it had granted or renewed 1,047 licences, for periods not exceeding one year, for the storage of petroleum spirit or carbide of calcium, 64 of which permit the storage of 5,000 gallons and over of petroleum spirit. In all, 7,565 inspections have been made of licensed premises and 26 cautionary letters have been sent in respect of minor irregularities, whilst 89 fires at licensed and other premises have been investigated.
Scottish Road Hindrance Removed WITH the dismantling of the overW head railway bridge at Durnbreck, Kilsyth, drivers of heavy vehicles can now travel from Glasgow to Stirling with high loads without hindrance, this being the last obstacle of its kind on that highway. The low bridge once carried the colliery railway from the Neilston pits:to the Kelvin Valley railway. It was also a means for bringing material from the whinstone quarries in that area, but this traffic has now been motorized.
Reasonable Rates for Parcels Carriers
ASTRONG recommendation from e executive that members without standard conditions of carriage should forthwith adopt those formulated by the National Conference of Express Carriers was the main theme of a recent address at Leicester by Mr. C. S. Dunbar, R e d Arrow Deliveries, Ltd., chairman of the Conference.
Mr. Dunbar also dealt with certain rates which have been put out by the executive for the confidential guidance of members as to what would be reasonable rates under present conditions, and with many other topics of interest to parcels carriers. Considerable interest was displayed by the gathering, which not only included local members but others from Rushden, Wellingborough, Northampton, Nottingham and Derby. Mr. W. J. A. Peck was in the chair. GOVERNMENT'S TRANSPORT POLICY UNDER FIRE
ARESOLUTION criticizing the Government's transport policy was accepted by the Council of theLeeds Incorporated Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday last.
The resolution, which had been passed by the Road Transposrt Section of the Chamber, expressed the gravest concern at " the Government's tendency to strangle road transport and to further the carriage of goods by rail without regard to the interest of industry, particularly in view of the possibility of dislocation of rail transport as a result of enemy action."
In asking the Chamber to accept the Section's minutes, in which the resolution was included, Mr. A. H. Butterwick, A.M.Inst.T., chairman of the Section, said it would indeed be ironical if the road-haulage industry, as we know it to-day, born as a result of one war, was strangled as a result of another war.
Glasgow to Hold Battery-electric Show
REFERENCE was made in last week's issue to a proposed display and demonstration of electric vehicles in Glasgow, on the lines of those already held in Manchester and Cardiff. It is now learned that the Electric Vehicle Association of Great Britain, Ltd., will hold the display at the /premises of M'Neil Tractors, Ltd., 147, Bothwell Street, from May 14-16. Some half-dozen battery-vehicle manufacturers will probably be represented, together with a number of makers of batteries and charging equipment.
Send Postage With Inquiries
SOME time ago we published a note to the effect that the postage or stamped addressed envelopes should always be sent with inquiries. This is not being done in every case, although the inquirie.s themselves occupy a considerable time, and sometimes involve the payment by us of fees where they have to be submitted to consultants. We cannot, therefore, undertake to accept the additional expense incurred by postage, particularly now that this has been increased. Therefore, we cannot guarantee to send replies unless the above procedure be adopted.
A.R.O. Appointments in Yorkshire
THE new chairman of the Yorkshire Area of A.R.O. is a passengervehicle operator, Mr. Ernest Parish, managing director of Felix Motors, Ltd., Hatfield, near Doncaster. In accordance with the Area's practice of alternating the office between passenger and goods operators, he has been elected to succeed Mr. A. H. Butterwick, A.M.Inst.T., of Butterwick Transport, Ltd., Leeds. For the past three years Mr. Parish has served on A.R.O.'s National Council and National Passenger Sectional Board.
The Yorkshire Area's new vicechairman is Mr. R. E. Britton, of Jameson Garage, Hull. He also succeeds Mr. J. T. Rodwell, of Wombwell, as chairman of the Area's Haulage Sectional Board, of which Mr. E. W. Morris, of Leeds, is now vicechairanan.
Mr. J. J. Granter, ad Upton, near Pontefract, has been re-elected chairman of the Area's Passenger Sectional Board, of which Mr. Ernest Parish is vice-chairman, with Mr. T. HBurrows, J.P., of Wombwell, as deputy vice-chairman.
MOTOR MAKER FACES LOSS OF SKILLED WORKERS
PRESIDING at the annual meeting tat Albion Motors, Ltd., in Glasgow, last week, Mr. G. Pate, B.Sc., chairman and managing director, said that the company's trouble had been not to get Orders but to turn out chassis. Plans' for 1939 included a new light-vehicle range to be shown at Earls Court in November last, but in September these plans were upset, and in order to supply the type of chassis wanted by the Army the compa'ny had to suspend its projected programme.
Its resources were ,primarily at the disposal of the Ministty of Supply, but arrangements had been made to enable the company—in common with other manufacturers—to supply a small proportion of the home demand and all the export• business that could be tackled consistent with the company's duty to the Ministry, provided it could get the necessary supplies.
The company had also suffered severely during the year as a result of many of its skilled employees going to other works. It had lost 26 per cent. of its tool-room strength; skilled turners and inspectors had left in considerable numbers. .
„Heavy Fines for Fuel Adulteration
QN Friday of last week, Mr. L. J. H Allen, garage proprietor, of Sheptor Mallet, and the Mid-Somerset Motor and Garage Co. (of the same place) in which Mr. Allen holds all the shares, were charged at Shepton Mallet with having mixed vaporizing oil with motor spirit in certain pumps which were being used by the Army. It was stated that, as a result, Army training was hindered.
The presiding magistrate, Col. H. J. Spencer, imposed fines of £50 on Mr. Allen and on the company.
The previous day, at Glastonbury police court, Mr. Allen was fined £100 for a similar offence,
Officers Elected by A.R.O. Sub-area FOLLOWING the annual general meeting of the South Metropolitan Sub-area of A.R.O. the following officers were elected for the forthcoming year:—Committee, Messrs. T. A. McDovvall (chairman), T. Hess-stone tvice-chairman), J. B. Brown, H. J. Cane, J. B. Cartwright, T. E. S. Coleman, A. E. Drain; W. Golder, W. Grace, A. Holder, J. F. E. Pye, and S. W. Vinter (hon. secretary). Messrs. J. F. E. Pye and T. Hewstone were elected to be representatives to the Metropolitan Haulage Sectional Board, with Mr. A. E. Drain as deputy.
Map of Regional Transport Areas
AMOST useful map of the Regional Transport Areas under the Defence Emergency Organization has been published by Electrical Press, Ltd., 60, Kingsway, London, W.C.2, which also issues that valuable publication, Garcke's Motor Transport Year Book. The map is on a scale of about 23 miles to the inch, and shows the boundaries of the war-time Transport Areas. It also locates the Regional Commissioners' Headquarters and District Transport Offices, of which the addresses are inset. The map is issued at 2-I 6d„ including postage.