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.--Khaki or Munitions?By "The Extractor."
The Initial Concert.
Almost every member of the staff of this journal had his or her duties to perform in connection with the first concert of the Campaign Comforts Fund. I had no special part allotted to me, but I was fired with the general enthusiasm, and drove over to Letchworth late along milesof dank, dark roads, arriving just as the Editor's descriptive story anent the A.S.C., M.T., was to be delivered, To say that the gentleman in charge of the accompanying lantern and slides was in a state of anxiety mildly expresses it. He did not, for some reason; expect the light for his lantern to last five minutes—spare carbons, I believe, had gone astray, and those in the lamp were getting beautifully less. But the Editor, who was cognizant, I suppose, of all this, went on calmly and blandly, unminding the sword of Damocles suspended over him.
With the prospect of a dank, dark return journey, I did not hear all the concert, but the boisterous and hearty good humour of the Lacre audience showed that they were in the highest spirits, the humorous turns making them rock With laughter. They were in a bountiful mood, too. When I offered one of the charming ladies who sold programmes the published price of the same, which I happened to know. I was compared most unfavourably with the occupants of even the cheaper seats, and generally held up to public. scorn and obloquy, out of which morass there was hilt one way of escape. Anyhow, it was impossible to regret taking even an unassuming part in the first of this series of concerts in aid of the great Campaign Comforts Fund.
Tires and Trade Treatment.
A complaint is poured into my ears this week. An agent for commercial vehicles strongly indicts a tire firm without mentioning any name. It would appear that he ordered a certain make of tires for some lorries and received the usual trade discount. The destination of the lorries was not withheld ; they were for a tradesman who was not in a large way, and who was taking up motors for the first time. To the natural indignation of the agent, it was later discovered that the tire. manufacturers had calmly gone for business direct to the users, quoting the same trade discount as to the agent. I understand a small commission was allotted to the agent in alleviation, but no liability was to accrue from future transactions. The agent in this case expressed a strong opinion as to the integrity of this action. Now, the tire manufacturer has doubtless a full defence, and it would be interesting, without disclosing any names, to hear the other point of view.
A Word Tor the Women.
Women turn out two-and-a-half times as much work as the men." This startling statement, referring to munition work, was made to me by the chairman of a munitions committee of one of the most important towns of the Provinces. One wonders what particular munitions he had in mind. He was not in the motor business, but he gladly iccognized the help given so readily by motor factories. Referring to Lord Derby's campaign, he applauded his success, but he averred that they were mostly fetching out the wrong men ; he knows of many machine-tool makers, of all men wanted at the moment, who had been recently impressed. Thousands of engineers, obviously engaged on war work, had filled up their registration Papers with the statement that they did not know whether engaged on war work or not. Many of these men have been approached and secured, I am told. " S ame " Order The thrill of commercial joy on booking some big orders has not been denied me in an extended business career, but this recent case against the F.I.A.T. Company pales my "ineffectual fires." Mr. C. B. Wardman, a Yorkshireman by-the-by, of the Vulcan Car Agency, Ltd., received in October, 1914, an order from the :French Government for 300 lorries at £900 each. Daimlers were desired, but as these were very properly bespoken by the British Government, Mr. ardman approached the F.I.A.T. Company, and the deal was, according to him, sealed, signed and settled. How true it is that "there's many a slip twixt the cup and the lip," because here in this year of grace these two companies are at each other's throats, the one claiming commission, and Mr. Justice Rowlatt, having heard all the evidence, has given judgment in favour of the Vulcan Car Agency, Ltd., for 242,S00 and costs. Defendants mast bring £5000 into court to stay execution, pending appeal.
Belsize Bull-dogs.
Bull-dogs are so typical of the British character, inasmuch as they have the quality of being able to take breath whilst they still hold on, according to Winston Churchill (I was present when he made that speech, by-the-by). It is, therefore, interesting to know that one or more first prizes have been'awarded to Mr. J. Natal', secretary and director of the Belsize Co., at the Blackpool bull-dog show. I did not go over to Blackpool to see the exhibition iu question—I would personally scone' see bull-dogs on the other side of a fence ; but the news has percolated to me via a metropolitan channel which is unimpeachable—at any rate, so far as dogs are coneerned.
011a Podrida.
Mr. H. G. Burford left on Friday for a short trip to
the States, The U.S. truck, with a distinctive yellow body, will be found located in a new home in 'London shortly.* Judging by appearances, by the sound of his voice, and the ring of his laughter, Mr. Percy Frost-Smith, of Tilling-Stevens, Ltd., is quite all right again. — * Mr. Sanderson, who has long acted as sales manager at General Motors (Europe), Ltd., handling the Buick vehicles, is now in sole charge of the English house.
Mr. Davis, one of the headquarters staff of the Pierce-Arrow, is over in this country, and he tells me that the truck business on this side will henceforward be looked .after by Gaston, Williams and
Wigmore, Ltd.
Mr. John Yarwood has returned from the States, and may be expected to develop some new schemes shortly. It transpired that he popped across to San Francisco whilst in the States, just for a trip, seeing that he had the chance.
If you have not received the little booklet entitled "Running Instructions," issued by the C. A.V. 'people, by all means write for it. The intricacies of lighting and self-starting sets are made nearly as clear as day, and most everybody is gathering information on these subjects, so itS issue is most opportune.