OPINIONS and QUERIES
Page 33
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WHY THE NEW FEDERATION WAS BROUGHT INTO • BEING SHALL be grateful if you•will allow me to reply to ▪ the two criticisms of Hauliers' -Mutual Federation, Ltd., which appeared in your issue dated February 19. As regards that by the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association, Ltd.,, first, as horse-cartage operators are professional carriers, they are eligible for mem bership of Hauliers' Mutual Federation. • , Secondly, it is not the Case that Haulier' Mutual Federation sprang from a disbelief in the efficiency of local associations; on the contrary, it is the firm conviction ofthe Federation that the majority of local associations is particularly efficient. It is the policy of the Federation to encourage and foster all local associations.
As the Liverpool Association is clearly labouring under a misunderstanding, this explanation may have the effect of bringing about a much-to-be-desired rapprochement.
Mr. Clark is unfortunate in his choice of the present negotiations between the S.J.C. and the Government as an example of the utility of the present so-called national associations. It is a plain fact that the Government imposed its present road-haulage scheme on the industry without consulting any of those associations. It is reasonable to' assume that the Ministry took that course because it did, and ,does, not regard any of them as representing the industry.
That, indeed, is the issue which has brought Hauliers' Mutual Federation into being, viz., 'that there is.no association existent which represents the industry as a whole. All the present efforts of this Federation are directed towards achieving that objective.
Seeing that no one can deny (a) that such representation of the industry is greatly to be desired, and (b) ,that none of the existing associations appears likely to achieve it, it behoves all those who really have the welfare of the industry at heart to co-operate With Hauliers' Mutual Federation, Ltd. There is nothing in such 'a course which is incompatible with the continued support of present organizations, which, subject to the limitation which I have indicated, are undoubtedly doing very good work on behalf of some of those engaged in pro.fessional haulage. I therefore appeal, in all that " Sincerity, Honesty and Good Faith" w*h is the motto of the Federation., to the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners' Association, Ltd., and to Mr. Clark, to help us, as we are willing to help them. • London, N.22. H. Scorr Ham, Secretary, Haulers' Mutual Federation, Ltd.
IN QUEST OF MORE COMFORT FOR DRIVERS
LHAVE been taking "The Commercial Motor" for a number of years and I have found especial interest in the subject of driving comfort for men engaged on longdistance Work. In your issue dated February 26, I noted that Mr. Pickles refers to his belief that a sunshine roof was at one time standardized on a popular commercial vehicle. I believe that he was thinking of the ArmstrongSaurer Samson eight-wheeler, which was equipped with a sunshine roof and a very comfortable cab for the driver, also the gear lever was easily located and large pedals were used, In addition the steering column was well raked, giving the driver extra comfort,'and the powerful brakes which are fitted to all the famous Satirers afford easy control.
Thornbury. K. BEARD.
HOW To DECIDE WHEN A TYRE IS WORN OUT •
THE letter of February 19, 'by Mr. A. A. Cressall: rightly calls attention to the fallacious propaganda which is being issued by the Ministdr of Supply with regard to worn-out tyres. Primarily, of course, its advertisements are issued with the object of ensuring ..-that worn-out tyres are banded over in a sound condition,. but, unfortunately, the misguided effort will more probably have the opposite effect.
Generally, speaking, the main theme is:—Tyres worn to the canvas are beyond remoulding. This is absolutely ridiculous. Many hundreds of thousandsof giant tyres worn through the first ply ,or two of " canvas" have been remoulded with absolute satisfaction.
I quite agree that it is better for all concerned if the tyre be removed just before the stage where the canvas begins to show, and no doubt the Ministry's doubtful statements are made with the idea of assuring this. But what actually happens is that the public is being educated to the belief that all tyres showing canvas are scrap. It is a case of "a little learning is a dangerous thing." The public basing its actions on the statements as they read, are likely to consign to the scrap heap all tyres showing canvas, in the belief that they are useless. I most fervently re-echo Mr. Cressall's statement:' I shudder, when I, thin,k of how many perfectly good oasings have been wasted through insufficient experience in sorting."
It may come as a surprise to many people to know that the following classes of tyre can be remoulded with absolute satisfaction:— (I) Eight-ply covers worn through breaker strips and first ply of Lords, (2) ten-ply covers 1.voin through breaker strips and first two plies of cords, (3) tyres scored against kerb, if not more than one 'ply' damaged, (4) tyres showing slight cork separation(on one side only) due to under-inflation (cords must not be broken), • (5) tyres with internal fractures (right through) up to 2 ins, in length, provided that these are . at least ins, from the bead.
Nine operators out of 10 would condemn any.tyre showing the above injuries, which goes to prove only that the 'user is not qualified to judge whether a -tyre be „fit for remoulding or not. am sorry indeed that I did not include these facts in my article on "Economical Mileage Limits."
There are only two points that must be observed: . (1) Take care of tyres and remove them, if possible, just before the canvas is due to appear. (2) Send all worn tyres to the Authorized Tyre Depot and let this do the sorting. Under no circumstances should an operator adjudteate as to whether a tyre be remouldable or not.
Just one more matter. Mr. Alan N. Perkins, ip his letter of February 12, has apparently misread my remarks about under-inflation causing great working heat which leads to a rise in pressure. The figures he takes are extreme 'and are not applicable. What I meant to say was that if a tyre be slightly under-inflated • (and more particularly if it be over-loaded as well) the working heat generated will cause an expansinn of air whichwill lead to slight over-inflation. This, however, is not a "natural cure" for under-inflation. It is a very destructive -process. L.V.B.
Birmingham, 18. •