WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
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by all difficulties o, transport af whatever pointsnrising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Guy Motors, Ltd., to Receive £20,000 in India Case.
It will be remembered that Guy Motors, Ltd., recently brought an action against the Secretary of State for India, claiming a large sum of money in connection with a contract for special vehicles, alterations and delays in the construction of which had resulted in heavy financial loss.
The Attorney-General, acting for the Secretary of State for India, said that there WEIS no doubt that as a result of the contract a remarkable engineering achievement had been attained, and it seemed to him a pity that the whole
• business should end in a lawsuit. In these circumstances, he had suggested that an offer should be made, because it was realized that, perhaps, the contract had been unfortunate for the maker, although the article turned out had been really successful in its achievement ; he therefore proposed to pay £20,000 in compensation, each party paying costs.
Sir John Simon, acting for Guy Motors, Ltd., said that there was little to add. His client had felt that the actual carrying out of the contract had proved more burdensome than had been calculated, and he had taken the responsibility of telling Mr. Guy that the offer was one which he would he well advised to accept. This would leave this important and progressive company in pleasant relations with the authorities.
An International Cleansing Conference,
The Institute of Public Cleansing has just issued particulars of the first International Conference on Public Cleansing, to be held at the Guildhall, London, from July 27th-31st next. Papers On important aspects of public cleansing will be contributed by leading British and Continental experts, and a demonstration of public-cleansing vehicles and equipment will be organized at Olympia, in which prominent European manufacturers will take part.
"Safety Week" Congress at Leeds.
Every year the importance of "Safety Week," organized by the National "Safety First" Association, increases, and the greater attention which is given to this vital subject of safety first, the smaller will be the number of accident risks.
This year, "Safety First" week will be marked by the Association's Annual Congress at Leeds between May 13th and 15th. There will be a civic welcome to the delegates by the Lord Mayor of Leeds on the afternoon of May 13th, whilst the annual general meeting of the Association will be held on that morning, preceding the opening of the Congress. Lord Brentford, the president, will preside at a dinner in the evening.
There will be many important and interesting lectures, including those on the following subjects :—" The Principal Safety Provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930," and "Equipment and Use of Mobile Police Patrols," by Mr. F. G. Bristow, MIS., M.Inst.T. ; "Mechanical Direction Indicators for Motor B20
Vehicles" and "Brake Efficiency," by Mr. G. W. Watson, M.I.Mech.E., M.I.A.E.
M.R.S. Wins Costs Against the Police.
M.R.S., Ltd., was recently the defendant in a case in which one of its employees was summoned for driving a lorry carrying a load exceeding 8 ft. in width and not having four persons in attendance.
The police asked leave to withdraw the case, stating that after the serving of the summons, M.R.S.. Ltd., had corresponded with the clerk, with the result that information had been requested from the Ministry of Transport, and the Deputy-Chief Constable had then decided to withdraw tho case. Similar cases had previously been withdrawn in Lancashire, Cheshire and Buckinghamshire. The counsel for the defence asked for reasonable costs. The police opposed the application, but the Bench allowed the withdrawal of the case and awarded 110 10s. costs against the police.
C.M.U.A. Meeting Regarding Coach Licences.
Mr. F. G. Bristow, general secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association, 50, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1, is endeavouring to arrange a special meeting of the motor-coach committee of that Association to consider the action to be taken -as a result of the wholesale objections by the railway companies to the applications for road-service licences that have been made to the various Area Traffic Commissioners.
Meetings of the Long Distance Road Haulage Association, Some very successful meetings have been held recently by the Long Distance Road Haulage Association; that which took place in Sheffield on Friday, April 24th, was attended by the principal firms of motor haulage contractors in the district. The chair was taken by Mr. Grocock, of Sheffield, and addresses were given by Messrs. E. C. Marston, L. W. Gupwell, and E. B. Hutchinson, who impressed upon the meeting the necessity of haulage undertakings getting together, both locally and nationally, if their position is to be adequately represented to the Government in connection with taxation, and if more friendly relationships are to be established in the industry.
The discussion which followed enabled the full scope of the movement to be understood, and it was resolved unanimously that a branch of the Long Distance Road Haulage Association should be formed at once for Sheffield and district.
Another meeting was held at Tunstall on the following day. Mr. Donaldson Wright gave a review of the objects and aims of the Association, mention being made of the good work being performed by Mr. Gupwell, who was thereupon called to give an outline of the initial movements which have been made.
Questions were asked by many of those present, and a resolution was then passed voting approval of the objects of the Association ; 17 new members joined.
Personal Pars.
Two 'well-known South Wales bus proprietors have been appointed chairmen, for 1931-32, of the urban councils of which they are members. They are Mr. J. M. Bacus, of Burry Port (Carm.) Urban District Ceuncil, whose buses cover routes in Carmarthenshire, and Mr. J. R. Adams, of the New Quay (Cards.) authority. Mr. Adams operates services in Pembrokeshire and Cardiganshire.
We publish on this page a portrait of Mr. William Samuel Birch, chairman of Birch Brothers, Ltd., the well-known concern with bodybuilding,bus-operating and mail-contracting interests, who, in his 92nd year, is still attending business four mornings a week. In 1832 his father started in business as a London cab proprietor, 14 years laten „succumbing to injuries which resulted-from schooling a young horst. His wife continued to operate the fleet of cabs and when shoaugmented that business by starting to run two buses in May, 1851. Mr. W. S. Birch (who was then only 12 years of age) %left school in order to assist her and his elder brother.
After his mother's death in 1874 Mr. W. S. Birch and his elder brother continued the business in partnership. Subsequently, this partnership was dissolved, but in 1899 they combined to form Birch Brothers, Ltd.
Large associations of bus proprietors were in existence in London before the advent of the London General Omnibus Co.; Ltd., in the middle of last century. The largest and most successful of these was the Atlas and Waterloo Omnibus Association, of which Mr. W. S. Birch was, in.1890, elected chairman, an honorary position which he filled for 18 years.
In the early years .of this :.century Mr. Birch, in his capacity of managing director, was fully responsible for the company's niotorbus bodybuilding, as well as for the operation of a bus service between North Finchley and Oxford Circus, in addition to horse-bus services and' mail-van.contracts for the G.P.O.
It is only within the past three years that he has witnessed the passing of the horse from the company's employment, but he readily acknowledges the changes wrought by the march of progress and appreciates the fact that his son. Mr. W. H. Birch, M.Inst.T., and his grandson. Mr. It. W. Birch, A.M.I.Mech.E., are fully alive to. the exigencies of the times.
Designer Wanted for Sweden.
An engineer designer with a very complete knowledge of goods and passenger chassis is offered a good position in
Sweden. Preference will be given to a man who understands Swedish. • Applications marked "Swedish Designer," care of the Editor of this journal, will be forwarded.
Designation of Bedford Models.
In future the 12-cwt. light-delivery model I produced by General Motors. Ltd., Edgware Road, The Hyde, London, N.W.9, is to be known as the Chevrolet-Bedford, the same name applying to the 30-cwt. model. The recently introduced 2-tonners, both short and long-wheelbase types, will be known as the Bedford.
The Petroleum Bill.
Mr. G. D. Hardie has again introdneed his Petroleum Bill to provide for the enforcement of Regulations under Section 10 'of the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, •by officers of local authorities empowered to grant Petroleum-spirit licences under the Act. He contends that it is not too much to ask that with the ever-increasing use of the dangerous element of petrol, especially where human life is concerned, power should be given to the local authorities to make sure that wherever petrol is stored they might be able at all times to see to the safety of property and human life. The Scottish Labour Member Group agreed to approach the Prime Minister to urge that facilities should be given for advancing the Bill.
A " C.M." Idea Before the L.C.C.
Mr. Bosson and Lt.-CoI. Sir Cecil Levita have tabled a resolution urging that the improvements committee of the London County Council should consider the possibility of covering over railway tracks with a view to providing further highways. It will be remembered that The Commercial Motor put forward a scheme on these lines in the issue dated March 5th, 1929.
Tractors and Trailers Wanted.
His Majesty's Consul at Casablanca reports that the Manutention Marocaine is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in Casablanca by May 10th, for the supply of two motor tractors, 18 6-ton trailers and a 10-ton trailer, all for road use. British makers can obtain further information from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1. reference number G X.10350 being quoted.
A Horticultural Power Demonstration.
A demonstration of horticultural power appliances (one of a series organized by the Ministry of Agriculture) was recently held at the farms of Messrs. Seabrooks, near Chelmsford. The ordinary type of agrimotor demonstrated its remarkable adaptability, with a set-off hitcher, among half-standard fruit trees. The International did fine work, as did the Caterpillar Ten with Ransomes Baronet disc harrows.
The • Fordson employed an Oliver outfit and performed excellently, whilst the Case vineyard model with Itansomes Baronet discs emphasized the possibilities of using this type of machine in confined areas.
Among the small garden motors was the Auto-Culto and the Gravely, which has a single driving wheel. This outfit is designed particularly for row-crop work. The Planet Junior, which also was demonstrating, is designed to provide lateral movement of the implements, independently of steering.
Two Simar Rototillers, which in one operation prepare the ground for seeding, attracted much attention. Miesse-Junkers Models for Great Britain.
The British agency for Junkers-engined Miesse chassis has been taken up by Miesse Automobiles (Great Britain), Regd., 105, Ebury Street, London, S.W.1. The 5-ton chassis far buses costs /1,000, and the 3-ton (lorry) model is priced at 1750. The engine is not sold separately from the chassis. In Belgium these vehicles have been using heavy oil at 3d. per gallon and covering 18 miles per gallon, or 72 miles at a fuel cost of is.
Oil-engine Expert Available.
There are not many designers who possess a really comprehensive experience of high-speed, compression-ignition engines. An opportunity now occurs for a maker who is considering developing power units of this type for commercial vehicles, motor boats, etc., to obtain the services of a fully qualified engineer, who was, in 1925, actually building successful oil engines for the road, has been actively concerned with other types since that time, and who would be prepared to take over the control and management of such a department. Letters should be addressed to "Oil Engine," care of the Editor of this journal.
"John Bull" Attacks the Railways.
The commercial-vehicle industry has so few champions amongst the Press, apart from papers actually devoted to its interest, that it is encouraging to find a journal which has the pluck to state its frank views on this matter.
In this week's John Bull there is a particularly interesting article in which the absurd attitude adopted by the railways is severely criticized. Their shortsighted policy of obstructing progress by the desire for a monopolistic hold on transport and their entire lack of enterprise in any useful modernization are strongly denounced.
It states that "for years railways have thought anything was good enough. They have treated the public both casually and cynically, herding the traveller into boxes that passed under the name of 'carriages,' charging him highly for his discomfort, hedging round his journeys with endless inconveniences and restrictions."
Dunlop's Report for 1930.
The report of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., for the year ended December 31st last shows a total profit from all sources, after providing for depreciation, of 11,250,963, as against 12,307,354 a year earlier. The sum available after deducting dividends on the preference shares of Dunlop Cotton Mills, Ltd., Dunlop Plantations, Ltd., and Dunlop Rubber Co. (India), Ltd. (£309,750), and interest on debentures, loans, etc. (1399,789), is 1541,424, as compared with 11,576,585 in 1929.
The total sum available for distribution amounts to 11,323,753, after adding the balance brought forward. A sum of 1100,031 is transferred to the taxation reserve, whilst preference dividends for the half-year accounted for £145,312, and an interim dividend of 6 per cent (less tax) on the ordinary shares absorbed 1365,074. The board proposes to pay dividends on the A, B and C preference shares for the latter half of B22 the year, which will account for a further £145,312, leaving a balance of 1568,023 to be carried forward. No final dividend is to be paid on the ordinary shares.
In dealing with the company's activities during the year and its prospects, the directors emphasize the fact that the less favourable results of the past year's trading are attributable to extraneous causes and not to any deterioration in the company's organization or in its relative trading position.
York's New Bus Garage Last Wednesday the Lady Mayoress of York, Lady Forster Todd, formally opened an important extension to the city's transport depot. Prior to this ceremony the city of York transport committee entertained to lunch the members of the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire Municipal Tramways and Transport Association.
In proposing the toast of "The City of York Transport Department," Mr. R. Stuart Filcher, president of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association and general manager of Manchester Corporation's tramways and omnibus department, said that, in the case of many classes of goods, transport charges represent 404)0 per cent. of the production costs, and that many workpeople spend 5 per cent. of their wages in personal transport to and from work. Mr. Pilcher expressed his faith in the future of the heavy-oil engine.
After the lunch the party was conveyed in the city's latest Daimler Fluid Flywheel double-decker to the transport depot at Pulford, where the Lady Mayoress opened a new bus garage capable of holding 50 vehicles. This is alongside the existing departmental offices and tramsbeds, to vrhich has also been added a well-equipped workshop. The facilities are thus considerably improved.
Using the Engine to Lift the Load.
An A.E.C. Majestic platform lorry which the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., recently supplied to the Economic Stores (Halifax), Ltd., has to carry loads which require hoisting to secondstorey storerooms, and to save manhandling of the goods by the driver and his mate, which would be laborious and occasion much loss of time, a method has been arranged whereby the power of the engine is used to facilitate the work.
An extended shaft, taken from the gearbox, supplies the power for driving the winch which is located beneath the off-side door of the cab. A rope, carried in the cab, is passed around this, and the other end put through the pulley on the beam fixed above the door of the storeroom, to which the load has to be hoisted. A chain is then attached to the rope and made to encircle the goods to be lifted ; a slight tightening of the rope around the winch lifts the load easily and quickly. A load usually consists of about 300 lb. of foodstuffs, over 1,000 sacks of which are handled by the vehicle every week. Such is the power supplied by the 110 li.p. six-cylindered engine of the vehicle that to operate the winch efficiently it is necessary only to leave the engine running at idling speed.
Short-distance Hauliers' Meeting.
We would remind short-distance haulage contractors, particularly those engaged in the sand, ballast and allied trades, that an important general meeting is being held by the Hauliers' and Sand and Ballast Merchants' Alliance to-morrow (May (Ith), at 3 p.m., at the Council Offices, Treaty Road, Houns low. It is hoped that all interested in the objects of the Alliance, which mainly are to do with the stabilization of rates for short-distance haulage, will attend the meeting, the agenda for which includes a discussion on haulage charges and how to improve them.
The Milan Show.
As in past years, the recent Milan Fair embodied a commercial-vehicle exhibition, and our special representative writes that there is a general improvement in the "heavyweights." An interesting exhibit was a new AlfaRomeo oil engine, whilst there was also a huge Alfa-Romeo-Biissing outfit. The Ansaldo display included a range of fast lorries.
Taxicabs and light vans figured prominently on the Bianchi stand. Twenty-seven stands were occupied by Fiat, Spa and Ceirano products, which comprised taxicabs, lorries,, vans, tractors, buses, etc., making a fine show.
A Saurer vehicle was on view, whilst Fordson tractors and O.M. vehicles were also in evidence. Another interesting exhibit was of Stigler electric vans.
A coachwork section was included in the show, and here were to be seen several examples of high-class body building, the buses provoking particular interest. Heavy-oil-engined lorries occupied prominent positions.
T.S. Motors' Position Reviewed.
At the ordinary general meeting of T.S. Motors, Ltd., held a few days ago, Mr. Harold E. Carter, the chairman of the company, presided. In dealing with the position of the company the chairman said that it had carried forward on January 1st of this year orders for 116 vehicles, as against orders for 115 vehicles last year, but it must be remembered that the autumn orders were placed earlier in 1929 than in 1930 and more deliveries from those orders took place before the end of 1929 than was the case before the end of 1930. The company's deliveries for the first three months of this year were 123 vehicles.
The demand for the Express fourcylinder chassis is still as great as heretofore. The chairman dealt with the latest productsof the company, a longdistance gear-driven coach chassis, and a six-cylinder double-deck bus, whilst he referred to the production of a number of experimental heavy-oil-engined vehicles.
Buenos Aires Looks Ahead.
Buenos Aires has invited tenders to cover street cleansing and refuse collection for a period of 15-25 years. These schemes will involve a capital outlay of 57,000,000 paper pesos, and the acceptance of tenders will result in large orders for municipal vehicles.
First Aid for Road Users.
In anticipation of "Safety Week," which is being held from May 11th-16th, the British Red Cross Society is placing on the market a number of first-aid outfits for road users. These are available in three sizes, priced at 10s. 6d., 28s. 6d. and 42s. respectively, the first being intended for private-car owners and the other two to meet the road-accident needs of motor-coach, operators. In addition, the society has prepared a "field dressing" at is.