Passing Comments
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Early Experiences p ECENTLY,•in this feature, with Double decker " we asked if any reader had in Scotland . . . had an experience during driv
ing more alarming than one we quoted. In this connection, Mr. W. C. Bolton, of the District Road Motor Engineer's Office, the Railway Executive (Western Region), has written to say that in the early days of road transport, about 1907, while touring Scotland with a Milnes-Daimler, probably the first double-deck bus there, he was proceeding from Glasgow to Dumbarton in a mist. Suddenly, he heard a. crushing of wood, and the bus gradually sank, whilst in a few yards the engine stalled. Getting down from the driver's seat, he found that the wheels had sunk into a wood-paved bridge which was prohibited to heavy traffic. Fortunately, the vehicle had almost reached the farther side, and with the assistance of tackle and local help the bus was gradually moved on to the roadway. It was proceeding on its journey to Dumbarton after a day's delay, when it was struck in the back by one of the trams of that town, which forced the bus over the edge of the road, where there was a drop of some 10 ft. Again fortune came to the rescue, for a tree halted the vehicle amidships, the only damage being a A22 broken starting handle, which was repaired by the tramway company. Many other peculiar driving experiences were encountered on this tour, which was to advertise the Cornish Riviera for the Great Western Railway.
Giving the Foremen a 'THERE is growing a satis Better Position in I factory spirit of friendship Management. . . and co-operation between the
individual members of particular industries and between those industries themselves. For example, a series of visits by foremen from Fort Dunlop to other Midland factories is being planned. These men will also meet parties of foremen from .other industries, which are coming to the Fort during the year. One of the aims, says Mr. W W Foster, the general works manager, is to strengthen the position of the foremen as an integral part of the management. To assist this, a series of morning talks is being given to them to fill in the broad picture of their industry and to provide information regarding labour matters in general. Many are also attending industrial lectures outside Birmingham.
Basic Ban Gives InA N aspect or the suspension creased Undesirable " of the basic petrol ration, Buying,Power . . . which we believe has not
hitherto been put forward, is its possible effect upon inflation. The Government is losing many millions of pounds in vehicle taxation and fuel tax, and much of this money is available for spending in a market exremely limited in supplies, thus causing a deterioration in a position which has already been of much concern to the Cabinet. The eventual result of a continuation of the ban might easily Create a state of affairs in which any gain from the purchase of less petrol would be almost negatived.
Broken-down Vehicle A SUGGESTION wa; made Not Considered as a " some time ago in mince Trailer -Lion with a report of a prose
cution, that in the case of a vehicle towing another which has broken down, this is illegal unless the vehicle be licensed to draw a trailer. It seems that the penalty inflicted in this particular case was not because the other vehicle was being towed, but for the reason that it had no number plate and had been running without a licence. We understand that the Ministry of Transport, some time ago, issued an administrative direction that in cases like this, such broken-down vehicles would not be considered as trailers. Consequently, if any trouble be experienced with the police, the matter should be reported to the Ministry.
Many Willing Hands pusEs do not often turn Make Light (Rescue) 1-'over these days. When they Work do, however, it is nice to know
that passers-by can do something which may save life, even if they know nothing at all about first aid. Recently, in Cardiff, a doubledecker skidded, hit the kerb sideways, and toppled over. A man was underneath it on the pavement! A low garden wall prevented the bus falling flat, but the man looked likely to be crushed unless rapid aid became available. Some people who were on the scene, however, with great presence of mind and presumably, some considerable team spirit, lifted the bus sufficiently for him to be got out.