PASSION FOR EQUALITY WILL STRANGLE ENTERPRISE
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AT the 11th ordinary general meeting of Silentbloc, Ltd., the chairman, Mr. H. Vezcy Strong, said that there are undoubtedly great opportunities in the world to-day awaiting merchant adventurers, but, for their grasping, two things are necessary—confidence and incentive. That tendei plant, confidence, already wilting from events and from those official utterances which periodically threaten reprisals if private enterprise fails to toe the line, finds the atmosphere distinctly discouraging to the promotion of sturdy plant life. Moreover, the reward' of success tends to become of such slight proportions, if not actually denied, that incentive also wilts away. He continued: "I would suggest that here the carrot is more potent than the stick, and that this passion which we see around us for equality at any price, if further pursued, will have only one result, and that is the strangulation of all enterprise."
HAS ARMCHAIR PLOUGHING ARRIVED?
A RAD1O-CONTROLLED tractor I-1 was demonstrated recently by Tractors (London), Ltd., The White House, Bentley Heath, Barnet, Herts, at Bentley Heath, before spectators including representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture. This machine was developed by the company in conjunction with the Royal Aeronautical Establishment. The radio equipment is generally similar to that fitted to Queen Bee radiocontrolled aircraft.
The tractor is controlled by means of a switchbox, operating a transmitter. which gives varying combinations of signals, causing the machine to start, stop, turn left or right, and plough. Signals have a range of 25 miles, but, should the scheme be developed, transmitters with a range of only a mile will be provided.
Mounted on a platform above the tractor is a receiver and a relay box, which operates the tractor controls by means of compressed air.
By the employment of radio-controlled tractors, it is suggested, one operator could work as many as six machines.
SCHEME FOR TRANSPORT EDUCATION IN SCOTLAND
AN active member of the Transport and General Workers' Union, Mr. Alexander Bruce, A.M.I.T.A., 9, Victor Park Terrace, Edinburgh. 12, who is an employee of Edinburgh Corporation Transport Department, is endeavouring to organize a Transport Students' Association. In doing so, there is no intention of setting up a new and rival body, and it is hoped by him that other organizations, such as the Institute of Tiansport, will supply qualified lecturers, and that a number of their students and graduates will attend. It is also hoped that, in due course, the Association's own students will pass on to other and larger bodies.
There is in existence a local Transport Advisory Council composed of representatives of the various transport employers' associations, trades unions and other authorities, to promote schemes of education and welfare for employees.
To obtain suitable text books and other literature on transport is often difficult and expensive, and it is suggested that, by combining resources, the formation of a students' library will be possible.
Already over 40 students -have signified their willingness to support such a scheme. An invitation is extended to every transport employee. Membership will be open to anyone interested, even if not directly employed in transport.
BRISTOL INDUSTRIES RESULTS THE report of Bristol Industries, Ltd., which has substantial interests in road transport, shows £116,708 to be standing to the credit of the profit and loss account. Before providing for depreciation and war damage contributions, the trading profit was £103,107, and after deducting various charges a balance of £33.733 was available for ordinary dividends. The directors recommend payment of a dividend of 10 per cent, and a victory bonus of 5 per cent, on the ordinary shares, both less tax, leaving £8,233 to be carried forward.
TIME EXTENSION FOR S.M.M.T. COMPETITION
THE final date for receiving entries for the "Car of the Future" Competition, organized by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, has been extended to November 15. There has been a great response, and the extra time will clearly be appreciated by enthusiastic model makers. Entry forms are obtainable from all motor dealers or from the Society at 148, Piccadilly, London, W.1.
CONTRACTS FOR WAREHOUSE
THE National Association of Inland Warehouse Keepers has prepared and approved general conditions of contract. Further information may be obtained from the hon. secretary, 83, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.
Transport Factors, Ltd., Victoria Road. Walton-le-Dale, Preston, is reported to have acquired the old-established haulage business of Mr. John Cowley, Bamber Bridge. EASY REVERSING WITH NEW TRAILER
SHORTLY before the outbreak of war we published a description of a trailer invented by Mr. A. E. Foulger, which possessed the noteworthy feature of being just as easy to manceuvre in reverse as in the forward direction. The basic principle of the design is that when the towing vehicle is driven backwards, the attachment continues to have a trailing action, while it is achieved by a simple mechanical device. Arrangements for the manufacture of this trailer were interrupted by hostilities, but we learn that production will be undertaken by a Birmingham concern.
A representative of "The Commercial Motor" recently saw the trailer demonstrated by its inventor, and the result was certainly most convincing. Manceuvring in reverse in a restricted space appeared to be entirely satisfactory, and the device is one that should clearly have a wide field of application. It enables a comparatively inexperienced driver to handle a trailer with confidence and quickly.
The main principle of Mr. Foulger's design is that the towing vehicle is not coupled directly to the chassis of the trailer but to a member that can take up alternative positions in relation to the trailer's frame. The normal position is for forward driving, but when reversing the push of the towing vehicle is converted into a pull applied slightly forward of the trailer's axle.
Further details of the models to be marketed will be announced shortly.
JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
THE motor industry's Jubilee celebrations in Northern Ireland will include the Belfast Cavalcade to be held on September 7. It will be an impressive event, which will be worthy of comparison with that held in London in July and the Cardiff event of August 31. Nearly 350 vehicles will take part, and Sir Basil Brooke, Bt., C.B.E., M.C., Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, will take the salute. Accompanied by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, he will inspect the vehicles.
There will be a fine array of all types of commercial-motor vehicle, also War Department and R.A.F. types. The Cavalcade will move off at 3 p.m. from the Ormeau Embankment and will be on view to the public from 4 to 6 p.m. on its return.
THE EDITOR SPEAKS TO TRANSPORT MANAGERS
PIA LUNCHEON meeting of the London section of the Transport Managers' Club, presided over by-Mr. R. W. Bredemear, of Hurst and Payne. Ltd., and Red Arrow Deliveries, Ltd., was held on August 28, when the Editor of "The Commercial Motor" gave an address entitled "Leaves from an Editor's Diary." There were 63 members and guests present, including one lady. The Club. of which Mr. W. J. Irons, A.M.Inst.T., is secretary, is making excellent progress, and has nearly 200 members, distributed almost equally between the London area and the Provinces. The headquarters in London are at Dover House, 170, Westminster Bridge Road, London, S.W.I.
ROAD TRANSPORT PRESERVES CONDITION OF SHEEP •
nt.SIRABILITY of farmers' in the L/Badenoch district being provided with road transport facilities for the conveyance of livestock to markets and sheep to winterings was stressed at an inquiry in Inverness recently before Mr. A. Robertson, Deputy Licensing Authority for Scotland.
Mr. A. J. Curley, haulage contractor, Glenfeshie Cottage, Newtonmore, applied for an A licence to enable him to carry livestock to auction markets at Perth, Stirling and other centres.
Mr. Ewen Ormiston, owner of Bal.. lochroan Farm, Kingussie, who gave evidence in support of the application. declared that there was a distinct need in the Badenoch district for improved transport facilities for carrying livestock to markets at Perth and sheep to winterings in the south. He maintained that most of the sheep and cattle reared in the district were sold at Perth, and the agriculturists concerned suffered loss by deterioration in the condition of stock, caused by unavoidable delay and handling by rail. Another Badenoch farmer, Capt. Ian Chrystie, Banocher Mains, Newtonmore, cited an instance last year when he had sent a flock of sheep by rail to winterings in Stirling. The journey occupied 48 hours, and when the animals arrived they were in such a condition that they could not walk to their destination. It would be much more satisfactory if farmers could have road vehicles to transport the sheep direct to the grazinp.
Capt. Chrystie added that the same conditions applied to the grading of stock at auction marts for The Ministry of Food.
In granting the licence, Mr. Robertson emphasized the importance of assisting agricultural communities to deliver their livestock to market in good condition.
WAR CASUALTY TO RESUME OPERATION?
DURING December, 1940, the total L./fleet of C. T. Faulkner and Co., Ltd., -II, Spring Gardens, Manchester, consisting of 20 lorries and 14 trailers, weighing unladen 1121 tons, was destroyed in air raids. This company has recently applied to the North-western Licensing Authority for A licences to operate 20 lorries (85 tons) and 14 trailers (28 tons), to carry such goods as textiles, paper, metal, oils and fats, mostly in the counties of Lanes, Yorks, Derbyshire and Cheshire.
ERISKAY SEES ITS FIRST LORRY
THE first wheeled vehicle ever to be seen on the island of Eriskay, in the Outer Hebrides, was recently brought from the mainland by ship for the haulage of building materials from the jetty to a school on a hill half a mile away. Not even carts or barrows have been seen on the island before, where packloaded ponies are used for transport.
Recently, a company of building contractors came to the island to build a canteen for the school. Faced with the job of hauling bricks, gravel and cement from the jetty, Mr. James McGladdery, supervisor of the company, decided to use a lorry. Soon afterwards a steamer, with a vehicle on board, manceuvred carefully up to the jetty. So that the lorry could be unloaded safely, the pier had to be reinforced. Unloading occupied 23 hours, The turf track from the harbour was turned into a quagmire by rain, and gangs of men stood by ready to dig the vehicle free if it became bogged. The road to the school leading up the hill is firm, but rocky, and the lorry ran to schedule, despite the bad conditions.
When the building is complete the vehicle will be shipped away. The island will not, however, be without mechanical transport, for Mr. J. BeHeld, proprietor of one of Eriskay's two shops, has decided to buy a tractor for hauling his supplies from the jetty.
LONG SERVICE WITH FORD
PRESENTATIONS have been made on behalf of the chairman and directors of the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., to 400 employees of the Ford organization, all with records of more than 25 years' service. Many of the workers have been with the company for more than 30 years. Lord Perry, K.B.E., LL.D., chairman, made the presentations.
MORE TRANSPORT FOR FISH TRADE
REVIVAL of the " smokie" industry, which has almost reached its pre-war output of 100 tons a week, was cited in support of an application by Mr. Robert Eaton, 8, Union Street East, Arbroath, to the Licensing Authority in Dundee, 'for permission to use an extra lorry on his Arbroath-Dundee service.
A letter from Councillor P. H. Pert, Arbroath, stated that special wood from Dundee was used in curing smoked haddocks. More boats were being released, and heavy supplies of fish were coming forward. Deliveries of wood had been delayed through' lack of transport.
1 he application was opposed by the railway companies and several haulage firms. Mr. Alex. Robertson, Deputy Licensing Authority, granted a shortterm licence, which will be subject to reconsideration when the case of `Mr. Angus Foster, another carrier, whose vehicle was taken over temporarily by Mr. Eaton early in the war, comes up.
TRANSPORT MANAGERS' CLUB IN MIDLANDS ,
TO mark its official introduction to the Midland area, the Transport Managers' Club is to hold an inaugural dinner and dance at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on September 20. Amongst those present will be Mr. R. Stuart Pilcher, C.B.E., chairman of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners; Mr. R. W. Sewill, M.A., M.Inst.T., National Director of the Road Haulage Association; Mr. A. C. Baker, 0.B.E., chairman of the Traders' Road Transport Association; Col. A. Jerrett, M.Inst.T.; and Mr. Henry T. Duffield, M.Inst.T., president of the Transport Managers' Club and chairman of the Road Haulage Association.
AN INTERESTING LEGAL DECISION VROM the Automobile Association comes a note of an interesting legal decision given recently at Brentford. Petty Sessions.
A member was charged with failing to stop after an accident, and not reporting the accident following a collision with a street refuge. It, was submitted that there was no case to answer, as the Road Traffic Act imposes these obligations only in the event of damage or injury being caused to any person, vehicle or animal. It was argued very clearly that the Act meant a vehicle other than the one causing the damage.
The court upheld this submission that no offence had occurred, as the defendant's vehicle was the only one involved, and the summonses were dismissed.
NO HORSEPLAY!
AWARNING to Fife contractors to get rid of their horses when they changed over to motor vehicles was given at Kirkcaldy, on August 28, by Mr. A. Robertson, Deputy Licensing
Authority for the Scottish Area. He had been caught before, he said, when the same horse was used a second time as an excuse for a change-over to motors.