WHEELS of INDUSTRY 4, The wheels of wealth will be
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slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
NO ALTERATION TO CONCILIATION BOARD.
It is understood that the Minister of Labour has rejected the proposal for drastic alterations in the composition of the National Joint Conciliation Board. By Monday next the employers' and workers' panels on all the Area Boards should have sent in to the National Board their observations on its recommendations.
There is reason to think that these observations will reveal widespread differences between the employers' and employees' panels. There is an exception in South Wales, where an agreement has been negotiated, but it is reported that the agreement has not been accepted in Devon and Cornwall.
A round-table conference of the three parties (employers supporting the findings of the National Board, representatives of the national organization of employers' panels, and representatives of the workers) may be held.
This idea, which was put forward by Mr. R. W. Sewill, AA., chairman of the Road Haulage Association, in an exclusive interview with The Commercial Motor published in this journal dated November 23, has met with support from employers who are among the strongest critics of the National Board's recommendations.
I.F.S. Railways Apply for Road-haulage Services.
Under the terms of the Irish Free State Road Transport Act, 1933, the Great Southern and Great Northern Railways have applied to the Minister for Industry and Commerce for the transfer of several of the larger roadhaulage companies working within their respective areas. The Great Southern Railway Co. seeks to take over the following businesses :Patsy Transport Service, Clonmel ; Midland Express, Dublin ; John Dooley and Sons, Birr ; Irish Horse Box and Livestock Transport Co.. Dublin ; O'Sullivan Bros, Dublin ; Leix Lorries, Portlaoighise ; and Thomas MacDonald. Gorey. The Great Northern Railway seeks the transfer of the services operated by McCloskey's Road Services, Drogheda.
Yorkshire Hauliers to Oppose Railway.
A special meeting of the goods section of the York branch of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators' Association has been held to consider what course of action to take concerning a number of applications by the London and North Eastern Railway Co. for discretionary tonnage in respect of additional vehicles. These will be heard by the Yorkshire Licensing Authority, at Leeds, on December 11.
The meeting unanimously decided B20 that, through individual members, every legitimate means should be used to oppose the railway company's application.
Meetings are to be held in Huddersfield and Hull, for the purpose of forming in those towns branches of the Association.
Royal Show Entries: Closing Date.
The report of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England states that applications for space in. the Implement Section of the Royal Show, to be held at Newcastle from Jury 2-6 next year, must be made not later than March 20, 1935.
The venue for the show for 1936 is Bristol, whilst the following year it will probably be held in the Midlands, and, in 1938, at Cardiff. The Ipswich show of 1934 was the most successful since 1929, and the total attendance was 107,000. FOUR RAILWAY OBJECTORS IN AN APPEAL.
On December 12-13, at 10.45 a.m., the Appeal Tribunal will hold a sitting at King's Buildings, Smith Square, London, S.W.1, to hear the appeal of H. Burgoine and Sons, Ltd., London, E.14, against the Metropolitan Licensing Authority's refusal of an A licence. All four main-line railway companies will object.
On December 13, the Tribunal will hear an application by. the Southern Railway Co. for costs against Messrs. S. R. and H. Clegg, and by Messrs. Platts Bros. for costs against BoutsTillotson Transport, Ltd.
New Ministry Appointment for Col. Bressey.
At a luncheon on Tuesday last, which followed the opening by the Minister of Transport of two new roads in Lancashire, the Minister indicated that an important new post was shortly to be created at theMinistry in corinection with traffic problems. He stated that the official chosen for the position is Col. C. H. Bressey, principal technical officer of the roads department of the Ministry. Col. Bressey succeeded Sir Henry Maybury at the Ministry early in 1029,. and for 15 years has been associated with the highway administration of the United Kingdom.
NEW HERCULES PETROL ENGINE.
Designated the JXD, a new petrol engine is now listed by the Hercules Motors Corporation of Ohio, the products of which concern are handled in this country by Automobile Products Co., Ltd., Langham Street, London, W.1. It is larger than previous models in the JX series, having a piston-swept volume of 320 cubic ins. (about 5.25 litres).
The unit has six cylinders, the bore and'stroke being 4 ins. and 4i ins. respectively. At 2,800 r.p.m., 83.8
b.h.p. is developed, whilst a maximum torque of 204 lb.-ft. occurs at 1,000 r.p.m. It is of interest that the bigend and seven main bearings are of lead-bronze. Chrome molybdenum steel is used for the 2i-in. crankshaft.
Compact and neat in design, this engine is well made, and built to afford good accessibility, whilst not the least attractive feature is the low overall height of the body of the unit. It is, identical in installation measurements with the other models in this series.
I.F.S. Pneumatic-tyre Quotas Fixed. Orders issued last week by the Executive Council of the Irish Free State Government fix the second quota pet led for the importation of pneumatic tyres fromjanuary 1-March 31 next. The quotas permit the importation of 30,000 pneumatic tyres for motor vehicles and 150,000 pneumatic tyres for motorcycles and cycles,
The first quota period commenced on October 1 and will expire on December 31.
R.H.A. Successfully Defends Members.
Two interesting cases have recently come within the scope of the free legal advice and defence scheme, operated by the Metropolitan Area of the Road Haulage Association. In one case, that of Reeves' Express Transport, the police charge was that the overhang of the load behind the body was 15i. ft. and, as a consequence, while the lorry was passing a one-way traffic island, the tail swept across and badly injured, a following car. Mr. Letts, the area solicitor, was successful in securing an acquittal.
He also obtained dismissal of the summons in a second case, that of the Newell Transport Co., Ltd., in which it was stated that the load prpjected
more than 84 ft. while the vehicle was travelling through the City of London between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., the actual overhang being 17 ft.
Good Trading of Hepworth and Grandage.
During the year ended September 30, 1934, Hepworth and Grandage, Ltd., the well-known maker of pistons, piston rings and other products used in the motor industry, made a net profit of £28,374, compared with £20,828 a year earlier. After paying a dividend of 10 per cent. and transferring £5,000 to the general reserve, the amount to be carried forward is £16,330, as against £6,434 brought into the accounts.
Conciliation Problems to Go to Court?
In an address to Rochdale hauliers, Mr, J. S. Howarth, secretary of the Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners Association, Ltd., and the Commercial Motor Users Association (South-East Lancashire area), referred to the negotiations on wages and working conditions. The wages proposals of the National Conciliation Board, if put into effect, would mean that some men engaged on journey work would receive an increase of 7s. to 12s. for a 48-hour week. He feared there might be no way of settling outstanding difficulties other than by going before the Industrial Court.
PERSONAL PARS.
Mr. H. Patterson Bone has been appointed the representative for Specialbid, Ltd., in the South American Republics of Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay. He left for this territory a few days ago.
Mr. A. C. Needs has recently joined Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd., and is in charge of the design of all-metal bodies. He has had long experience of all-metal body construction, for he was with the Metropolitan-Cammell concern when it first produced all-metal bodywork, and prior to joining Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd., he was in charge of all-metal bodywork construction at Weymann's Motor Bodies (1925), Ltd.
Sir Andrew Duncan, having resigned the chairmanship of the Central Electricity Board, in view of his appointment as independent chairman of the executive committee of the British Iron and Steel Federation, the Minister of Transport has appointed Sir Archibald Page, M.Inst.C.E., M.I.E.E., to succeed him as chairman of the board as from January 1, 1935. Sir Archibald Page is a past president of the Institution of Electrical Engineers.
The first certificate and badge won under the new I.A.E. repair and maintenance scheme by a member of the North-western Branch of the Institution of Automobile Engineers was presented, last week, by Dr. Mucklow, chairman, to Mr. W. E. Dean. Mr. Dean is on the staff of the motor section of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway works at Crewe, and is responsible for repairs to road motors and official cars, as well as for the many industrial trucks used about the works. He is a tutor in motor engineering at Crewe Technical College.
Next Year's S.R.P.T.A. Conference.
The 1935 conference of. the Scottish Road Passenger Transport Association will be held from May 23-25. The venue will probably be decided at the next quarterly meeting in January.
LEYLAND'S LATEST CUB.
Leyland Motors, Ltd., is now including in its Cub range of goods models a special short-wheelbase chassis to take articulated attach ments. In all constructional details the new chassis follows the popular KG.2 model, but it has a 10-ft. wheelbase, special heavy-duty tyres and normal steering. It is known as the KG.4, and the chassis price is £405 when supplied with a petrol engine and £555 when fitted with a Leyland sixcylindered compression-.ignition unit.
Road-accident Returns.
The Miaistry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured in road accidents during the week ended November 24, 1934, show that in England 100 persons were killed and 3,367 injured, whilst 21 died as a result of previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were 20 killed and 364 injured, and for Wales three killed and 149 injured.
A Morris-Commercial Display at Leeds.
During the week commencing December 10 a special display of Morris-Commercial products will be staged at the showrooms of Messrs. Appleyards, North Street, Leeds, and upwards of 20 different types of vehicle will be on view. Included in the display will be the latest MorrisCommercial short-wheelbase 3-tonner, of which a full description appeared in our issue dated November 10.
R.H.A. Activity in Lancashire.
A series of organizing meetings was held last week in the East Lancashire area by the Road Haulage Association, the venues being Manchester, Altrincham, Rochdale and Bolton.
At each of the meetings the anomalies of the Road and Rail Traffic Act came in for much criticism, particularly the clauses dealing with agricultural licences. At Altrinchain, for instance, many hauliers have lost traffic to farmers, who have interpreted the Act to allow them to carry goods of all descriptions to and from market. Mr. J. Demain has been appointed Organizer for the East Lancashire area.
A.E.C. Progress and Prospects.
At the annual general meeting of the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., Mr. C. W. Reeve, chairman and managing director, dealt with the restrictive effects of recent legislation upon the heavy-vehicle industry. He mentioned that 75 per cent. of the company's engine output was for compressionignition units, the number manufactured from January to September, 1934, being equal to over 50 per cent. of the new registrations scheduled in that period by the Ministry of Transport.
Mr. Reeve made a passing reference to the success of the Q-type sideengined bus and to the fact that 100 vehicles of this type had been ordered for London service. New designs of trolleybus have also been produced, B22 and it is hoped to obtain a fair share of this market in the future.
In his reference to future prospects, Mr. Reeve said that orders on the company's books were greater than they were 12 months ago, both for home and overseas markets. He said that there was however, one disturbing factor— that of price cutting.
Avon Co.'s Trading.
The trading profit of the Avon India Rubber Co., Ltd., during the year ended September 29, 1934, amounted
to £38,928, which is less than half that of the previous year, when it was £80,503. The net result, after providing for depreciation and crediting £10,592 from tax and bad-debts reserves, not now required, is a loss of £3,183. When allowance is made for the preference dividend to June 30, the credit balance to be carried forward is £17,442, as against £27,750.
Big I.C.I. Plans at Billing,ham.
Billingham-on-Tees Urban District Council has granted a licence to Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., for the storage of 70,000 gallons of benzole in connection with the new coal-oil plant at present under construction. THOMAS TILLING'S PROFIT.
The report of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., for the year ended December 31, 1933, which has just been issued, shows that there was a profit of £340,625, after providing for debenture and other interest, the amount available after adding the balance brought forward being £475,648. The preference dividend for the year absorbed £16,500, whilst dividends on the ordinary shares accounted for £197,756.
As is now well known, the London bus section of the company's business was transferred to the London Passenger Transport Board on September 30. 1933, and an interim award of £1,750,000 has been made by the Arbitration Tribunal in connection with the consideration claimed by the company.
Alexander's Buying 75 Tigers.
In our issue dated November 2:3 we made a reference to the recent big orders placed by W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd., with Leyland Motors, Ltd., and we now learn that, in addition to its purchases of Cub and Lion vehicles, this important Scottish busoperating concern has placed an order for 75 oil-engined Tigers.
D.E.U.A. Annual Meeting.
The annual general meeting of the Diesel Engine Users Association will be held on December 19, at 3 p.m., at Caxton Hall, Westminster, London, S.W.1. It will be followed by a paper " The Development and Progress of the High-speed Diesel Engine in Road Transport," by Major W. H. Goddard, A.M.I.Mech.E.
Ferry Concession to Ambulances.
W. Denny and Brothers, Ltd., Dumbarton, which operates the ferry service acress the Forth at Queensferry, has announced a fares concession for ambulances. The old charge was 13s. return, whilst the new rates are 6s. 6d. single and lie, return. The concession will be much appreciated by Fife ambulance associations, the vehicles of which make so many journeys to ,Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
Farmers Refused Haulage Licences.
When Messrs. Skinner Brothers, of Northorpe, near Brigg, farmers, applied to Mr. J. H. Stirk, the East Midland Licensing Authority, on Friday last, for a B licence, he said, in refusing the application, that the case, more than any other he had ever heard, showed the advantage of the Road and Rail Traffic Act.
It was stated that the applicants, bought a lorry in September this year. and, in spite of advice not to do so from the Licensing Authority's office, continued to carry out haulage work for farmers in their district. There were 22 A licences issued in the surrounding district, but Messrs. Skinner declared that these were inadequate. Two letters from farmers were read stating that they had so much produce that the existing transport facilities were not sufficient to cope with it, and that they would have to buy lorries of their own. A NEW NAME FOR THE DENNIS 26-SEATER.
To avoid confusion between the Dennis 20-seater and 26-seater, both of which originally carried the designation " Ace," the latter model, which has forward control, is now named the "Mace "—a contraction of Major Ace. In the main, the two chassis are identical, having similar wheelbase dimensions and power units. The body space of the Mace, however, is 2 ft. 6 ins, longer, whilst its axle ratio is 5.43 to 1 as opposed to 4.57 to 1 on the Ace. The price of the chassis is £325.
It is also of interest to announce that the 40-45-cwt. model is now available with a Dorman-Ricardo fourcylindered oil engine for £220 extra.
Increased Trading of Brockhouse and Co.
During the year ended September 30, 1934, J. Brockhouse and Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £26,075, as against £18,992 a year earlier. A 7i per cent. dividend on the ordinary shares absorbs £16,566, whilst the reserve receives £4,694, bringing it up to £40,000. The amount to be carried forward is £10,096, as against £8,468 brought into the accounts.
New Lancashire Roads Opened by the Minister.
Notable additions to the road communications of Lancashire were made on Tuesday last, when the Minister of Transport formally opened two new sections, one being the Maghull diversion on the Liverpool-Preston road and the other the Kirkham by-pass, on the Preston-Blackpool road. These roads are constructed on modern lines, and an interesting fact is that they embody experimental lengths of surfacing. They have been constructed by Lanes County Council at a total estimated cost of over £200,000, with the aid of grants from the Road Fund.
Dennis Directors' Views on the Industry.
At the recently held annual general meetiug of Dennis Brothers, Ltd., Mr.
N. P. Andrew, the chairman, who presided, mentioned that in former years the company's output had been largely of the heavier, if not the heaviest, type of vehicle, but that, as a result of recent legislation, operators have found it better to acquire a larger proportion of lighter, although not necessarily smaller, vehicles. He mentioned that, if this experience be confirined by other malcers, it will, result in greater congestion on the roads.
In dealing with the importance of cheap transport, he said that this country may soon be absolutely dependent upon its ability to maintain its exports of manufactured goods.
Sir Raymond Dennis, K.B.E., said that the tendency to-day was to drive industry into combines, and this is a development that he deplored, because it stifles individual effort, which is so necessary to promote healthy competition—the very life-blood of progress.
He dealt with the success achieved by the company's 45-cwt. chassis, and said that during the year covered by the accounts nearly 2,090 vehicles of this type have been delivered. On. the bus side, the company's output has shown a considerable increase.
Farmers Exceeding Licence Conditions?
Allegations that farmers in Cheshire are exceeding the conditions of their licences are being made by hauliers in that district. The trouble, it is said, lies in the clause of the Act which permits farmers to carry goods for neighbours, and haulage contractors claim that agriculturists are abusing this privilege. There have been many cases of farmers carrying for payment any class of goods for anybody, and the result has been a tendency towards rate-cutting in the district.
The local branch of the Road Haulage Association has decided to take action in this matter, and proposes, as a first step, to circulate to all farmers copies of a pamphlet issued by the Ministry of Transport, in which the full conditions of their licences are set out.
If this be unsuccessful, representations will be made to higher councils, such as the British Road Federation, with a view to having the matter brought to the attention of the Minister of Transport, and, if possible, having that section of the Act amended.
35 Applications Considered in 11 Hour.
The sitting of the Yorkshire Licensing Authority at Leeds, last Friday, was the shortest yet held by Mr. J. Farndale, who dealt with 35 applications between 10 a.m. and 11.45 am. For the first time, there were no objections.
HAULIERS OPPOSE G.W.R. LICENCE APPLICATIONS.
Mr. W. Chamberlain, the NorthWestern Licensing Authority, heard, a few days ago, an application by the Great Western Railway Co: for licences for additional vehicles (60 tons). For the company it was stated that the increase in the fleet was only 7 per cent. this year, as compared with the figure for 1933. Birkenhead would he the base for the new vehicles.
Later it was admitted that the increase of '7 per cent. referred to the whole country, and that in the particular area concerned the application sought an increase in discretionary tonnage of 25 per cent. Mr. Chamberlain will give his decision later.
Scottish Unions' Conciliation Proposals.
A meeting of the Scottish Joint Conciliation Board is to consider proposals by the employees' unions for new wages and conditions. The Scottish Horse and Motormen's _Association and the Transport and General Workers Union propose that drivers of A and B-licence vehicles be paid 60s., 65s. and 70s. per week, according to the tonnage of lorries, with a minimum of 56s. per week for attendants. • A 48hour week is also sought, with extra payment for overtime and one week's holiday each year with full pay.
The meeting of the Board has been postponed to allow the employers' organizations to consider the proposals, which will affect 8,000 men. The unions suggest that one agreement should operate throughout Scotland.
Strong Objections to Bouts-Tillotson Application. .
At a sitting of the East Midland Licensing Authority, last week, the application of Bouts-Tillotson Transport, Ltd., in respect of five vehicles, was continued. About 20 operators, in addition to the railway companies, objected.
Mr. C. J. Clarke, accountant for the applicant company, stated that the capital at the start was £30,000, but now stood at £199,400. Mr, Bouts, a director, stated that the London-Nottingham service was the company's best-paying route and was earning something approaching 2s. 1d. per mile, and that over the whole 'system the operating costs worked out at 1s. 9d. per vehicle-mile. Later he gave this figure as is. Sd.
Answering questions regarding drivers' wages, witness said that the company paid high wages, the maximum being in the region of £6 or £6 10s. We pay the men £.1 5s. a night, he added.
The manager of the Nottingham depot, Mr. A. W. G. Johnson, quationed with regard to the wages of local drivers, said they were paid £2 5s. a week for hours a day. The trunk-line drivers from Nottingham received £4 5s. per week for approximately 10 hours per day. The hearing was adjourned until December 10.
SPEEDING UP DELIVERY OF BUSES FOR JOHANNESBURG.
In order to hasten the completion of the 35 A.E.C. and Leyland double-deck buses, recently ordered from British makers by the Johannesburg municipality, the city council has decided that the M.C.W. all-metal bodies shall be assembled in this country, the lowersaloon frame being built on to the chassis and the top frame sent out separately for completion in Johannesburg. Delivery will begin about the end of March and be completed by June, some six months earlier than on the old basis.
Grocers' Representations on Drivers' Hours.
Representations on behalf of the Scottish Grocers' Federation were recently made to the Industrial Court by Mr. H. J. Dryer, general secretary of the Federation, concerning drivers' hours.
He submitted that the general practice in the grocery and provision trade was for drivers to do work other than driving. They were really only parttime drivers, the remainder of their time being occupied in serving or selling.
The Federation requested that there should be some slight relaxation, in the interests of the public, of the regulations so far as drivers in these trades were concerned, and that on at least two days of each week there should be a variation of the hours laid down.