The Wheels of Industry.
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"The wheel of wealth will he slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is • by the roughness of the roads over which gt runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Birthday Honour.
Congratulations to Brigadier GeneralH. P. Maybury on the inclusion of his name in the King's Birthday Honours List as Commander of the Rath_ (Military Division). ; . ..:11$efitteifitif Coal-gas.
Increasing atention is being given by all the journals of the gas industry to the matter of develop-. ments connected with the growing use of coal-gas for purposes of pro , pulsion on common roads. Our contemporary "The Gas Journal" points out that, on simple comparison between the heat values of petrol and the average coal-gas (500 British Thermal Units per cubic ft.), a gallon of ordinary commercial petrol would be equal to 273 cubic ft. of coal-gas, and that, on the basis of 84 per cent. engine efficiency on coal-gas, the comparative figure is 325 cubic ft. on gas. As a matter of fact, in actual experience, users are getting so low a consumption--to replace one gallon of petrol—as 2b0 cubic ft. of gas. It is apparent, therefore, that coal-gas is more efficient in use, as is naturally to be expected : there are no losses by leakage from the carburetter, or by evaporation. A further article appears on pages 309310.
Petrol Supplies.
Communications from users in various parts of the country show that they are being cut down in many cases to the 44 per cent. of their original applications of July, 1916. A writer in "The Scotsman," under date the 31st ult., expresses the view that the reduction is the indirect work of the recruit, ing authorities, in order, on the pretext of a shortage of petrol, to force the release of more men. This suggestion of double-dealing is certainly not to be dismissed without some regard, and sve are bringing it to the attention of the General Committee of the Commercial Motor Users Association. Interference with reasonable transport means further reduction of production, and further additions to the cost of distribution. The railways cannot complete either collection or delivery themselves, if both carriers at large and owners of commercial motors for the purposes of their own traffic are further reduced in supplies and personnel. The position has for a long time past been hopeless for luxury and non-essential trades ; intelligent. administration can alone save the essential trades from unnecessary disorganization.
• c4.43 London Taxi-fares.
We find, after making inquiry in the right official quarters, that sanction is not yet in order for the proposed increase of the basis of Asondon taxi-fares, from 8d. a mile PTed Is. a mile, notwithstanding contrary statements in certain daily newspapers.
U.S.A. W.D. Specification.
In view of the possibility, which we raised in our discussion on the American W.D. specification, which discussion is concluded in this issue, of misunderstanding arising as to the capacity of the two sizes of chassis specified, owing to their nominal loading being smaller than their actual capacity, it has been decided, after request by the Standards Committee of the Society of Automotive Engineers, that the two chassis be indicated by the letters A and B, instead of by their norhinal capacities of 11, and 3 tons respectively.
Ford Van Stolen.
Messrs, Spottiswoode, Ballantyne and Co., of 1, New Street Square, E.C. 4, had a Ford delivery van stolen from outside their premises on the 31st ult., at 10,30 a.m. The registration index number is £P4411, and the engine number 921818 A Genernotor self-starter (inoperative owing to •removal of driving chain for repairs) is fitted to the engine. Rear wheels have Avon tires, fronts wheels one Goodrich and one Avon, whilst a spare Avon was on the carrier. The van was painted dark greens and let-. tered in white with the name of the owners. Information is earnestly sought as to its whereabouts.
America's Food Problem.
America's grain crop has of late been decreasing annually as compared with the population. The Society of Automotive Engineers is now, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture, busily engaged upon this problem. It is pointed out that the difficalty is in copnection with labour, and that this difficulty will increase rather than diminish, and it is proposed to encourage the use of motor tractors for farms as a means of economizing in labour. It is pointed out that there are 35,000 tractors in use in the States at present. The manufacturing equipment of the country is capable of producing 75,000 tractors a year, and if the tractor be adopted and the problem tackled in a thorough manner, the small grain crop can be doubled or trebled within two years. The M.T.,`A.S.C.
We have frequently fought the battle, both in point and in course of 'conversations, with self-appointed detractors of the M.T., A.S.C., qua the strenuous character of the work which falls to this branch of the Corps, not excluding frequent exposure to danger at times. We commend to these stay-at-home critics an independent article, from a correspondent in "The Morning Post," which article we reproduce by permission on page 321.
Manchester Guardians.
We commented at some length, in our issue. of the 17th ult.., upon the inadequacy of notice by some local authorities, in the matter of seeking Senders by advertisement.. We more particularly based our references at that date to a small advertisement, giving four days notice in regard to the requirement " by the Guardians of the Manchester Union of tenders for a fourton petrol lorry.
In view of the fact that the• Petrol Control Committee has decided. not to issue a petrol licence to them, the Manchester Guardians. did not proceed with the matter of the proposed purchase. We hope, next time, they will give longer notice, and so add to the probability of their receiving general
tenders. • Wages for London Steam Wagon Drivers.
Sir George Askwith, Chief Industrial Commissioner, has nettled the following rates of wages for drivers of steam wagons, and their mates, for the London area : —The rate of wages is to be, for drivers, not less than 50s., and the rate for mates not less than 35s. per week: Overtime pay : for drivers 9d. per hour, and for mates 7d. per hour. Wash-out: for drivers 5s.' for mates 3s. 6d. Double time to be paid for Sundays and holidays. All extra payments other than existing war bonuses not to be interfered with. The award came into force on Monday last.
Sir George Askwith also states : "I am of opinion that the adoption of this award on and after the 4th June 1917, by the trade in the London Metropolitan area, and by bodies engaging drivers and mates of steam motors on road transport in the London Metropolitan area by direct or indirect contract, is desirable at the present time."
We may add, by way of Comment, that London conditions of indite. trial life—rent, travelling and cost of living--:are known to be very high, compared with any provincial city or country town. Proceedings of Local Authorities.
Mr. John Leigh is to present a motor ambulance to the Oldham T.C.
The Atcham (Salop) R.D.O. is to consider the advisability of procuring a tractor with trailer at an approximate cost of about 2700.
The Gloucester P.C. is purchasing a first-aid motorcar for the fire brigade at a cost of 2192, in order to save sending the big engine tocounty fires.
The Local Legislative Committee of the House of Commons has passed for third readingthe Bill promoted by the Ebbw Vale TJ.D.C. for the establishment of a service of motorbuses, mentioned in our issue of the 24th May.
To meet the .greatly increased cost of wages and petrol, the Birmingham Corporation proposes to increase the fares on the municipal motorbuses. The curtailment of the services was announced in our issue of the 3rd May.
The Birmingham Corporation Cleansing Committee reports that it has authorized the purchase of two steam wagons of 4 tons each, from the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co., for the sum of 2720 each. These wagons will he used for removing clinker.
Of the 32 local authorities in Middlesex, 26 were represented at sin adjourned conference at the Middlesex Guildhall to consider a resolution that the various Highway authorities should relinquish their statutory rights with regard to omnibus routes in favour of the County Council. Upon a division) the proposal Was defeated by 2i votes to 5.
In the Hampshire county surveyor's report on road conditions in Hampshire for the year ended the 31st March last, it is stated that the complete restoration oil the broken-up roads, due to military traffic, will be a formidable task. There is, however, a limited mileage of roads in good condition, restored under military requisition' and the situation has been greatly helped by work carried out before the war under a loan improvement scheme.
The Works Committee of the Islington B.C. reports .having received the 'following tendersfog the ,supPly of a motor sweeping machine :—Lacre Motor Car Co., Ltd., 2660 Thomas Green and Sons, Ltd., 2738 lOs. The committee expressed regret that only two tenderswere received, but state that it understands tha.11 several firms who manufacture motor sweeping ina,chinee are engaged exclusively on Government work. Subject to the usual sanction, they have accepted the tender of the Lacre Motor Car CO., Ltd.
The Croydon Roads Committee is endeavouring to secure an electrical sprinkler as it is unable to hire horses.
The Manchester Watch Coin-' mittee proposes to purchase two additional motor fire engines as most .a the horses have been taken.
The three commercial motorvans used by the Brighton Board of Guardians for the past 12 months have effected a saving of 2387, thus nearly paying for themselves, as the initial net expenditure was £394.
Further to the announcement in our issue of the 17th May, the Derby T.C. has had an opportunity to purchase a motorbus from the Loughborough Road Car Co., seating 22 passengers and licensed to carry 28.
The Birmingham municipal omnibus service for the year ended the 31st March, Was able to allocate
210,000 to capital account. The revenue was £62,000, or 14.248d. per car mile, and the working expenses. etc., 252,000, or 12.012d. per mile. "Last year the figures were 12.244d. per mile for receipts, and 9.706d. per mile for expenses.
• Narrow Escape of Sir Charles Wakefield.
We learn from a Folkestone correspondent that Sir Charles Cheers Wakefield, Bart., was one of the passengers in the express to Folkestone which the German .raiders attempted to destroy on the occasion of the recent air ttack on the coast. Further.
ore, Lady Wakefield and her household, at Hythe,, were missed by bombs by a matter of only yards. We are sure that not a, few readers of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR will wish to congratulate Sir Charles Wakefield upon these escapes, for he has rendered the whole of the motor industry many real services in his various public and manufacturing capacities. Albion Trade Mark.
The Albion Motor Car Co., Ltd., of Scotstoun, Glasgow, has from the outset of its career manufactured its own engines for its own purposes, as well as supplying Albion engines in considerable numbers for such purposes as use in motor rollers and motor boats. All the legal formalities of the final registration of the word Albion in connection with internal-combustion engines are now completed.
Gazette.
Mr. G. A. Nightingale, of 17, St. Helen's Place, London, E.G., has been appointed liquidator in the voluntary liquidation of Petrolifer.
: .Mr. Athol Herbert Collier, of 33, Carnaby Street, London, W., has been appointed liquidator in the voluntary liquidation of the Collier Tyre Co., Ltd.
Notice of intended dividend has been given, arising from the liquidation of the Market Harborough and District Motor Traction Co,, Ltd. Proofs must be lodged, on or before Saturday next, the 9th inst., with Mr. Eva]] Barlow, of 1, Beeridge Street, Leicester.
Mr. John Lang recently presided over an extraordinary general -meeting of the Prowodnik Tyro Co., Ltd., at 37, Fenchurch Street, E.C., when a 'asolution was passed, which has since been confirmed, to the effect that the' company be wound up voluntarily. The liquidator i Mr. G. Roby Pridie, 25 and 28, Crosby Buildings, E.C.
The partnership between James William Stott and Cyril Hope elegize, carrying on business at Hartley Street. Oldham, and else.where, under the style and description of James W. Stott and Co., is dissolved. All debts due and owingto the late firm will be received and paid by Mr. C. H. Clague, who will continue the business under the old name. The Caterpillar Tractor.
We publish on this page an illustration of a Caterpiliar tractor in course of carrying out ploughing operations on the land of Mr. Maurice W. Ireland, Higlifore, Billiogshurst, Sussex. The plough is a six-furrow One, capable of being operated from the tractor. The maker of Caterpillar tractors is the British representative of the Holt Manufacturing Co. of California--aCaterpillax TrapZors, Ltd., 60, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. Mr. Victor F. Feeny is London director.
Licences for Steersmen. .
We observe that, at the Wigan Borough Police Court on a recent occasion, a steersman of a steam wagon was summoned for driving without a licence, and his employer for allowing the man to take part in driving a heavy motorcar without a driver's licence. It, was contended for the defence, by Mr. A. Dean, solicitor, Liverpool, that the steersman was under the control of the driver, who governed the action of the engine, and without the driver the ear could not -move at; all:; the steersman simply followed the driver's instructions as to the road to be taken.
The Beiach took the view that the steersman controlled the direction of the car, and imposed a fine of 10s. on him, whilst _ ordering the employer to pay costs.
Recent Registrations.
W. Caudle and Co, Ltd. (25000), with its registered office at 250, Queen's Road, Sheffield, to carry off a haulage-contracting, generalcarrying and motorbus business.
A. J. Croft and Co., Ltd.• (210,000), with its registered office at Holly Lane, Perry Bar, near ftirrningharra to take over brass-casting businesses now carried on by the Ctown Casting Co., at 148, Alma Street, Birmingham, and the Crown Transport _Co., at Holly Lane, Perry Bar, near Birmingham.
Sheppey Motor Transport Co., Ltd. (220,0Q0), with its registered 'office at 1, Eingswa,y, W.C., to take over the businesses carried on ,in the Isle of Sheppey by the Sheerness and District Electric Power and Traction Co., Ltd., and T.
Standen and Eons. .
Gorleston Garage, Ltd. (22D00), by 0. R. Talbot, 13, Queen Street, Great Yarmouth.
Holley Bros. CO. Ltd. (210,000), with its registered office at 17, Hertford Street, Coventry, to manufacture. and deal in carburetters, vaporizers, automobile, acre, marine and other engines and parts..-The first subscribers are T. C. Copson, Rolreby, Northumberland Road, Coventry, and A. Dugrey, Holyhead Road, Coventry. _
c50 Combing Out Motor Transport Industries.
The National Service Department has for some time past been in negotiation with the TrarnWays and "Omnibus Central Joint Committee for National Service. The bodies represented are the 'Municipal TraThwaYs Association,' the Tramways and Light Railways Association, the London Motor Omnibus. Owners Federation, the Provincial Motor Omnibus Owners " Federa.tion, the Amalgamated Association of Tramway and Vehicle • Workers; and the London and Provincial Union of Licensed Vehicle Workers.
• -A joint .appeal has been issued to. these engaged in tramway and bus -Work, whether as employers or -employees, and to their respective associations and trade .unions, in course of which the terms of service for substitution volunteers are brought to the notice . of all concerned. Regular employees can volunteer with their -.employers' cousent. Those who respond will be treated in precisely the same :way as regular employee who have been called up to the Colours, so far as retention of their permanent service is concerned. Applications for re-instatement will also be considered, in due course, from volurateerS who at the moment 'are only temporary employees. It is, therefore, laid down that substitution volunteers will have priority of consideration for re-employment along with their older colleagues who joined the Colours.
It is suggested that motormen, motorbus drivers and skilled mechanics. should not, at any rate in the first instance, volunteer under this scheme. We cordially agree with this proviso, becaase any further, depletion of the ranks of skilled mechanics .in the transport; world must gravely interfere with the possibility of carrying on either production , or distribution; particularly of foodstuffs. Milnes-Daimler-;Mercedes, Ltd.
The goodwill, plant,. stock, etc., of the above company as for sale by public tender,: under the Trading with the,. Enemy Amendment Act, 1916. Particulars May be had from F. G.Van de Linde, 4, Fenehurch Avenue; E. Q.
Petrol for Taxis.
Taxicabs are, with but few exceptions, Slab affected by the one-third reduction of petrol allowances' as from the 1st inst. This change, it is to be .hoped; will only become effective contemporaneously With a digerimination by: owners and. drivers against pure joy-riding. Whilst taxicabs are in many eases hired•for genuine business work and for journeys which have a .direct bearing upon National service, one knows full well that .much of the hiring is of: the pleasure and ;re creational class..
• French Words and Phrases.
• We desire to direct the attention of :readers to an admirable publication (price 10. post free) consisting of a short vocabulary of French words and phrases with English pronunciations, notes on French ' measures, and abbreviations and terms used on French maps. This is printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office,. and is obtainable from;Wymart and Sons, Ltd., Breams Buildings, Fetter Lane, E.G., or 54, St. Mary's • Street, Cardiff, or from His Majesty's Stationery Office, 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh, as well as Kingsway, W.C., or from E. Ponsonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.
The book is a valuable possession for any man in France. We arc pleased to observe that the pronunciation and phrases include those on our "Want Cards" in phonetic French, of which cards many thousands were issued in connection . with our recent Campaign Comforts Food.