WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all dieloulties of transport cr1 whatever points irising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it rums. '—John Beattie Crorter. .
"C.M." Staff Vacancy.
There is a vacancy on the editorial staff of Tile Comw.r.scrAt, MOTOR for a man •(not liable to military service) who Possesses some technical 'knowledge of motor engineering with a bent for journalism. Apply in writing, giving full details of experience, to the Manager, CoraNIERCIAI.: MOTOR, 7-15, Rosebery Avenue, London, B.C. 1.
Death of G.A.S.
With sincerest regrak we learn that, after months of severe suffering borne with heroic fortitude, A. George Stevens (whose caricatures signed G.A.S. served to add interest to the personal notes in .TELE COMMEROLii .MOTOR before the war) has passed away. He served his country well, and is a sad loss.
. Roadside Gas Supplies. •
• The sub-committee which was appointed by the County Council Association to consider the question of ,gas supplies to motor vehicles presented a recommendation at the meeting of the Executive Council held on Wednesday at theGuildhall, Westminster, Mr. Hy. Hobhousez M.P. presiding.
. Regarding temporary war supplies, the sub-committee recommended
(1) That the protection afforded to 'highway authorities by the existing statutory provisions in regard to the breaking up and reinstatement of highways shold apply in the case of tern.porary supplies of gas to vehicles during the war. .•
(2) That all highway-authorities should receive at least 23 days' notice before any work is undertaken, and should beqaioristrIted as to the designs and positions of any stand-pipes, pillar-pipes, and supply and charging stations proposed to . be erected on any road, street or public place, as to the line cf an-)' proposed temporary -cable, main or supply pipe, and as to the proposed method of supply and storage, and that each authority, in its discietion should be entitled to make objections thereto anti also proposals to minimise inconvenience and obstruction to the public.
(3) In the event of any disagreement arising in this connection the Local Government Board. should appoint an inspector to decide between the parties.
(4) That all stand-pipes, pillar-pipes and supply and charging stations erected for supply purposes shouldhave proper protection and supervision.
(5) That the heights of the gas containers (where cylinders are not used) should be restricted.
(6) That if at any time after any pillarpipe, stand-pipe or supply or charging station has been erected, or any eablp, main or pipe has been laid along any portion of a road the highway authority Interested should, after due notice, carry out any widening, lowering or diversion along such portion of the road, the said authority shall not be liable for any expense attaching to any censequential alteration, removal or relaying of any such pillar-pipe, pillar-pest, supply or charging saatum, cable, main or pipe, And that any eitpense incurred in this connection shall be borne by the oathpany, undertaking or person owning any such pillar-pipe, pillar-post, supply or charging station, cable, main or pipe.
(7) That all stand-pipes, pillar-pipes, and supply and charging stations shall; if the highway authority so requires, be removed and full reinstatement made within 12 -calendar months after the ter mination of the war. • In the matter of permanent-supplies after the war the recommendation was
That if, after the -war; the permanent provision of gas and other supplies to vehicles is contemplated, the Association ask that they be afforded adequate opportunity of making representations and being heard upon the subject.
Lorries Relieve Railways.
The acute railroad congestion in the eastern U.S.A. his made it necessary for motor lorries to move almost every kind of freight between cities, • even extralong hauls a few-class •freight which is logical railroad work during normal times. The vehicles have ably proved themselves fast and efficient lonaf-distance carriers during the present transportation crisis. Certain cresscountry hauls have been pernianettly taken over by motor. These includeshorter hauLseof all kinds, and long hauls of express, parcel post, arid other shipments where speed is essential. Many states are preparing now for greater activity in inter-city motor haulage during the months to come-. For example, Michigan's War Board has assured a conference of highway officials
that it will devote its 1,006.000 War fund toward keeping the main highways open to motor truck travel.
Japan Adopts Motorbuses. g
The British Commercial Attache at Yokohama, has forwarded particulars to London of a projected passenger service of motor vehiclesin Tokio.. The proposal is to form a company with a capital of about £500,000 to-operate a fleet of omnibuses within the Tokio limits. It is probably that for a start Only a proportion of the capital will -be called up, and that work will be begun with from 25 to 50 buses, in order to see if the undertaking will pay. The demand at present for motor tranSport inTokio is not very large, and in all probability it will be some Years before the entire scheme is carriea out.
Revealing -Its True Colours.
In a manifesto issued by the Automobile Association explaining it abstention from the United Council, the Association conies out as the open enOny of the commercial Vehicle movement.
Tank Wagon's Tank Tactics.
A two-ton Austin wagon has recently been procured by Messrs. Edward Lord, chemical manufacturers, of Baildon, Yorkshire, and fitted with a tank for the carrying of " gaa liquor." Messrs.
,Lord contract for the purchase of the by-products of gas works, and the gasliquor has to be carted 'away from the works and conveyed to a convenient railway station. Here the liquor 'is emptied into railway wagons specially constructed for the purpose, to be taken to various parts of the country. At some of the stations the discharging of the contents of the tank into the railway wagon lacks simplicity. The loading platforms were constructed for use with horse vehicles. When motors come on to the scene difficulty is encountered. The picture on this page shows the vehicle with its full load backing on te the loading platform at Bingley station. i The slope s moderately steep, as it is . necessary to have the rear end of the tank nearest to the railway wagon, while space is Limited.
War-worn Lorry Disposal.
• We have made reference, on several occasions in these columns, to the Active Service Car Co., which was formed in Germany some time ago to dispose Of repaired, war-used vehicles' after the close 'of hostilities. The technical section of the German Press is 'now endeavouring to get motorcycles ineluded in the r scheme. Captain W. A. T. Muller, the inventor of the petrol • electric road train which bears his name, has, in a paper recently read at the ; annual nieetint of the German Agricultural Society, outlined another scheme . which aims. at the motorization of civilian traffics en an extensive scale, whilst at the same time preventing over' Whelming offers of war-worn vehicles. To secure this end, Captain Muller proposes another combination of public aid with private enterprise other than the subvention form, and suggests the Wm: ation, even before the end of hostilities, of County Motor Traffic Companies, to . which the Imperial Empire shall contribute a quarter of the capital, the rest being supplied by interested parties in the various, counties. It is suggested
that during the demotilization period lorries as well as buses and tractors shall be utilized in civilian employment driven by A.S.C., M.T., men until civilian drivers can be obtained. The task of the County Motor Traffic Coin pauies would be to see that each class of user secured the best type of machine most suited to his requirements.
• jap Activity in Brazil.
According to the British Ambassador to Jaw, the Japanese people are energetically developing their trade with Brazil, It is -estimated that, 'since the war, over 16,000 Japs have emigrated into Brazil, and a syndicate has been
formed in that country which is supported by the Japanese Government, at a very low rate' of interest, to the extent of 1,000,000 yen per annum. The main interest of the Japanese is agriculture and the cultivation of rubber.
Use Coke for Steamers.
In advocating the more extensive resort to coke fuel for steam wagons, in order to ease the coal situation, the . British Commercial Gas Association draws timely attention to some -eminently eloquent performances. The Midland user of a " Sentinel " six-tanner relates that his vehicle, seven months old, and having run over 9500 miles without the boiler being dismantled, scaled or specially cleaned during that time, was •put on to three trips, each of 60 miles, in one week, over wet, heavy roads. Two trips were done in one day. The load was 6 tons 8r ewe throughout. During the 180 miles run, an average speed of 11.1 miles per hour was attained, and to cover which 1355 lb. of gas coke, of 12,000 B.T.U. were consumed. The vehicle 'mileage was 14.876 per cwt. of fuel, while 7.53 lb. of coke were burned per vehicle mile, or 1.17 lb. per ton-mile of useful load. The coke cost 25s. per ton, giving a fuel cost per ton-mile of useful load of 1.17, while 8.4 lb. of water were evaporated per lb. of fuel. The ability to carry a load of 6 tons 8 cwt. over ordinary roads for a fuel cost of only one penny per mile, points conclusively= to the economical possibilities of coke in this field, particularly in wartime. Another fine record on coke is reported by the Tottenham District Light, Heat and Power Co. with a National steamer under normal conditions. This vehicle has daub up 5740 . journey miles, carrying 1501 tans with a fuel consumption of 336 cwt. of coke, representing an average of 17 miles per cwt. of gas coke.
In view of the fact that cake is a smokeless, clean and relatively cheap home-produced fuel, and is more readily obtainable than Welsh smokeless coal, it should become the prime war.rtime fuel for steamers. To-day it is procurable at more than 800 gas works throughoet the country, the London Coke Commit. tee having extended its movement foi the establishment of coke depots foi the convenience of 'drivers to the pro vinces to foster the development.
Utility Before Appearance.
The accompanying illustration shows how a West Yorkshire woollen manufacturer has met his transport difficulties with a converted touring car. What the vehicle lacks in elegance is more than made up by its utility, while the driver
has been made very comfortable. Since it has become almost impossible to purchase vehicles such conversions have become more and more common. In most cases they represent new users of motors for commercial purposes, yet it can safely be said that these war-time converts to mechanical .transport will fdemand something more convenient and suitable for their purpose when conditions return to normal and they are able.to enter the market to purchase the vehicle which most nearly meets their requirements.
Austrian Anxiety Allayed.
Fears have been expressed in Austria that, .owing to the rise in price—both in initial outlay and running costs—of motor vehicles, there is a tendency towards the employment of smallerpowered cars after the war. Besides the general automobile tax, the Municipal Couneil of Vienna is intending to levy a 'municipal tax, and to a very 'great extent this 'will neutralize the support accorded the subvention scheme for motor lorries. It is pointed out that if this support is lacking the Artily might be deprived of its transport facilities' in case of emergency. The Government has been forced to refuse sanction to the schema.
For Food Freighting.
, The Dennis lorry shown in the aceornpauying illustration, belonging to Messrs. T. and T. Cl. Gillett, flour millers, of Faversham, is the standard A type subvention vehicle built ,by the Guildford, firm. The chassis is of standard design
throughout, and is fitted with a body 12 ft. in length by 6 ft. in width, with the usual army pattern hoop sticks and ridge poles. We are informed that this vehicle has given every satisfaction to its owners, and at the moment is being exclusively used for the conveyance of flour and other foodstuffs, thus contributing materially to a vital national problem and one of the urgent needs of the moment.
No Profiteering here?
Contrary to -the conditions reigning before the war, the shares of automobile works in general have lately been the favourite features of the German Stock Exchange, attaining almost unprecedented prices. Two leading German papers' the " Berliner Tageblatt" and the "Frankfurter Zeitung," have recently attacked the automobile industry
" belonging to the war profiteers and not to the war workers," and in defence a director of the Association of German Motor Manufacturers, Dr. 'Curt Skep, has written an article from which the following is a brief extract:—" But few industries can show as modw ate increases in cost, and none has been more ready. to comply with the appeal of the authorities to prove the necessity before making whatever increase was deemed vital. No increase has been granted until examination by expert commissions, not even to the extent of covering the virtual increase in wages and cost of raw materials. The automobile works generally before the war had experienced lean days, resulting in financial manipulation, with the result that the stock capital amounted only to a. fraction of the capital really invested in the companies,
owing to writings-off and reserves. Several of the automobile works mentioned in the papers above have devoted their energies since the outbreak of war to more profitable fields of enterprise than the manufacture of motor vehicles, but it is quite erroneous to compare conditions of both the Daimler and Benz companies with the remaining 28 auto, mobile works, as both of these firms had large plants before the war, the value of which had been 'written off in long years of peace, and amounted in value to many times the joint stocks."
Catalogue Cancelled.
Through the medium of these columns Messrs. H. Miller and Co., Ltd., of Miller Street, Birmingham, desire to acquaint their many friends and enstumors with.the fact that the prices contained in their complete catalogue are cancelled by their new scale of advanced prices which came into force 14th January last. The continued pressure of war conditions bas rendered inevitable
curtailment in the number of models, with the result that they can only deliver, with reasonable promptitude, those types which are not suspended or withdrawn. They will be glad to supply full details of such machines and new prices if application be made to the address given above,
Refuse Collection by Electric.
According to the recently issued report of the surveyor to the Leyton • Urban District Council, the electric , moturvan acquired some months ago for the collection of house refuse has proved • highly successful. From the results of six months working it is possible to show the caving in comparison with the ordinary horse-drawn carts with fairly 'reliable accuracy. During the nine -monthil ending December last the daily average for the animal units fluctueted 'froni 13.3 in December to 17.4 in May.
Froth* 3rd July when the ele,ctric was put into commission until 31st December the motervau worked 143 daye, and from its performance it would seem as if it were fully doing the work of three horse drawn carts. Of course, as is pointed out, there are times when the electric is hard put to it to collect the allotted refuse in one day.
For instance, it is recorded that on one day, 7th December. the van carried the exoentionallY heavy wad of 12 tons '4 cwt., representing an average loading rate of 161 cwt. per man per hour, at% ' compared With an average daily loading throughout the period of only 7 tons. The electric is handling the collection of garbage on a round which was formerly cleared daily by. three, and sometimes, four horse carts.
During the period -under review the eleetries weekly record was the clearing of refuse from 3989 houses, the week extending over six days. On the assumption that the van does the work of three horse carts the relative annual working (300 days) costs of the two systems are .2907 10e, and 2375 respectively, representing a gross saving of 2532 10s. in favour of the electric:system. The daily cost of the electric vehicle during Lite peried in question has been 21 5s. net.
The vehicle in question is of two tons capacity, and the daily collection has varied from the Minimum of 3 tons '4 cwt. to e maximum of 1.2 tans 4 cwt,,
' the average collection being 7 tons per day. . The daily jeurrieyS average 2.87 miles with an average road mileage in collecting and delivering' of 11* miles. The ton-miles have ranged from the minimum of 24.6 to the maximum et 167.3 with a daily average of 81.10. The time absorbed in travelling averaged 41 mine, per day, that lost t works 34 mins., and that on the b at 7 hours 8 min,s., the total time woiked per day thus coming out at 8 Eris, . 23 mine. Two men are employed for filling, and their average per man per hour conies out at El: cwt.
Expressed in other terms the electric is collecting refuse from about 4090 houses or one-sixth: of the whole district distributed over 13 miles of roads, representing one-fifth of the total mileage of the district. During the six months with which the report deals the electric throughout its 143 working days handled approximately one-seventh of the bulk collected by all the vehicles engaged in this service—namely, 1017 out of 7164 tons. In the opin.ion of the surveyor the working of the electric is so satisfactory as to justify the Council purchasing further Vehicles of this type when obtainable. He points out that with seven electric, averaging the eenual working expense including maintenance and
repairs at 2375 the charging under thisheading would ire 22625 per annum plus
the repayment of capital, say, 21000 per year, as against 16.8 horse-drawn carts at 18s. per day aggregating 24536 per annum.
Damage to Roads.
A great deal of timber, felling for Government purposes has been' carried on for a considerable time past at Thakeham in Sussex, and from time to time the surveyor leas drawn the attention
of the Council to the damage caused to the roads of the district by the abnormally heavy traffic ,engaged in the transportation of the logs to the sawing mills. The surveyor recently reported that he estimated it would cost 22000 to put one road in a proper state ef repair. The Council 'are strongly of opinion that the .ratepayeri eheuld not be called upon to bear the whole 'of this heavy'expense, but so far the' considerable correspondence which has taken place between the surveyor and the parties concerned has not resulted in any satisfactory agreement being arrived at. The interests of the Council, which, of course, are the interests of the ratepayers, are being carefully watched by the surveyor.
Partnership Dissolutions.
Notice is given of the dissolutions of the partnerships between Herbert Roberts and Charles Henry Moore, carrying on business at Thames Ditton, as the Surrey Motor Plough Co; between Vernon Wright Worsdale and Sydney James Bavely, carrying on business as motor garage proprietors, motor repairers. etc.. at 11. 14 and 15. Wood
house Parade, North Finchley, under the style of the North Finchley. Motor Co.; and between Evan Philip Evane, Frederick Isaiah Bibb and ,Emily Sherman, carrying on business as lamp manufacturers, and motor sheet metal workers, at 67, New Compton Street, W.C. 2, under the style of S. Sherman and Son. All debts due to, and owing by, the late firm will be. received and paid by Evan Philip .Evans and Emily Sherman.
-A great increase in the registration of heavy , motorcars was reported at the 'meeting of the Middlesex County Council on 28th February. During the year ending 31st December, 1917, 557 heavy motorcars were registered in the county as against 225 in 1916, and 136 in 1915. The main increase in 1917 occurred during the quarter ending .30th September, when 425 were registered.The total number registered in Middlesex from 1st January, 1904, to 31st December,
1917, was 1167. •
THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR Local Proceedings.
Speeborough D.C. is to purchase a motor fire-engine and escape.
The City Engineer of Leeds is making inquiries as to the cost of a steam wagon.
La,nchester (Durham) R.D.C. is to purchase a 3-ton steam wagorato'cost 2950.
Harrogate Corporation is endeavouring to secure sanction to purchase two electric vehicles.
Bolton T.C. has accepted the tender of Drake and Gorham for a one-ton electric vehicle.
Chipping Sodbury (Gloucestershire) Guardians' are to consider the purchase , of a tractor for stone haulage, etc.
Blackpool T.C. is to spend between 2800 and 2900 on another electric vehicle for the Cloansing.Department.
Penrith R.D.C. is to purchase a tractor and two wagons to haul road material at an estimated cost of 2935.
Southend Corporation has deferred for six menthe the consideration or question of purchasing Edison coal-tipping wagons for the electricity depot.
Lewisham Guardians, who have gasbagged ,a, motor ambulance, now reports that during the past two weeks running on gas the cost has been 18s. 4d. as compared with 23 Os. 10d. had petrol been used for a similar mileage.
Glasgow Corporation Electric Committee recomMenda acceptance of an offer of the Edison Accumulator Co. for the supply of an additional five-ton electric vehicle for 21740.
At a meeting of the Newton Guardians it was intimated that Balls, Ltd., had offered to supply a motor ambulance for two years at 10d. per mile no journey to be less than 3s, 6d. With regard to a motor hearse these contractors-are supplying a vehicle at the rate of 10d per mile, no journey to .cost less than 5s.
Hurstpierpoint Parish Council has decided to convert, its manual fire-engine into a motor-driven machine. In these days of stress there are many disabilities attendant upon the operation of a manual
engine. There is primarily. a difficulty in obtaining ,horses; and if the machine reaches a conflagration there is a possibility of a dhortage of pumpers. The conversion, it is estimated, will cost 2200. which sum is to be raised by subscription.