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The Wheels of Industry.

8th February 1917
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Page 8, 8th February 1917 — The Wheels of Industry.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs.c—John Beattie Crozier.

Proceedings of Local Authorities.

The Chipping Sodbury desirous of purchasing a steam tractor.

Leyton U.D.C. has bought a battery-equipped two-tonner from Edison Accumulators, Ltd.

The Southwark B.C. has agreed to pay Straker-Squire (1913), Ltd., the sum of 2950 for a second roadwashing machine.

The tender of R. Garrett and Sons Ltd., has been accepted by M

the etropolitan Asylums Board, tor the supply of a steam tractor and four trailers, for the haulage of coat, at 2932 108. There were four other estimates.

The Highways Committee of the Wandsworth B.C. has declined an application of the Furniture Warehousemen and Removers Association in respect of special facilities for drivers of steam wagons to take water from the Council's stand posts.

The Edinburgh T.C. has adopted the recommendation of it Tramways Committee, and has agreed to buy the 200 cable tramcars, from the local operating company—presumably for delivery when the company's lease expires in 1919—for £50,000.

gaMord T.C. is amongst the municipalities which has promptly availed itself of the delivery facilities of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd, the Lighting and Cleansing Department of that Corporation having bought a tipping-wagon for 2741 17s. 6d: The Electricity Committee of the Manchester City Council will receive tenders, until 10 a.m. tomorrow (Friday), for a batteryequipped wagon. The details are in the hands. of the city electrical engineer, Mr. S. L. Pearce, Dickinson Street, Manchester.

The Brighton T.C., on the recommendation of its Works Committee, has decided to purchase one five-ton steam wagon and one 31-ton battery-equipped wagon. The cost of the steam wagon is 2830. and of the battery-equipped wagon £995, inelusive of rubber tires and tipping bodies, whilst interchangeable watering tanks. are to cost 2225. The estimate of the Borough Surveyor is that the steam wazon will cost 21 3s. 8d. per day, and the battery-equipped wagon 21 7s. 7(1. per day, both vehicles showing a very considerable economy, over horse costs, expressed per ton or per cubic ft. The two motors will he given the work of six horse vehicles, including street watering.

The Bethnal Green B.C. is seeking to buy nine horses at £100 each. Why not a motor wagon ? "

The Durham County Council has received a claim from the North Eastern Railway Co:, for the sum of 224, for damage to a weighbridge at Birtley goods yard, by one of the Council's steam wagons.

The Chelmsford T.0 has declined to erect an automatic water fountaire for the benefit of steam-wagon owners in the district, unless it can obtain a guarantee of a minimum annual revenue. The purchase is estimated to cost about 224.

The York City Council, through its Foss Navigation Committee, has arranged to charge Is, per filling, for water, to owners of traction engines or other road locomotives who wish to take water from. the river for traction purposes.

Red Cross Sales of Motor Ambulances.

We direct attention to the announeeraent elsewhere in our pages of the British Red Cross Society (page 60 of advertisements), in which a number of recently-withdrawn ambulances of well-known makes are offered for sale. The chassis can be inspected, on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday of next week, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the depot at the rear of 22-26, High Street, Tooting, S.W. (entrance through the yard of Thos. Tilling, Ltd.).

Important Motorbus Decision.

The Westminster City Council has taken an important decision, after consideration of the legal points involved, concerning the resumed use of the western side of Trafalgar Square by motorbuses. This partiatilar length of highway was used between the 28th May and 13th October, 1914, after which period no motorbuses ran along it. The decision to which we refer is that the use on record constitutes regular use within the meaning of Section 20 of the Local Government (Emergency Provisions) Act% 1916.

Commandeering the -R.A.C.

We publish amongst our "Opinions from Others" a short letter from the Hon. Arthur Stanley, M.P., C.B., C.V.O., chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. Our sister journal "The Motor" deals fully with the war work of the R.A.C. in its current issue, dated the 6th inst., and we have only space at our disposal to put on record our complete endorsement of the views there stated. The R.A.C. is in effect the "Union Jack" Club for officers, inclusive of officers of the Overseas Forces, and its appropriation on its being requisitioned as Government offices is in our opinion a grave mistake. We trust that Sir Alfred Mond and his cOileaguee will in the end be persuaded of the fact that the club is better used, in the national interests, as matters stand, than it can be as offices.

Certified Occupations.

Form H. 105, dated the 20th November last, being the list of certified occupations for official use, is now replaced by Form R.117, dated the 1st February. Postage of PA. to H.M. Stationary Office, Imperial House, Kingsway, London, W.C., or 37, Peter Street, Manchester, or 1, St. Andrew's Crescent, Cardiff, or 23, Forth Street, Edinburgh, will bring a copy. In Ireland, it should be obtained from E. Ponsonby, Ltd., 116, Grafton Street, Dublin.

Readers of THE COMMERCIAL Moroa, apart from their own special interests, should make note of the fact that the age limits for single men have not been altered in any of the general reservations of (1) engineman ; (2) stoker ; (8) mechanics and similar men ; (4) power carter. The same holds good for heads of departments, foremen, or drivers of motorbuses. As we reported on the 25th ult., it may be necessary, on or about the 31st March, for any such single man, who was under 31 years of age on the 4th April, 1916, to prove to the satisfaction of a local Tribunal that, as well as being in one of these certified occupations (in the case of a "power Carter" to a certified trade), he is directly engaged on work of national importance.

The pre-existing age of 25 (at the 4th April, 1916), for married men, is now raised to 27, in the abovementioned five categories.

Useful Names.

Readers in need of anything useful to commercial-motor users, from a. sparking plug to a six-ton steamer, will find pages 22-24 of the advertisements a. great help.

Recent Registrations.

Rotary Road Engines, Ltd. (.6tio0), with its registered office at 28,. Victoria Street, London, S.W. Private company.

Wigniore Motor Mart, Ltd. (2500u), with its registered office at 84, Wigmore Street, W., to manufacture and deal in all elapses of motor vehicles.

Johnson Perrot and Kelly (Bantry), Ltd., with its registered office at the Square, Bantry, Co. Cork, to take over the motor business and garage of Johnson and Perrot, Ltd., at Bantry, Co. Cork.

Fryston Collieries Workmen's Motor Co., Lid. (i2000), to acquire and run motorbuses and other vehicles for the conveyance of workmen to and from collieries, and otherwise. Secretary, A. J. Lunn, Castleford.

Improved Solidite Co., Ltd. (2500), to take over a business at Charlton Works, Charlton Place, Islington, N., engaged on the manufacture and sale of Solidite, rubber, vulcanite, ebonite, fibres, artificial shellac, compositions, etc., and to carry on glass blowing and lamp work. Private company.

Entertainments for Wounded S aldiers.

We learn from Mr. Sam Shirley, of the Manchester depot of Brown Bros.' Ltd., that the traders of Manchester and diArict gave a, successful entertainment to several hundred wounded soldiers on Thursday evening of last week. The men were entertained at the Military Hospital, Nell Lane, Withington. Mr. Shirley was hon. secretary and treasurer for the affair. A maximum donation of one guinea was adopted, and the receipts were so numerous that 560 wounded soldiers sat down to "high tea," whilst )40 men who were unable to leave their wards participated in the repast separately. Messrs. Toni Garner, J. II. Moffat, S. Norris, C. E. Skinner, Leo Swain, and C. V. Stead were the principal workers in conjunction with Mr. Shirley. They were helped, amongst others, by Messrs. john Newton and F. C. Hunt. Mr. Tom Garner presided, and the artistes included Miss Lilian, The Gothams, Miss Ina Hill (all of the Hippodrome), Mr_ Morley, the Demon King (from the Royal); Romanoff, Wizard of the Violin, the Leslie-% Troupe, Mr. A. Hasleham, Mr. F. Bowyer, Signor

Gherardi, Mr. Arthur Guildford, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Farmer, and Miss Bella Bailey. Gazette.

The Penrith and District Motor Service, Ltd.' is to be wound up voluntarily and Mr. Wm. Scott, of the Town Hall, Penrith, has been appointed liquidator.

The Controller appointed by the Board of Trade in the matter of the Milnes-Daimler Mercedes, Ltd., is prepared to sell by public tender the goodwill of the business, with the fixed and movable plant, stock in-trade, etc., of the company. Communications may now be addressed to the Controller, Mr. F. G. Van de Linde, F.C.A., 4, Fenchurch Avenue, E.C. (telephone Avenue 1130), who will supply forms of tender.

"Safety First."

The Hon. Secretary of the:Publicity Committee of the London "Safety First" Council, whose address is 45, Westminster Broadway, London, S.W., will be pleased to receive couplets from readers of TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, in a competition for a prize of E5, for the best couplet which bears upon "safety first" The competition remains open until the end of February. The desire is to obtain a "catchy couplet" which can be utilized in connection with developments of the Council's programme. We have at the same time received nine "Nursery Rhymes for Present Times " bearing on the campaign for securing "safety first" in the conduct of City traffic more particularly. These are well conceived, and we shall show our appreciation of them by publishing them, one at a time, beginning next week, on our page of "One Hears."

Concrete Roads.

Mr. Henry Holt, a director of the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers (1900), Ltd., of Portland House, Lloyd's Avenue, London, E.C., draws our attention to the increased use of reinforced concrete for road construction purposes. This method of construction is proving both popular and successful in America. There are, of course, a certain number of instances in which extended use of this form of construction has been made in the 'United Kingdom. The city surveyor of Chester, Mr. Matthew Jones, has had two such roads under traffic for a considerable period, whilst others exist at Exmouth (Mr. S. Hutton, engineer to the council), at Padstow (Cornwall), laid by the London and South Western Railway Co. more than two years ago, and at Mountnessing (Essex), on the main road between London and Colchester. It is found by experience that concrete roads are neither dusty nor slippery, and it is claimed that the cost of maintenance is only equal to that of tarspraying once in 12 months. We have no doubt that details as to cost and method of laying will be furnished on application.

LodgePlugs.

The whole output of Lodge sparking plugs is, by Government instructions, reserved for "urgent national requirements." Not everybody who desires to buy a Lodge plug will, therefore, be abie to get one (exeept for export), unless the orders are accompanied by priority certificates for either Class A or B.

Motor Volunteers.

Our first leading article deals at some length with the text of Army Council Instruction No. 90 of 1917. We referred briefly to this official document last week, and we now publiSh it in extenso (pages 515 and 516). This official scheme will no doubt be interesting to many hard workers in the cause of motov volunteering, such as Mr. W. Flaxman French, which gentleman, we observe, continues to give his best services, both with vehicles and in entertaining wounded soldiers.

German Activities in Neutral Countries.

Our "Opinions from Others" include a letter from the secretary of Wood-Milne, Ltd., on the above important subject. It is evident, from what Mr. Still writes, that additional facts are coming to light in proof of the continued policy of penetration on the part of commercial Germany. We welcome this disclosure of particular knowledge by the Wood-Milne Co., because it is helpful to all British interests that special knowledge of the kind shoilld be made public_ Complacent people are all too ready to believe that Germany is confining her efforts to military activities, which is far from being the case.

A Census of Rail Locomotives.

The Ministry of Munitions requires, on or before Wednesday of next week, that all persons (other than railway companies) owning or having in their possession or under their control any steam or petrol locomotive engine, or engines, in Great Britain, shall make a return to the Deputy Director-General of Railway Material Licences, Whitehall Place, London, S.W., giving the following particulars with regard to such engine or engines : (a) type of locomotive ; (b) steam or petrol driven ; (c) name or number of locomotive ; (d) owner's name and address ; (e) maker of locomotive; (f) date on which the locomotive was built ; (g) gauge of railway ; (h) maximum height and width of locomotive ; (i) work (if any) on which locomotive is employed; (j) weight and general description. It is particularly to be noted that the requirement applies only to vehicles which run on rails, and not to road vehicles. It will, for example, apply to all shunting engines in works and possibly to petroldriven or steam-driven tractors. Exports to India.

The Indian Government announces that, despite the prohibition of imports into India of all classes of motor vehicles and parts and accessories therefor other than tires, such prohibition will not apply to purchases against confirmed bankers' credits which were opened before the 23rd December last. Prohibition, of course, in no event applies to purchases on behalf of the Government, or under licence.

• A Photographic Guide.

We have received once more the " Wellcome " Photographic Exposure Record and Diary for 1917. This little publication contains within its compact pages an almost complete guide to photography. It of use to the amateur, to the beginner, and equally so to the expert, since he has always at hand a ready means of checking any necessary exposures, no matter how impossible the conditions may seem.

Its price is one shilling, and it is obtainable from most photographic dealers and booksellers in the United Kingdom, or direct from the publishers, Burroughs Wellcome and Co., Snow Hill Buildings, London, E.C., for Is. id. post free. Special editions are prepared for thP. Southern Hemisphere and the U.S.A., in addition to the standard one for the Northern Hemisphere and the Tropics.

L.G.O.C. and Underground Railways.

The ninth Operating Department efficiency meeting was held recently at the L.G.O.C. Training School, Milman's Street, Chelsea, Mr. H. E. Blain, the operating nu.nager, presiding over an atten

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dance reaching nearly 200. A paper on "The Popularizing of Passenger Transportation" was read by Mr. S. T. Trigg, the chief inspector of the Tube railways, who divided his subject into two main parts, (a) Attracting the Passenger, (b) Getting and Keeping the Passenger.

The importance of the various forms of advertising media, posters, Press, house-to-house distribution, etc., was pointed out, and an interesting collection of posters was exhibited round the walls, the specimens including some of the most attractive issued by the various railway companies, and incidentally showing the extent to which the artistic side of publicity was studied by them in their advertising campaigns. As an instance of the value of special publicity campaigns, reference was made to the recent

scheme of the Great Eastern Railway encouraging the poultry and egg trade in the provinces, and the " bafety First" and other campaigns were commended. The.. necessity for publicity for country routes, seaside excursions, etc., was emphasized. and the American notion of amusement parks discussed. Sides were shown showing the great improvement of recent years in station-sign schemes, and in the display of. station advertisements.

In the ,second part of the paper, the importance of frequent services, regular and punctual running, prompt attention at booking offices, lifts and ticket barriers on the railways, and on the front and backs of trains and buses, was pointed out, and special emphasis laid on the display of tact and courtesy on the part of the staff. In the latter connection, various systems of staff 'reward and punishment were mentioned. -Brightness, neatness and reasonable ornamentation of stations added effect, and the changes of the past few years in this respect were also shown by slides. Points in connection with rolling stock were discussed as well as the central-control system in cons nection with the regulation of headways, etc., this system having now been successful.y adopted in connection with both the Underground Railways and the bus company.

The final portion of the paper dealt with adjuncts to travel, in the shape of lifts, escalators, etc., and referred also to fare systems.

A. discussion on the paper was opened by Mr. E. S. Welton, indoor assistant of the General Superintendent (L.G.O.C.), and was continued by a large number of speakers, several specially-interesting and valuable suggestions being made.

Petrol Substitutes.

We invite communications from readers concerning the names of petrol substitutes with which they have had experience, and information as to the degree of satisfacticsn which they have obtained from such use. It is desirable that any particulars should concern a minimum period of six months of use.

Fc r the Jaded Londoner.

Two recent additions to the admirable series of booklets published by the Underground Railways, dealing with beauty-spots and interesting landmarks in and around London are those describing Richmond and Epping Forest. Richmond is perhaps the Queen of London suburbs, throned upon the silver Thames, and the various phases of her beauty are well depicted in the first of these booklets. The second one deals with a district as interesting and as picturesque, Epping Forest, full of old historical monuments, charming views, and woodland valleys.

A very good bus service connects both Richmond and Epping with all parts of London. The use of the booklets as guides—and they are available for the asking, at any Underground station—increases the interest.

Good Mechanics Wanted.

The Y.M.C.A. in connection with the welfare work which it is so capably conducting on all the active fronts, as well as at home, is in need of about half a score of good mechanics. They will be required to work at the association's base depots in France. A good wage is offered, with froe board and residence while overseas. None but capable hands should apply, and only those ineligible for the Army can be engaged. Address applications to the Y.M.C.A., Tottenham. Court Rd., London, W.

Taking Passengess in a Commercial Motor.

The West Riding Pure Milk Co., Ltd. of Harrogate, was fined los. at Harrogate, on the 30th ult., in the following circumstances. The company's motor lorry, which is registered as a commercial motor, and in respect of which no motorcar licence had been taken out, was one day found to be loaded with 18 soldiers, travelling between Ripon and Harrogate. The military authorities were chiefly concerned because the soldiers had not obtained passes, whilst for the defence it was stated that the driver, who was asked by the soldiers to give them a ride' did so in a spirit of patriotism, and without thinking of the legal position. Lighting Regulations.

The only areas in the country in which it is now necessary to use perforated discs in the side-lamps, and in which headlights may not be used, are the County Borough ot Ipswich, the Boroughs of Col chester, Dover, Folkestone, Harwich, Hythe, Margate and Ramsgate, and the Urban Districts of Felixstowe and Sandgate.

Headlights may be used in all other areas, in conjunction with side-lamps, on the condition that (1) the side-lamps burn only candle or oil, and have no lens fronts, or (2) in the case of other side-lamps they are obscured with white paper, or some other uncoloured material. and additionally have a perforated disc conforming to the existing regulations.

The concessions are two in num her :—A reduction in the number of areas in which headlamps are forbidden, and perforated discs must be used in the side-lamps in addition to tissue paper ; specific permission to use headlights in all other areas, subject to the proper partial obscuration of the right from the side-lamps.

It is important to note that if the front glass of any headlight exceeds 6 ins, in diameter, the whole of the front glass must be permanently obscured, so that, no light can pass through its except in respect of a contral portion not in excess of 41 ins, in diameter.

It is interesting to note that the regulations for Scotland have now been brought into line with those for the rest of the United Kingdom, thus simplifying matters considerably.


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