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Opinions from Others.

8th June 1911, Page 27
8th June 1911
Page 27
Page 27, 8th June 1911 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Hydraulic Petrol Storage.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,376] Sir,—I have been reading the description in your issue of the 4th ult., on the subject of petrol storage on the hydraulic system. I wish some readers of your journal could give me information as to the cost of such a plant, for I have been told that it comes out very much more expensive, for an equal size of plant, than the weldless tank system of which so many examples are known in this country. While on this subject, I should also like to have information from any of your readers who have actual experience of the hydraulic system of petrol storage, either on the small or the large scale, in any part of the United Kingdom. The points on which I should like information are these :--(1) Does not the water really mix with the petrol, at least to an extent sufficient to interfere at times with the working of the engine on the road ? (2) How is the risk of getting petrol into the drains avoided with the hydraulic system? (3) At what speed is the spirit delivered when the available head of water is small? (4) What happens in the winter, when the water freezes—does not the system get altogether out of order ? The foregoing questions are addressed with the object of obtaining information, which I hope will be forthcoming.—Yours faithfully,

LONDON WORKS.

Is a Taxi Driver a Skilled Workman ?

Tile Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[I,377] Sir,—With reference to the letter from "Skilled but not Mechanical," I do not think he in any way weakens the argument that the driver is not a skilled worker. The possession of sufficient knowledge of London does not, to my mind, indicate skill, as the large majority of the men who possess licences did not set out to obtain their knowledge of London with a view to passing the Scotland Yard examination. Most of them have acquired the necessary knowledge in the ordinary course of time during many years of residence and travelling in and around the Metropolis. A large number of taxi drivers are old horse cabmen, who obtained their licences to drive horse vehicles when the test was less exacting.

Take the case of men who have learned " London " for the purpose of getting a, licence. Is it to be suggested that that which requires ordinary commonsense and memorizing of streets for a comparatively short space of time shall be paid as skilled labour ? A motor cabman of to-day is no more skilled than the old horse cabman ; he has learnt how to handle a motor instead of how to handle a horse, but the one requires no more skill than the other. If a cab-driver was a skilled worker, we should not have the present cry "I am not getting any wages, but have become a licensed cadger." I know some men who in their calling show skill, but the utmost skill that could be shown is commonsense, and an ability to work with the head and not with the feet and hands only.

I know of one man who leaves the garage each morning very early (before the majority of his colleagues get out of bed) and makes for one of the large railway termini. Almost invariably his is the only cab at the station, and he immediately gets a fare, and wherever he finds himself after dropping his fare, he dons his thinking cap, and, having a complete knowledge of the time of arrival of all the principal trains, he makes for the nearest railway station. and, so on, through the day he obtains a succession of fares. As against this man who works, as I say, with his head, there are many drivers who, when they have put down one fare, go and put on to a rank behind twenty or thirty other cabs. The thinking man whom I have mentioned above is even now (at a. time which is regarded as bad) earning between 22 and 23 per week, without taking into consideration any tips. This man has never been a horse cab-driver, and he regards his occupation of a cabman quite as much a business as is that of a merchant in the City. If all cabmen did the same, there would be no disputing their right to the title of "Skilled workers."—Yours

faithfully, A. N. OBSERVER.

Spirit Tax Difficulties.

The Editor, TUE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,378] Sir,—To the new user of petrol-driven vehicles, all sorts of difficulties seem to be raised by the authorities before they will allow the rebate which should justly be given to commercial vehicle users. Every little detail is gone into by the authorities, and if any slight difference in the wording of the certificate given by the vendor of the spirit at the time of purchase is detected, a certificate has to be drawn up again, and the whole application for rebate reconsidered, which fact shows the great necessity for accuracy and direct proof of purchase and use. The commercial vehicle owner, when first starting to run his • vehicles, should make a point of buying his petrol from one firm only, as his invoices for spirit supplied would then always be accompanied by a statement of which the following is a copy. [Copy.] Sold to of gallons of motor spirit on which the full duty has been paid to the Crown.

For the (name of firm from whom spirit is purchased) Depot.

The wording of this statement must not be altered in any way, and it is my experience that, if the user makes all his purchases from one firm, so that he can present uniform vouchers when claiming rebate, he will experience the minimum of trouble with the authorities.—Yours faithfully, " IxEnriTABLE."

Tire Guarantees.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1,379] Sir,—The guaranteeing of the mileage of rubber tires is a very important item in the running of a rubber-tired commercial vehicle whatever may be the load carried. The delay caused by the giving out of a tire, and the necessity of sending the wheels to the tire makers to be re-tired is a serious one, and, if the vehicle is to be kept continually on the road, a spare set of wheels should be stocked. Moreover, if trouble is met with by the tire's giving out before the guarantee elapses it is not permissible to try another make of tire without forfeiting the unexpired time of the guarantee. Say a set of tires costs 275, and they are guaranteed 10,000 miles : the tires, however, only run 5,000 miles, and a new set is then supplied, and, when paying for them, a credit for 50 per cent. of their value is given to the purchaser ; again, let us assume, the tires only give 50 per cent. of the guaranteed mileage, and the user then decide's to change the make of tire, but, in the circumstances, under the guarantee he will be out of pocket by the amount of mileage not accomplished, viz., 50 per cent.

All these tire troubles are making users see the benefit of having only British-made tires, and especially is this the case in the Midlands, where big tire manufacturers are situated, so that if any trouble occurs one may have the pleasure of personally seeing the firm and giving them one's private opinion of them, if the tires have given unnecessary trouble.—

Yours faithfully, "Hansom."

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Organisations: Scotland Yard
Locations: London

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