The Wheels of Industry.
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points ar4ing, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
We are notified by the Lady-inWaiting, as we are on.the point of going to press with this issue, that H.R.H. Princess Arthur of Connaught, President of our Campaign Comforts Fund, has stated her intention to • honour us with a visit, for the purpose of inspecting the stores and organization. The intimation is that 3 o'clock of Wednesday, the 7th inst., has been chosen.
Importation of Agrimotors.
• We are inforrnedoby the Agricultural Machinery Branch" of the Ministry of Munitions (8, Northumberland Avenue, S.W.), that the following information is required before any application for a licence to import an agrimotor, or agricultural implement, can be considered : —(1) Name of article ; (2) quantity ; (3) country where manufactured ; (4) port from which it will be shipped ; (5) port of entry in this country; (6) value of each article enumerated under (1); (7) gross weight and shipping space required in cubic ft. by each article enumerated under (1) ;
(8) is the article now on board ship;
(9) is article for own use, or for resale to customer ; (10) name and address of customer ; (11) give reason why importation would be of national interest. The information must be completed, signed, dated, and in duplicate.
The Agrimotor Push.
Mr. P. D. L. Perry, Mr. Henry Ford's European manager, was last week appointed Director of the Machinery and Implement Section of the Food Production Branch of the Board of Agriculture under Sir Arthur Lee, Director-General of that branch. We make editorial reference to the duties which Mr. Perry has undertaken, and to the manner of his laying plans for their execution, whilst the list of "enpert mechanical organizers" for England and Wales, as available to Monday afternoon last, will be found on page 24. Those of our readers who may be able to offer their services will please act upon the instruction that they are to communicate with one or . other of these expert mechanical organizers. In the event of their not finding in our list the name of a representative who is near the point at which they may be willing to help they will save time if they apply in writing to Mr. A. Noel Mobbs, 216, Great Portland Street, W., who is one of Mr. Perry's principal assistants in the undertaking, and who will immediately pass on the letter of appli'cation to any newly-appointed county agent.
036 ,Women Taxi-drivers.
The threat of London taxicab men, that they will go on strike when the first taxicab appears on the streets of London with a woman driver, appears to-us to be one that will cause the men a further loss of sympathy at the hands of the general public. The protest is, in our judgment, idle and insincere.
The New Director-,General of Mechanical Transport Supply.
Mr. Percy Martin has been appointed to -succeed Sir Albert R. Stanley. Mr. Martin's full title is " Director-General of Mechanical Transport Supply and of Petrol Engine Supply." • His office will be located at the . Grand Hotel, Northumberland Avenue, London, W. The appointment is one with which the industry will be corn.pletely in accord, and it is perhaps not inappropriate if we state now that, since his appointment to control the supply of petrol engines, Mr. Martin's. work has been carried out, under circumstances of great difficulty, in complete harmony with the principal officials of the several branches and departments which are affected.
L.C.C. Tramcars.
The Highways Committee of the L.C.C., which committee is responsible for the working of the L.C.C. electric-tranicar undertaking, has already begun to prepare the ratepayers for a position of affairs which is rapidly approaching the desperate. .Although the Accounts are not due to be. published for another few months, the Committee has authorized the publication of a series of pleas in extenuation of a loss which must be then disclosed. The following is the list of "additional--financial burdens" which the Committee estimates will have been placed upon the undertaking during the financial year ending 31st inst. : War bonus and war wages £172,150 Increase of pay ... ... £8,300 War service allowances... £250,950 These figures show a total increase of £431,400 for the year which is about to close ; it is pointed out that the additional annual cost will probably remain at £268;400, which is equivalent to 1.29d. per car-mile. Salaries and wages together have increased 0.9d. per car-mile in four years. We would point out, apropos the foregoing apologia, that other passenger-transport undertakings in London have been subjected to comparable war conditions, hut have managed to show a reasonable profit without "squealing.'.' Dunlop Solids.
We are notified by the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., that, as and from the let inst., the. standard prices for Dunlop solid-rubber tires are subject to an advance of 10 per cent.
Quick Delivery in Scotland.
We understand that Wertie's Moters, Ltd,. 7-8, Queensferry Street, Edinburgh, is in a good position to give quick delivery of Clydesdale, Whiting, WhitingFederal and Whiting-Denby new chassis. .
Military Service.
The War Office, under date the 1st inst., by Army Council Instruction No. 366 A of 1917, has. called . upon Local Tribunals to review generally all certificates of exemption which are held by men who had not attained the age of 31 on that date.
Supporters of TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR will be interested to observe that this instruction does not apply to any of the following :—(a) A. person who is in possession of a certificate of exemption granted on the ground that his principal and usual occupation is a certified occupation, or on any occupational ground if be is engaged in any of the occupations specified in Appendix A of the List of Certified Occupations, R. 117, dated 1st February, 1917, or on the ground that be is engaged in agriculture, shipbuilding, or steel production, and that his continuance in such employ/he/ft is in the national interests; (b) a person who has been examined by an Army Medical Board since the 25th May, '1916, and placed in category. B (iii) or C (iii) ; (e) a person who is in possession of a certificate of exemption granted. or reviewed within four weeks priOr to the date of this Instruction ; (d) a person who is in possession of a certificate of exemption granted on the ground of conscientious objection.
A driver of an internal-combustion-enginecl vehicle is not in a certified occupation unless the vehicle which he drives does work in a trade or callmg. in that category. The mere driving of an internal-combustion-engined vehicle is not of itself sufficient to secure exemption. A copy of the ,complete, list of certified trades (Form R 117) can he obtained from H.M. Printing Office, Imperial House, Kingsway, W.C., price lid. post free. It is important to observe the new date of the official military age. This date has previously been the 4th April, 1916, but it is now brought to the 1st inst., in so far as the new instruction goes. Proceedings of Local Authorities.
The Sunderland T.C. is to purchase another motor fire-engine.
The Bucklow (Cheshire) R.D.C. is purchasing a five-ton steam wagon with trailers.
The Lancaster R.D.C. is to purchase a steam motor for haulage at at cost of 2695.
The Edinburgh T.C. is to take steps to procure another petrol motor fire-engine.
Subject to a satisfactory demonstration, the Hull Corporation is to buy a motor plough at a cost of 2175 plus the price of accessories, for use on land under its control.
The Agricultural Committee of the Kent County Council proposes to buy a motor tractor, to be driven on paraffin, for the Agricultural College Farm, at a cost of 2325.
The Salford Corporation has accepted the , tender of Alley and MacLellan, Ltd., for a Veton end tipping Sentinel steam wagon for the Gas Department, at 2780: less VI per cent.
The Birmingham Corporation has sold the rails and other material of the Eden Valley Railway for economical and patriotic reasons, its place being taken by a steam wagon, the purchase of which for 2613 was sanctioned by the Ministry of Munitions.
The Bath Corporation is arranging to set up motor signals on some of the " danger " thoroughfares. The Fire Brigade Committee has decided to fit the motor fire-engine with a new carburetter to obtain better control over the running and to secure petrol economy.
The Glasgow Corporation has asked a committee to seek information as to motor ploughs suitable
for the land under municipal control; the purchase of a two-ton motor tipping wagon at a cost of 2675 has also been authorized.
The Ministry at Munitions has granted permission to construct an electrically-driven dust van for the Sanitary Department of the Surbiton U.D. C., and the construction is now proceeding. Another vehicle of the same description is to be hired on the understanding that it will be purchased for cash at the end of a year.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board received nine tenders for the supply of tires for motor vehicles, and accepted those of the Avon Indiarubber Co., Ltd., Shrewsbury and
Challiner Tyre Ltd., Glriraston. Tyres,Ltd., and Co.,t. Helens Cable and Rubber Co., with a guaranteed mileage in the case of solids of 10,000 in each case.
The following rates of payment, contributory toroad repairing, by motorbus proprietors, have been recommended to the Kent County Council by the Highways Committee :—(I) 210 per route mile per annum; (2) in respect of water-bound macadam roads, tar painted or otherwise, at the rate of Id. per bus thile; (3) tar macadam or other bituminously-bound surfaces, at the rate of Id. per bus mile ; (4) roads having concrete foundations at the rate of id. per bus mile ; (5) rates on tramway roads to be in accordance with type of surface. The Council was also advised to seek greater powers for controlling motorbus services and other motor traffic in the county. Payment under (l) is to be deducted from any amounts that may become due in excess of it under Nos. (2) to (4). Recent Registration's: The Hendon Engineering Co., Ltd. (22500), with its registered office at 3. Broad Street Buildings, London, E.C.
The Spensall Screw and Bolt Co., Ltd. (23000), with its registerei office at Wilson Place, Great Wilson Street, Leeds.
Aeroplane and Motor Bodies (23500), with its registered offices at 9, Ravenscourt Avenue, Golder's Green, N.W., to enter into an agreement with A. Bayern and Luc. M. Da,rtois and to carry on the businesses indicated by theatitle.
Aberdeen Licences.
Campbells, Ltd., of Aberdeen, the well-known company of motor jobmasters' was recently summoned at the Aberdeen police-court, through its manager, Mr. John Graham for permitting six motorcars to be used as hackney carriages' and to ply for hire without licences. The ears were hired per telephone by private individuals ; it was contended for the police that they were doing the work of ordinary taxicabs, and that they therefore required the local licence from the magistrates of Aberdeen. The case was adjourned, at the first hearing, and it was subsequently decided by the magistrates that they would confer with the local owners with respect to the matter.
Having regard to the known practice in all other parts of the country, under which no local-authority licence or plate is required for private-hire vehicles, and to the well-known good sense of the administrators in the granite city, we have little doubt that the end of the matter has been heard, and that local jobmasters will be confirmed in their undoubted rights as regards the class of vehicle which has been challenged. Agrimotors as Gifts to the Nation.
The Prime Minister has "accepted a gift to the nation of 100 agrimotors, each with a. skilled mechanic and a supply of implements, from Mr. David J. Johnston, of the Canada Nitro Products Ltd., Toronto.
G.M.C. Bearings.
The Anzac Motor Co., Ltd., of 78-82, Brompton Road, London, S.W., of which company Mr. W. Turner Smith is managing director, notifies us that circumstances have rendered it necessary that the following new, prices should rule for these G.M.C. vehicles model 15 with pneumatic tires all round, £360; model 15 with cushion tires on rear wheels, £375; model 31 G.M.C. chassis, £600; model 41 G.M.C. chassis, £720; model 71 ehassfs, 2975. These changes, we observe, show an advance of 225 per chassis.
Hyatt Bearings.
The Hyatt Roller Bearing Co. is specializing in a separate department for the construction of roller bearings for all types of agricultural machinery other than trac. tors. This extension of the application of Hyatt roller bearings beyond the power unit will probably mark an era of improvement in agricultural implements, the advantages of which will no doubt not become apparent nor be fully realized for some years. The department will be under the charge of Mr. F. N. G. Kranich, who is an expert in agricultural-machinery design and well versed with all matters connected with the farmimplement industry.
Anonymity Barred.
We have received two letters, each bearing the Bolton postmark, in which a correspondent asks .us to give him information concerning five-ton steam wagons. Will this correspondent please communicate his name and address /
The Royal Overseas Officers Club at the R.A.C.
On Tuesday afternoon last, the 6th inst., on the invitation of Lieut.General Sir Francis Lloyd, commanding the London District, there was an interesting function at the R.A.C., to meet H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, K.G., and to inaugurate the Royal Overseas Officers Club.
Imported Tires and Shipping Space.
In the House of Commons on Wednesday, the 28th ult., Mr. Keating asked the Prime Minister if he was aware that shipping space to the extent of nearly 2,000,000 cubic ft. was taken up by the importation in 1916 of tires from other countries, representing about 50,000 tons ; that British manufacturers are able to meet the demands for tires for all purposes connected -with the war ; and will he consider the advisability of saving this tonnage.
Mr. Roberts My right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this question. This matter was most carefully considered by the Committee on Import Restrictions, but, in view of international considerations in regard to the importation and exportation of rubber and manufacture of rubber, the Cornm:ttee advised that it. was undesirable to impose the suggested prohibition. Knape's of Burnley.
A motor ambulance, to be used for the conveyance of wounded soldiers to the various hospitals around Burnley, is being presented by J. Knape and Son, Ltd., of the Motor ' Depot, Burnley, which generous action will no doubt behighly appreciated—both locally, and by the men from all parts of the Empire who will he aided by, the use of the vehicle.
After-War Agency for Light Motorvan.
Mitchell's Garage, of 114, War-. dour Street, W. facilities at which are of a suitable kind, and which garage is possessed of an energetic management, is desirous to handle the sole distributing agency for London and district, after the war, for a first-class light motorvan of British manufacture. This an-i nouneement will no doubt interest some, of our manufacturing friends in the industry.
More U.S.A. Agrimotors.
Marlboro' Motors, of 404, Euston Road, London, N.W., are sole con.: cessionnaires for two American agricultural machines, the "Little Giant" and the " Simplex" tractors. Both are four-cylinder machines, the former fitted with three speeds and reverse having a haulage capacity of six ;ens, suitable for pulling a four-furrow plough., The latter is a slightly more powerful engine, but is, as its name implies, fitted with a simpler form of transmission.. The prices are 2475 and 2350. We hope to be able to describe these machines in greater detail in a subsequent issue, after we have made personal inspection: Both of these agrirnotors are of the . the tractor type.
L.G.O.C. Entertainment for the Wounded.
The London General Omnibus Company's office staff entertained on Saturday, the 24th ultimo, a number of wounded soldiers. A committee of the staff had been formed previously and had succeeded in raising the money to pay for the entertainment, which eonsisted of tea, concert and a hairdressing competition. The operating manager, Mr. H. E. Blain, opened the proceedings, and the general superintendent, Mr. J. P. Thomas, was in the chair.
Make a Tractor of Your Ford.
A tractor now being advertised in America is the Sta,ude Mak-a-Tractor, for use with Ford cars, to which it can be attached, it is stated, in 20 minutes, without any drilling. of holes or work of that nature. According to the makers, it ploughs miles per hour, and hauls five miles per hour. The wheels are of the traction type, 38 ins. in diameter, and 8A. ins, across face.; the. tractor is provided with two sets of brakes, The frame is of 4 in. channel rolled steel, and the axle of 2 in. diameter cold rolled-steel bar, and fitted with roller bearings. An interesting point is that the Ford radiator. is replaced, and the new radiator of the Statide Ford has, it is claimed six times as much-cooling efficiency. The sight-feed oiling system is patented.
It is stated that there is no more strain on the engine When used with the tractor than when the vehicle is run as an ordinary pleasure car. The gear reduction is in the proportion. of eleven to one, and the whole affair can be run on high gear.
The makers declare, that in actual work the tractor does as much as four horses, but no details are given of the cost of running. In order to cope somewhat, with the different kinds of soil over which it may be expected to be used creepers or sand hooks are sold with each machine, these being available for soft or sandy ground.
A large number of the tractors are being made for sale during the coming year. Subject to licences to import, a number may come to England. • • The First Motorized Circus.
What is believed to be the first circus using motor vehicles throughout for its transportation is that run by the U.S. Circus Corporationt„ which has just arRanged for 100 special commercial-motor vehicles. and trailers, to transport its circus through America during the summer. This circus is stated to be the
largest in the _world, carrying 2500 tons of equipment and about 1000 people. Everything from tea cups to elephants will be carried on motor vehicles, and we are informed that the contract for tires has been acquired by the Firestone Tire Co.
Trailers for Motor Vehicles in America.
There has been some tendency in America recently to push forward the use of the trailer with commer
cial-motor vehicles. Accoraingly, there is unusual -interest in a pamphlet on the subject recently issued by the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co., and written by Mr. John -Younger, the chief engineer of the motor truck department, inasmuch as the greater part consists of destructive criticism. To take the last point first, Mr. Younger says that in order to be successful with trailers behind ordinary motor vehicles, the road conditions must be exceedingly good, not exceeding resistances of 50 lb. per ton, and the grade up and down not above 3 to 4 per cent.
Then, to prove that America is no more suitable for trailers than Europe, Mr. Younger disposes of the arguments that American engines are larger than European engines for the same capacity of vehicle, and that the average America-n motor vehicle has more surplus power than the average European one, asserting in addi, tion that physical conditions for trailers in America are, as a rule, worse. He destroys the railroad analogy, and, proves that starting a vehicle andtrailer—to take one point—is like starting a simple -motor vehicle on second gear.
contends that for uphill work and on low gear the two-trailer would be almost impossible, consiaerecl in relation• to the road resistance, while the value of a one-trailer would be reduced to about 4 per cent. grade against a, 50 lb road resistance.
Charging Stations for Batteryequipped Vehicles.
Contemporary effect is to be given, in the second edition of the C.M.U.A. handbook of approved depots (now on the point of going to press), to the results of electricvehicle new developments. About twenty pages of the -handbook will be devoted to particulars of stations at which the batteries of electric vehicles can be charged. The fullest particulars of the class of supply and other facilities are included, whilst, so far as London is concerned, thanks to the personal assistanee of Mr. Curtis, of the General Vehicle Co., Ltd., a special map will be included.