News of the Week
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PLAN TO RATIONALIZE " SMALLS " TRAFFIC
WE learn that a plan to rationalize road transport employed an " smalls ' traffic has been recommendedto members of the National Conference of Express Carriers by the executive committee of the Conference, With a view to the conservation of• tyres and fuel, and economy in manpower, it provides for co-operation amongst " smalls " carriers by way of exchange' of traffics, so as to avoid duplication of services and promote maximum use of carrying capacity. .
Carriers in the various areas, it is suggested, should make mutual arrangements for the allocation of work. For the operation of the scheme a committee would function in each area.
The plan, details of which have yet to be worked out, was approved in principle at a recent Manchester meeting of members of the north-western area of the National Conference, under the presidency of Mr. A. L. Holmes, of the Queen Carriage Co., Ltd., chairman , of the area. The meeting was addressed by Councillor Charles Holdsworth, of Halifax, vice-president of the Conference, and by Mr. Vigor, of Carter Paterson and Co., -Ltd., London. GOVERNMENT HAULAGE FOR OPEN-CAST COAL?
ACCORDINg to one of our wellinforined correspondents, developments are likely. to take place in some areas in connection with the use and employment of the M.O.W.T. Road Haulage Organization for the transport of , coal obtained under the Government's measures for open-cast working, i.e.; obtaining coal by surfaceexcavatic'nh
The effect of this move may be that
the Ministry machinery, so far used for haulage for distances beyond . the present radius of 60 miles, will then be applied to the shorter-distance traffic , necessary to carry this coal from the openrcast workings to the railheads. There would; no .doubt, he a considerable amount of this work, because the Ministry of Fuel and Power has decided upon a, 'great increase in pro. duction of coal by this method.
If this addition to the Government , Scheme, which, we understand, is now under consideration, • be Put into practice, it win be a step in a direction which was foreshadowed when Government control of long-distance haulage . was put into effect, i.e., the ultimate extension of control to distances within the 60-mile radius, although, of course, at present, we must look upon this 'proposed running of coal traffic as something of an exceptional measure. We would point out, however, that the M.O.W.T. has never made any promise that the radius of 60 miles would be a strictly limiting.factor far its activities in the sphere of haulage; in fact, there have been fairly definite hints that, depending upon the success of the longdistance scheme, the radius might be reduced.
.EXTENSIVE SERVICING OF P.S.V.BODIES
OOWING to the great demands made the coachluilding. capacity of the country in connection with the production of essential vehicles for military and .otheipurposes, the number of concerns available for the repair and maintenance of civilian transport vehicles is necessarily reduced.
To ensure that the best use shall be
made of such reduced facilities as regards p.s.v. bodies, and to see that the M.O.S. production programme§ are not interfered with, it has been decided that the construction of new replacement p.s.v. bodies and the reconditioning of such bodies which require extensive repairs, must be confined to a few specified concerns.
,Operators who desire to replace existing bodies or require' -extensive body repairs to their vehicles should not place any orders with coachbuilders unless they have made application to the Regional Mainten ance and Certifying. Officer, M.O.W T., , in the Region where the vehicle is operated. Steps will then be taken by the M.O.W:T. to find a suitable concern able to undertake the work, and to issue to it any material authorizatioua which may be necessary The term ."
extensive, repairs " is, intended to mean work other than normal maintenance. WEARING QUALITIES OF TYRES " UNSATISFACTORY"
UNSATISFACTORY wearing quali4/ties of tyres gave rise to a discus.: sion at a recent meeting of the Road Transport Section of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, and especially to the difficulties that arose through the withdrawal of basic stocks previously granted to Tyre Control Officers. It was also complained that the wearing qualities of recent issues of remoulds were unsatisfactory:
The question of making representations to the Regional Tyre Officer was considered, but the meeting felt the tyre inspectors of the Ministry of Supply were fully alive to the position and were endeavouring to remedy the matter. It was decided to keep the matter under review.
REPORT ON OIL ENGINE WORKING COSTS
1-IN Thursday, October 14„ at 2.30 a general meeting of the Diesel Engine Users A4sociation is to be held at the Central Hall, Westminster, London, S.W.1, -to discuss the Heavy-oil Engine Working Costs
'Report 1941-42. The report will be • introduced by Mr. C. Green, chairman , Of the working costs committee.
MUNICIPAL BUS RESULTS AT WALSALL
THE annual report of the transport committee of Walsall Corporation for tile municipal yearended March 31 last shows that tiN motorbuses and trolleybuses of the corporation covered an aggregate mileage of 4,688,674, which was slightly lower than ' the mileage for, the previous year, although the total number of passengers carried, at 54,956,473, was more' than 3,000,000
higher. The total , income' was £441,181,_ contrasted with £402,709 in the previous, year. The surplus on .the year's working, at £29,294, was £700 lower than in the previous year.
. The present fleet of the corporation comprises 155motorbuses owned and 16 on hire, and 27. trolleybuses owned and two on hire.
The report recommends that £7,600 be transferred from the year's profit to the relief of the rates and that £200,000 be prescribed as the maximum, for the time being, of the reserve fund of the transport under'taking.
INSURANCE OF GOODS VEHICLES
AS we have already announced, in June, 1943, insurers, of motor goods
• vehicles agreed to extend, without any general increase in rates, existing policies for such vehicles while used within a group scheme, despite the removal, of certain restrictions on A, B and C licences.
The same Concession was agreed to in respect of -vehicles used for other purposes on a certificate by an 'officer of the M.O.W.T. that such use is necessary to deal with an emergency, or because no other vehicles were available which were licensed and insured • for haulage for reward. These certificates, which are issued by the 'District T.ransport Officers, are not available in connection with normal work for the Ministry's Road Haulage Scheme, civil defence work, or use' which could tie put o.„,n a non-emergency footing.
Insurers have now agreed that these arrangements shall remain in force until Decembei
OBITUARY
WE much regret to learn of the recent death of MR. A.. G. WALKER, managing director of Walker Bros. (Wigan), Ltd. This 'company is well known as the manufacturer of Pagefield vehicles, and it origirfated the refuse-collection system by which horSed trailers were taken to and from the dumps by motor vehicle.
LATEST A.R.O. APPOINTMENTS rrHE following additional appointments have been made to A.R.O.
national bodies:— •
Haulier Sectional Board; Mr. Mr, Patton (Amalgamated Horse and _Motor Owners' Association). • Passenger Sectional Board; Mr. M. Kershaw (Amalgamated Horse and Motor Owners' Association).
Ancillary Users' Sectional Board: Mr. E. King (Devon and Cornwall): National Council: Mr. F. Elvy ( Sou th-eaatern) , Mr. . W. Patton (Amalgamated . Horse • and Motor Owners' Association), Mr. S. S. 'Robson (Northern).
WHEN EMPLOYEE MUST DISOBEY EMPLOYER'S, ORDERS IN a recent Bradford petrol prosecus Viler% the stipendiary magistrate, Dr. F. J. 0. Coddington, remarked, in binding over a driver' involved, that it was an offence for an employee to obey instructions given by an, employer if they involved a breach of the law.
The driver's employers were fined £10 for permitting petrol to be used for the conveyance of 'cricket tackle. The prosecution said that a distance of about eight miles was covered in the transport of the cricket tackle for a match. between the women's team of the defendant firm and an A.T.S. team.
For the firm, who pleaded guilty, it was stated that they had thought they were using the petrol lawfully for welfare work. '
AN EXHIBITION OF PRACTICAL PLANNING
TWO Institutions; those of the Civil Engineers and the Municipal and County Engineers, have joined in staging the " Practical Planning' Exhibition at the Ingtitution of Civil Engineers, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.1. This was
' opened by Mr. W. S. Morrison, Minister* of Town and Country Planning, last Tuesday, and will close on October 30.
Quite a big field is covered, and the idea is, mainly, to show the aid that engineering can offer to the subject. Exhibits are intended to show that planning must be in logical sequence, and must pay attention to physical and economic factors in addition to thdse of an wsthetic nature. Agriculture, drainage of laid and the work of the public services are all concerned in this interesting show, in connection with" whinh a number of conferences is being held.
MOTOR TAXATION AND POST-WAR EMPLOYMENT
ADDRESSING the Midland Section of the Institute of Transport of which he is area chairman, in Birmingham, Mr. L. W. Gupwell said that the war bad shown clearly the value and importance of inland goods-transport services. The transport industry was bound to be deeply affected by the present control and he wondeated how much of the limited freedom of pre-war days would be in evidence after the war, in spite of the Minister of Transport's assurance that control was only a war-time measure...
Transport, the main artery of* the trade, had long been regarded. as a public utility service and the State had exercised the right to regulate its activities in the interests of the public. Never again would an electorate tolerate ehe abortive policy which was pursued between the two world wars.
Manufacturers of the heavier types of commercial vehicle Must have full scope for their productive activities
when peace came, said Mr.., Gupwell.. He suggested that there must.•be .a
review of the whole question of motor 'taxation which, if continued at present levels, would •become a tax upon post
war employment. If there is to be a trarisport tax as sun, then it must be borne equitably by all forms oof transport..
DUNLOP GROUP SAVES £350,000 A/FORE than £356,000 worth of alNational Savings Certificates have been bought by Dunlop employees. The sales, sffice their group was formed in 1940, have been as follow:-1940, £45,412; 1941,£100,983; • 1942, £108;250; and this year, up to the end of last month, £97,000—a total of £351,645.
OVER-ORDERING OF VEHICLES CAUSES DELAYS AT DOCKS
RECENTLY, at a meeting of the Road Transport Section of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, during a discussion on delays to vehicles at the dock quays, it was stated that the trouble was partly caused by overordering by the local branch of the -M.O.W.T. road haulage organization.
RETREADING PRICES AND CASING VALUES INCREASED "DRICES for the retreading of tyres have been increased, whilst the value of casings has been divided into two grades: (1) Those fit for retreading or remoulding without repairs, and (2) covers fit for such treatment after being repaired. • The maximum value' of the largest tyre casing is now £4 10s, for Grade 1, and £3.10s. for Grade 2. ALARM CLOCKS FOR TRANSPORT WORKERS
ARRANGEMENTS for the issue of the, necessary permits for the distribution of Ann clocks to road-transport workers have been placed in the hands of the Trades Union Congress, They provide for application to be made in duplicate by.the -worker and submitted to the local, branch of his union, where the merits will be determined. Approved cases will then be sent to the headquarters of the union, and the permits will be subject to the limited numlatr of clocks available. Special factors determining eligibility are that applicants -.must either work irregular shifts or be engaged on duties involving rising before 5 a.m.
Members of undertakings which have no contact with a trade union should apply direct to the Board. of Trade fer permits.
The maximum price for the special alarm clocks imported is 16s. 9d.
RECONDITIONING CARBON PAPERS: A SIMPLE WAY.
CARBON papers are not Only some...times difficult to obtain, but require a fair amount of gopd-quality paper. Pilkington Bros., Ltd., the well-known glass maker, has found that by passing the carbon sheets over a small steam pipe, with the uncoated side next to the pipe, the composition on them melts rapidly and respreads itself equally. It also dries* off quickly so soon as the papers are removed from the heat.
NOTTINGHAM'S NEW BUS STATION OPENED
LaT AST Sunday marked the opehing of
the new bus station in Mount Street, Nottingham, from which Midland General, Barton, Trent, and Midland Red buses will operate to specified districts. Although only three landing platforms have been included in the layout, there will be seven landing ways when the job is completed after the war. Preparation has been made for the erection of a canopy, whilst a large waiting hall, cafe and other facilities will also ultimately be provided.
REPORT UNDER WAY FOR SHIELDS ROAD TUNNEL
i-HE question of building a road tun-1 nel or a Kearney tube between North and South Shields has been further considered by South Shields and Tynemouth Corporations. Both authorities have agreed to prepare a preliminary report for the building of a road tunnel. Neither authority is in favour of the Kearney tube plan, and the L.N.E.R. has announced that, up to now, it has neither approved nor disapproved of the Kearney scheme.
The approval and -co-operation of the railway would be needed for the Kearney tube as it is proposed to make its termini at the North and South Shields railway stations. •
BENEVOLENT FUND REVIVAL IN MID-YORKSHIRE
THE Mid-Yorkshire Centre of the Motor and Cycle Trades Benevolent Fund has increased its membership by approximately 120 per cent. since .March, 1941, when, following retrogression' after the outbreak of war, reorganization led to the adoption of • a vigorous policy of revival. The increase during the past year brought the total to 316, and represented about 20 per cent. of the Fund's aggregate membership increase during the 12 months.
At -the Centre's annual meeting, in Leeds„ last week, My. Arthur C. Richards (Leeds), the chairman, said that the substantial progress which the Centre had made would not have been
possible without the wonderful team work of the committee: Mr. Richards was re-elected . to a seconcIyear's offiee as Centre chairman, whilst Mr. T. I. Bennett (Leeds) was elected vice:chairrnan, and .Mr H. E Leuty (Leeds) was re-elected hon.
secretary. Mr. Richards and Mr. F. Howarth 'were reappointed to represent the Centre on the Benevolent Fund's .Council.
TROLLEYBUSES FOR TRAMS ON .NEWCASTLE ROUTE
cONSENT has been given by the
to the conversion a ' the Elswick Road tram route, Newcastle-on-Tyne, to trolleybus operation. The workwill start at once and will probably be completed about next spring.
TYNE COAST ROAD HAS PRIORITY IN POST-WAR PLANS
D OST-WAR • road plans prepared
by Tynemonth Corporation give priority to the duplication of *he coast road betWeen Newcastle-on-Tyne and the coast: The project, which was mooted before the war, was originally estimated to cost £250,000. The authorities involVed in the scheme are Tynemouth, Wallsend and Newcastleon-Tyne Corporations and Northumberland County Council.
AUGUST ROAD-ACCIDENT FIGURES SHOW IMPROVEMENT
ROA D casualties in August—befo' re the, war one of the peak accident months of the year—totalled 404 'killed and 9,507 injured, according to statistics recently' circulates by the M.O.W.T. The number of deaths was 214 fewer than in August„ 1939, and nearly 100 fewer' than in August of last year.
Road fatalities in the black-out fell from 111 to 62. To help maintain this improvement during the dangerous winter months, drivers are reminded that they may now use two head lamps instead of one. This will' cutout what has certainly been a blind spot. SYNTHETIC RUBBER TYRES "GIVE SATISFACTION" AT LEEDS
UQUIPPED with tyres of synthetic rubber, six 56-seater oil-engined buses in the service of Leeds Corporation have already run some thousands of miles on routes carrying heavy 'traffic. They are amongst the earliest vehicles in the country to be fitted with such tyres.
So far as .can be judged at this early stage, tyre experts consider the equipment is giving satisfaction, with promise of good mileage figures being obtained. . AWARDS-TO SCHOOLBOYS FOR ESSAYS ON • WORKS VISIT LINERY year parties of Meltham .1:-Aschool children, accompanied by their teachers, tour the works of David Brown Tractors, Ltd.; many of the technicalities of modern engineering practices being demonstrated and explained. • After their visit ' the boys are encouraged by the schoor authorities to enter the essay competition arranged in conjunction with the tour, for which prizes are provided by Mr. David Brown, the company's managing director. In addition to the David Brown shield, which is awarded to the school attended by the by composing the best essay, a medal is presented to the author.
Dr. H. E. Merritt, D.Se.(Eng.), M.I.Mech.E., M.I.A.E., a director of the company, -recently presented the 1943 awards. The shield went to Meltham Church School and the medal to Robert G. Swallow,
EX.SER VICE MEN BECOME LONDON BUS CONDUCTORS
ABOUT 150 ex-Service men have become London Transport bus conductors. A few ex-Service women also have been taken on by the L.P.T.B. The immediate need is for 400 con-diictors, men or women, and they are wanted particularly in west and northwest areas of the Board's operating zone.