WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all digeulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by Eke roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Mr. W. R. Morris, O.B.E.
There is probably no more, striking figure in the whole of the British motor industry than Mr. W. R. Morris. His life story has been told so many times that there is hardly need for us to recapitulate it here. Starting as a garage proprietor in Oxford, he designed the original Morris-Oxford ear in 1913, and, the whole year's output of 300 cars being contracted for at the Olympia Show of that year, he set out to manufacture them in the village of Cowley—a few miles out of Oxford. Quickly gaining popularity, his cars created 0. steady demand ; but .war put a temporary stop to his activities. During the early days of hostilities his factory was taken over for the production of trench mortar bombs and later for the production of mine sinkers. After the war, ear production started again and Mr. Morris then conceived the wonderful possibilities of the small family type of car that would run economically for a long Period of years —as he so often puts it, " a car for the public at the price the public can pay." The factory at Cowley grew rapidly, production began to assume the proportions of a hundred a week instead of a. hundred per month. The Hotchkiss engine factory in Coventry was bought and became Morris Engines '(Coventry),.. Ltd. Later Rollick and Pratt, Ltd., bodybuilders, of Coventry, and the Osberton Radiator -Co., Ltd., of Oxford, came under Mr. bforris's Control.
In 1924, seeing the possibilities of a light, rapid type of commercial motor vehicle, 'the factory previously occupied by E. Ge• Wrigley and Co., Ltd., of Birmingham, was taken over and Morris Commercial Cars, Ltd., was formed.
Morris ton trucks and 12-cwt. vans have now won for themselves an enviable position in the field of commercial transport. Production now exceeds 160 vehicles per week, and considerable 'developments have been made in the direction of Roadless vehicles. To-day Mr. Morris is 47 years of age; his progresS during the past twenty years is little short of phenomenal.
The 1926 Paris Salon. No official announcement regarding the heavy vehicle exhibition in Paris has yet been made, but it is almost certain that such an exhibition will be held, and it is believed that it will take place at the same time as the Motor Show at the Grand Palais, and also that it will be situated at the Pare de la Porte de Versailles. !The Ante of the Salon is already fixed for October 7th-17th. Traffic Advisory Committee.
We are informed by the Minister of Transport that the term of appointment of the original members of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has concluded, and that a new committee, including the following gentlemen, has been appointed for a period of three years:— Mr. A. L. Dixon, C.B., C.B.E. (Home Office) ; Mr. Angus N. Scott, F.C.A. (L.C.C.) ; Mr. C. W. Matthews. D.L. (Chairman of Highways Committee, L.C.C.) ; Mr. J. R. Pakeman. C.B.E. (the City Corporation) ; Sir Henry Jackson, M.I3., M.P., etc. (Wandsworth Borough Council) ; Sir Henry F. New, Kt. (St. Marylebone Borough Council) ; Mr. E. E. Barnard, 0.B.E., J.P. (Hertford County Council) ; Mr. K. E. Chalmers (Kent County Council) ; Mr. W. G. Davie, J.P. (County Borough of East Ham) ; Mr. P. L. D. Elliott, C.B. (Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police) ; Lt. Col. H. S. Turnbull. J.P. (Commissioner of City Police) ; Sir Henry P. Maybury, K.C.M.G., C.B. (Director-General of Roads) ; Mr. J. Cliff (Transport and General Workers' Union) ; Mr. B. Smith, M.P. (Transport and General Workers' Union) ; Mr. A, O'Leary (National Union of Railwaymen) ; Sir Herbert A. Walker. K.C.B. (General Manager, Southern Railway) ; Mr. G. A. Dutfield, J.P. (London Cartage and Haulage Contractors' Association) ; Mr. F. Pick (Underground Railways and London General Omnibus Co.) ; and Mr. F. W. Prowse (Association of London Omnibus Proprietors, Ltd.).
Sir Henry Maybury, K.C.M.G., C.B., the Director-General of Roads, has again been elected Chairman of the Committee.
Mr. 3'. S. Pool Godsell, M.B.E., Ministry of Transport, 7, Whitehall Gardens, S.W.1, continues to fill the office of Secretary to the Committee.
Death of Mr. F. C. Gettings.
We regret to learn of the death of Mr. F. C. Gettings at his residence at Worcester, on Monday of last week, at the early age of 52. Mr. Gettings had been road surveyor to the Worcestershire County Council since 1911. After he came to Worcester he proved himself a benefactor to motorists. Mr. Gettings was regarded by his colleagues as one of the most eminent progressive county surveyors.
More Leyland Tankers tor Milk Transport. The Mickleover Transport Co., Ltd., who are well known for their up-to-date methods of transporting milk in bulk, have recently placed a further order with Leyland Motors, Ltd., for 6-ton chassis which are to be used for carrying special tank bodies.
The London Parade.
The annual London parade of cornmercial motor vehicles organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association, is to be held in Lincoln's Inn Fields, W.C., on Saturday, March 27th.
More Leyland Buses for a London User.
• One of the Many orders recently received by Leyland Motors, Ltd., is that from Messrs...Timpson's, the well-known bus and coach proprietors, of Catford, Lannon, SE., who are making considerable additions to their fleet of London buses, and, with that end in view, have recently ordered 18 bus chassis from the company.
Then the Normand Garage,. Ltd, who are the Trojan agents for London, have passed an order for six 2-ton chassis which will be used by the catering department of J. Lyons and Co., Ltd.
• Amongst .municipal orders the company have received one of importance from the Southampton Corporation, this being for a large number of the makers' LC1. chassis, which will be remembered as being one of the new range of Leyland 1926 passenger mAels. This chassis, in conjunction with the appropriate 25-seater single-deck bus body, is known as the Leyland Lioness. The corporation's previous order was for a number of the makers' A18 chassis..
Institute of Metals Journal.
Volume 34 of the Journal of the Institute ot Metals has just been issued and, as with other editions issued in recent years, it is a voluminous book running to more than 800 pages ; 33 plates, apart from a number of charts and drawings, are used to illustrate the reading matter.
The new volume is, roughly, divided into two sections, the first dealing with the papers i'ead at the recent Glasgow meeting of the Institute, whilst the seam constitutes a review of metallurgical progress -throughout the world during the past six months. The latter extends to over 300 pages, and is remarkably complete in its survey of an active branch of industry.
There are 16 original papers included in the volume, and these are contributed by emingnt metallurgists in this country and abroad. The book is edited ny Mr. G. Shaw Scott, M.Sc., who is the secretary of the Institute, from whom it gait be obtained at 36, Victoria Street, London, S.W.I., its price being 31s. lid, net.
New Guy Chassis Prices.
As a result of the recent advances in the price of tyres, Guy Motors, Ltd., inform us that they have found it necessary to increase the prices of a number of their goods and passenger chassis. The price of the light speed chassis, which is built to take 16-20-seater bodies, is now 1485, that of the bus chassis for 20-24-seater bodies being £591, whilst the bus chassis with a drop-frame and a 15-ft. 3-in, wheelbase, which is built for taking 26-seater bodies, is POW £691. The prices of the drop-frame bus chassis, for 30-32seater bodies, which has a 16-ft. 5-in. wheelbase, and that of a similar chassis with forward drive for 35-seater bodies, as well as the special passenger chassis with a six-cylinder engine, remain the same. The speed model chassis for 20-seater bodies is new priced at 1.665, whilst the ambulance chassis has been increased by £10 to £405. The runabout chassis to carry 16-seater bodies is listed at 1405, and a similar chassis \for 20-seater bodies at £445.
• Lytham Wants More Buses.
The tramways committee at Lytham St. Alines has recommended to the town council that the tramway service between Lytham Square and the Hospital be diSeontinued and that motorbuses be used. It is also recommended that three new motorbuses of the same type and size as the others in use in the town be bought for /3,300.
Booklets on Lubrication.
Silvertown Lubricants, Ltd., Minoco Wharf, London, E., have just issued two new booklets, one dealing with the selection of oils for the lubrication,of Diesel engines, and the other with notes on lubrication generally. As Diesel engines have come into much prominence of late,. the former booklet will attract much attention, while the other should he found of value by reason of the fact that it gives much useful infprmation on the matter of lubrication in concise form and tends to a realization of the importance of proper attention to •this important subject.
Wallasey's Ambulance Service.
Wallasey Corporation has just put into service a new 25 h.p. Daimler motor ambulance, which is stationed at the Wellasei Central Fire Station, Liscard. The car is specially sprung, has feuwheel brakes and balloon tyres, the total weight being about two tons. The interior is panelled in mahogany and contains accommodation for two stretcher and four sitting cases ;. it is fitted with up-to-date first-aid appliances.
There are now three ambulances in use at the station, one of which, a Napier, has been running for eleVen years. Since the motor ambulance service was introduced in 1914 over 10,000 cases have been dealt with, 4,458 of which were accidents, the remainder being private cases. The income from Paying cases in 1914 amounted to about /40, but that sum has increased yearly, the highest figures reached being £274. Fine Praise for a Vulcan 2-ton Lorry.
A remarkable instance of the durability and reliability of the modern commercial vehicle is to be found in the experience which Messrs. Birchall Bros., builders and contractors, Darlington Street, Middlewich, have had with a 2-ton Vulcan lorry which they purchased at the beginning of 1923.
In a letter which the users have sent to the manufacturers, and in which they speak in glowing terms of the service which the vehicle has given; they mention the fact that since it was first commissioned, the vehicle has not been held up for a single day by breakdown of any description, and, moreover, the valves have not been ground in or the cylinder head taken off for decarbenizing. The only replacements which have been found necessary during the period of its use have been a rubber hose for the water-pipe connections (which naturally perishes in time owing to the heat generated by the engine) and a shackle bolt, the cast of the parts amounting to only 2s. 9d.
This testimony bears striking tribute to the design and construction of Volcan products, and is especially note
worthy when it is borne in mind that the vehicle referred to has covered over 25,000 miles. The users recognize the part played by the driver in attaining this excellent porformance.
"Talks" with Drivers and Mechanics,
A few weeks ago the West Midlands Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association held an experimental " talk " on subjects of direct interest to drivers and mechanics, and such was the success of the meeting that the organizers were prompted to arrange a further discussion of a similar nature. This meeting was held on February 2nd, when the subject under discussion was "Double Declutching." Mr. William Willcox, who has charge of the road transport vehicles run in the Worcester district by thefl Salt Union, Ltd., of Droitwich, opened the "talk," Which was participated in by many of those who were present.
Reinforced Concrete for Bodies.
We learn that M. M. de Groulard, a French engineer, recently applied the use of reinforced concrete to the construction of Motor bodywork. The fact that the concrete body is absolutely fireproof should result in the redliction of Insurance premiums for vehicles constructed in this material.
Repeat Orders for Bristols.
Shell-Mex, Ltd., figure on the list of users who have recently ordered vehicles from the 'Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., Tramways Centre, Bristol. This fuel company are buying six 2-ton lorries for the delivery of motor spirit in cans, and this is the ninth repeat order which the manufacturers have received from them. A further company who have ordered a Bristol model are Carsons, Ltd,, the chocolate mannfactiirers, who are buying a 2-ton chassis fitted with a special body for use as a traveller's van.
County Councils and Traffic Regulation.
The County Councils Association has adopted the resolution of its executive council to the effect that the employment of persons without previous police experience for the purpose of controlling traffic is to be deprecated in view of the possibility of the commission of errors of judgment and of the improper assumption of a constable's powers. The executive council considers that police authorities should only Utilize for this work the services of members of police forees or of police pensioners temporarily re-engaged.
Popularity of Buses in 4inerica.
Of recent years considerable evidenpe has been forthcoming to prove that the use of motorbuses has grown to a remarkable extent in this cbuntry, but equally important developments are also taking place in other countries. This is indicated by some facts which have been brought to our notice by the International Motor Co., of New York City, who manufacture. the Mack chassis. They inform us that deliveries of buses of their make in 1925 increased 159 per cent. as compared with deliveries in 1924, whilst during the last six mouths of the year exactly 100 more buses were supplied than in the whole of 1924.
Of the three models of bus manufactured by the company the greatest demand was for the city type. Of the
total deliveries in 1925, 32 per cent. were of the 29-seater City type; 15 per cent. of the 25-seater city type ; 22 per cent. parlour car buses, and 8 per cent. ysedans, the remainder being for special types of vehicle.
The peak month for the past few
years has been July, but in December, 1925, the number of buses supplied came within 58 of equalling the record mouth of July, 1925.
It is interesting to note that tramway authorities are adopting buses very extensively in the United States, and official estimates state that 270 of these concerns are now operating such vehicle, 27 per cent. using Meeks.
Garners' London Office.
Henry Garner, Ltd., of Moseley, Birmingham, manufacturers of Garner lorries, have opened a London office at Sentinel House, Southampton Row, W.C.1, and have established a service depot, where demonstration lorries and show vehicles can be inspected, at Pakenham Street, Islington, The telephone number of the office is Museum 8340.
G.W.R. Road Services.
Last June the Great Western Railway Co. instituted • a motor-lorry eervice between Fairford and Cirencester, Glos., as an experiment, in response to a request from farmers to do so. There
has been a weekly loss of £6 on the service, and the company have intimated to the Farmers Union thatit might be withdrawn in March if more support is not forthcoming.
Anew motor-lorry service has been instituted by the G.W.R. for the delivery of heavy goods within a distance of 12 miles, of Llarisaintffraid, in the Montgomeryshire direction. This has been established with the object of enabling farmers and merchants in the districts e
Snitsfield, Llanfyllin, Lienfechain, Llanyinynech and Four Crosses to have their supplies delivered to their doors with the least amount of inconvenience and expense.
National Benzole Propaganda.
The National Denude Co.; Ltd., WelTingten House, Buckingham Gate, London, SM.1, have recently instituted a programme of propaganda which should possess a highly instructive valve. In series of advertisements which they are publishing, it is intended briefly to describe the production of National Benzoic, which the company claim is entirely produced by the coke ovens of this country. They also draw attention to the fact that by using National Bensole Mixture transport owners are assisting the exploitation of British coal resources.. The first three of the series deal with (1) from colliery to can • (2) ordeal by fire, and (3) coke quenching.
We know of many users who rely upon National Benzoic Mixture for their vehicles and who testify to the excellent results which they obtain from this fuel with no attendant disadvantages of any kind.
Baritnar Repairs to Road Wheels.
Berliner, Ltd., 14-18, Lamb's Conduit Street, London, W.C.1, inform us that they have instituted facilities for the repairing of steel road wheels by their well-known process, and that such work can be carried out at their Lortion headquarters as well as at their branch repair stations at Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and Birmingham.
Local Proceedings.
, Eastbourne Corporation has decided to purchase a new motor ambulance.
West Ham Guardians are recommended to obtain two new ambulances.
Oldham Corporation has empowered the waterworks committee to purchase a motorvan.
Lancaster Corporation has decided to purchase a single-deck motorbus at. a cost of £1,170..
Tynemonth Corporation has deeided to pnrehase a Karrier sweeper and collector at a cost of £4,024.
Esher and Dittons Urban District Council is making provision for the purchase of a motor ambulance.
Last year -Surrey County Council collected £426,019 in motor licence fees compared with £30,324 in 1924.
Tynenionth Corporation is considering the purchase of another motor vehicle for the cleansing department.
Birkenhead Corporation has confirmed the recommendation to seek further powers for the running of motorbuses.
-Bolton •Corporation has accepted the tender of Messrs': Porkers for the supply of a motorvan for the gas department.
Matlock Urban District Council is to obtain estimates for the supply of different makes of 2-ton lorry for road work.
Barrow Corporation has recently sent a repeat order to Guy Motors, Ltd., for four 26-seater low-loading buses.
Southwark Borough Council accepted the tender of the British Petroleum Co., Ltd., at £53, to supply a. lubricating-oiloutfit.
Birkenhead Corporation has accepted the tender Of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., at £90, for the supply of solid tyres for motor vehicles.
The tramways committee of the Hull Corporation has accepted the tender of Eleetromobile, Ltd., for the supply of an electric tower wagon at a cost of £830, plus £130 for a battery.
Sheffield Corporation has accepted the tender of the Dart Motor and Transport Co., Ltd., of Sheffield, at £513 for the supply of a 21-ton motor lorry. Cheltenham Corporation is considering the purchase of a trailer.
Wimbledon Corporation has purchased a motor ambulance at a cost of £290.
Bolton CorDoration has confirmed a proposal for seeking powers for further bus schemes.
Leeds Watch Committee has decided to invite tenders for the supply of a motor trailer pump. • Wath Rural District Council is considering the purchase of a motor ambulance at a cost of about £250.
The London County Council has decided to erect an ambulance station in Hornsbay Street, Old Kent • Road, SE.
Oldham Corporation has granted licences to the StaIybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Tramways Board for 12 26-seater motorbuses to operate between Oldham and Mossley.
The tramways committee of the York Corporation has obtained consent to borrow £3,100 for the purchase of three motorbuses.
. Wimbledon Corporation has asked the borough engineer to report on the question of refuse colleetion by motor tractors and .trailers.
The tramways committee of the Oldham Corporation has decided to run double-deck motorbuses on the tram route from Hathershaw.to Summit. ,
The highways committee of the Cardigan County Council urges that powers should exist to enable the :council to regulate the number of buses on the roads. .
Lancashire and Cheshire Tramways Authorities Council has called a meetbig to discuss with Members of Parliament thequestion of motor omnibus' competition.
Cape. Town Corporation has accepted, the tender of Gearings, Ltd., for the ' supply of a 3-ton Thornycroft motor lorry with three-way hydraulic tipping gear, at £894.
Leeds Corporation has decided to • purchase three hub-odometers for. recording the mileage of the Laere roadsweeping machines from Messrs. Henry Miller and Co.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR More Official Orders.
From the particulars now available regarding the ordersgiven out by Government departments during December last, we learn that the Crown Agents for the Colonies placed one for motor chassis with the Albion Motor Car Co., Lid., another for motor road rollers with Barford and Perkins, Ltd., and a third for steam railcars with the Sentinel Waggon Works, •Ltd. The War Office also placed an order with Shelvoke and Drewry, Ltd., for S.D. Freighters and one for tractors with J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.
Vulcan Oiling Chart.
We have received from the Vacuum Oil Co., Ltd., an interesting oiling chart which they have just published dealing with the lubrication of the 30-cwt. and and 2-ton Vulcan chassis. This chart has been prepared in close co-operation with the manufacturers of the Vulcan vehicle, and is, therefore,perfectly authentic, Instructions on the chart indicate when and where lubrication should be effeeted, and it clearly shows the intervals at which specific parts should receive attention. A copy of the chart will be sent post free to any reader of The Commercial Motor on application to the company at Caxton Eonse, London, S.W.1.
Inst. A.E. Graduates' Meeting.
The London Graduates' Section of the Institution of Automobile Engineers is holding a meeting on February 18th, at Watergate House, York Buildings, W.C.2, when Mr.J. Gilson will read a paper entitled "Practical Notes on Turning and Shop Practice." The chair will be taken by Dr. W. R. Ormandyk Cylinder-grinding Facilities.
The Edwards Engineering Co., Kew Bridge Works, Great West Road, Brentford, advise 'us that, as a result of increasing demands made upon their cylinder-grinding department, they have found it necessary to build -considerably larger works on the new Great West Road, near Kew Bridge. . They have doubled their grinding plant and are now in a position to give speedy deliveries in all departments at competitive prices, particularly in regard to heavy lorry and commercial /work. Huddersfield Buys More Karrier Buses.
The tramways committee of the Huddersfield Corporation is a big user of Karrier buses, and amongst the vehicles which it at present has in commission are those to seat 20, 32 and 52 passengers. To cope with increasing demands upon the service and to enable extensions to be undertaken, the authorities have just favoured the manufacturers With a repeat order for a further six bus chassis of this make, each of which will accommodate 30 passengers.
The chassis decided upon for the new vehicles., is the Karrier KL-type lowlander, which has an engine of 50-60 h.p., a cline-type clutch, a four-speedand-reverse gearbox, a final drive by inverted worm, and giant pneumatic tyres 38-in. by 7-in, dimensions on all wheels, twins being used on those at the rear. The frame height of this model is 2 ft. 3 ins: trete the ground. The corporation has been running buses of this type since May, 1925.
An interesting departure from standard in the case of each of the buses just ordered is that the driver will be accommodated behind the engine instead of at the side of it.
A Harvey Frost Development.
Harvey Frost and Ca. (1924), Ltd., 148-150, Great Portland Street, London, W.1, advise us that they are cooperating with the Walden Worcester Co., of America, who manufactute range of well-known wrenches, in designing special forms of wrench which are suitable for use on British and Continental vehicles.
Thornycrofts. for Home and Overseas Markets.
Amongst the batch of orders for commercial vehicles received by John I. Thimnyeroft and Co., Ltd., Thornyeroft Hue, Smith Square, London, SAVA, during a recent week, was a repeat order for threo 1,200-gallon tank wagons from Shell-Ittex, Ltd.—this company already run upwards of 200 Thornycroft machines—another for two type Al endtipping wagons, a repeat order from the Borough of Torquay, a fourth for a type Al rigid six-wheeled chassis for the makers' Johannesburg agents as well as one for a Dragon motor coach from, an Eastbourne user. Other orders were received for various typos of vehicle for service in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, in addition to those for otherusers in this. country.