News and Comment.
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This journal fosters, represents, and chronicles commercial motoring in all its branches ; it has the largest and best circulation throughout the United Kingdom, the Colonies, India, and foreign countries generally. No part of our exclusive and valuable circulation is due to the forcing of sales in useless quarters.
Trade prices of petroleum spirit fell Id. a gallon on Monday last.
The first, correct, published description of the Steward tubeless boiler will be found on pages 409 and 410.
Apropos the Home Secretary's new Order, the titling of taximeters to horsedrawn cabs will necessitate the standardisation of the road wheels.
There is expected to he a great rush for instruments by members of the London Cab Proprietors' Federation, and that upwards of 3,000 horse-drawn cabs will be fitted with " time-and-distance " recorders by the end of the present year.
The new Order of the 30th ultimo, which cancels the previous Order of the 15th March, 1907, makes it emphatically clear that drivers of the ordinary taximeter cab have no right to carry more than two passengers. If they do carry them, they have no legal right to make any extra charge, whilst they also run the risk of a summons. The schedules to the first of these two Orders named this fact, but both the schedules and the text in the new Order include it in greater detail.
A Question of Terms.
The differences of opinion between the masters and the men have not yet been adjusted. The former, as we reported in our issue of the 31st October last, started with an offer of 30 per cent. of the gross takings, which they afterwards increased to 40 per cent, in respect of the takings in excess of 15s. per day, this modification being their answer to the men's requests for, as reported in our issue of the r4th November last : a fixed wage of 3s. per day ; 25 per cent. of the gross receipts of the cab up to r5s. ; 33* per cent, of the gross receipts over is. ; and the proprietor to bear the loss when the driver is " bilked " by his fare. The men have, as will be seen, abandoned the fixed-wage claim, and they are about to discuss the remaining points.
An Imminent Flotation.
A new and important undertaking, with an authorised capital of ,:6o,000, for the conduct of motor-jobrnasters' work, is practically ready for submission to the public, and, from oar knowledge of those who are to have charge of the business, we consider that it has a promisng future before it. The company will be known as Jobbing Motors, Limited, and its engineering side will be under the charge of Mr. T. F. Carter, late of the Associated Omnibus Company, Limited. " Commer Car," Lindsay, and Foden vehicles are to be purchased by the new company. Our" Sundry Advertisements " page contains several advertisements from employers who are seeking experienced men for fitters' and drivers' work, The City Hospitals Committee of the Sheffield City Council is being urged to purchase a steam tipping-wagon for the cartage of coal to its Lodge Moor hospital.
The Edinburgh Magistrates have approved the Argyll cab, on the submission of John Croall and Sons, Limited, as suitable to ply for public hire. Taximeters will be fitted to a number.
The Sirdar Rubber Company's London fitting and repairing depot has been moved, front Shirland Mews, to a more central address at 21, Crawford Street, W., the latter building being quite close to the company's head office at 34, Baker Street, W.
Franco-British Exhibition.
Members of the Rugby Engineering Society will visit the Franco-British Exhibition buildings, now in course of construction, on Saturday, the nth January. They will be conducted through the grounds by Mr. J. S. Ferguson, of Alexander Findlay and Company, Limited, of Motherwell.
A Siddeley Record.
We published, in our issue of the 19th ultimo (page 360 ante), some particulars of the splendid work done by a Siddeley vehicle in the service of the " Eastern Daily Press." That record went as far as the 8th October last, and its completion shows the following achievement : possible journeys, 309; successful journeys, 299; percentage of efficiency, 96.76. Nearly all the losses were due to foggy weather.
Front-Driven Vehicles.
Dr. H. S. Hele-Shaw's paper on "The Fuel Question," before the Institution of Automobile Engineers, which was announced for the 8th instant, was not read, the fact of its postponement having been announced at the December meeting. The next meeting of this society will be held on Wednesday, the 22nd °instant, when several contributions on the subject of front driving will be made, the first of these being by Dr. !fete-Shaw.
An Engineer's Enterprise.
Mr. A. Maynard Rowland, whose present address is the Craven Arms, Coventry, has evolved an interesting and novel scheme for meeting the requirements of agents who need assistance in respect of certain set-vices. Particulars may be had on direct application, and we certainly wish Mr. Rowland, who has had an extensive experience in the service of the manufacturers of Wolseley-Sicidelcy and Commer Car vehicles, all success in his new departure. He announces himself as " The agents' agent."
The dates for the Manchester Show at which commercial motors can be shown, that at Bellevue, have been altered to the 218t-29th February.
Motor Fire-engines for Paris.
The prefectural authorities of Paris have just decided to place an order for three additional motor fire-engines. This is a direct outcome of the satisfactory results given by the existing motor fire appliances—engines, pumps, and ladders—which have been in use in Paris for some time.
Export and Home Orders.
We are interested to learn that business has been very brisk during the last month of the old year with the New Arrol-Johnston Car Company, Limited, of Underwood, Paisley. During that month, orders had been received from Rangoon for three 3-ton machines ; from Singapore for four 17-seated chars-aebancs; and two each from Lancashire, Yorkshire and Northumberland, for 2-ton lorries.
C.V. Trials and Business Results.
Another order which is ascribed to the excellent performance of the Halley vehicles in the recent R.A.C. trials is that which has been placed with Halley's Motors, Manchester, Limited, of 1-3, Bridgewater Viaduct, Deansgate, Manchester, by the Eccles Provident Industrial Society, Limited. This order must be added to the alwaysincreasing list of sales which are the direct result of good work done in the demonstration run.
Continental Tire Souvenir.
From the Continental Tyre and Rubber Company (Great Britain), Limited, of 102-108, Clerkenwell Road, F.C., we have received a very neat, leather-bound, pocket book and calendar for 1908-9. At the front and back of the refills, some useful tables are printed as well as a list of agents in Great Britain, Ireland, and the Continent. At the foot of each of the go pages of " squared-paper " some useful tip or reference to tires appears.
More Testimony.
Mann's Patent Steam Cart and Wagon Company, Limited, of Pepper Road Works, Hunslet, Leeds, has received the following voluntary testimonial from one of its customer's drivers : "I have been working regularly five days per week (taking one day per week for washing out and general inspection) ever since we had the steam wagon, and have had no trouble with it in any way, except trifling little things which are not worth mentioning. I have not yet had a single stoppage on the road during the nine months we have had the machine, and I think this will take a bit of beating, seeing that, taking them all round, you would not find many worse roads than we have here. Our journeys are about 42 miles. I have got our people to send for several spare parts from Leeds, in case anything did occur, but I have not required any of them yet. I have been driving your make of machine for about 41 years, and have not had a breakdown during that time." A Driver's Road Book.
We have received from the Mitchell Motor Works and Garage a neat pocket road book giving details of the main routes to London. A map of the Metropolis, which is included, will give drivers some idea of the streets they should follow in order to reach the chief highways to the suburbs and the provinces. The book is illustrated with views of the garage and works, one showing the company's motorvan leaving with a supply of spares and stores.
A Motorcab Flotation.
The prospectus has just been issued in Paris of a new company styled the Societe Anonyme des Taxi-Autos De
Dion-Bouton. The capital open for public subscription is 2,000,000 francs in 20,000 shares of TOO francs each, and the directors include the Marquis de Dion and M. Gustave Rives, President of the Salon exhibition committee.
As the title of the new company indicates, De Dion-Bouton motorcabs are now to be placed on the streets on a larger scale, and one of the primary objects in view, as set forth in the prospectus, is to offer the public a lower tariff than those now obtaining in Paris. The operations of the company, however, are not confined to theaFrench capital, but will he extended to other parts of France and to foreign 6ountries. The first hundred cabs of the type selected will be placed at the company's disposal by De Dion-Bouton et Cie. within one month, and thereafter a minimum of so new cabs per month, ready for the streets, will be turned out under contract. Moreover, 25 private cabs of ish.p. will be furnished for clubs and fashionable watering places.
The daily running expenses per unit, including depreciation of cabs, tires, upkeep repairs, staff expenses, garage, insurance, taxes, etc., are calculated at 14 fr. 7 c. for each of too cabs, and 13 fr. 53 c. for 200 cabs. The daily receipts of one cab are put at 35 fr. o5 c., approximately, allowing for five hours' actual running and two hours for stoppages. Having regard to the excellence of De Dion-Bouton material, the vehicles should be worked economicelly. A Rest Cure for Motor Drivers.
The amusing Christmas card sent us by Mr. T. C. Aveling, of T. C. Aveling and Company, Limited,of Birmingham, which depicts a steam-roller cure for nerve-shattered motorists,shows a number of stylishly-dressed, though inanelooking gentlemen occupied in driving steam road rollers in Rotten Row. This treatment, it is suggested, would do much to cure the craze for high speed and the nervous tension induced by keeping one's eyes open for the police. We regret to inform our readers that the latest paraffin vehicle marketed by this enterprising company is neither seen nor heard in the picture.
Electric Cabs in Berlin.
In order to meet the requirements of the outlying Berlin districts, the Berliner Elektromobildroschken Gesellschaft has put on a number of motorcabs with drivers wearing a private uniform and with taximeters so arranged as to be seen by fare and driver only. For the first 400 metres, these semi-private electric cabs are 5d. dearer than the ordinary variety, but, for all distances beyond,the fares are the same. An interesting innovation has been introduced in the form of " Fahrscheinhefte" (books of cab tickets), a rebate as high as to per cent, being granted according to the number of tickets purc!eised.
A Breakdown Competition.
An original competition was recently organised in Paris which might, with advantage to taximeter-cab drivers generally, be essayed in this country. In such a large concern as the General Motor Cab Company, for instance, numerous entrants would doubtless be forthcoming. In this competition, a number of "Unic " cabs had been installed in roughly-made stalls in a garage in the suburbs of Paris, and these cabs had been put out of running order in various different ways. The competitors were set to work to discover the source of the trouble, and to. pin it right, announcing their success by driving out into the open. Prizes were awarded on a time basis. A New Year Souvenir.
An appropriate and seasonable souvenir for the motor trade has been sent by Mr. Robert W. Coan, of the Aluminium Foundry, 219, Goswell Road, E.C. This takes the form of an oval card tray, which is of cast aluminium, 12 inches by 8 inches in size ; the design represents a car racing on the Brooklands Track. Mr. Coan is a practical worker in pure aluminium and he supplies, also, hardened aluminium castings for turning and other purposes.
A Two-colour Time Recorder.
A new labour-saving device has been designed by the International Time Recording Company, which is placing upon, the market. a two-colour time recorder, To the manufacturing and commercial world this new device should be of distinct advantage. It is Of a type similar to the well-known, ." Rochester " card recorder, but it prints automatically the punctual ar rivals of employees at their work in one colour, whilst the late arrivals are printed in a different colour. By this means, all work times in the week's card of each employee can be seen at a glance, and this, of course, effects a considerable saving of time in checking, as well as assisting in the preven. tion of fraud on the part of employees.
A Useful Society.
The Amalgamated Society of Motor Drivers, whose secretary's address is 3o, Elmfield Road, Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, appears to us to be performing useful functions in the commercial motor world. This society was formed by a few steady drivers, who came to its for advice on the matter some 18 months ago, and the committee has certainly managed its work in a creditable fashion. We hope the men will be willing to keep up their high standard of qualification for membership, one rule being that no man can be admitted who has not driven for at least 12 months, and that they will bc able to conduct their benefit side on sound financial lines. It is of service to both existing and prospective owners of steam wagons and tractors, with which classes of mechanical transport the members of this society are most largely concerned, to know where to look for qualified men, and we see no reason why this body should not, at least for the south-eastern division of the country, become a recognised institution of all-round value.
Electric Vulcanisers.
We are informed by United Motor Industries, Limited, that, in order to cope with the demand which is daily increasing for accumulators suitable for vulcanising purposes, it has placed on the market an accumulator giving 40 ampere-hours of actual discharge. This would nominally be known as a 60-ampere ignition accumulator. The plates are specially made for rapid discharge, are of massive construction, and are very carefully pasted and treated to prevent the possibility of any damage due to the high working rate of discharge. The battery is known as the " Castle " vulcanising 'battery, and is listed at 395. 6d.