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WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.

9th January 1919
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—john Beattie Crosier.

The

No Tax on BenzoIe.

Following representations by the National Council of the Commercial Motor Users Association to the Government, it, has been notified by the Board of Cuetams and Excise that the contemplated imposition of a duty of 6d. a gallon on home-produced benzoic!, which tax was to have come into force on Wednesday, the 1st inst., is suspended. It is expected that the C.M.U.A., acting in concert with its associated transport organizations of employers and labour, will succeed in securng the total withdrawal of the proposed tax on this important' home-produced motor fuel..

Petroleum Pool Boasd to be Dissolved.

The Board of Trade have made an arrangement with the companies who were parties to the agreement for the forma-. tion of the Pool Board (Petroleum Supplies) by which the pool will be dissolved as from the 31st January. This arrangement, will not affect the power of the Board of Trade to control prices of petroleum and petroleum products.

Henry Ford Retires at 55.

Mr. Henry Ford's long-foreshadowedretirement from the post of president of the Ford Motor Co. took pine at the end of last year, and Mr. Ediel Ford, age 24, was elected to fill the post at a salary of £30,000 annually. The elder Ford's last official act was to raise the minimum daily wage throughout his factorie. from 20s. to 24s. We understand that this minimum applies to 28.000 employees, whilst there are 23.000 who are receiving more than this sum Honour for Sir Marcus Samuel.

Sir Marcus Samuel, the head of the "Shell ". motor spirt corporations, recently received a unique honour at the hands of the Court of Common Council of the City of London, when, in recognition of the great and valued services which he has for many years given to City immicipal affairs, it was unanimously resolved that two Uty thoroughfares should in future be named Marcus Samuel Street. By a strange coincidence, one of the Areas-to be named is in close proxiniity to the spot where Sir Marcus Samuel commenced his early commercial career.

Chars-a-Bancs Licences and "Preference."

Bournemouth Chamber of Trade has written to the Town Council statiq that the members of the Motor and Engineering Section have agreed that so soon as cars could he purchased and the petrol regulations permitted, they are willing to put on the road for pleasure runs for wisitoni anclaidents a sufficient number of first-class chars-5.-basses to eater comfortably for the requirements of the borough. The Chamber asked that in allocating licences preference should be given to local firms. Letters have also been sent by various firms asking for licences.

Time Hackney Carriage Committee, after consideration of the whole question. 024 came to the conclusion that it should licence 50 buses of class "A "—that is, omnibuses atarVng from within t the borough and going to places outside and not intended to cater for passengers within the borough. The, committee recommends the issue of licences to applicants in respect of 43 vehicles.

Important New Company.

A new company, styled the Road Transport and General Insurance Co., Ltd., was registered on the 24th of last month as a private company, with a capital of £100,000 in £1 shares, with objects as title. 'The first directors are: R. S. Tilling, E. W. Tilling, H. Tilling, W. Wolsey, Junr., T. Wolsey and W. Wolsey.

Lorries Rotting and Rusting.

We illustrate an this page part of the scene at Cumberland Market, Albany Street, London, N.W., where over 200 lorries, private cars and tenders, which

were not taken over by the R.A. F. when the R.N.A.S. went out of existence, have been placed in this open space, subject to all weathers and to the destructiveness of the children of the neighbourhood. The vehicles are really in a deplorable condition. Duet has eaten into the engines, clutch mechanism and brakes ; the pneumatic tyres are deflated, whilst the rubber generally, as also are the upholstery and hoods, is in a perishing state. Some of the tyres were practically new when the vehicles were taken into this storage, and what must represent about thirty thousand pounds of useful vehicles is rotting away to sheer junk. If this is the sort of thing that can go on, no wonder that the saying "All war is waste" carries the weight of so much authority. We believe that several offers have already been made for this stuff and refused.

Exports Permitted Again.

By an Order in Council made on the 3rd of thie month, the embargo upon the exportation of certain articles is removed. Amongst other articles removed from the Proclamation made on 10th May, 1917, and added to by subsequent amendments, are the following :—Motorcars of 30 h.p. and over, motor vehicles and motorcycles, component parts and accessories. rubber (raw, waste and reclaimed), tyres 'for motor vehicles and motorcycles, together with materials especially adapted for use in the manufacture or repair of tyres.

Height Record With a Napier Engine.

The world's record for altitude, which was broken by Capt. Lang, pilot, and Iieut. Blowes, observer, on a British biplane, on the 2nd inst., was placed at mm height of 30,500 ft. or nearly six miles up, on a D. H. 9 aeroplane made by the Aircraft Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

(Mr. Cl. Holt Thomas's concern), engined by.e. Napier "Lion" aero engine of 450 h.p. The engine was entirely designed and constructed at the Napier works. The ordinary ceiling of this machine has been put at 25,300 ft., the climb to 20,000 ft. being put at 24 mins. 25 secs., but Capt. Lang climbed his first, 20,000 in 19 mins. 40 sees. There was 31i degrees of frost at 20,000 ft. The final barograph reading of 30,500 ft. was obtained in'66 mins. 15 secs. This record is 4700 ft. greater than the previous record accomplished in 1916 by an Italian pilot. It is a wonderful score not only for the pilot, but for the aeroplane and its engine.

The Ministry of Munitions has issued a notice as a supplement to the notices which have already appeared with regard to home and export prices of iron and steel.

Chars-a-bancs and Petrol.

Capt. F. G. Bristow, general secretary of the Commercial Leers Association, has been officially notified by the Petrol Control Department that motor spirit is now obtainable for motor chars-i-bancs, in which•type of vehicle it may be used on all routes whick are not closed under legislation other than the now lapsing Motor Spirit Restriction Orders.

Motor spirit for motor chars-a-banes is, "however, only obtainable under licence, in respect of which applications should be sent. direct to the Petrol Control Department, 19, Berkeley Street, W. 1. Owners of chars-it-banes can use any motor spirit in stock if obtained by legitimate methods.

Triplex Results.

The Triplex Safety Glass Co., Ltd., made good progress during the past year -'

of trading ended 30th. November . The net profit has increased from 220,133 to 230,927. It, is proposed to write off the balance on development account, 22000, also depreciation amounting to 2462, leaving a balance of 216,102 brought forward, and the interim dividend received from the Triplex Goggle, Mask and Lens Co., a total of 244,667. Twelve months ago 22000 went to development account, and 2249 was provided for depreciation. The dividend is maintained at, 10 per cent., leaving 230,066 to be carried forward, as against 216,102 brought into the accounts.

Tyre Presses for Military Uses.

As positive evidence of the reliance which was placed in the tyre presses made by Hollings and Guest, Ltd., it is interesting to record that the whole of the tyre presses required by the British, Russian and Serbian Governments during the war, as well as the specially heavy tyre presses used by the American Army, were supplied by this Birmingham concern. These presses have been put to much severe -work in the various spheres of military operation, and we have sure evidence to support the claim that they have stood up to. their task well. Since the signing of the armistice, the company have received a large number of orders for these presses, among

the latest, we are given to understand, they have received several for the Dunlop Rubber Co., in addition to the following well-known users of motor vehicles in various parts of the country :—Gilbert and Mikes, Kendal ; Birkenhead Brewery Co. ; Wort, and Way, Salisbury; Gower and Sons, Bedford, and Lovell's Comumercial Motor Co., of Newport. Since the withdrawal of perniits on the purchase and supply of hydraulic machinery, there has been a general demand for the tyre and wheel presses made by Hollings and Guest, Ltd., and they give us to understand that they can generally give delivery in the course of a few days, as they have presses either in stock or in the course of manufacture throughout the works.

Darracq Results.

A. Darracq and Co., Ltd., made a net profit of £151,967 fpr the past financial year, and with the sum of £12,904 brought forward from the previous ac

count, amounts to 2164,861. Of this net profit, the sum of 213,125 has been applied in paring a dividend on the pre'erred ordinary shares at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum for the half year to 31st March last, and a sum of 213,750 has been applied in paying an interim dividend of 5 per cent. upon the ordinary shares. After these deductions, a sum of £137,986 remains for'disposal. A further sum of 225,000 is carried to general reserve, which now stands at 2250,000, and out of the balance. a further dividend, at the rate of 10 per cent., upon the ordinary shares will absorb .227,500 (making a dividend of 15 per cent, for the year), and a bonus of 5 per cent., amounting to £13,750 on the ordinary shares. A further dividend at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum on the preferred shares, amounting to 211,250, is also .payable under the articles of association of tho company. After making these provisions, a sum of 247,361 is carried forward to next, year's account.

The Climax.

Isleworth national kitchen lost 247 in 22 weeks, and then the motorvan, when out with.food, skidded and collided with a tree, causing a further loss of 240. So the kitchen is to close.

Changes in the Road Board.

The announcement was made last week that Sir George Gibb, who has been chairman of the Road Board since its institution, has been offered and has accepted the position of consulting general manager of the North-Eastern Railway, of which he was general manager from 1891 to 1906.

We are also informed that Mr. Rees Jeffreys retired from the secretaryship of the Road Board on the 31st December, a position he has held since the establishment of the Board. Mr. Rees Jeffreys, who prepared the road programme for 1919-1920 at the request of the Demobilization Committee, which was subsequently approved by the Road Board and sanctioned by the War Cabinet, will continue to take an active interest in problems of road traffic. He is at present chairman of a Representative Committee which is drafting a Bill for a Traffic and Development Board for London and the Home Counties. Mr. Jeff

reys has accepted the position of financial adviser to the Motor Union Insurance Co., Ltd., of which company he was one of the founders and original directors. He has also been elected chairman of the Federated British Insurance Co., Ltd.

. Packard's War Effort.

The Packard Motor Car Co., of America, claim to have carried over 4i million pounds of freight by Packard lorries during the past year. Exactly 3699 Packard vehicles were sent to consignees under their own power during this period. The lorry transportation included work for the Government, as well as for the conwany themselves, and frequently vehicles were used in transporting material on urgent calls to points as much as 400 miles distant. Over 3000 of the lorries sent overland were for subsequent army use, and many of them carried 3 tons of merchandise to the port of debarkation. This amounts in all to 900 tons of munitions which were vital to the activities of General Pershing's forces. The value of this relief to the railroads by lorry transportation cannot be comprehended in ton miles, as it was achieved at the very time when winter conditions last winter practically block. tided the great munitions carrying lines.

Canadian Amalgamation.

A transaction which will probably have far-reaching results, both from a manufacturing and financial standpoint, in so far as the Canadian motor trade is concerned, is recently stated to have been consummated by the amalgamation of four of the largest motor manufacturers in Canada. It is said that one of the primary objects of the co-ordination of effort is to increase the manufacturing facilities at present available in the Dominion in order that the cost of production may be materially reduced. ell the branch houses and distributing centres will continue to run as before. So far as manufacture is concerned, engines, which have formerly been imported, will be prodnced together with axles, transmission gear and all other important parts previously imparted. With this ambitious scheme in view a sits, comprising 38 acres of ground, hasebeen purchased at Walkerville, Ontario, where the factory is to be erected right away.

Inventions Down.

There was an increase in the total number of patents applied for in the United Kingdom during 1918 as compared with the preceding year, but the number fell short of the approximate total of 30,000 in normal times by about 8000. Mahy of the more recent applications for protection relate to internal-combustion engines, for use in motor ploughs and tractors, and capable of using the cheaper grades of fuel. During the past four. years busy minds have consistently been at work in an endeavour to surmount the strangling effects of ever-growing and enforced restriction,

Association Dinner.

The West Lancashire and Cheshire branch of the Motor Trade Association and Agents Section, Ltd., are holding a "peace re-union" 'dinner, on Monday, 13th January, at the Compton Hotel, Church Street, Liverpool. It is hoped

that a large attendance of the members of the section will' be present, whilst motor traders trout other distriete wilt be welcomed. A first class musical programme has been arranged and a .pleasant evenine ea anticipated. The retiring chairman, M. Deacon lielendreteee will preside, and ail arraneement. for the function have been male :ey the vice

chairman, Mr. S. W. Phillpobt (J. Blake and Co.), who will act as M.O. Tickets 10s. each, may be obtained from E. J. Walker, 5, Castle Street, Liverpool.

Government Motor Kinemas.

Now that the War Aims Committee has been disbanded 20 motor lorry kinemas, which have been used for some time past in connection with the dissemination of official war propaganda, have become available for other work. It is stated that ten of them have been turned over to the National War Savings Com.raittee, and will be sent to different parts of the country very shortly. It will be remembered that we have described the equipment and construction of one of these vehicles in a past issue. The original chassis empIoyedlwas a four-ton Vinot. It has been suggested in certain quarters that the remaining ten vehicles might be suitably employed amongst the British troops in Cologne and other German towns.

Mr. J. A. Woods, A.M.I.E.E., of 7, Stoneyhurst Road, Goeforth, Newcastleupon-Tyne, advises us that he has resigned his position as chief engineer to the Newcastle Breweries, Ltd,

9th January, 1919. Overseas Progress.

A company has been established at Dixen Street, Capetown, under the style of Electric Vehicles, Ltd., to handle a number of leading agencies fur electric battery vehicles, which will be seld under adequate guarantees with regard to loadcarrying capacity • and reliability, together with the provision of an efficient maintenance service. A new idea in connection with petrol vehicles is also being inaugurated, viz., for a fee of 2s: per

month the company is undertaking to make fortnightly inspections of the starting and lighting batteries of vehicles and to make minor adjustments.

Traction Engines in Scotland.

A slip occurred in a paragraph ' appeering in our' issue of 26th December last written by one of our Scottish correpondents and referring to the evidence given by Scottish witnessee before the 1)epartmental Committee on Road Locomotives and Heavy Motorcars. The recommendation of the committee with regard to traction engines equipped with the Boulbon wheel was misquoted, but. in our previous issue we had given the text of the recommendations in full and accurately, so that the slip may have been, in the circumstances, of no importance.

A Commer Without a Stop.

One of our illustrations on this page shows a, Commercar which was supplied to Messrn: J. Robinson and Co.,

Ramsbottom, in 1916. The driver of the machine says that it has done very good service, and never failed once in the two years and four months during which he has been in charge of the running of it. All the repairs that are necessary are executed by the driver, and the only replacement made has been the bearings iii one of the front wheels. Some idea of the mileage which has been covered ditrlug this period may be gathered from the fact that three .sets of tyres, each of which have run their full guaranteed mileage, have been fitted.

At the thirteenth annual general meeting of the Scottish Motor .Traction Co., Ltd., the chairman in-moving the adoption of the reeeet reoommended the-payment of s dividend of 7 rev cent. free of income tax, absorbing £7394, and that the balance of the profits £2141 be carried forward.

Bodies for Carriers.

Mr. W. Mumford, of Plymouth, informs us that he has recently delivered what he believes to be the first post-war motorvan body commenced and finished since the armistice was signed. It is fitted on a Thornycroft, model J, 40 h.p., four-tonner, and is constructed to be suitable for the work of a country carrier. We reproduce an illustration of the vehicle in question on this page. The inside of the body is fitted with hinged tipup seats in the front half, 'forming a sort of saloon to carry 11 or 19' passengers; the rear half of the body is left free for the carriage of goods. It will be noticed that the driver's comfort has been given some consideratiou. An efficient windscreen and side curtains have been fitted to render the lot of the driver a more enviable one. The whole of the bodywork was designed and constructed in Mr. Mumford's body-building department. This department is fully equipped with modern woodworking' and other machinery.

A Carrier's Motorbus.

The Highways Committee of the Essex County Council has considered an application from Mr. C. A. Parker, carrier, of Manningtree, for permission to run a motorbus from Manningtree to Ipswich, in connection with his business as carrier, and recommends granting the application as regards the main roads on the following terms:—

The payment of 21 per annum for the route, payable in advance on 1st January in each year.

A contribution of one farthing per omnibus mile applicable only to the main roads.

These rates of contribution to be subject to revision 12 months after consent is given.

The Metropolitan Municipal Traffic Council.

A Municipal Traffic Council for Greater London is proposed. Meetings of municipal "tramway managers of the undertakings in the metropolitan area have recently been held, at which the question of the present and future position of passenger transit -facilities in and around London Was fully discussed, and consideration was given to the expediency of taking joint action to promote the .interests of the undertakings concerned. With this end in view it was decided that the Metropolitan Association of Tramway Managers, which included in its membership managers of both Municipal and company-owned tramways, should be dissolved, and that a. new association, to be known as the Metropolitan Municipal Traffic Council, be formed. The suggested council is to consist of municipal authorities owning and working tramways and/or motor vehicles.

These proposals are being forwarded to each of the municipal tramway authorities in the metropolitan area, with a re' quest to appoint representatives to attend a conference to consider th4 question.

Guy Revelry..

The fine new extensions at the works of Guy Motors, Ltd., Wolverhampton, were recently the scene of a very happy and enthusiastic gathering when Mr. Sydney S. Guy (managing director) invited the employees of the firm to a dinner in commemoration of the victorious conclusion of the war. Some 1100 were present, and during the progress of the dinner a handsome tea and coffee service was presented to Mr. Guy by the employees. Later in the evening the• company were entertained by an excellent concert, a dance and confetti carnival terminating a most enjoyable Occasion.

As a permanent record of the event, each member of the firm was the recipient of a silver medallion hearing the inscription, "From Sydney S. Guy for services rendered during the Great War, 19144918," and on the reverse side an embossed figure of Victory and the firm's trade mark.

New Tyre List.

A new list No. 103, has recently been issued by the solid tyre department of George Spencer, Moulton and Co., Ltd., Manchester. The contents include not only the current prices, which are subject to discounts-that can be obtained on application by commercial-vehicle owners, but also full details' of the company's guarantee, as well as a useful schedule showing the maximum weights which are permissible with the various, sizes of tyres. These sizes range from the 75 mm. section, for use on delivery vans and light vehicles, to the 140 mm. section for

use on three-tonnera, the 160 min. and 180 mm. sections for use on five and sixtonners respectively. The company is making a feature of solid rubber tyres for use on trailers, of which a large number are being converted from steel tyres to rubber ones. We notice that trolley tyres for platform electric trucks are also

"Extraordinary Traffic."

The Urban District Councils Association has voted a contribution of 250 to the Weston-super-Mare District Council towards the costs of the action against Henry Butt and Co., Ltd... The trial lasted 13 days and the case is now going to a higher court.

Duerden's Depot Depicted.

In answer to a couple of inquiries, the plan which appeared on page 406 of the issue of Tan COMMERCIAL Moron for the 2nd January, depicting a well-known Burnley depot and repair works, was that of Mr. George E. Duerden commercial-vehicle agent and repairer, and northern agent for Maudslay industrial vehicles.

Local Proceedings.

A second-hand motor fire-engine is required by the Wanstead U.D.C.

Leeds Corporation Gas Committee has purchased a tbreeton 'steam wagon front the Yorkshire Commercial Motor CO. fpr. 21025.

Halifax Corporation has empowered Councillors J. Foster and Hanson to deal with the question of the purchase of one or two second-hand motor vehicles required for the cleansing department.

Hove Watch Committee propose renewing Messrs. Tilling's motorbus licences, but suggests a lengthening of the distances of the penny fares. At present there are 36 running buses and 12.spares.

Halifax Corporation Electricity Committee recommends accepting the quotation of the Electrical Chloride Storage Co., Ltd., Manchester, for the supply of new batteries for the electric vehicle for 2249.

aAt Bolton Corporation Waterworks Committee the chairman reported that arrangements had been made for the purchase of steam wagons required in connection with the works required for the completion of the Delph reservoir.

Chelsea Borough Council is urging for the abolition of the Road Stone Control Committee and other such departments brought into existence during the war, because they place a serious restriction upon legitimate tracEng and are detrimental to the healthy development of the 'country's resources. '

Messrs. Ransomes, Sims and Jefferies have asked the Ilford U.D.C. to delete a time limit clause in the form of contract submitted to them in reference to the supply of an Orwell electric vehicle by reason of the fact that they are a controlled firm and have no power over their output and consequently cannot accept any liability under such clause for failure to supply within the time limit. The Council has deleted the clause.

On Thursday last, at Birmingham .Cathedral, the funeral service for the late Mr. Harvey Du Cros was held, and , was very largel,y attended not only by members of the family and intimate friends and close business associates, but by a very large number of the staff of the Dunlop Rubber Co.


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