The Parade Over.
Page 1
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The increase in support for the fourth annual parade of the C.A.I.C.A. has been the subject of general comment during the past week : the gathering of ninchines, on Satur'day last, was a real '' eye-opener '• to all not in close touch with the heavy-traffie movement. We, naturally, as interested supporters of any undertaking which aids progress by prompting the general sense of the public at large to a proper degree of appreciation. do not attempt to disguise our gratification upon developing circumstanees. We forecast that next year's Parade which will probably call for another change of venue, will again disclose an increase of muster in geometric ratio. There should be not fewer than 200 vehicles and tractors at the 1911 vompetition, inclusive of the "teams."
It goes without saying, that a few heart-burnings followed the announcement of the awards on Saturday : that incidental result is a wonted experience. No body of mundane judges yet gave entire satisfaction by its awards, but every strong committee of the kind, in cases where duties recur annually, endeavours to take a step towards exactness and perfection on each 81.10CCESIve occasion, It must not its wrongfully imagined, because we repeat a. truism, that any complaints have been made this tinier for there has not, as a matter of fact, been a single communicated grumble or protest. We are, none the less, in a position to state that the 0.11.17.A., moving in the matter on its own initiative, will at once—while the figures nut their effect are fresh in the minds of the judges-call for a special report on the markings from a sub-committee. This desirable course should permit both any necessary re-apportionments to be made for 1911, to the end that nndue prominence shall attach to no one factor in the scale, and, possibly, the publication of any new marking scheme to be made in advance. The latter proposition has precedents in the practice of the R.A.C. and the during the years 1903-1909, and it may fittinely lie recalled that the earliest, motorcar contests were subject to a few imeertainties in respect of the appropriate relative yal tiouss of particular qualities and performnnces. Now, as regards the allocation of marks to drivers of commercial vehicles and tractors, there is prole-111y sufficient experience available to allow the compilation of a definite number of subdivisions with a definite maximum of marks attached to each, and we. hope it will prove to be so.
In thus looking to the future, we have no desire to create a false impression aim it the past : it worikl be as untrue to state that the conduct of the 1907-1910 competitions for drivers hiss been unsatisfactory as to claim flint it. has been ideal. Nobody is more conscious of shortcomings than the organizers themseh es. but ever" competent and fair critic must admit. that the difficulties of examination and marking are not inconsiderable. There
is. for example. the ever-present, temptation to give marks for the machine rye se, whereas, so far, the rules of the emnpetition have clearly required that marks shoulfi be given to the man alone, although, of course, the construction of the machine tinder his charge, the work done by that machine, its state of repair, and the general conditions of employment are so closely interwoven with any process of adjudicatinn as to be almost inseparable from the personal elements. The awards, none the less, are clearly, as we feel we must repeat, made for good points in the men themselves, as disclosed relatively to work done by them, their actual knowledge. their range of travelling. independence of assistance in the running-shed, and other allied points. The whole plan of the competition is based upon this conception of a reward for personal ability in relation to opportunity and environment, and it is not, except in so far as the machines reflect the drivers' care for them, a pitting of one machine against another.
The Royal Show Next.
There was a Press inspection of the showyard, at Liverpool, On Saturday last, and THE COMMERCIAL Moron was there. A. splendid area has been put at the disposal of the Royal Agricultural Society, in the beautiful and matured Wavertree Recreation Ground, and there need be no anticipations of trying or unfavourable conditions for visitors. We are thoroughly satisfied that this year's. "Bovuil " will be a huge success in every respect, and that not the least of these will prove to be the inquiry for motors and tractors. Liverpool people, as the writer is in. a unique position to know, " went in too soon " during the years 1899-1902, and the disappointments in that period of pioneer Ilse, with its concomitant. losses for the later benefit of other people, are not easily forgotten. We have, however, good reasons for declaring that. this year's. Royal Show may prove to be the turning-point, and it. goes without saying that our special number will be read most widely and quoted most. freely. Readers who have not yet placed orders for the regular delivery of this journal by their newsagents are recommended to do so without delay. It has been our custom, since the year 1905, to pay special attention to the motor exhibits at this great, nntionnl, agricultural display. The so-called Implement Section has possessed attractions for us and onr supporters from the first. and these will again be reflected in the pages of our illustrated stand-to-stand report of the week after next. A good reception for it is assured.
The previous occasion of the writEr's attendance at a big agrieultural show in Liverpool was in the year 1899. Then. by the joint interest of the late Earl of Derby as President of the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Society and President of the Liverpool Self-Propelled Traffic Assoelation, the second Lancashire trials for cnmmercial motors took place. and much-prized gold and silver medals were awarded. The present chance and need to establish comparisons of a convincing nature—nneontemplated eleven years ago—opportunely present themselves. and they will be turned to account, in the course of interviews and otherwise, in No. 276—dated the 23rd June.