The Wheels of Industry.
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The 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 Crozier.
Proceedings of Local Authorities.
Cardiff Corporation has been promised the next Royal Show.
The Withernsea U.D.C. has been making inquiries concerning motor fire-engines.
Another Dennis motor fire-engine has been purchased by the Bradford Corporation, at £1300.
The Streets Committee of Darlington T.C. has been authorized to obtain a two-ton or three-ton motor lorry.
Cleckheaton U.D.C. is proceeding with its investigations into the possible early supply id motor fireappliances.
Negotiations are in progress, at Gloucester, for the acquirement of a further motor fire-engine, to the end that contiguous county areas may be served according to a joint scheme.
The Bredbury and Romily U.D.C. has been directing attention to axle-weights in its area, 'but the traffic of several users of commercial motors has been found within the limits.
The Metropolitan Asylums Board has decided to purchase a steam tractor and four trailers, similar to those which. were recently authorized for use in connection with the Leavesden Asylum, the new onee to be put into service at Dartford. to haul coal from the railway sidings. The total outlay is to be E835.
Practically all the authorities in Greater London were represented, on the 1st inst., at Caxton Hall, when the " Safety First" campaign for London was inaugurated by Mr. H. E. Blain. Proceedings have been very fully reported in the daily Press, and we comment upon the project on the first page.
The attention of the Edinburgh City Council will no doubt be fully directed to the exhaustive comment on the one-sided condemnation of motorbuses, for a complete local service, by Messrs. Brodie, Hamilton and Campbell, to the alleged bases for which condemnation reference is made at length elsewhere in this issue.
The Rivers Committee of the Manchester City Council wishes to receive tenders, not later than 10 a.m. on Monday next, the 18th inst., for a rubber-tired three-ton steam lorry, with fixed flat platform, hinged sides and tailboard 3 ft. high, and skeleton top to support tarpaulin. A Munitions Class B certificate is available, and tenderers should state earliest delivery, addressing all communications to the Chairman of the Rivers Committee, Town Hail. Manchester (" Tender for steam lorry "). c40 The Salford T.C. has purchased, from Mossay and Co., Ltd., a twoton Orwell battery-equipped vehicle, with electrical tipping gear, at 2795 complete.
The Beverley R.D.C. has been considering its recent failure to recover damages from Mr. F. T. Walker, a Sheffield contractor, for alleged extraordinary-traffic damage. The Council had failed to enter proper minutes on the subject, whilst its surveyor had not given the certificate in accordance with the "Statute, with the result that judgment was recently given for the defendant, at the West Riding Assizes, with costs, concerning a claim for 2600.
Recent Registrations.
British Naphthalene Co., Ltd. (Z12,500), with its registered offices at 41, Castle Street, Liverpool. The first subscribers are E. J. Fa.wke and H. Griffiths. Private company.
Johnson Motor Co., Ltd. (£3000), with its registered offices at 68, Broad Street, Birmingham, to trade as a carrying undertaking, „and to manufacture and deal in motors, etc.
Tankard and Smith, Ltd. (E4000), with its registered office at 232, High Road, South Tottenham, N., to carry on the businesses of manufacturing, repairing and dealing in motors, etc.
Brighton and District Motor Carriers, Ltd. (£1000), with its registered offices at Union Yard, North Street, Brighton. The first subscribers are D. Cresswell, of 4, Grange Road, Lewes, and Miss F. A. Parsons.
Richmondshire Garages, Ltd. (Z2500), to take over the business of the National Road Traffic Co., Ltd. The first directors are the Marquis of Zetland, K.T.' W. B. Hunton, F. W. Pybus, T. Spencer and T. I. Wallace. Private company. The solicitors are Idessrs. W. R. and C. Hunton, Richmond, Yorks.
Splinterless Anti-mist Glass Syndicate, Ltd. (E1000), to manufacture compound, safety, uncloudable, anti-mist and multi-glass goggles, and anti-gas appliances of all kinds. The first subscribers are : F. G. Hackney, 2, Dorville Road, Ravenscourt Park, W.; J. Rattray, 15, Northbrook Road, Bowes Park, N. Private company. Solicitors, E. B. Gee and Co., 15, Copthall Avenue, E.C.
Simms Magnetos.
Iiimms Motor Units, Ltd.' notifies that it has moved into larger premises at Percy Buildings, Gresse Street, Rathbone Place, W.
Gazette.
A partnership hitherto existing between W. 3. R. Lee, A. 0. Jpnes Lee, and H. M. Craven, carrying on business as motor-transport COEtractors at 57, Brook Street, Bradford, under the style of Lloyd's Motor Transport has been 'dissolved. Messrs. A. Co.,0. Jones Lee and H. M. Craven will receive and pay debts due to and owing by the late firm.
Locomobile Co.'s Rikers.
We learn that the Locomobile Co. of America,, whose offices and works are at Bridgeport., Conn.,. has recently revised the prices of its Riker chassis. The prices of the threeton and four-ton Riker chassis have each been advanced 100 dollars. The company states that it has been obliged to adopt this course in order to maintain the standard of materials and workmanship, in view -of the increasing cost of manufacture. These vehicles are handled in the United Kingdom by Gaston, Williams and Witonore. Dd. Alexandra House, Kingswah WC.
• Miniature Electric Vehicles.
The British Miniature Electric Vehicle Co., Ltd.' of 10, Hoghton Street, Southport, is now prepared to take orders, and to give reasonably-early delivery in satisfaction of those which are accompanied by A. or B. certificates from the Ministry of Munitions, for battery-equipped trucks to the following specification: loading area, 5 ft. in length by 3 ft. in width ; net load, 500 lb. • P.D., 18 volts.; gross weight of battery, 156 lb. The motor drives through reduction. gear with singlechain final transmission, and the trucks are fitted with solid-rubber tires. The rated distance run on the level is 30 miles, with a maximum speed of 6 m.p.h. The price of a truck, carriage paid to any address in the U.K., is 2120. The company is entirely British. and all the truck-oaris are manufactured in England.
National Steam Car Co., Ltd: Ai, the instance of the National teem Car Co, Ltd., we record iat we accept the company's assurnce that there is no foundation for tie suggestion to which we referred I our recent issue, as to negotiaions for that company being acuired by the L.G.O.C. and Underround Interests, and we regret aving given publicity to the statetent.
he New President of the Board of Trade.
The appointment of Sir ,Albert I. Stanley, the new President of he Board of Trade, and for some maths past Director of Munitions Eechameal Transport, is good for tie trade, of the 'country, although• is controlling hand will be missed
his old branch. We publish Sir .1bert Stanley's photograph on age 331, and offer him our sincere ongratulations upon this further ational recognition of his worth. le is a native of Derby, with much Eatable training in. American 'ansport and financial matters ; to in' mainly belongs the chief credit ir building up the great strength E the Underground Electric Railays of London, which group acaired the L.G.O.C. in 1912. He is his 42nd year.
British Petroleum Co., Ltd. The Home Office has over-ruled tie Bath Town Council, and has ;sued a direct licence for the eritish Petroleum Co., Ltd., to tore 2.2,00a gallons of petroleum iere.
We take the following report rom "The Derry Standard" of le 4th inst. :— With reference to an application Dr a licence for a motor spirit tore from the manager of the .ritieh Petroleum Co. in Belfast, srrespondence was submitted 7om the Board of Trade and exeeets read from proceedings in the Louse of Commons.
The first reply from the Board of 'rade, in answer to an inquiry of le council, was considered unsatisectory, as it still stated that the smpany was practically a German nnpany, under the management f a, public trustee, but ultimately i the interests of Germany. A 3cond reply to a request for more efinite information stated that the oard had under consideration at resent the most desirable method f dealing with the company in i.e interests of this country. This [so was considered unsatisfactory, 3 the term " intereste " seemed to syer an intention of the benefits of le supervision of a trustee ultiLately passing to German sharealders, The clerk was directed to inform ie applicants that the council uld not at present grant a licence r a motor spirit store pending the
decision of the Board of Trade as to satisfactorily precluding any possible benefit accruing to Germany from the management of the public trustee.
Parts from the U.S.A.
In the House of Commons on the 4th inst., Mr. Fell asked the (then) President of the Board of Trade if the import of motorcars and parts of Motorcars and their accessories from the United States has now entirely ceased ; and, if so, what is the position of the factory at Manchester where the parts of a, certain make of American cars were being assembled up to a recent date, and has it been taken over by the Government ?
Mr. Pretyman : As my hon. friend will .see from the trade accounts, the import of motorcars and parts thereof has not entirely ceased, licences are still being given for the importation of cars and parts thereof required for the War Department or for commercial use, and also in special cases for .parts which are required for the immediate replacement of the worn pa:rts of -cars now running in this country. It is not the practice to Issue licences for parts required for assembling cars for pleasure purposes in this country.
Mr. Fell: May I ask if material actually to make cars comes over ?
Mr. Pretyman: Yes ; for. War Office and commercial cars, but not for pleasure cars.
Electric Vehicles at Dover.
The Department of the Borough Engineer of Dover has been an active user of electric vehicles for a considerable period. The latest report on the use of this class of vehicle was recently submitted to the Scavenging Committee of the Dover Town Council, when the costs of refuse collection and disposal, by this type of vehicle, for the 15 months ended the 5th November, were stated to be as follow :—Aetual wages paid, 21177 Os. 8d. ; proportion of foreman's wages. 237 Os. ed. ; wages of man at tip, 248 Ms.; rents af tip (one at 250 per annum, the other at 225 per annum, 229 2s. 4d, and 231 Si.), 260 Si. 4d. ; repairs and maintenance, 28,825 miles, at .968 of a id. per mile, 2116 Si. 2d. ; Awes and sundries (actual amount paid), „E12 15s, 4d. ; tires, 28,825 miles, at .56 of a, Id. per mile, 267 5s: 2d. ; vehicle caste (prime. cost, 21126eesech, gives £135 per annum per, vehicle for five vehicles in use from seven to fifteen months), 2606 10s. ; current oonsumed, 44,678 units, at licl. per unit, 2279 4s. 9d. • insurance, 236; total, 22441 Ils. 2d. Tons collected, 12,741 ; cost per ton, 3s. 9.98d.
The same five vehicles have been used for the carrying of coal, materials, street sweepings and ashes. It will be observed that the charge for current is lid, per B.T.U., and the cioneuenption per mile run
1.55 B.T.U. The average load is 'stated to be between 2-4; and 24 tons. The Electrical Engineer to the Dover Corporation has pointed out that the cost of production of electricity at Dover is 2d. per 13.T.U., but his department appears satisfied to sell it for use in the batteryequipped vehicles at lid. per B.T. U. It was also pointed out that the cost per ton before the War, per horse vehicle, was 6s. 2d. per ton, and thatthe realized economy is therefore most satisfactory.
American Society of Automobile Engineers.
It is expected that the technical papers to be presented at the oneday professional session of the above society, on 11th January, will he of exceptional interest. Captain Virginus E. Clark, of the United States Arniy, will present a paper dealing with the experiences of Army aviators on the Mexican Front. He will suggest methods ' whereby aeroplanes could. be improved in design and construction, with particular reference to the engine. At the same meeting it is expected that a detailed description will be given of an aeroplane engine 8f European design and being used on European battle grounds, but which has recently been produced commercially in the States. Another well-known engineer will discuss engines suitable for farm tractors. A special paper dealing with the proposed United States Army subsidy specification will also be read, au well as others with springing, electrical equipment, crankshaft balancing, etc.
Enemy Companies and Board of Trade Control.
The Public Trustee, Mr. C. J., Stewart. speaking at the Cannon Street Rotel on the evening of Thursday last. in the course of an address to members of the City of London Tradesmen's Club, referred to the position in regard to the control of businesses or shares in enemy ownership at the outbreak of war. Mr. Stewart assured his hearers that if, by the exercise of the powers which he possessed, he could prevent it, any monies, which were received in respect of such businesses or shares would not find their way to enemy countries until he was satisfied as to what the enemy proposed as regards the large claims which this country had against
them. •
This pronouncement appears to us thoroughly to justify our earlier warningstthat,any monies which are paid to German-owned companies, notwithstanding their being controlled by the Board of Trade, will be -either for the particular benefit of ;those German-owned companies and their German shareholders, or certainly for the benefit of Germany as'a country when the day comes to reckon debts against credits on the financial side. The Railway Situation.
it is almost entirely due to the difficulties of the railway companies that, notwithstanding earlier official 'announcements to the contrary, there will be no show next year under the auspices either of the Royal Agricultural Society of England or the Highland and Agricultural Society. We hope to hear that it will none the less be possible for both societies to do something effective in the matter of encouraging further the standard use of mechanical aids to agriculture.
Public Indignation in Surrey Concerning County Tax on Motorbus Passengers.
The Surrey County Council having called upon the East Surrey Traction Co., Ltd., to pay a road tax for its motorbuses running through Lingfield to East Grinstead, the service has been suspended. A crowded-meeting of the principal residents in Lingfield and district was held last week to consider the whole question. Mr. F. Cobham. J.P., who presided, said the
motorbus service had been of great convenience to the neighbourhood owing to the restricted railway facilities, It seemed to him unfair to tax the motorbuses only, for there were many other vehicles on the road which did quite as much damage. All vehicles should be
taxed according to their weight, i there was to be any tax imposed. Mr. Edwin Turner, who orgar ized the meeting, read a lette which he had received from Mi Joynson-Hicks, M.P., in which the gentleman said he had always hel that this kind of tax was ret“ grade and a reversion to the old an hated turnpike. The roads war made for the people, and the mote] buses were the poor man's motm If the full tax suggested was in posed, said Mr. Turner, it woul mean that each bus had to earn per week before there was a singl penny for the owners.
Mr. H. T. Hardy contended the the motorbuses developed the di trict considerably, and that it we an obstructive policy to interfer with them, for the railway servic was not of the best.
Mr. W. H. Hills argued the motorbuses were an immense etx vantage to the whole community it was only fair that the whole con munity should bear any small e, pense that might entail on tl] local authorities for the upkeep i the roads they ran over.
A deputation of five was a: pointed to wait on the Sum County Council to represent ti views of the neighbourhood in r gard to the proposed road tax.
"The Times" and Rubber.
The Plantation Rubber Suppl menf of " The Times," recent published, price 1d., contains r fewer than 200 pages of math and announcements of great i terest to users and manufacture of rubber. We may particular remark upon the article entith "Rubber and War" by Sir Frar Swettenham. The references t rubber form but a section of the D comber "Imperial and Forei4 Trade" supplement of "TI Times," the whole contents which are informative in a COMM E cial sense. The M.T., A.S.C., Fund.
It is gratifying to us to be able to point out that our average receipts, from the let October last, have exceeded 2240 weekly. This is double the average rate for the first two years of the Fund's existence. Fuller particulars of the position up to Saturday last are on page 346.
Middlesex Bridges.
We observe that the Middlesex County Council, at its meeting on the 30th ult., had before it a report from the County Engineer, Mr. Wakelam, concerning the stoppage of "mechanically-propelled A. ehioles " on bridges, and particularly in relation to Hayes Bridge. Mr. Wakelam went on to refer to the provision of Section 6 of the county by-laws and apparently suggested that this section was applicable to heavy motorcars. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to the matter. We want to point out, both to Ir. Wakelam and to owners of rieavy motorcars, that the by-law foes not apply to machines which Ire constructed in accordance with the Motor Car Acts, and registered mder the Heavy Motor Car Order. rhe section of the by-laws referring o locomotives to which the Act does ippIy reads as follows :—" A perion in charge of a locomotive shall x)t cause or suffer the locomotive Do remain stationary on any bridge irch or culvert, or within 10 ft. from the face of the abutment of any oridge, arch or culvert!'
It is only when twr., heavy motormrs (including steam tractors), or me heavy motorcar and a loconoo;lye, each of which has total axleweights in excess of six tons, are mon a bridge at the same time, ;hat an offence is committed by the ‘et of stopping on a bridge. This is under Article XIV (4) of the lieitvy Motor Car Order.
Inaccurate Pumps in America.
Last week's issue of the "Oil News" has an interesting article dealing with "Pumps that Steal Petrol from Motorists." Our sister journal, "The Motor," in its current issue, dated the 12th inst., refers to the article at some length, and points out that there are reliable hydraulic-storage and delivery systems, one at least of which is British-made and owned, which systems, eliminate the use of pumps. We should be sorry if 'the views of the "Oil News" proved in any way to deter commercial-motor users from installing more hydraulicstorage systems. The bulk storage of petrol is a matter of great importance from the commercial standpoint—and also from that of national efficiency. In it is closely involved the correlation of good delivery and measuresiont.