Neutral Notes.
Page 17
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British us?rs, at the present time, when they are being offered American chassis of all kinds in such nutnbers, will do well to keep themselves informed of actual commercial-vehicle activities in the United States, as well as in other neutral countries, Four-wheel-drive Touring Car.
The Twin City Four Wheel Drive Co., in addition to making the Four Wheel Drive trucks, has now under prospect a chassis in which the same principle is utilized for touring ears.
Specification of American Light Restrictions.
No fewer than one hundred drivers and owners were arrested within a few minutes during one eight., in St. Louis and were charged for violation of the new anti-glare ordnance. The following is a suggested regulation recommended by the Massachusetts Highway Commission :— " The use of any headlight or searchlight projecting rays to a. greater height than four feet is prohibited. At the same time, such lights are required to illuminate the ground six to ten feet from each side of the car at a point ten feet in front of the vehicle."
Trade Progress.
Such is the enormous fillip that the American motor industry is now receiviag,.no• doubt in part owing to the fact that so many other -manufacturing countries are busily engaged on war work, that 12 automobile manufacturers in Detroit are putting up additions, the total cost of which will be well over a million pounds.
Radiator Recommendations to American Manufacturers. " Be sure that trucks sent over to the British market are fitted with a tubular type of radiator. Few users here will have anything to do with the honeycomb variety. The driver always likes to feel that an accident to two or three tubes of his radiator is not likely to have any serious consequences."
Progress in Radiators.
Considerable improvements in the behaviour of radiators is expected, and, in fact, has already made itself felt, from the use of the type in which a pressed-steel shell accommodates a cellular central structure, the suspension being such that the internal portion can be struck and will give, thus being rendered less likely to suffer damage.
Studebaker Service for Doctors.
In the event of any member of the medical profession who owns a Studebaker, meeting with an -accident resulting in his car being disabled, the new service policy that has been inaugurated provides that, if the doctor notifies the service station, his car will be taken there for attention, and during the time it is there the doctor will be given the use of another.
Ramifications of the Motor Industry.
A writer in the "Automobile,'' discussing the enormous number of trades that are affected by the prosperity or otherwise of the motor industry, points out that on new ears ,for 1915 there will be used 670,000 tons -of steel, 3,280,000 square yards of imitation leather, 11,405.000 yards of hood material and linings, • 2.250,000 pairs of hinges, 8,500:000 square feet of hickory ,and other wood for floors, top-boards, wheels, etc. These are typical quantities only. The industries affected are. in addition, those concerned with the manufacture. of aluminium and alloys, brass, curled hair, upholstery fittings such as cord, tape, -buttons, etc., manufactured cotton, sheet celluloid, rubber and allied compounds, door catch fittings and linoleum.
Electric Tractors.
At the terminal piers on the Panama Canal in Christobal, four electric tractor-trucks are to be utilized. It is expected that these four will be the forerunners of largo installations, which will be made after approval of the work performed by them.
Tramway Companies Install Jitneys.
It is interesting, in view of the previous strong opposition of the tramway companies to the introductionof the Jitney bus, and considering also the very strong arguinents which were produced in favour of their points of view, that the Baltimore United Railway and Electric Co. are installing a service of motorbuses. The fleet will consist in the main of Garford one-ton trucks fitted with bodies suitably designed for the purpose of passenger-carrying.