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WHEELS of INDUSTRY

"The wheels 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.

WIDTH OF LOADS: MINISTER TO AMEND ORDER OF 1931.

Following the decision of the Ring's Bench Divisional Court that any motor vehicle carrying a load exceeding 8 ft. in overall width must be accompanied by four persons, inclusive of the driver, to attend the vehicle and its load, the Commercial Motor Users' Association made representations to the Minister of Transport urging that the Motor Vehicles (Authorization of Special Types) Order, 1931, under which Order the decision was given, should not apply to vehicles which complied with the requirements of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1931.

The Minister has now informed the C.M.U.A. that lie proposes to amend the Order, so as to make it clear that a vehicle complying in all respects with the requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations will not be subject to the attendance provision.

Road-accident Returns.

The Ministry of Transport returns of persons killed or injured by road accidents during the week ended June 2, 1934, show that, in England, 78 people were killed and 4,345 injured, 34 having died as the result of previous accidents. The figures for Scotland were seven killed, 422 injured and six deaths from previous accidents. In Wales eight people were killed, 202 injured, and one died from a previous accident.

India Tyre Invitation to Glasgow Conference Delegates. •

It is suggested by the India Tyre and, Rubber Co., Ltd., Inchinnan, Scotland, that corporation managers and others attending the Conference of the Municipal Tramways and Transport Association, to be held at Glasgow, would find it interesting and profitable to spend an hour or two visiting the factory of the company at Inchinnan, which is only eight miles from the centre of Glasgow, on the Greenock road.

Arrangements for visitors and for the necessary transport from Glasgow to the factory can be made by telephoning to Paisley 4141. The conference finishes on the Friday night, so that Saturday (June 30) would appear to be a suitable day.

Further Steps to Stabilize Rates.

With a view to dealing with the question of the stabilization of haulage rates, and that of wages and conditions, the headquarters of the Northeastern Division of the Motor Transport Employers' Federation have sent out the following questionnaire to all hauliers—members and non-members— in the division :—

B20 Are you in favour of the stabilization of road transport rates? Are you willing to attend a meeting to be held in a convenient centre to discuss the matter? Also at the same meeting to discuss wages and conditions?

Much progress in rates stabilization has already been made in West Yorkshire by the Road Transport Rates Tribunal.

£47,990 Profit for "Eastern Counties."

Last year the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd., worked at a profit of £47,037, as compared with £44,300 a year earlier, whilst £15,497 was brought in (£4,801 in 1932), So that the divisible total is £62,535, against £49,101. The proposed dividend of 5 per cent. (less tax) on the ordinary shares will absorb £33,603, and £24,932 will be carried forward.

U.S.A. Tariff Reduced.

The Tariff Bill, which was signed by President Roosevelt on Tuesday last, repeals the section of the 1980 Tariff Act of America, which authorized retaliatory tariffs of 33i per cent. on British motor vehicles ; they will now pay the standard rates, varying from 10 per cent, to 25 per cent.

Commercial-vehicle Registrations.

In April, 1934, the registrations of new goods vehicles were 5,305, compared with 3,839 for the previous April. Hackney vehicles numbered 281, against 383 a year ago.

Armstrong-Saurer Scottish Service Depot.: A sales and service depot has been opened by Armstrong-Saurer Commercial Vehicles, Ltd., in Avenue Park Street, Kelvinside North, Glasgow, N.W. This depot is equipped and organized on a plan adopted by the company with its others throughout the country. It is open from 8 a.m. oe 1 a.m., but arrangements for a 24-hour service will soon be made: BRITAIN LAGS BEHIND IN INDIA'S INCREASED IMPORTS.

An increase of over 50 per cent. is recorded in the commercial-vehicle imports of India during the year ended March 31, 1934, as compared with those of the previous year. During the year just ended, 5,496 buses, lorries, vans and chassis were imported, the value, taking a rupee as is. 6d., being £493,125, whereas the corresponding figures for the preceding 12 months were 2,676 and £307,500. The average value of vehicles imported has fallen from £1.15 to £89.

Despite a preferential tariff, the imports of British products have shown only a small increase, as compared with those from U.S.A. and Canada. Actually, the United Kingdom's share in the trade advanced from 517 vehicles (£75,000)—an average of £145 per unit—to 528 machines (£91,875), an average of £174 per unit ; whilst the shipments from Canada rose from 388 vehicles (£45,000) to 1,243 units (£123,750). America's contribution increased from 1,793 machines (£185,5) to 3,692 vehicles (273,750). What is the answer of British makers to these figures?

Of the total number of vehicles imported, 419 were equipped with bodies and 5,077 were in chassis form.

"Automatic" Limitations on B Licences.

Complaint is being made in Yorkshire concerning the limitations of the area of operation imposed by the Licensing Authority in granting B licences. Mr. Frank G. Bibbings, general secretary of the Yorkshire Stage CarriageOperators Association—which has a goods section—told our correspondent that experience, so far, at the sittings in Yorkshire, indicated that area limitations were imposed automatically on applicants for B licences.

"Whilst we do not deny that some measure of control might be necessary," said Mr. Bibbings, "surely the automatic limitation of the area of eperation is, to say the least, hasty and premature?"

He also• stated that the attitude ot the railway companies towards-applications for B licences is causing deep resentment among Yorkshire operators. "The railways are, generally speaking, making no attempt to substantiate their grounds of objection," he complained.

Macclesfield Branch for C.M.U.A.

A Macclesfield branch of the Commercial Motor Users' Association was formed last week. A meeting is to be held in a day or two to appoint a chairman and sub-committees. HIGHLAND SHOW EXHIBITORS.

We give below a list of the names of exhibitors of interest to our readers at the forthcoming Highland Agricultural Show, which is to take place at Glasgow from Junb 10-22. The stand numbers are given in parentheses :

Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd. (501; Associated Manufacturers Co. (London), Ltd. (37); AvelingBarford, Ltd. (40); Barlord and Perkins (70); Blackstone and Co., Ltd. (54); Allan P. Blue and Sons (108); Britannia Batteries, Ltd. (16); David Carlaw and Sons. Ltd. (91); Cowiesons, Ltd. (281); Dodge Brothers (Britain), Ltd. (83); Dunlop Rubber Co., 'Ltd. (76); Fodens, Ltd. (82)i John Fowler and Co. (Leeds), Ltd. (58); India Tyre and Rubber Co., Ltd. (144); International Harvester Co. of Great Britain, Ltd. (72); R. A. Lister and Co., Ltd. (56); Massey-Harris, Ltd. (55); Melvin Brothers, Ltd. (244); Norris, Henty and Gardners, Ltd. (90); Petters, Ltd. (44); Price's Patent Candle Co., Ltd. (26); Charles H. Pugh, Ltd. (280); Ransomes, Sims and Jefieries, Ltd. (34, 260); Redline-Clic°, Ltd. (62); lien Motors (Britain), Ltd. (85); Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd. (35);

C. Slingsby (134); D. Thomson (86); Tradeston Motors, Ltd. (89); Vigzol Oil Refining Co. (London), Ltd. (54); Western Motor Co., Ltd. (77); Wylie and Lochhead, Ltd. (79).

Passenger-transport Services on the Thames: Public Inquiry.

The London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has appointed five of its members, i.e., Sir Henry Jackson, M.A., M.B., M.P., J.P. (chairman), Sir John R. Pakeman, C.B.E., Messrs. H. E. Clay, F. Bertram Galer, M.A., F.I.A., J.P., and C. Latham, F.L.A.A., J.P., to hold a public inquiry into the desirability and practicability of the provision of a regular passengertransport service on the River Thames.

The inquiry will be held in the Traffic Commissioner's Court, at Caxton House (West Block), Tothill Street, London, S.W.1, at 11 a.m. on June 28, 1934. Any person affected by the subject matter of the inquiry who desires to make representations thereon should write to the Secretary of the Committee, at 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, SAVA, by June 20.

Incidentally, a new public company with the title of Thames Passenger Service, Ltd., has been registered, the capital being 25,000.

W. T. Henley's FinaL Dividend and Bonus.

The directors of W. T. Henley's Telegraph Works Co., Ltd., Holborn Viaduct, London, E.C.1, have recommended the payment of a final dividend on the ordinary shares of 2s. 6d. per share (less income tax), which, with the interim dividend of is. 6d. per share, totals 4s. for the year. They also recommend a cash bonus of 2s. per share (less income tax).

"How to Drive a Car."

The 13th edition of " How to Drive a Car" has just been published by Temple Press Ltd. The text and illustrations have been carefully revised, and considerable space is devoted to the latest transmission systems from a driving point of view. The section dealing with legal matters has been brought up to date and goes fully into the questions of registration, what to do in the case of an accident, drivers' liability, etc.

The handbook has been written throughout with a view to aiding novices upon all points which are likely to arise during the actual driving of a car. It is priced at 2s. 6d. and is obtainable from all booksellers or book

stalls. Alternatively, it may be obtained direct from these offices at 2s. 9d. by post.

1200,000,000 Road Scheme for U.S.A.

A number of Congressional leaders has agreed shortly to introduce a Bill into the American Parliament, authorizing a road-construction programme to last three years and costing more than $1,000,000,000 (2200,000,000).

Increasing Sales in Germany.

During April, 1,712 new commercial vehicles were sold and registered in Germany, bringing up the aggregate sales during the first four months of 1934 to 5,098, as compared with 2,435 a year earlier.

Of the vehicles sold during April, 450 had a carrying capacity up to 20 cwt. ; 497 between 1 ton and 2 tons ; .540 2-3 tons ; 98 3-4 tons ; 118 4-5 tons ; and 9 over 5 tons.

Wainey Bridge to be Freed.

The bridge that connects Walney Island with the mainland at Barrow-inFurness will charge its last tolls on March 31, 1935, and after that day it will be free.

Receiver for Karrier Motors.

Mr. G. W. Smith, chartered accountant, of Messrs. Smith and Garton, Huddersfield, has been appointed receiver for the debenture holders of Karrier Motors, Ltd., Huddersfield, and he will carry on the business. It is understood that negotiations are proceeding with the object of placing the company on a permanent footing.

Scottish Firm's War Office Contract.

Messrs. William Aitken and Sons, Linlithgow, have secured the War Department contract in connection with the removal of equipment from Stirling to the various summer camps in Scotland. Some 600 tons will leave the Ordnance Headquarters, of which 170 tons will be moved on July 10 to camps in Ayrshire. PERSONAL PARS.

It is thought to be likely that Sir Hugo Hirst, chairman and managing director of the General Electric Co., Ltd., who, as reported in last week's issue, has been elevated to the peerage, will assume the title of Lord Hirst of Witton.

It is understood that Col. Headlam, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, has provisionally accepted an invitation to attend the inauguration of the first part of Bournemouth Corporation's trolleybus system, which is to replace tramcars.

It is learned that Major E. P. Shepherd, D.S.O., M.C., has been appointed sales director (Herne sales) of Singer and Co., Ltd. Major Shepherd has been associated with the Daimler and Lanchester companies, and until recently was sales manager of B.S.A. Cars, Ltd.

Mr. J. E. Foden, a son of Mr. William Foden, will in future represent the interests of E. R. Foden and Son in London (north of the Thames) and the home counties. He is well qualified for this position and has travelled extensively, having had commercial experience in Australia before returning to England a few years ago.

Mr. G. C. Jenkins, M.I.M.T., who was for some years with T. Shipside, Ltd., Nottingham, has joined Messrs. Buckley's Motor Sales, 6, King Street Warrington, in the capacity of sales manager. The firm act as Conamer main agents, and were established in 1837 as John Buckley and Co., Ltd., haulage contractors. This side of the business is being maintained under its original title.

Bradford Corporation's finance committee, which comprises the whole of the members of the city council, has approved the recommendation of a subcommittee that the position of city engineer and surveyor should be offered to Mr. R. B. Donald, who holds a similar post at Belfast. The finance committee added a condition that the appointment should be subject to Mr. Donald agreeing to take over the duties of director of public cleansing, if and when required, and without additional salary.

"Safety First" Awards in London.

In 1933, 9,571 drivers of the London Passenger Transport Board (approximately 94 per cent.) entered the " Safety First" competition. Of these, 179 qualified for the gold medal for 10 years' driving' free from blamewcrthy accident, 12 for special awards for 15 years' unblemished record, and 623 for silver medals for five years' similar conduct.

Over 7,000 have received either bars to silver medals previously gained or diplomas, where five consecutive years of freedom from accident have not yet been completed. BID FOR MORE PUBLICITY FOR ROAD TRANSPORT.

A plan to obtain wider publicity for the case for road transport is put for ward in a resolution which has been passed by the Road Transport Rates Tribunal, the voluntary organization which has been formed by West Yorkshire hauliers. The scheme is to hold, each year, at some popular centre, a conference of representatives not only of the road-transport industry, but also of the manufacturing and trading sides.

The North-eastern Division of the Commercial Motor Users Association has been requested to consider the scheme and to recommend the resolution to the National Council of the C.M.U.A. and to the British Road

Federation. Our Yorkshire correspondent learns that it has been forwarded by the North-eastern Divisioa to the C.M.U.A. headquarters in London.

£200,000 Extra Capital for Maidstone Co.?

Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., proposes to increase its capital by the creation of 200,000 new £1 shares, 100,000 of which will be additional ordinary shares, whilst the remaining 100,000 will be distributed as a bonus, free of income tax, amongst the holders of the 300,000 issued ordinary shares. Payment for this second 100,000 will be made from £100,000 of the undivided profits standing to the credit of the reserve fund.

The scheme will be placed before the shareholders at a meeting on July 2. The proposed new shares will increase the capital to £700,000.

Vehicle Fitness: Stern Warning.

A stern warning regarding the mechanical condition ot goods vehicles was issued by Col. A. S. Redman, the West Midland Licensing Authority, at Coventry. He said that he had received reports which showed that many vehicles had not, in the past, been maintained in a fit condition. He added that the machines of ancillary users appeared to be in a worse condition than those of applicants for A and B licences.

He mentioned that about 5,000 licences had been issued in the West Midland area.

Railways' Bid for Fish Transport.

A challenge to the road-transport facilities for consigning fish from Lossiemouth to Glasgow is being made by the London, Midland and Scottish, and London and North Eastern Railway companies, which commenced, last week, to run a special fish train daily at 8 p.m. from Lossiemouth to Elgin, the vans being consigned thence to Inverness and on -to Glasgow, arriving in time to " catch " the market at 7 a.m.

Fishermen complain that, whilst the hauliers took even small loads in the winter, the railways did nothing, but B22 now that there is an abundance of fish, the railways are stepping in. Many have contracted with hauliers for periods of four years and, despite railway canvassing, they remain convinced that road transport is more satisfactory.

More Oil Being Used.

The world production of petroleum products rose from 180,000,000 metric tons in 1932 to 197,000,000 metric tons in 1933.

Licensing Carriers at Bristol.

At a public inquiry, on Monday, the Western Licensing Authority, Mr. A. F. Nicholson. referred to rate-cutting as being bad for the industry as a whole. He pointed out that if fair rates were arrived at in a district and operators did not conform with them, that would be a proper matter to be taken into consideration in the future on the question of the conduct of the applicants.

He hoped that all such rate-cutting would be altered as a result of the licensing system.

Rates Committee for Leeds.

A decision to set up a local rates committee was made at a meeting of the Leeds sub-area of the Road Haulage Association, at Leeds, last week. Mr. A. H. Butterwick, chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Area Committee of the R.H.A., presided.

The Bendix-Cowdrey Brake Tester.

Rotax, Ltd., 319, Regent Street, London, W.1, announces that it has taken over the garage and service-station trade of the Bendix-Cowdrey brake tester. The company has issued a Bendix technical brochure, which gives valuable data on brake-testing.

In our report of the recent luncheon of the Road Haulage Association, which appeared in our issue dated June 8, we stated that Mr. R. W. Sewill remarked that goods vehicles should have the sam: speed limits as private cars. He actually sad as passenger vehicles, meaning public-service vehicles and not private cars.

FORTH -ROAD BRIDGE: M. OF T. INTERVIEWED.

The movement in favour of a road bridge across the Firth of Forth, at either Queensferry or Port Edgar, is steadily growing. The promotion committee, consisting of representatives from the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, Leith Chamber of Commerce, Edinburgh Rotary Club and Edinburgh Publicity Club, met, last week, and decided to invite other bodies and prominent citizens to become members.

In connection with the movement, a deputation of Members of Parliament was to be received by the Minister of Transport this week.

Super Railcars for Great Western Railway.

The railways are awakening to the value of the railcar, and the Great Western Railway-is about to introduce

experimentally special cars of this type on the Birmingham-Gloucester-Newport-Cardiff route. Three railcars are being built by the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd.

They will have a maximum speed ot 75-80 m.p.h., and will provide morning and afternoon business services in each direction from Monday to Friday inclusive between the two large industrial cities, covering a distance of 1175 miles at an average speed of 561 m.p.h., including stops at Gloucester and Newport. There will be only one class.

Radio for Passenger Vehicles.

The well-known maker of radio sets, Lissen, Ltd., Lissenium Works, Worple Road, Isleworth, Middlesex, has now gone into production with five-valve automatic 'volume controlled radio sets, eminently suitable for the equipment . of large and small passenger vehicles.

Two models are marketed, a battery type at 16 guineas and a generator model at 20 guineas, the latter being the type which would be more suitable for commercial vehicles.

Arrangements are being made for the appointment of numerous service agents, some of Which have already been established. AN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CONFERENCE.

The annual congress of the Union Internationale de Tramways, Chemins de Fer d'Interat Local et Transports Automobiles is to be held in Berlin during the second half of October next. Part of the work of the congress will be concerned with questions relating to the use of oil engines in commercial vehicles.

According to the preliminary programme, papers on this subject will be presented by Mr. R. Stuart Filcher, Manchester Corporation's transport manager, and Herr G. Quarg, who was formerly associated with the Berlin Traffic Co.

Big Increase in American Exports.

So far this year, the overseas demand for American commercial vehicles has greatly increased. During March, 10,076 vans, lorries and chassis were exported from the United States, bringing up the total for the first three months of the year to 23,688 vehicles valued at £2,126,564, as compared with 8,748 (711,702) a year earlier.

Belgium, Sweden, Japan, South Africa and Australia were the chief markets, followed by Denmark, Brazil and India.

Mr. Stirk Insists on Higher Wages.

• 'Close on 50 applications for licences were dealt with by Mr. J. H. Stirk, the Fast Midland Licensing Authority, at Skegness, on June 7. Mr. Stirk said that, up to the present, he had dealt with approximately 1,000 applications. Whilst he was not empowered to fix wages, he was aware that some applicants were paying their drivers only 35s. per week, and be did not agree that this was a reasonable wage.

In the course of the hearing, a Boston applicant admitted that he was paying his employees 35s. per week and insurance and that he was making about z£10 a week out of his business.

Mr. Stirk : "I have not yet passed a licence at that wage, and I am not going to start in Skegness."

Applicant: "I am prepared to give them £2 a week, commencing on Saturday."

The licence was granted subject to this promise being fulfilled.

French Road-Rail Co-ordination.

Some time ago, the French Government announced that it had under consideration a vast scheme for the coordination of road and rail transport. No official statement as to the proposals was made, but unofficial reports leaked out. Some of these appeared to be of such a violently pro-rail nature that the entire road-transport industry of France has been thrown into confusion.

In these circumstances, a deputation comprising Baron Petiet, president of the Heavy Vehicle Construction, Association ; M. Musnier, president (..1 the French Commercial Motor Users Association ; and M. Charles Blum, president of the Union des Vehicles In dustrials, interviewed the Minister of Public Works, M. Flandin.

For the manufacturers it was urged that the present uncertainty had led to an almost complete cessation of orders, whilst on behalf of operators it was declared that concerns running useful passenger and goods services dare not extend their businesses.

M. Flandin stated that the Government had no intention of restricting private enterprise in road transport and particularly in the matter of goods transport. There was no intention either of reducing the ton-kilometrage at present accomplished on the roads by private enterprises, or of tightening the present rather lenient regulations as to the size and weight of commercial vehicles.

Henlys' Share Issue.

Henlys, Ltd., the well-known concern of motor distributors, proposes to offer to ordinary shareholders 200,000 is. shares at a premium of 4s. per' share, thus increasing the company's capital by £50,000.

S.M.M. and T. Visits Fort Dunlop.

Last Friday the staff of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders were the guests of the Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd., at Fort Dunlop, Birmingham. The party consisted of 49 persons and was welcomed by Mr. H. Shankland. The tour occupied several hours and proved most instructive. TWO EXTRA-HEAVY-DUTY ROAD. LESS TRACTORS.

A new model Roadless tractor for extra heavy duty has just been brought out by Roadless Traction, Ltd., Gunnersbury House, Hounslow, Middlesex. It embodies the Massey Harris 25-40 h.p. engine and transmission unit and rubber-jointed tracks, 16 ins, wide, with the weight-carrying rollers, spindles, etc., proportional to the increase in track size.

Another model will shortly be ready. This will embody the Case Model-L power unit. The total number of models will then be 18.

Farmers Visit Firestone Factory.

Forty-seven members of the St. Ives Farmers Union, together with a representative of the local Fordson agents, visited the Firestone factory, Great West Road, 13rentford, Middlesex, on Wednesday, June 6. Following their tour they saw a demonstration of ploughing and cultivating with Fordson tractors equipped with Firestone low-pressure agricultural-tractor tyres and Oliver farm implements supplied by John Wallace and Sons, Ltd. The ground had not been touched for six years, and the visitors commented upon the high performance under severe conditions.

Mr. A. T. James Supports Hauliers.

When Mr. A. T. James, KC., the South Wales Licensing Authority, sat at Swansea, on June 8, there was some sharp criticism of the railways' policy by the road-transport interests.

In one case, where a contractor sought a licence for a new lorry to carry slag and tin-plates to and from Swansea docks, objection was made by the Great Western and London, Midland and Scottish Railway Companies to the transport of tin-plates by the applicant, although they did not oppose the carrying of slag.

The solicitor for the applicant pointed out that slag transport barely paid and the railways were quite willing for road hauliers to have the work. The carriage of tin-plates, however, would enable contractors to keep their lorries running.

Decision on the case was reserved.

In another instance the railway company objected to an application for a 35-mile radius of operation for road haulage, suggesting limitations to a 15mile radius.

Mr. James said that if the Licensing Authorities were to impose all sorts of restrictions hauliers would be placed in difficulties. The licence was granted.

Distributing the Arran Dieselet.

We are advised that Fuel Oil Motors, Ltd., Cullompton, Devon, has taken over the distribution of Arran Dieselet vehicles for the West Country, embrac ing the counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. The company has taken delivery of a demonstration model. An illustrated description of this new light 3-ton oiler was given in our issue dated May 11. NEW VEHICLES FOR L.M.S.

As announced in our issue for last week, orders for over 1,000 new road motors and trailers have been placed with British makers by the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. They are to be used for many varieties of road-transport work.

The orders have been divided as follow :-31 Albions, some including Gardner oil engines and Transport moving floors ; 32 Morris-Commercials ; 51 Fordsons ; S Fords ; 11 Jowett light vans ; 29 Dennis ; 57 Harriers, including 50 Cob tractors with trailers ; 244 Scammell mechanical horses and 390 trailers ; 20 Cranes trailers for mechanical horses ; 16 Eagle trailers ; 1 Harrow trailer ; 5 Fordson-Flexions (for livestock) ; 3 Forclson-Sussex (with Miles livestock bodies) ; 6 Cornraers; 2 Leylands (two-horse boxes); 2 Austin light vans ; 2 Imp tractors ; 1 Douglas works truck. LATEST S.M.M. AND T. REGISTER.

The Register of the Motor Trade, issued annually by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, will be published early in July. Twenty thousand concerns have been circulated with entry forms, etc., but many hundreds have not yet returned them to the Society. Unless received by the end of June, the present entries will be presumed to be out of dale and may be removed.