WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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.4 The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all diffieultiel of transport at whatever points arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Weeding Out London's Cabs.
Several weeks ago, it may be recalled, we referred to the notice which had been issued by the Commissioner of Police to all taxicab owners with reference to the practical efficiency test to which all vehicles plying for hire on the London steeets were' to be subjected after the beginning of September.
The new rules came into force on Tuesday of last week, and as and When the owners of taxicabs apply for a licence, or for a renewal of licence, they will have to meet the new conditions. Every cab, it is stated, will have to be capable of travelling at an average speed of 20 m.p.h. on level roads, and up gradients which might be encountered in everyday service at not less than 6 m.p.h. It is expected that as a result of these new conditions many of the post'ear vehicles which are at present in service will automatically fall into disuse.
Coventry's Comprehensive Collect:on. We have received from the City Librarian of Coventry a copy of the Readers' Bulletin, which contains the first part of a catalogue of books (published since 1910) dealing with motor vehicles. It is considered that this collection of books, pamphlets and periodicals constitutes the most comprehensive public collection in the country.
On account of the large amount of material available in the libraries on the subject of automobiles, it was decided to eliminate all works. published prior to 1910. The principal articles in the periodicals are abstracted and filed in their classified order under subjects, in an information file, which at present consists of 7,000 items. Every periodical Of importance appearing in this list is fully indexed, and the list is divided under no fewer than 55 headings.
Coming World Road Transport Congress.
The first International Road Transport Congress ever held in the United States, to be attended by motor representatives from all corners of the globe, is to be convened in Detroit, May, 1924. Its purpose is to provide a better understanding of the economic factors underlying road transportation in every part of the world. The congress is under the auspices of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce.
Invitationi are to be extended to foreign Government officials; motor associations, dealers representing motor manufacturers abroad, and editors of trade papers devoted to mechanical road transport in each of the 114 countries where motor vehicles are used.
The congress is to last four days. During this time subjects of direct bearing on the economic development of internatioanl road transport will be discussed by prominent executives, who, besides holding important positions in automobile companies, are also active on N.A.C.C: committees that study problems pertaining to taxation, highways, insurance, distribution, servicing, sad operation, financing and other co-operative activities.
Actual motor conditions in specific countries will also receive attention. Speakers to be chosen from among the delegates will be asked to review the motor situation in their respective countries, and to touch on problems with which they are confronted and in the solution of which the manufacturers and delegates from other countries also are
Interested.
The industry believes that this practical exchange of experiences by official and motor-vehicle representatives from all countries will tetrd to create a better understanding of the part contributed by the road motor to the economic development of nations, besides helping to solve urgent. transportation problems.
Motor Coaches in Lakeland Districts.
Negotiations have been proceeding between the North-Western Division of the C.M.U.A. and the Ulverston Rural Council with regard to the use of certain roads in the Lake District by motorcoach traffic.-In connection with, the negotiations 23 roads have, in all, been under consideration in the Coniston district, and in respect of 21 of these a mutual agreement has been reached.
The Association and the council, however, have been unable to agree so far as the use of the road east of Lake Coniston is concerned. The council suggests that the road should be used by one-way traffic travelling from south to north and by motor coaches not accommodating more than 18 people. The Association points out that vehicles of this type are lighter than six of the leading types of ordinary private cars. The council does not agree with this contention and intends to apply to the Ministry of Trans port for the necessary powers to close the road.
The other road which is in dispute is that between Newton and Langlands Farm.
Petrol Pump Eccentricities.
In its 1922 report the London County Council makes reference to the increasing use of petrol and oil measuring pumps. It noints out that various patterns of pumps have been approved by the Board of Trade under the Weights and Measures Act, 1904, but there is no obligation placed upon an inspector of weights and measures to verify and stamp petrol measuring pumps, and, apparently, the owner. one one of these pumps who neglects or refuses to get it stamped does not commit an offence.
The Board is aware of this state of affairs, and a Bill, known as the Measuring Instruments Bill, 1922, giving power to the Board to deal with this matter, was introduced into the House ‘of ammons on July 19th, 1922. The measure sought to extend the Board's existing power to make regulations with regard to measuring instruments u,sed for trade with a view to ensuring, inter alia, that all measuring pumps shall be brought under regulation and inspection. No progress, however, was made with the measure.
As the Board of Trade has not issued any regulations or instructions on the subject, those weights and measures inspectors who verify and stamp petrol measuring pumps of approved pattern have to take the responsibility for the method of testing and the limits of error allowed.
With a view to ascertaining the degree ■ocf accuracy attained by measuring pumps actually in use, several tests were made during May and June, 1922, by the council's inspectors. .
In all, 68 pumps were examined, and of these only 23 were found to be correct or within the limits of error permitted under the Board of Trade regulations for conical petrol measures of similar capacity. Of the remaining 45, it was found that 12 were in exCess by various quantities; 2 were correct in some deliveries but in excess in others; 14 were deficient by various quantities; 10 were deficient in some deliveries -and in excess in others; while 7 were correct in some deliveries and deficient in others.
In deliveries represented as 1 gallon, the largest amount of error in excess was 1 pints, the greatest deficiency being 1 pint. With one exception, the 68 pumps were of two patterns, both approved by the Board of Trade.
The council felt that the state of affairs revealed by these tests was most unsatisfactory, and indicated the urgent need for action to safeguard the interests of the public, and, accordingly, on August 1st, 1922, it decided strongly to support the proposed legislation to empower the Board of Trade to bring all petrol and oil-measuring pumps under regulation and periodical inspection.
The September issue of The Roadmaker, an interesting little hook issued on behalf of the British Reinforced Concrete Engineering Co., Ltd., contains many articles of interest to the motorvehicle user who is concerned with road development and construction.
Paris Bus Developments.
According to our contemporary, The Engineer, there are now 50 six-wheeled motorbuses in service an the streets of Paris, the total number of buses at present in use being 1,290.
Apparently the trials of pneumatic tyres for motorbus work have proved satisfactory, for we observe that other vehicles are to be similarly equipped, although it has not yet been finally decided to equip the complete fleet with tyres of this description.
The authorities are about to carry out tests at Vitry with a trolley-bus.
A Wireless Exhibition.
An interesting exhibition which will make special appeal to our readers who have closely followed our articles dealing with wireless in relation to transport is to be held at the White City, Shepherd's Bush, London; W.12, from November 8th to 21st.
The exhibition is being organized in conjunction with the National Association of Radio Manufacturers, an organization the activities of which have been devoted to the maintenance of high-class standards of wireless development. The organizers of the exhibition are Bertram Day and Co., Ltd. 9 and 10, Charing Cross, London, S.W.
United Service Transport Reconstruction.
A meeting of the United Service Transport Co., Ltd., was held one day last week to consider a capital reorganization scheme for the company. The authorized capital is to he reduced from £2,000,000 to £1,808,000 by cancelling 12s6d. on each preference share and 18s. on each ordinary share. Holders of preference shares are to give up their claims to all arrears of dividend, which amount to 275,000, and in consideration they are to be entitled to 90 per cent. of the surplus profits after 8 per cent. has been paid on the ordinary shares, instead of 25 per cent, as at present.
Southdown Services.
At a meeting of the Hove Watch Committee an application was received from the Southdown Motor Services, ltd., to substitute one motor coach and five omnibuses for six omnibuses recently destroyed by fire; also applying for licences for 30 additional omnibuses to be used as spares and to supplement the regular services running through Hove on special occasions, as it is frequently found necessary to send buses from the company's outlying depots through Hove into Brighton. The committee decided to recommend the granting of the licences.
M. of T. and a Welsh Bus Inquiry.
A Ministry of Transport inquiry was held recently at Brynmenin into the refusal of the Ogmare and Garw council to allow the vehicles of Mr. Joseph Jones, principal proprietor of Garw Transport Co.'s buses, to ply hi the Ogmore Valley.
Mr. Jones was recently fined at the instance of the council for plying in the Ogrnore Valley without, a licence, For the council it was contended that licences for services in the Garw Valleys had been granted to Mr. Jones, the council's restriction only applying to part of its area which was served by other concerns. For Mr. Jones it was stated that the council, having granted.. a licence for bus services had no authority afterwards to prescribe defined limits of operation within the local government area.
After a conference in. private be
tsveen the Ministry representative and the contending parties, it was announced that an agreement had been reached. An unrestricted sphere of operation was provisionally given to Mr. Jones, who agreed to the following stipulations made by the council :— Submission of time-tables and scale of fares to the council, with due notification of any subsequent proposed revis, slims; strict adherence to the tables agreed to, and the posting of time and fare schedules in all vehicles
These conditions generally Rppli in
the area.
The Ministry of Transport, said the inspector who conducted the inquiry; would whole-heartedly give support to any council in cases where proprietors? wilfully violated the conditions which were agreed upon at the.,time of the issue of licences.
Speed Limit Not Favoured.
With regard to the request of the Port Talbot Borough Council to the Glamorgan County Council to fix a maximum speed limit for the borough area, the lattei body has now replied declining to advise such a step, being of the opinion that better protection is t'iffordecl the public by the present law against dangerous driving than would be given by the fixing of a maximum speed limit in defined areas.
Special Services for Football Crowds.
An 'application by Messrs. E. Snow and Sons to the -Merthyr Watch Committee for sanction to operate special bus services throughout the season for the benefit of the crowds attending football matches has been granted. The committee has decided not to permit regular bus services on the TreharrisMerthyr route until the roads are put into a suitable condition to bear such traffic.
An Allen-Liversidge Catalogue.
Allen-Liversidge, Ltd., 106, Victoria Street. London, S.W.1, have sent us a copy of their latest catalogue dealing with dissolved acetylene and other 'equipment for various industrial purposes. The catalogue is a most comprehensive publication and includes much valuable information relating to dissolved acetylene and Use various uses to which it can be put. It sets out full details and prices of all the products of the company.
A Live Works Magazine.
The works magazine issued monthly by the Sentinel Waggon Works, Ltd., Shrevvsbury, always contains many 'articles of interest to those engaged in The transport of goods by road, and the ;September issue is no exception to the In the latest. issue informative and instructive articles deal with the " Effis ciency of Coal and its By-products," " The Transport of Machinery," "To the Highlands on a Super-Sentinel," Tilbury's New Docks andrtheir Road Transport Facilities," 'tenel other interesting matter, and although the magazine is issued chiefly in the Sentinel interests, it can be perused with 'Pleasure by all associated with road transport.
Birkenhead Bus Controversy.
The Birkenhead Corporation is to contest the arbitrator's award in eonmectinn with the extension of motorbus services in': the Bromborough and Bebington district. The Parliamentary committee has reported that "notaithstanding the decision of the Ministry of Transport, a‘nct:lthe fact that, in the agreement for reference the decision of the arbitrator was to be tin-al and conclusive, the corporation had given. notice objecting to the award and was considering an application tO the, 'courts."
..This reported decision follews ast ar.'bitration at the Birkenhead Town Han, as a resultof which the arbitrator decided that Bebington's consent to Birkenhead's proposed running of buses in its area had not been unreasonably withheld. .
Overloading Buses Complaints were ,made to the Pontadawe Council that the buses run by the G.W.R. Co, in the Gwaisincae-Gurwen district are overloaded on Saturdays, and that the practice constitutes a danger when the vehicles are travelling up-bill to Rhydyfro by reason of the weight on the top deck. The council decided ta write to the company on the matter. _ jt was reported by the clerk to the council that the South Wales Transport Co. was giving consideration to the proposed revision of times and fares for the valley's buses.
We Li ing ipecialIsts.
In -publishing anew catalogue, Sadgrove and Co. (Birmingham), Ltd., 138-142, Conybere Street, Birmingham, quite wisely take tale opportunity of pointing out that the welding of engine parts, gear cases and similar components by the oxy-acetylene process is work of a highly special nature requiring the utmost skill in execution. The company proceed to deal in the following pages with the various classes of work which are carried out in their welding, cylinder grinding, crankshaft grinding, gear cutting and other departments, one of which includes the manufacture of piston rings, which are finished to within one fourthousandth of an isMli to specified dimensions.
*Our readers can obtain a copy of the catalogue by writing to the company.
Walsall Services.
The Walsall Corporation Tramways Committee 'states -that, after considering a report of a deputation of the committee which attended before the Cannock Urban District Council, it authorized the Rawnsley bus service to be-continued for the present, on the same condition as heretofore, viz., that the Urban District Council will snake no claim against the eorperation for any contribution in respect of road reconstruction or maintenance with regard to this route.
The committee has authorized a Saturday evening service to be run between Chasetown and Burntwood Green. the Lichfield Rural District Council having consented to the running for one year, and agreed not, to make any claim for road adaptation or maintenance.
A deputation from the Great Wyrley Parish Council recently attended before the committee and made the following requests :—That on the outward journey B24 on the Walsall-to-Canneek route the stage be extended from Benton's Lane to Slakey's Lane, and:for a reduction of the bus fares.
The committee cannot see its way to accede to the first request; with regard to the second, it has been met by the fare adjustments which came into operation_on July 9th.
A Coming M. of T. Inquiry.
On October 10th the Ministry of Transport will hold an inquiry at Chichester into the application of the West Sussex County Council for an order prohibiting the driving of heavy motorcars and locomotives on various highways which are scheduled.
Road Schemes at Brigg.
The Ministry of Transport has approved five schemes of road improvement submitted by the Brigg Rural Council, to which the Ministry is to contribute two-thirds of the total cost of £17,525. The Ministry of Health is to contribute 25 per cent, of the outlay in connection with tar-spraying of roads in the council's area during next year.
The Need for, Queues At a meeting of the Otford Watch Committee a letter was read with reference to the obstruction of the pathways caused by people overcrowding to board buses, and suggesting that the committee should ask the City of Oxford and District Motor Services, Ltd., to instruct their officials to help to lessen the obstruction by requiring intending passengers to form queues.
The committee stated that this matter had previously received consideration, and that the suggestion had been found impracticable in most oases, but that renewed representations as to the forming of queues at Carfax for the Cowley Road buses and outside the Town Hall for the Hinksey service will be made,to the company.
Tests for Driver-conductors.
A sub-committee of the Nelson Town Council has interviewed a number of selected applicants for appointment as driver-conductors of the motor omnibuses, and it was resolved that, subject to a satisfactory certificate being obtained from the medical officer of health in each case, and also to the passing of driving and other tests by the applicants, certain of them be appointed driver-conductors at the weekly wages of £2 15s. fid., including bonus. An offer of a local firm to test the ability and knowledge of motor vehicles of the applicants selected for appointment was accepted.
Simms Magnetos and Spares for Them.
Fully illustrated descriptions are given of the various types of magnetos and other fittings and components produced by Simms Motor Units {1920), Ltd., Percy Buildings, Gresse Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, W.1, in a catalogue just issued by the company.
The book is an expensive productior, and it should be found of considerable value to all those who use Simms magnetos on their vehicles, since it contains in its pages details of spare parts and their prices for the various models.
Bradford Trolley-bus Proposals.
Bradford Corporation Tramways Committee recommends application for a Provisional Order empowering the corporation to operate a service of trolley-buses on approved routes within the city.
, Chepttow Road Improvements.
The Chepstow Urban District Council is negotiating for the conversion of St. Lawrence Lane into a new main road which will provide a direct route for traffic from Newport Road to Tintern Road, A considerable widening of the Bulwark Road is to be carried out,.
Lincolnshire Road Improvement.
In few parts of the country of late years have road improvements of a more complete character been effected than in Lincolnshire. The work is being continued upon comprehensive lines, the most notable addition to the list being the scheme which was brought to the notice of the Spalding Council at its last meeting, relative to a, large expanse of typical fen territory, with regard to which it was reported that the Ministry of Health had agreed to grant 75 per cent, of the total estimated cost of £30,983.
It is worthy of note that the interest on £8,000, which will be approximately the council's share a the burden, will amount to less than the annual cost of the maintenance of these roads at the present time..
A Demand for Tyre Presses.
Hollings and Guest, Ltd., Thimble Mill Lane, Birmingham, inform us that they are experiencing a big demand for their various hydraulic presses and pumps for foreign and Colonial use. At the present time the company have machines on order for various parts of the world, including China, India, East Africa, Australia, Gold Coast, etc. They also have a large number of presses and pumps in various stages of completion for the use of authorities in this country, including a press for the Portsmouth Dockyard.
Spares 'or the Cubitt.
Although the Cubitt chassis was Frimarily produced as a touring car model, a number of Vehicles of this make are engaged in Carrying light loads' for certain commercial owners. Those users who have had their vehicles in service for some long time may welcome the opportunity to secure a spare-part catalogue which has just been is-sued by Cubitts' Engineering Co., Lid., 56, Conduit Street, London, W.1, from whom it can be obtained on application. The parts are so well illustrated and numbered that a user can obtain any part he may .desire at short notice and with the minimum of trouble.
Growth of Traffic in S. beffield.
The City Surveyor of Sheffield has forwarded to us a summary of the traffic census recently undertaken in Sheffield over a period of six consecutive days from 6 a.m.until 10 p.m. The figures afford a striking instance of the growth in motor traffic. An idea of the general increase in road traffic can be gauged from the fact that in the year 1913-1914 the heaviest traffic was ip Blonk Street, which carried 6,284 tons per day, whereas the recent census reveals that 14 streets exceed this figure, whilst there are seven roads carrying over 10,000 tons per day, and 16 others carrying a tonnage varying between 5,000 and 10,000.
An increase of 150 per cent, to'200 per cent, in the average daily tonnage is frequent, but in three cases the increase as compared with the 1913-14 figures is from 353 to 393 per cent.
The average proportion of motor vehicles weighing With their load more than 5 tons in the pre-war count was 13 per cent., whilst this year the average proportion is 56 per cent.
The total number of points at which the census Was taken is 69, and in only
seven eases does horse traffic amount to 25 per cent, or more of the total traffic, whilst in the 1913-1914 census it represented 63 per cent. of the total traffic. In some eases the percentage of horse traffic is now only three or four.
It is interesting to note that, with on exception, the streets carrying 25 per cent, or more of horse traffic were comparatively level; and are mostly streets through central areas. Animal traction, it is stated, is being confined more and more to short journeys with easy gradients.
Small Chars-a-bancs far Narrow Roads Rather than have roads entirely closed to chars-a-bancs and heavy traffic, Settle Rural District Council has decided that it is the wiser policy to restrict narrow roads to smaller vehicles, Five Miles an Hour !
Tradesmen in Lemon Street have petitioned the Truro City Council for a speed limit of not more than five miles an horn for motor vehicles in that thoroughfare, declaring that in wet weather damage and inconvenience are caused by mudsplashing. The council has referred the matter to the chief constable.
Manchester's Traffic Policy.
Commenting on the recent report opt the comparative utility of the motorbus and tramcar, the tramways committee of the Manchester Corporation states that the City of Manchester is peculiar in that at, all points for five-sixths of its circumference every tramway route con nects directly to the tramvvays'af some other authority, thus restricting its field of application for motorbus transport beyond its limits; the remaining section, lying between Chester Road and Palatine-Road, leads feto agricultural country, served by the present motorbuses to Cheadle, Northenden, Sale, and Brooklands. The .recent trials of one-man-operated motorbuses baying proved successful, has impelled the committee to order five mare such vehicles, and no doubt, from time to time, the fleet will be increased as circumstances demand.
Whether trackless trolley vehicleswill be adopted is a matter receiving the committeee's serious consideration.
Hisses May Replace Trams.
Nelson Town Council has asked its tramways committee to report on the 'question of removing the tramway in Sootland Road and Barrow Yard and running services of _motorbuses instead.
Local Proceedings.
Chichester Town Council has decided to invite tenders for the supply of a motor fire-engine.
Crediton Urban District Council is discussing the desirability of purchasing a motor fire-engine. '
York City Council is eonsidering a proposal for the purchase of two petrol buses for a service at Poppleton.
Clayton Urban District Council is negotiating with the Bradford Corporation Tramways Committee for the provision of a motorbus service.
Walsingham Rural District Council is to endeavour to arrange for the hire of a motor lorry to haul the fire-engine on the occasion of calls to fires.
Bradford Corporation Tramways Committee is considering a proposal to con• struct six one-man railless trolley vehicles, at the tramway workshops, at an estimated cost of P10,800.
The Ministry of Health has held an inquiry into a proposal of the Leicester City Council to raise a loan of £3,650 for the purchase of mechanically progelled vehicles for refuse collection.
Stretford Urban District Council has arranged for the reconstruction of a motor ambulance on an Armstrong Siddeley chassis at a price oir£50:10, leas 10 per cent., plus the cost of the necessary alterations to the ambulance body.
The Bridgend Urban District Council has decided upon the following stands for hackney carriages in the town :— Scheme A (for buses), The Green; Scheme B (for taxicabs) Derwen Road, Court Road, and Wyndham Street.
Johannesburg Municipal Coune has decided to purchase from the East Rand Engineering Co., Ltd., two Sentinel wagons and trailers for £1,700; provided the town engineer finds they are in good order. The vehicles have only done three months' work on a timber concession.
1326 Blackburn Corporation has decided to purchase a motorcycle combination for the, use of the gam department.
Nelson Towu Council has recently taken delivery of a second motor fireengine. It is a 75 h.p. Belsize game which is capable of delivering 606 gallons of water per minute.
The Scarborough Watch Committee has decided to allow the introduction of one-man-operated motorbuses which local proprietors contemplate using in view of the probable cessation of the street tramways.
Street Perils: Bradford's Suggestions.
A special committee of the Bradford Corporation, appointed to deal with the control of motor traffic, reports that it is urgently necessary, with a view to reducing danger to the public from motor traffic at night, that instructions should
be given without delay for the provision of adequate street lighting throughout the city.
The committee further suggests that the speed of motor traffic on busy roads in. the city can beat be controlled by constables on point duty.
The chief constable has been authorized to proceed to Liverpool for the purpose of obtaining information, on the methods employed for the control of motor traffic in that city. Liverpool, it may be added, employs motorcycle patrols to track down road users who exceed the speed limit.
Provisional Bus Licences
At a meeting a the Stretford Urban District Council the Mid-Cheshire Motor Bus Co. applied for four motorbus licences to ply for hire in the district and on the Stretford and Urmston route, and it was agreed to give provisional licences for a periodof three months, September 18, 1923. Tenders for Oil Wanted..
H.M. Consul at Riga reports that the Latvian Railway Administration is calling for tenders for the supply of 400 tons of lubricating oil and 120 tons of steam cylinder oil. Applications for further particulars concerning the tender should be addressed to the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, quoting reference No. 7986/FR/CC (2).
The Range of Vulcans.
A very good idea of the comprehensive range of Vulcan models for goods and passenger-carrying purposes is contained in a catalogue which has just been issued by the Vulcan Motor anti Engineering CO. (1906), Ltd., of Crossens, Southport. Various types of Vulcan buses, coaches and goods vehicles are illustrated. The printing of the catalogue and the illustrating of it are carried out
wagon fitted to a 30-cwt. Crossley 40-45 hp. supplied to the Indian Government in high-class style, and the book should prove useful for reference purposes to all those who are interested in the transport of both goods and passengers.
A copy will be forwarded to any of our readers on application to the .company at the address given above.
Wigan Experimenting with Buses.
Wigan Corporation Tramways Committee is considering whether some worn-out tram tracks shall be repaired or motorbus services introduced. Meanwhile, the 'committee is experimenting with demonstration vehicles lent by the manufacturers of Guy and Vulcan vehicles.
B.A.T. Traffic Receipts.
The traffic receipts on the vehicles constituting the British Automobile Traction Co.'s group for the four weeks in August were £195,474. The receipts for the-34 weeks of the year arnount to 2927,459, a figure which represents an increase of £44,559 over the corresponding period of last year.