The Wheels of Industry.
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This journal, dealing as it does with the "Chariots of War," no less than with the "Wheels of Industry," is now of national importance. Its interests embrace impartially the transport wagon and the parcelcar, the steam wagon and the ambulance.
According to The Daily Mail " of Monday last, the Autocar Co., of Philadelphia, has refused an order for 300 two-ton motor lorries for Germany. It is stated by our contemporary that the two capitalists who control the shares of the above mentionedcompany gave directions that the orders should in no circumstances be filled.
Amongst the subjects discussed by the Commercial Vehicle Committee of the S.M.M.T., at the meeting on Wednesday, the 11th inst., were the rates of pay for repair gangs employed on W.D. work, payment of accounts for spare parts, and correspondence with the Royal Arsenal on the subject of distribution of work.
Tires from an Enemy Country.
Two interesting cases, one in Australia and one in London, have arisen during the past week, concerning the supply of tires from an enemy country. The High Court at Melbourne has appointed a comptroller, manager and receiver, of the Continental Caoutchouc Co., to see that no property passes to the enemy.
Mr. Justice Lush, in the King's Bench Division on Friday last, heard the action of the Continental Tyre and Rubber Co. (Great Britain), Ltd., v. Thomas Tilling, Ltd. This was a claim for £5754— the price of goods sold and cielivered. The only objection of the defendant company was to the status of the plaintiff company, in which practically all the capital is held by Geemans living in Germany. The defendant company alleged, in the course of its affidavit, that any payment would necessarily be " to or for the benefit of an enemy," and be contrary to the Proclamation of the 9th September, paragraph V(1).
Counsel for the plaintiff company stated that payment had been made by the British War Office, on the 28th ult., of £923, for goods supplied, and that the Committee 'on Trade with the Enemy had stated in writing that there was nothing to prohibit the plaintiff company from receiving payments for goods already sold. It was also ,stated that no payment to the plaintiff. company since the outbreak of war had been remitted to the enemy.
For the defendant company, it was contended that ti a ynient would give illegal help to the enemy, and would increase the financial stability of the enemy.
At the time of going to press, the reserved decision of Mr. Justice Lush was not available.
c26 Our "Campaign Comforts" Fund.
The total of cash donations to our " Campaign Comforts" Fund, to Monday afternoon last, bad reached £421. This advance discloses a satisfactory step towards the four-figure total which we hope to reach. We a-re gratified by the progress which we are able to record, but we again express the hope that owners and users, as well as manufacturers, will help us through the medium of single or occasional collections, or proportional allocations from existing collections, in their depots and factories. The proceeds of several collections of the kind are already included in our list of cash donations. Irwe had the support of 100 collections, each averaging 3s, a week, for a period of three months, we should safely be able to reach the total of 21000 by February next, after which date fewer winter comforts will be required.
Anglo-American Oil Co.
The Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., of 36, Queen Anne's Gate, Westminster, S.W., has issued. a circular in regard to the extensive character of its importations of Pratt's motor spirit, lamp oil, lubricating oils, paraffin wax, gas-making oils, fuel oils, and other products of petroleum, from the United States of America. It is claimed that these total 65 per cent. of the aggregate imports from all sources. It is stated in the circular that there is absolutely no German or Continental influence connected with the company, the shares being
held by the British public, including a large number of the company's employees, and in America.
So far as we recall, when the Standard Oil Co. was ordered to dissolve in the United States, the individual partners in the Standard Oil Co., such as Mr. Rockefeller and others, who owned the AngloAmerican Oil Co., of London, effected that dissolution, at least to a large extent, by converting their registered shares into bearer warrants. This fact must render it extremelydifficult for anybody to ascertain the correct ownership of the Anglo-American Oil Co., or the extent of the present financial interest in it, if any, of the original registered shareholders. The connection or want of connection between the Anglo-American Oil Co., Ltd., and the Standard Oil Co., is a matter of direct interest to every Britisher at the present moment. There does not appear to have been much change in the personnel of the two undertakings, and certainly no new issue of capital was made to the public. We find, too, at the present time, that in one of the sub-companies in Germany of the Standard Oil Co., three of the employees of the Anglo-American Oil Co. Ltd., of London, are directors. The conviction in the oil trade that the Standard Oil Co. and the Anglo-American Oil Co. are one and the same thing, does not appear to have been shaken by the conversion of inscribed shares into bearer certificates.
The point of any Standard Oil Co.'s sales to Germany thus arises. We are asked to direct attention to the fact that the registered name of the makers of Napier business motors is D. Napier and Son, Ltd., and that the registered office is at Acton, London, W.
Negotiations have been brought to a practical conclusion, between the Stoke-on-Trent Town Council and the Potteries Electric Traction Co., in respect of further transit facilities, including motorbus extensions, in the district.
fJur attention has been drawn to -the fact that Alldays models have white-metal tops to their radiators. This material is employed in preference to brass on account of its better radiating properties. This is quoted as a detail of considered design which is symbolical of the Alldays construction as a whole.
Mr. Thomas Cureton, after occupying the post of managing director of the Sunbeam Co. for 10 years, has now retired. He has been associated with the motor and cycle industry for nearly 40 years. Mr. Louis Coatalen, the chief engineer of the company, and Mr. W. Iliff, its secretary, both of whom have been closely associated, with Mr. Cureton for many years, now undertake the joint directorship of the Sunbeam Co., whilst Mr. Cureton remains a member of the Board.
With Tegand to the photograph of the Albion van belonging to Mr. A. E. Chorley, Felton Common, Bristol, which we reproduce, the . following extract of a letter which the Albion Co. has received from him is surely evidence of satisfaction: " I depend solely on this van for my living, and although it is rather old (it was manufactured in 1907), it gives us no trouble. Wehave had it now over two years running over rough hills nearly 500 ft. high and in all conditions of back lanes. No other van made could really stand rich a strain so well."
New Motor Equipment.
A motor •machine-gun battery is now being added to each division of the Expeditionary Force. The personnel for these batteries is being found either amongst volunteers, from the units of the new armies, or by means of special enlistment for the motor-machine-gun 'service, Any man specially enlisted will be attested for general service for the duration of the war, and appointed to the Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, for duty with the motor-machine-gun service. Officers who volunteer and are accepted will be seconded for the period of the war, or while 'employed with a motor-machine-gun battery. The Officer in charge of Records, Royal Horse and Royal Field Artillery, will be the officer in charge of records for the motormachine-gun service. Intending purchasers of commercial motors, who desire to spread their payments over a reasonable term, may care to know that additional business of this kind is being accepted, in respect of approved clients, by the Motor Hire Purchase Syndicate, Ltd., 75, Crouch Street, Colchester, and the British Railway Traffic and Electric Co., Ltd., of 25, Viatoria Street, Westminster, S.W.
L.G.O.C. Reductions.
It is officially notified by the London General Omnibus Co., Ltd., that the services on the following routes will, in the absence of further military demands, be maintained during the winter season : Nos. 1, 2, 3, 3a, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10a, 11, 13, 13a, 14, 14a, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 29a, 30, 31, 31a, 33, 35, 35a, 36, 37, 37a, 38, 40, 40a, 42, 43, 46,-46a, 47, 47a, 49, 49a, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 70, 75, 77, 79, 83, 84, 85, 88, 101, 103, 105, 105a, 106, 107, 108, 111, 113, 136, 142, 151, 152, 160, 178. Services Nos. 4, 34, 39, 95, 74, 76, 81, 92 and 141 may have to be discontinued at any time without notice.
We learn from Mr. John E. Thornycroft that his company obtained the approval of the WarOffice for the " 0.H.M.S." buttonhole badge to which we have referred in our last, two. issues.
A typical letter bearing on this subject, under date the. 31st October last, was addressed to Dennis Bros. (1913), Ltd., Guildford, amongst others, and signed by Lord Kitchener. The Dennis badge was submitted to the War Office, and the special permission of that Department duly accorded for it to,be worn by the Dennis employees.
The letter from Lord Kitchener reads :-" I wish to impress upon those employed by your company the importance of the Government work upon. Which they are engaged. I fully appreciate the efforts which the employees are making, and the quality or the work turned out. I trust that everything will be done to assist the military authorities by pushing on all orders as rapidly as possible. I should like all engaged by your company to know that it is fully recognized that they, in carrying out the great work of supplying munitions of war, are doing their duty for their King and Conntry equally with those who have joinedqhe Army for active service in the field."
L.C.C. Ambulances.
The new L.C.C. ambulance service, which is on the point of establishment, will be divided between six stations, five each with one vehide, and one with two vehicles.
seemsito us a large staff, to require seven attendants at each onevehicle 'station, but these will be divided into two 12-hour shifts of three men each, with an extra wan as relief. The two-ambulance station will have a double staff.
The estimated cost of the staff of the six stations, when the service is in full opevation, will be £5075 a _year.The distribution of cost is : six senior attendants, 35s. a week
. with 5s. a week duty pay ; 43 ambulance-attend-ants, 35s. a week ; one
senior telephone operator, 30s. a week, with 5s. a week duty pay, and, if he be required to reside near the central ambulance station, 5s. a week lodging allowance ; and three telephone operators, 30s. a week.
The authorized appointment of a principal assistant, at a salary of between 2400 and £500 a year, in the department of the 'chief 'officer of the Fire Brigade, for the purposes of the ambulance service, will not be made at the Oesent ; it is proposed to engage a temporary assistant at a rate of pay not. exceeding 210 a week. The Ambulance Committee is hoping to secure the use of a telephone in each 440 "yards (or less) in the more important thoroughfares in London.
About Clayton and Shuttleworth Steamers.
The latest Clayton and Shuttleworth illustrated catalogue of its steam wagons and tractors is quite a contribution to the technical literature which deals with that class of motor vehicle. The Clayton wagon and tractor are of types which are quite familiar to our readers. Amongst the special sell ing points upon which emphasis is always rightiy laid is the fact that this design embodies a large Belpaire-type firebox, an engine with cylinders of ample dimensions, and an exceptionally-strong rear axle and main frame. The catalogue in question includes a reproduction.of a working drawing of the Belpaire boiler, as well as a photograph of one ready to drop in the frame. The engine and motion are also very clearly illustrated. Pages are devoted to special consideration of the problems affecting road wheels, fuel and water, wagon bodies and tipping gear, and estimates of running costs • the latter are drawn up in useful fashion. This well-illustrated booklet should be in the hands of all those who are interested in the employment of steam motor wagons and tractors.
Thosewho are responsible for the organization of the T.O.T. (Train, Omnibus, Tramcar) Mutual Aid Fund hope to arrange a number of entertainments about Christmas time for the dependants, and particularly the youngsters, of those employees of the London transport association who are at the Front.
We are happy to be able to illustrate a batch of an interesting type of three-ton lorry which is produced by the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd. The four which are shown in our picture are part of a delivery for the Admiralty. This is the particular model which has been doing such excellent service on the company's own routes in Bristol and other West-country centres.
We have received from the Wolseley Co. a range of interesting photographs dealing with some v.. the special models which the company has been producing in such large numbers during the past three months. It is with regret that we are unable to devote space in the present issue to reproductions of all of them. We must content ourselves with the illustration of the typical subsidy model on this page. This is of the " CL" type, and comes under Class B of the War Department's schema for a load under military service of 20 cwt. Perhaps, however, opportunity will occur to enable us to reproduce others of this interesting series. In particular, we should like to draw attention to the manner in which the 24-30 h.p. Wolseley chassis is being adapted in such very large numbers for ambulance purposes. This model as a rule is being fitted with equipment to carry four patients on movable stretchers. The 16-20 h.p. chassis is being employed in increasing numbers as a light, high-speed oneton van for Army purposes_
Chester Town Council is to purchase a motor fire-engine at a cost of 21070.
A Recent Registration.
Motormeters (1914), Ltd. (21200), with its registered offices at 1, Broad Street Place, E.C., to enter into an agreement with P. C. Middleton.
Fords in Lewisham.
The new premises opened at Belmont Hill, Lewisham, S.E., by Messrs. Fry and Marshall, who are specializing in light motor vans and the Ford in particular, were inspected by a. correspondent this week. The firm is supplying bodies for various trades, and recently, it is stated, orders have been booked from important firms.
Metallurgical Chemistry..
We are advised that a Belgian of high technical attainments, a gentleman who is a chemist with sound metallurgical knowledge, is now in this country, and open to take an engagement in any firstclass motor factory. He is well acquainted with high-grade steels, and we shall be pleased to give further information to any applicant who might wish to avail himself of the opportunity to strengthen -his organization in the directions which we indicate.
Coventry Chains.
' From information supplied to us, it appears that no company has been more thorough in its arrangements to take full advantage of changes in the course of trade, due to the present European war, than the Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., of Coventry. It is believed, by competent authorities, that with the advent of peace England will obtain a trade treaty with France which will be specially favourable to her productions, and that she will also enjoy larger shares of trade in various parts of the world than heretofore. It is, however, particularly in France that increased prestige and trade is anticipated. We understand that the Coventry Chain Co., Ltd., will, through its representativesin France, be prepared to help members of the motor industry or other interested parties in the above-mentioned regard.
Dennis Duality.
The Dennis factory at Guildford is not busy on military orders alone, bi4t, has many other interesting vehicles going through the shops for ordinary buyers. Amongst these is a new design of motor ambulance for the L.C.C. the rear axle is carried on long cantilev.-ir springs, the torque tube has a forked forward end and is provided with suitable rubber buffers, and the body is additionally mounted
on substantial rubber blocks. The company's agents in South Austra Messrs. Murray Aunger, have supplied several Dennis lorries to the South Australian Expeditionary Force. We have also to record that plans for proposed further extensions of the Dennis works have now been passed by -the local authorities. Actual building operations are on the point of being put in hand. Proposals and Purchases.
Nornaanton and District Joint Hospital Board is buying a motor ambulance from Mr. R. Winn for Northampton Fire Brigade Committee is considering tenders for the supply of a motor tractor for the fire-engine.
Teddington District rCouncil requires a motor fire engine with a wheeled escape and will shortly be inviting tenders.
Beverley (Yorks.) R.D.C. proposes to expend the sum of £638 in the purchase of a new traction engine and steam roller.
Sheffield Tramways Committee proposes to purchase from the Dart Motor and Transport Co. A 15 h.p. Armstrong-Whitworth motor chassis for .2375.
Hendon U.D.C. wishes to receive tenders, on or before the 23rd inst., for a petrol motor combination fireengine, including pump and two-wheeled 50-ft. escape, first-aid outfit, hose and accessories.
The Weybridge U.D.C. has referred back to its Fire Brigade Committee the matter of purchasing a motor fire-engine. Tenders -had been received from Dennis Bros., Ltd., and Merryweather and SonLtd.
Southampton Town Council has received tenders, ranging in price from 2627 to 2800, for converting its present horse-drawn fire-engine to a motor-hauled one. Letters have also been received from four other firms stating that they were unable to quote for special work owing to War Office requirements. The latest copy of "The Austin Advocate" is to hand ; it is still largely concerned in its new form with the commercial-vehicle activities at Northfield. This number enters the Advocate's fourth year.
Huddersfield Corporation's Merryweather engine came to grief, while en route to a fire at Brow Mill, Meltham, apparently through overdriving at a turning. We have a letter from a correspondent on this subject, but have no space to use it this week.
Weybridge Fire Brigade Committee is considering a tender from Merryweather and Sons to supply a patent petrol motor (Hatfield) fireengine for 2720 and first-aid equipment for 232. This tender was recommended to the District Council for acceptance, but in view of a letter from Dennis Bros., that they were in a position to supply the next size smaller engine to that previously quoted for 2720, the matter was referred back to the Committee.
In January last the L.C.C. accepted the tenders of Leyland Motors, Ltd., for the supply of 12 motor fire-engines at 2865 each, 11 motor escape vans at 2640 each, and a chassis for an instruction ten. der at 2420. On the outbreak of war, the firm intimated that, owing to the special circumstances, no progress was being made with the appliances on order. In view of the need for maintaining the efficiency of the brigade during the war, the Council's Tire Brigade Committee made inquiries as to the possibility of purchasing motor fire appliances, and, as a result, they had accepted an offer .from Dennis Bros. to supply five motor fire-engines at 2930 each. These engines had been ordered for overseas brigades.
The Liverpool Self-Propelled Traffic Association, which was founded in the year 1896, and which has been conducted since the year 1901 as the Liverpool Automobile Club and Self-Propelled Traffic Association, is now merged with the local branch of the Royal Automobile Club, with offices at the Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool.
Wound-up, The Bradford Transport Co., Ltd., the Premier Motor Co., Ltd., and Crouch Motors, Ltd., are to be wound up voluntarily. The respective liquidators are : T. E. Gardner, 2, Darley Street, Bradford ; G. C. Taylor, Colmore Row, Birmingham, and E. F. Peirson, of Coventry. Notice is given that at the expiration of three months from 27th October last the North Devon Motor Service and Supply Co., the Bedfordshire Road Car Co., the British Speedometer Control Co., the North Stafford Taxi, Co., Ltd., the Thames Motor Transport Co., and Wilson and Co. (motor-body builijers), will be dissolved, and the names struck off the Company Register, unless cause is shown to the-contrary.
Registered.
Incorporated Federation of Vehicular Associations (the word " Limited " omitted from the title by .licence of the Board of Trade), with 500 members each liable for 21 in the event of winding . up, and with its office at 106, High Street, Manchester, to take all necessary steps for the combination and federation of all road-vehicle users. with the object of procuring by all lawful means the enforcement and improvement (where necessary) of the law relating to road traffic. The management is vested in an execu. tive committee.