WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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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.
France's Search for a Cheaper
Fuel.
The French Ministry of Agriculture intends holding an internal-combustion engine competition later in the year, the basic fuels to be extracted from vegetable and tar oils. Foreign entries will be permitted. The trials are for Diesel and semi-Diesel engines, and each must be suitable for general farm work and have a maximum weight limit of 55 lb. per hp. The engines will have to pass another trial without the imposition of a weight limit. Each of these two classes will be divided into three groups, according to
horse-power. The first will be from 1 h.p. to 10 h.p., the second from 10 h.p. to 25 h.p., and the third from 25 h.p. to 40 h.p. No restriction as to the kind of fuel which is used will be enforced, provided the basis of it is at least 70 per cent. vegetable or tar oil. One series of trials will be held to prove the reliability of the engines, and another will demonstrate fuel economy.
The department concerned believes that the development of engines of this type for agricultural purposes will do much towards making French farmers independent of imported fuel.
Road Planning on Proper Lines.
We reproduce on this page an illustration of Marsh Rill, Stockland Green, which is 34. miles from the centre of Birmingham, showing the new plans which are in hand to improve the road-way to meet the requirements of the ever-increasing traffic which uses this thoroughfare.
In planning the road, the authorities have not only considered present-day needs, but. have looked-a little farther ahead. The road has been widened to 120 ft., and a 20-ft. footpath and a 24-ft. roadway are being arranged for on each side of a central track for the tramway, which will be 33 ft. wide. This form of road planning provides for individual roads for up and down traffic.
Road Improvements at Eastbourne.
Eastbourne Rural Council completed a census of a week's road traffic yesterday on the road from Polegate to 'Westhann via Stone Cross, and on the road from Berwick Crossways to Seaford.
The surveyor has reported that two schemes of improvement of unclassified district roads have been forwarded to the Ministry of Transport for consideration, one being the 13erwick to Litlington and Exceat road and the other the Eastbourne to Pevensey Bay road. The estimated cost of these improvements is over £7,000, whilst the council also intends to spend 24,000 on improving the Eastbourne to Seaford road on condition that the Ministry contributes 75 per cent. of the cost.
Pump Prejudice : A County Council Ban.
Hampshire County Council has decided against petrol pumps on highways. The main roads cominittee has reported to the county council that it has reconsidered the whole question with regard to the erection of petrol pumps on highways or roadside wastes. In certain cases, so far as main roads are con'earned, the committee agreed not to raise any objection to the erection oC these pumps subject to certain conditions for the protection of the public and subject to their removal on notice. Applications for the erection of these pumps have increased and a number of applications have been allowed to stand over pending the entire reconsideration of the position, and the committee‘has inquired as to the position in other counties and finds that there is a very great varitlion in the method of dealing with this matter.
These pumps, it says, undoubtedly add to the risks of users of the highways, and it ie in addition difficult to acquiesce in the erection of one pump while refusing to. acquiesce in the erection of another pump by a competitor in the same district.
The conclusions at which the committee has ,arrived are 'as follow:—
It is not desirable to make a charge in connection with the erection of petrol pumps on highways.
The pumps should, so far as possible, be erected on private property, with, if necessary, an arm to swing out over the footpath.
Their erection on the highway should only be allowed, if at all, in most exceptional circumstances to be submitted to the committee
That in the event of the adoption of this report by the council twelve months' notice be given in all existing cases to set back the pumps on private property. The county council has adopted this report, and accordingly pumps on highways must, within twelvemonths, be set back on private property.
Trials in Russia.
The Russian Central Administrative Board of the Transport Commissariat is said to be organizing a test for various types of passenger and goods vehicles, in which both Russian and vehicles of foreign make will be permitted to com
pete. General reliability, speed capabilities and economy of operation are points which will be particularly watched, and special awards are to he made for the vehicles which give the best results.
Those vehicles, of foreign make which are entered for the trials will be permitted .to pass into the country free of customs dues.
The Russian market for commercial vehicles of all kinds is most extensive, and offers good opportunities to British makers, who can obtain further information concerning the trials from the Secretary of the Russian Trade Delegaton, 49, Moorgate, London, E.C.2. A Five-fold Increase. .
There has been a five-fold increase in revenue from the Wallasey-Liverpool vehicular ferry service during the past nine years. The figures are as follows,: —1914, £6,156 ; 1915, £8,265; rer6, £8,049; 1917 7,165; 1518, £9,454; 1919, • £13,060; 1920, £20,367; 1021, £22,987; .1922, £28,154; 1923 (estimated), £35,455, This upward trend is still increasing, as the improvement in June, 1923, oyer June, 1922, is no lessthan £284 in that one month. alone. Thia is encouraging, especially in view of the present trade depression.
More Thornycroft Buses for London.
We are interested to learn that, following the introduction of the new double-deck Thornycruft omnibus which ha e recently commenced service. in London, J. I. 'Thornycroft and Co:, Ltd., will shortly be delivering a munher of similar vehicles to other private owners for service on the streets of the Metropolis, including a fleet of 12 vehicles to the order of the Cambrian Coaching and Goods Transport, Ltd.
Experience has already demonstrated that the new forward-c.ontrol type-J chassis, which is used for these vehicles, is entirely. satisfactory for omnibua.ser-vice in Lon-don. In this new type Thornycroft bus accommodation is provided for 50 passengers, 24 people being seated inside and 26 on the upper deck.
Public v. Private Motorbus Interests:
By reason of the entry of the Nottingham Corporation into the arena of corn-. petition for motorbus traffic in suburban areas contiguous to the city, something in the nature of a mild commercial feud has arisen between those representing municipal and private interests. A 'good deal of sympathy has been manifested with those whose original enterprise wag responsible for the opening up of routes bar bus traffic which were not brought within the sphere .of the corporation's operations until recently, when in view of the risk involved, by further, delay, Of losing the Parliamentary powers which had been secured. is rdatiott to the matter, the council took precipitate action by instituting servkes by Dennis single-deck buses on the roads between Beestori and Hucknall Torkard.
The result, however, has far from had
the effect of driving private enterprise off the road, and, from an enlarged measure of competition, as to celerity of journeys and relative fares, the publii, is likely to benefit.
Tractors at Moscow Show.
At the Russian Agricultural Show nor being held al Moscow, three German firms are exhibiting tractors; whilst the French firm of Schneider-Creusot are showing tractors and lorries. Messrs. Ruston-Hornsby have a prominent'exhibit.
Experiences with Gas Producers.
We wish to learn of the experiences of those owners of motor vehicles who have employed on them gas producers of any type, phrtioularly the Parker, and shall be glad if they will write to the Editor of this Journal giving full particulars
and, possible, a photograph of the machine so fitted.
The Sentinel Transport News for August.
One of the most informative and interesting works magazines which find their way into these offices every month is that which hails from the Sentinel Wagon -Works at Shrewsbury. The August issue contains many articles of interest to road transport users genet.ally, and although it is issued primarily to draw attention to the merits.of the Sentinel wagon for commercial purposes, , its contents are such that anyone concerned with the progress of the modern motor vehicle can peruse it with "interest.
With this issue of The Commercial Motor we enter upon Volume 38. When having their copies for the old and new volumes hound, readers would be well advised to note that, through an oversight, the cover of this issue was closed for press bearing the last volume number. Lancashire County Council reports that it has been supplied by the Minis try of Transport with a very interesting table, showing the result of the census of traffic taken in Lancashire and adjoining
counties in August last year. The. area covered by the te1151.13 comprises Lanca
shire, • Yorkshire. (West Riding, East Riding and North Riding), Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, Westmor
land, and Cheshire. All the, Class I roads in these counties which carry more tban an average weight of 1,000 tons per day are mentioned in the-table.
The traffic returns which are set out in the table were taken at 452 points, of which 149 points are on Lancashire roads.
A further analysis shows that 25 of tho first 27 points placed in order of weight are on Lancashire roads, and that of a total of 111 points. carrying over 3,000 tons daily, 76 are on Lancashire roads, the heaviest average daily weight recorded being 14,194 tons.
In other words, the traffic passing over the 76 aforementioned points varies from a maximum of 54 million tons to a minimum of one million tons per annum.
China Turning to power Farming.
Judging from the recent reports of the establishment and accomplishments of agricultural experimental stations from all parts of Chin-a, it is probable
that the Governmentwill soon be brought to reaize the great advantages that will accrue to the country by the general introduction of modern farming methods. Several agricultural associations have been organized in different provinces, and a circular has been issuecbcalling the attention of civil governors of those provinces where such. bodies have not yet been formed to the necessity for action to be taken.
The general improvement of farming that:should result from these activities means that tractors will be called for in an ever-increasing ratio.
New Dock Road Wanted.
A general meeting is to be called by the London Chamber of Commerce early in the autumn in order to urge on the Government the need for construction of a new arterial road to the London Docks. There is, as is well known, a tremendous amount of congestion on the existing roads, and when the Port of London Authority has completed the extensions which it now has in hand, the roads are likely to be totally inadequate to deal with the ever-increasing traffic to and from the docks..
The suggestion will probably be that the proposed road 5hou1d run through the heart of London to Tilbury, and this scheme has been put, before the :Government, which hesitated to move in the Matter because it involved the demolition of many small dwelling-houses at a time when the housing shortage is acute, although, it, is believed.' that this objection can now be met and overcome.
Pumps Without Permission.
Nottingham County Council has on several occasions refused applications for permission to erect petrol pumps on highways in the county.
The proprietor, of a motor garage on the Great North Road, near the Newark Midland Station, has erected a petrol pump outside the frontage of his garage, although permission to do so was refused. Such steps as may be found necessary are, therefore, being taken to compel the removal of the obstruction.
Corporation Bus Extension Thwarted.
Some little time ago a Ministry of Transport inquiry was held at Birkenhead with reference to the Birkenhead Corporation scheme to run a service of motor omnibuses between New Ferry and Brombormigh, in the area under the jurisdiction of the Bebington and Breenborough Council. The corporation desired to run vehicles in conjunction with services already in existence, but opposition was vigorously waged on behalf of Bebington Urban District Council and the Cheshire County Council, who argued that if another servke were to compete with that now run by a • v22 private company there would be unnecessary obstruction on the road and more Wear and tear of the highways.
The Bebington and Bromborough Council received the -decision of the Ministry of Transport one day last week, who expressed the opinion that the urban district council had " not unreasonably withheld its consent" to the Birkenhead Corporation scheme. The corporation's submission had been that it bad powers -to run services subject to the consent of the local. authority and upon reasonable terms and conditions.
Death of a Notable Haulier.
The death of Mr. Robert Wynn at sixty years of age, from the effects of a chill caught while motoring in Devonshire for the benefit of his health, removes a most familiar figure from the town of Newport (Mon.) and one of the best-known motor haulage contractors in South Wales. The firm, now known as Robert, Wynn and Sons, was founded by Mr: Wynn's father, and the business has been so capably developed that at the present time the fleet of road transport vehicles is said to be one of the largest in South Wales.
Chester Traffic Census.
Some interesting figures have been collected as the result of the traffic census which was taken at the beginning of this month by the Chester City Police authorities for the Ministry of Transport. A similar census was taken months ago at the same point, namely, the Cross, a, dangerously congested crossing in the centre of the city, which is, of course, famous for its antiquarian associations, of which ,old-fashioned buildings and narrow roads are at least two of the outstanding features. Between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. pn Saturday, August 4th, no fewer than 15,605 vehicles were recorded, as follows : Motor vans, lorries, buses, coaches, and tramcars .. 2,347 Motocars and motorcycles ... 5,868 Bicycles
Total ... 157-605 These figizies give an average per hour of 975, or 16.25 per Minute. In 1922 the census was taken from 10 •a.m. to 5 p.m., and, in order to make a comparative statement, the figures, taken between these hours this year have been abstracted.
• A comparative statement is
In the early, hours of the morning,
naturally, the stream of vehicles was lighter, so that no idea of the really heavy congestion of traffic during the busier,hours of the day is given., Drivers to Obey.
In its new Bill the Plymouth Corporation has obtained power providing that when a policeman is stationed at a crossing in any street for the direction of traffic, any person driving a vehicle who shall wilfully neglect or refuse to stop, proceed, or keep to a particular line of traffic, when directed to do so, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £5,
Burton Bridge Widening.
To the regret of users of commercial motors and other vehicles, who have long had reason to complain of the entirely inadequate means afforded by the existing bridge for crossing the , River Trent at Burton, there has been some .unanticipated delay in proceeding with the work in connection with the new structure, for which a tender was accepted 501112 time ago. It was explained by Aid, J. S. Rowland at the last, meeting of the town council that the public works committee of the corporation was not to blame for the delay, the Ministry of Transport having held up , the scheme. He denied that there was ally truth in the rumour that there had been any friction between the corporation officials and. the firm who had
• secured the contract.
Viewing British Market for American Accessories.
We are informed that Mr. H. L. . Kraus, export manager of the Simmons Manufacturing Co., the Apco Manufacturing Co., and a number of other American concerns specializing in •autoMobile accessories, expects to arrive in
England about October 6th. Mr. Kraus intends to make a round of the English motor industry, particularly with reference to the various American accessories which are marketed over here by the companies which he represents. Those who are interested in the distribution and sale of American automobile specialities, especially those which are applicable to the Ford, can get into touch with Mr. Kraus by communicating with Guiterman-Rasenfeld and' Co., 35, Aldermanbury, London, E.C., between October 6th and 11th.
Improving the Great North Road.
Among many schemes propounded for the relief of =employment in Midland and Northern areas, that relative to. the improvement cf .one of the country's main eateries of traffic, aepre.sehted by the Great North Road, continues temeet
with general acceptance. ' ' • Within the territory over which administrative control is exereiSed by the Kesteven County Council a considerable Portion of this important highway lies, and at the last meeting of that body at Grantham, Sir Charles Welby, the Chairman; said that whilst many thought, as the road constituted one of the great trunk arteries of the country, the work should be treated as a national obligation, upon which local anthorities should not be required to expend any great amount of money, yet it devolved upon the council to do something to meet the pressing problem of unemployment. There appeared; he said, to be no better means than the adoption of such a scheme as proposed.
It was decided to go on with the work, the information being forthcoming that of a loan of £25,000 required the unemployment grants committee would be willing to contribute 65 per cent. of the amount, and interest over half the period for which the money is borrowed.
An Ambulance Arrangement.
At a meeting of the Kendal Corporation it was reporta that the smallpox joint hospital committee had found the need for a motor ambulance, and offered to provide a Ford ton chassis and to bear the expense of fitting thereto the body of the horse ambulance belonging to the corporation upon the following conditions:— 11) The corporation to give the ambulance body free of charge. (2) The corporation to maintain and garage the ambulance and to have the use of it. for the removal of infectious cases when not required for smallpox.
(3) The smallpox joint hospital corn mittee to have the first call on the ambulance for removal of cases of smallpox. The offer of the hospital committee was accepted.
The August "Roadmaker."
The August number of The Roadmaker, an interesting journal issued on behalf a the British Reinforced Concrete Engineering Co., Ltd., lives up to the standard set by previous issues. This is a very readable little journal, which contains a great deal of interest to roadmakers and users generally, and it affords an indication of the advances which are being made in road maintenance and constructional week and in particular, to the extended use svhich is being made of reinforced concrete for the,ntirpose.
Articles in the current issue include Carriage-way Construction," " Some Read Eiperiences and Opinions," "The Wayside Inn," etc.
For South London Users.
Messrs. Peck and Pollitzer, 133-137, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C. 4, inform es that Ow have now installed at their works in Hercules Road, Lambeth, S.E.1, a hydraulic solid-tyre press capable of dealing with the largest sizes of solid tyres. The company are in a position to give day and night service, which will be of great value to users.
Tar-spraying of Roads.
Information was forthcoming at a recentmeeting of the Lindsey County Goland' that no fewer than 300 miles of roads in that parteof Lincolnshire bad been tar-sprayed. Complaint was forthcoming from the representative Of the. Spilsby area that the main roads there had, in consequence, been rendered like glass, but the chairman of the committee observed that there had been no complaints except from that district. It was decided, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Transport, to accept the tender of Marshall, Sons and Co., Ltd., of Gainaborough, of £3,652 for four steame4eil1er sets, •
Possible Orders from China for British Buses.
it is reported from Shanghai that there-would appear to be a prospect Of developments in the scheme to establish a motor omnibus service in the city. After lengthy discussions, the Conditions under which the proposed service will be permitted have been finally arranged, and steps are now being taken to float a company to control the new enterprise. The prospectus of the company; which
is called the China General Omnibus Co., Ltd., has just been issued ; its capital is 1,000,000 taels.
According to the prospectus of the company, it is intended at the outset, to operate a fleet of 30 buses of the bestand most modern types. For this purpose, technical representatives. are being sent to England and tbe United States. The company are. also seeking theaservices of an expert traffic superintendent ' and a maintenance superintendent.
The Department of Overseas Trade, 55, Old Queen Street, London, S.W.1, is in a position to furnish interested readers with supplementary information relating to the project which is worthy of attention at the hands of British makers of motorbuses.
A Pertinent Rebuke. •
The Lindsey Orman. ty Council is taking action to prevent the widespread damage which is being caused to tar-macadamized roads in Lincolnshire by steel-shod traction engines. The council has wisely advocated that inhaulage contracts there shall be a stipulation that only rubber-tyred vehicles shall be used. When the matter was brought recently to the notice of the Brigg Rural Council there was a pertinent rebuke from the surveyor, who pointed out that the council itself was the biggest culprit in that respect.
Local Proceedings.
Rotherham Corporation is inquiring about a petrol lawn-mower.
Willesden Urban District 'Council proposes to purchase a new motor ambulance.
Chesterfield Rural District Council has decided to purchase two Ford ears for the sanitary department.
Dublin Corporation is inviting quotations for the supply of two 3-ton electric lorries for refuse collection.
Ulverston Urban and Rural Councils are to discuss fire brigade affairs, it being declared that rural outbreaks Could be more quickly reached if a motor engine were available.
Aberdeen Corporation reports a gross profit of 24,033 on the motorbus services, compared with 23,207 for the previous year. The corporation has seven motorbuses and four charaia-bancs in service.
Rotherham Corporation Tramways Committee has accepted the tender of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co., Ltd., for the supply of three chassis at 2560 each, and the tender of Roe, Ltd., of Leeds, for the bus bodies at 2290 each.
Johannesburg Municipal Council is, according to H.M. Senior Trade Commissioner in South Africa, inviting tenders for the supply of two motor ambulances. Tenders are due to be presented in South Africa by September 10th.
Sheffield Corporation Health Committee has accepted an offer of Messrs. Spptley Bros., of Kennington, to supply two new 4-ton Fiat tipping lorries, in exchange for an old steam wagon and a 30-cwt. motor lorry, for the sum of 21,100.
Preston Borough Council is inviting tenders for the supply of five 40-seater single-deck motorbuses. Tenders have to be delivered not later than September 7th, and have to conform to a specification which can be obtained from the General Manager, Tramway Offices, Deepdale Road, Preston. Sheffield Corporation Tramways Committee has authorized the purchase of two motorbuses at a cost not exceeding 21,200 each.
Sheffield Watch Committee has rescinded a resolution it passedin December, 1920, against licensing vehicles having a left-hand drive.
The Hove Watch Committee has granted Southdown Motor Services, Ltd., licences for 10 additional omnibuses to run on regular services through Hove, as the company are increasing the service between Brighton and Portsmouth to a half-hoprly one.
Blazkpool Watch Committee has granted licences to the Fleetwood and Knott End Motors, Ltd., for two motor chars-t-bancs to run a service between the Derby Hotel, Blackpool, and Knott End, starting from private land on the south side of the Derby Hotel.
All Inquiries to Luton.
Commercial Cars, Ltd., wish us to repeat that they have vacated their • London area sales offices at 168, Regent Street., London, W. 1, and that all business in future will be conducted from the registered offices of the company at Luton.
Cardiff Road Scheme.
The Cardiff City Council has commenced upon an improvement of the road at the docks end of St. Mary Street, one of the two main streets of the city, that will greatly help road traffic and avoid much of the congestion now inevitable in the busiest period of the day.
Parking at Leamington.
From. the beginning of this month the parking of motor chars-it-banes in any public street, square, or avenue has been prohibited within the borough of Leamington. Arrangements have been made for garaging vehicles of this type at the Regent Hotel Garage and the Priory Garage, High Street, at a fee of 2s. per day per vehicle.
How Accidents Are Caused.
A sub-committee of the Oxford Watch Committee has investigated in detail the street accidents as recorded by the pence authority during the last three months, with a view to ascertaining both the causes and the locality in which they occurred. Of a total of 24 accidents, the larger number was due to what may be termed errors of judgment either of drivers or pedestrians in a sudden emergency, thealmost inevitable concomitants af the concentration of traffic in a limited area.
The sub-committee considers that a continued investigation of the causes of street accidents and the places in which they occur will prove of great utility to the police.
Adey Tubes.
A.P.P. Tube, Ltd., of 37, Southampton" Street, Strand, London, W.C. 2, manufacturers of the Adey punctureproof tube, inform us that, owing to extensions of their business, arrangements are being made for Mr. Adey to represent the company in the North of England. Mr. Adey has accordingly resigned his directorship of the company, and the board now consists of the Hon. Philip Henderson. M.I.C.E., Mr. J. 0. Hickman, Lt.-Col. F. Summers, D.S.O., D.S.C., and Lt.-Col. R. J. Hope Vere, A.F.C: Commercial Car Hirers Receiver.
We are informed that Mr. James J. Ure has been appointed receiver and manager on behalf of the first debenture holders of Commercial Car Hirers, Ltd. In a communication to us the receiver states that he understands that business is at present being carried on at a profit, and it is his intention to continue trading for The present on exactly the same lines as heretofore. Mr. J. C. Moth haa been appointed his deputy, with full authority to incur all the necessary expenditure, and it is stated that the directors of the company are considering a scheme of reconstruction with the principal object of giving the unsecured creditors security in respect of their debts.