Water-ballast Motor Rollers.
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Ti, increased popularity of water-ballast motor rollers is one of the many striking examples of wonderful progress due to the established commercial and practical ,merits of internal-combustion engines. At one time—not more than six years ago, the steam roller held this market virtually without a contest ; to-day, thanks to the enterprise of British makers, the steam-roller men have to fight hard to retain business which used to go their way automatically. This rivalry began low down in the scale : small rollers-for estate use, for golf links, for race-courses, for cricket grounds—were made. By degrees, however, the spheres of application have been widened, and we observe with satisfaction that all classes of road making, both at home and abroad, have been satisfactorily embraced in the operations to which the heavier models can be applied. From the li-tontier, rolling a width of about 6 ft., which is primarily designed for use upon paths, private roads and grass. there has been an advance through a range of proved intermediate types, to the 13-tonner, rolling to a width of about 4 ft. The convenience and economy in use, in comparison with the older styles of steam rollers appear to be the most-telling arguments with road surveyors who investigate the relative claims of steam and petrol (or paraffin) hereanent.
Traffic Control in Provincial Cities.
Why do not some of our chief constables in provincial towns and cities make arrangements with the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis to transfer drafts of picked men to London for training in the elements of traffic control ? Itis distinctly amusing to observe the calisthenic movements of constables on point duty in many provincial cities,_ although the amount of unnecessary fuss which they introduce into their supposedly-useful duties really detracts from both the dignity and efficiency of the force. Traffic is upset. very often—not controlled. We know quite well, that (very. little market-town in the country imagines that its High Street is a terribly-congested place. In varying degree, the police of most provincial cities are imbued—if not aatually obsessed with the idea that disaster must overtake pedestrian and driver alike, but for their good offices.
In point of fact, a great many provincial point-duty constables put the traffic into no end of a muddle, and are themselves a real nuisance. They wave their arms and hands about at extraordinary angles, with the result that no definite indication of their desires or requirements is conveyed, and the wonder is that there are not more collisions by reason of this indefiniteness.
It is' of course, only at certain points in busy provincial centres that conditions are at all similar to those which are common in London, because continuous streams of traffic are not found at many intersections outside London. The London police control their traffic on the principle of " dam and discharge " —a feature upon which our contemporary " The Surveyor " wrote in most-interesting fashion a fortnight ago. In the Provinces, the control of fewer and separate units is attempted, and that, oftentimes, when it would be much better if the respective drivers were left to exercise their own discretion. It is, however. in respect of really-busy points in cities like Liverpool and Manchester, that we believe a few weeks of exchange to point duty in London would be so beneficial. Provincial constables would be taught what traffic really is, would get a true sense of proportion in regard to useful control and mere officiousness, and would then be less inclined to imagine that they should simulate a semaphore during three-quarters or more of their time on duty. Their objective, surely, is not to amuse bystanders, nor to disconcert. drivers !
The North of England Show at Manchester..
Last week's issue has, we are pleased to know from various communications to hand, served a useful purpose in attracting a, desired measure of extra attention to the commercial-vehicle and allied exhibits which are now on view at the Exhibition Hall, Rusholme, Manchester. We know that it prompted many likely misers to get much closer to the point of deciding to equip themselves with modern transport facilities. The bulk of the issue was naturally concerned with the Show and other current topics of interest in the greatmanufacturing areas which centre upon Manchester.
This week, with the aid of numerous illustrations which have been prepared from photographs that were taken in the Show building, we present our final reference to an exhibition which has merited the widest publicity. A notable feature of the exhibition, to our minds, is the display of characteristic and respected Lancashire and Yorkshire names upon vehicles on view, and upon the lists of users which have been compiled by various manufacturers and other parties. It is evident to us that, the commercial-motor movement has already entered upon that period of admitted success, compaiable to the years 1902 1905 on the Private-car side of the industry, when confidence is thoroughly established. Virtually every vehicle of approved make now in service has become an effective " salesman " by its very performances.
The older manufacturers are giving voice to laments about heir inability to deliver in rood time. and we heard more than one ingenuous effort at Manchester to secure the decision of a buyer in advance of the intimation that delivery would have to take place next October. The situation of the few makers who can give delivery—at least of some models—in May or June is indeed a happy one at the moment, but we are obliged to confess that no large number of vehicles is obtainable at so short a date. The settled intention to fit rubber tires is a noteworthy fact in very many cases of five-ton specifications, and this decision is not limited to orders in respect of inter-urban running.
Night Storage Accommodation: Action by the C.M.U.A.
We again wish to draw the attention of readers who are interested in long-distance traffic to the important matter of suitable night-storage accommodation. Further offers by parties who can provide the necessary facilities should be addressed direct to the Secretary of the Commercial Motor Users Association. There are, so far, insufficient offers in hand to justify the immediate prosecution of the systematising of arrangements, but we are well satisfied that demand will shortly become insistent and universal.• It is a matter of satisfaction to the writer that the general. Press of the country is to be addressed on the subject.. This was our suggestion. We believe that the courtesy of space will be accorded for the purpose of drawing attention to the crying need for suitable storage and other accommodation at night time, for motorvans and motor lorries. The letter to the Press will point out that the ordinary motorcar garage is usually unsuitable, by reason of the insufficient strength of the floor, the absence of adequate head room, or the lack of suitable stores and supplies. It will proceed to explain how these
deficiencies hamper the development of internal communication on sound industrial lines, and will express the hope that property owners or others who have suitable sheds or buildings at their disposal will pay due regard to the facts that an increasing demand for opportunities to put up commercial motors at night time is evident, and that the correlated question of provision for the supply of halfduty rebate petrol, Welsh coal, lubricants, and other consumable stores, in conjunction with arrangements made by the owners of such depots to provide sleeping quarters on the premises for the drivers and their mates, is one of public interest. There can be no two opinions : a new class of road-side catering is opened up in immediate prospect for those who care to undertake the business.
Breaking Down the Master-carter.
Our third article on the "Horse v. Motor" controversy, which article was published a week ago, contained the words which are printed above as a title. We wish to disclaim any desire or intention to convey the impression of antipathy to master-carters, because such an attitude would be quite inconsistent with our belief that they have the ball at their feet in the matter of motor-transport developments. Our gratification at evidences of a breaking down solely concerns the breaking down of prejudice, and has no reference whatsoever to the possibility of business disaster for those who have in the past made their
profits out of horses.
Master-carters now have before them the ripe opportunity to emulate the lead of London omnibus companies, and to do so without comparable initial losses. They have, in the great majority of cases, stood out of the heavy-motor movement while others have accumulated the experiences from which the watchers should now benefit, and they can safely add motor vehicles, both steam and petrol, to their rolling stock, with undoubted advantage. They possess detailed knowledge of traffic organization, which it has taken a considerable if indefinite period to acquire, and their only proper line of defence against a growing total of newcomers is to be found in their moving with the times and purchasing motor lorries. Already, from several quarters in both Liverpool and Manchester, we learn that steps have been taken to that end.
Lancashire master-carters have watched progress for something like 13 years, without making a distinct move of their own. They should move, now, in respect of portions at least of their trade, or they will see it taken from them. Not only will such action on their part bring about positive economies, but the knowledge of it at large will prevent the advent of disturbing elements from outside. It is well known that the temporary invasion of an industry or trade by people who know little or nothing about. It causes undue rate cutting so long as the fresh capital lasts, and that it is extremely hard to revert to prior conditions of charges and prices. Master-carters will do well to bear in mind the likely protective effect of their prompt recognition of the undeniable fitness of modern lorries for much t own-haulage work.