News of the Week
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VEHICLE DISMANTLERS FORM NEW ASSOCIATION
AT a well-attended meeting of car and lorry breakers from all over' the country, held at Leeds on October 12, it was decided to form an Association .properly to represent. the interests of this section of the industry. A strong executive committee was elected, having as its chairman Mr. E. H. K. Tye, of York Autowreckers, Hull Road. )(ark.,
Membership oh the new body is offered to authorized car and lorry breakers, and application should be sent to the Secretary, Motor Vehicle
Dismantlers' Association, Autowreckers, Clough Road, Hull.
The immediate objects are: (1) To provide an avenue of approach to Government Departments on all matters affecting the industry; (2) to promote concerted action in dealings with other organizations, particularly those connected with the motor and scrap trades; (31 to ensure that fair treatment be accorded to members in connection with the disposal of surplus vehicles both now and after the war;' (4) to provide for greater inter-availability of spares in order to give the best service to clients; (5) generally to watch over matters affecting the interests of members,
HIRED VEHICLE OPERATORS DEMAND EQUAL SACRIFICE ON October 14, at Newcastle-uponTynt, a number of hired-vehicle' operators, representing practically all those in that area, met to discuss. the Government Road haulage Scheme.
According to a report that we have. received it was unanimously agreed that the scheme had created great dissatisfaction amongst this class of operator and had removed any confi,dence that they may have had in those who arranged its terms, It was believed that it would mean bankruptcy for such operators if it be carried on under present conditions.
At the same time it was agreed that whatever sacrifice the Government demanded they would willingly endure in order to save tyres and petrol and further the war effort, but as equality and justice are the foundations of peace, "so in. total war equality of sacrifice is the only guarantee of victory.
Therefore hired-vehicle. operators throughout the country were called upon to demand equal sacrifice and equal security for all, large and small.
LONDON TRANSPORT DRIVERS' FINE RECORD
LONDON TRANSPORT has every feason to be proud -of its roadvehicle drivers who, during 1942, achieved further , "Safety First"
driving records. Official figures just published reveal that more than 12,000 bus, tram and trolleybus drivers have been awarded diplomas, .oak leaves, medals and bars for their years of " freedom from blameworthy acci--. dents."
The, actual number of awards to Central bus drivers totalled 9,164, including one 25 years' bronze cross, 113 21-24 yearS' star .bars, 67 20 years' brooches, 701 16-19 years' bars, and 270.15 years' brooches.
The figure of 9,164 represents " freedom from blameworthy accidents " in respect of just over 88. per
cent. of Central bits drivers. .Many drivers did not qualify, for reasons of sickness and call up for Services, DISPARITY BETWEEN BALLAST . RATES AND OTHERS
WE have recently referred to haulage rates for the carriage of sand and ballast which were arranged betweenthe S.J.C. and the Air Ministry.
The point has now been raised that there has been no rnenttan of traffic other than this to aerodromes, although, many such conimodities are being moved daily, and the rates paid are, in many cases, much below th'ose which have been agreed for sand and ballast. Specificexamples are asphalt and tarmacadam, which are said to be .25 to 30 per cent, lower.
It seems inequitable that there should be so much disparity petween the rates and the matter 'should be investigated.
P.S.V. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
M.O.W.T. • THE Public Transport Association some time ago set up a strong Technical, Sub-committee to consider the question of p.s.v. dimensions and weights. Considerable progress has been made by this Committee, recommendations have been submitted to the constituent associations, the various suggestions have been co-ordinated and modified, and they will be submitted to the M.O.W.T. at an early date. AS a result of the discussions which have taken place it is proposed to set up a-, small Joint Technical Sub-committee to advise on technical Matters of common interest concerning passenger-service vehicles. This, for example, may deal with such matters
as the -demarcation of weight. For instance, in the case of the gross weight ofa laden vehicle, it would treat *. with what proportions of the weight should he allowed for the chassis, body and load.
M.O.W.T. PROMISES MORE BUSES IN CERTAIN AREAS
Ithe House of Commons, last week, Mr. P. J. Noel-Baker, Joint ParliamentarySecretary of the
stated that as the Government is anxious to make all practical improvements in transport facilities for workers, arrangements are being made to strengthen bus services which are used 1?y workers in those places where the need is most urgent and where drivers and conductors can be found. TYRE REVISIONS ON P.S.V. PRODUCER TRAILERS
ALL p.s.v. operators concerned with the use of trailer-type gas pro ducers should note changes in the pressures and sizes of tyres for these units, which. have been agreed between the tyre companies and the M.O.W.T.
As regards pressures, these are to be introduced immediately, and are as follow:—Size 5.25 and. 5.50, 35 lb. per sq. in.; 5.75, 30 11). per sq. in.
Concerning sizes: (1) When tyres ▪ fitted to trailers now in ,use are wcrn to an extent which necessitates retreading, they should be replaced with tyres of the larger sizes referred to later. Where tyres have beconie worn beyond the stage that permits retreading they should continue in service for as long as possible, subject • to th!, fabric not being exposed. (2) Where there are unused tyres, including thrre fitted to trailers not yet in service, arrangements should be Made with the tyre suppliers concerned to exchange them for tyres of the larger size. (3) All 3.00 -rim wheels (i.e., four-bolt wheels fitted up to and including trailer unit No. 560, supplied by Bristol Tramways) 'must use '5.50 tyres when replacements are needed. All 3 50 rim wheels (i.e , six-bolt wheels fitted. as' from trailer • unit No, 561, siipplfed by Bristol Tramways, and all: units supplied by Wylie Harris) must . use a minimum size of tyre of 5.50, and, preferably, 5.75, on replacement.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR ENGINEERS
ASUCCESSFUL one-day convention dealing with the education and training of engineers was held on October 15 by the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd:, at Loughborough.
Mr. D. B. Hoseason, M.I.E.E., M.I.Mech.E.', director, outlined the education and training policy of the company and dealt, in turn, with the schemes in operation for trade, student and college apprentices. Details were given of the programme of education to give immediate effect to the Governinent proposals outlined in the White Paper on post-war educational reconstruction, the organization of the Arks school, and the close co-operation with Loughborough College.
An outstanding feature-of. the convention was a visit to the craft selection school. Boys, prior to commencing apprenticeship, attend this. school for a period of six months, where particular note is taken of the adaptability of any particular boy for a specific course, of training.
TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITION AT •
SHEFFIELD.., AAS Chesterfield is nearer to Sheffield than to Nottingham, the .North Mid:and Regional Transport Commissioner, Mr. J. H. Stirk, has written to roacl4ransport operators in. the Chesterfield district suggesting that they and their drivers should cross the Derbyshire border into Yorkshire for a visit to the Tyre Economy Exhibition at the Central Library, Sheffield. The exhibition opens to-day, October 22, and Will continue • up to and including November 11.
APPOINTMENTS TO AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH COMMITTEE
AT the quarterly meeting of the. Automobile Research Committee of the I.A.E., held on October 13, Mr. John Shearnaan, M.I.Mech.E.,
Road Motor Engineer of the L.M.S. Railway, was re-elected Chairman of the Committee for 1943-44, whilst Mr. A. G. Benstead, M.I.A.E., of Rotax, Ltd, was re-elected Vicechairman.
The election of sub-committees to deal respectively with research and general administration was. carried out, and it *as mentioned that the number of affiliated firms was now 364.
Lieut.-Colonel J. AI Cole, who recently retired from the managing directorship of Humber, Ltd., Was co-opted as a'member in order that the Committee might continue to have the benefit of his services.
PASSENGER TRANSPORT AND THE LABOUR POSITION
LAST week we referred to the deputation from passenger-transport interests to the M.O.W,T. in connec tion with the supply of labour. It seems, however, that the Ministry is of the opinion that the main difficulty is that of shortage of wothen conduc.tors, and it is believed that if these could be supplied much of the trouble would be overcome; but the P.T.A. considers that the position in respect of drivers is nearly as bad, and that to meet the great demands of passenger road transport more drivers will have to be found.
TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITION AT ABERDEEN
ON November 11 a Tyre Economy Exhibition will be opened at the Art Gallery, Schoolhili, Aberdeen, and Lord Rothes, Director of Tyres, will perform the opening ceremony at 3 p.m., when the Lord Provost will be in the chair.
Sessions will be: Monday to Friday, 11-12, 2.30-3.30;Wednesday and Saturday only, 7.30-8.30 p.m, The Exhibition will close on November 27. Tickets for drivers and transport operators may be obtained from the Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, M.0,W.T., 14, Crown Terrace, Aberdeen.
FORD EMPLOYEES REACH 1,000,000 IN WAR SAVINGS
QUBSCRIPTIONS to national' savings by ernployees of the Ford Motor Co., Ltd., have now reached the remarkable total of £1,000,000. In achievipg this record, the Ford Savings Grouts have saved nearly £500,000 in a little over nine months. They passed the target with more than two months to spare, for at the beginning of 1943, with total savings oi just over £500,000, they aimed at reaching the million mark by the end of the year.
Lord Kindersley, President of the National Savings Committee, has sent Ford employees a telegram congratulating them upon their .success.
Membership of the Ford Savings Groups has continuously risen up to 95 per cent. of the total strength of the company's workers. SUNDERLAND MUNICIPAL BUSES SET UP RECORD
AT a recent meeting of Sunderland Town Council, Councillor R. G. Smart submitted the annual report of the transport department. He stated that traffic revenue was the highest in the 43 years' history of the undertaking and that in-respect of the buses it was the highest since services with such vehicles were started in 1828. The reserve-fund balance had been considerably increased, whilst the debt on the undertaking stood at a very, low figure.
TRACTOR MAKER STAGES INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION
WWITH the object of familiarizing indiVY vidual employees with the activities and war-time products of fellow workers' in each section of the works, David Brown. Tractors, Ltd., has opened a comprehensive two-weeks' industrial exhibition in its assembly hall, with the co:operation of the Directorate of Public Relations, Ministry of Supply: The objective has been taken _ a step farther by exhibiting products of associated David Brown companies. Added interest is provided by the attendance of Service speakers, who are to talk to the workers on their experiences.
The exhibition was opened by Mr. R. K. Bacon, Regional Officer of the Ministry •of Information and chairman of the Regional Industrial Publicity Committee in the company of representatives of all sections of the works.
• TYRE ECONOMY EXHIBITION AT READING
r-IN October 28 at the Art Gallery, V./Friar Street, Reading, a Tyre Economy Exhibition will be opened by the Mayor, who will be introduced by Sir Henry W. Piggott, R.T.C. . Addresses will be given by Mr. R S. King, Deputy Director of Tyres. and Sir Harry Graham Haig, K.C.S.I.,
CIE., Regional Commissioner, Southern Region. The Exhibit.ion will close on November 10 and sessions will be; 11-12, 3.15-4.15, except on Saturdays, when there will be one from II to 12; evening sessions will be only by special arrangement.
Transport operators should apply for tickets to the Tyre Economy Exhibition Secretary, M.O.W.T., Chiltern COurt, St. Peters Avenue, Cavershann, Reading.
TEESSIDE MUNICIPAL TRANSPORT TO AMALGAMATE?
MIDDLESBROUGH Transport Committee has intimated its willingness to meet representatives of Stockton-onTees Corporation to discuss the amalgamation of the two transport
undertakings. Middlesbrough h a s requested that the Teesside Railless Traction Board—in which it has an interest—should 'also be invited to send delegates to the discussions. .
SIM1V1S EXPANDS SERVICING PLANS IN NEWCASTLE WE are advised that Simms 'Motor YV Units, Ltd., has removed its Newcastle-upon-Tyne branch from Eldon Place to a larger and more modern building at 1, Falconer Street. Thesenew centrally situated premises are staffed by mechanics skilled in the art of repairing electrical, ignition and fuel-injection equipment and ample
• garage space is provided for working on vehicles under cover.
In addition to servicing units maimfactured by _the' company, facilities exist for repairing and overhauling other makes of equipment.
Mr. N. J. Ellerbeck is in charge of this branch.
' USING YOUR OLD ENVELOPES
HTJNDREDS of tons of paper must have been saved by the use, often. several times, of old envelopes. Care should, however, be taken to see that all old addresses are•well obliterated, as cases have occurred of letters being sent' to the wrong people, or returned to the original senders as though delivery had not been possible because this precaution had not been taken.
BUS TYRES BEING RUINED BY BROKEN BOTTLES
rylIZING May last, a record number of tyres on Glasgow Corporation buses was ruined and made unfit for retreading as the result of glass cuts from broken bottles on the streets. This led the transport department to make tests, and from one bus route, which extends for 81 miles, 9 lb. of
broken. glass was , collected. On another similar route 4i.lb of glass was collected, this coming almost wholly from a one-mile stretch through a city housing scheme.
Mr. E. R. L. Fitzpayne, general manager of the transport department, said-, a few. days ago, that the broke,bottle problem had always existed, but lately it ha:d become worse. 'The transport department has decided to make poster appeals to the public to end the bottle-smashing habit.
-FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST BAN ON LIVESTOCK BY ROAD
CUMBERLAND and Westmorland Farmers' Union has protested to the Ministry of War Transport against the ban on the use of road transport for carrying livestock into Scotland. The Ministry has suggested that railway -.facilities are adequate for this work. hilt the Union considers this reply unsatisfactory and proposes asking its London headquarters to interview the Ministry on the subject.
TIME "NOT OPPORTUNE" FOR TYNE BRIDGE ' TROLLEYBUSES NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE City Council has informed Gateshead and Felling Councils that the Ministry, of War Transport has Intimated that the present is not opportune for the promoting oI a Provisional Order to run trolleybuses into Gateshead over the Tyne Bridge, in' place of trains. The Ministry suggested that the application should be deferred until after the war. Both Felling and Gateshead Councils have urged Newcastle authority to press its application.