The Equipment of Cars for "Commercials.'
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In the environs of St. Paul's Churchyard will be found many famous firms doing business in drapers' supplies millinery, mereery, hosiery, and similar products. It is an interesting sight to observe the commercial travellers' broughams which are drawn up in front of these establishments while taking in samples of new fashions which have arrived from the British and foreign factories.
So far as the members of THE COI1MEROTAL MOTOR staff were aware until recently, the most fashionable creations were first designed in Paris. We are assured on reliable authority, however, that, in the articles enumerated above, the English manufacturers hold premier position. Buyers from the great Continental and American cities are frequent visitors to London for the purpose of purchasing and copying the latest British Productions of this nature. From the big houses at St. Paul's Churchyard the samples are sent out, in the first place, to the leading West End retail shops, and, descending downwards in the commercial scale, to the suburbs, and thence on to the big provincial towns. We yield to none in our admiration of Birmingham and Manchester as progressive cities ; at the same time, we cannot but admit that the womenfolk of these towns needs must rely on the London houses for the supply of the latest fashions. All of which leads us to the consideration of the 'brougham and its fittings for the .commercial traveller.
A few years ago, the designs of -these vehicles were very similar ; 'having seen one brougham, the observer had practically seen all. 3/Inch the same policy of drift and
lack of initiative has characterized the attempts of body builders to equip motor-driven vehicles with suitable bodies for the use of commercial travellers. Most of the interiors on these machines inspected by us display a somewhat lament
A traveller's "roll-top."
able lack of thoughtful design and knowledge of how best to take advantage of the increased load and space facilities offered by the faster and more modern motor.
Existing Faults in Design.
Multi-coloured cardboard boxes, loosely heaped, occupy, in many cases, 50 per cent. of the body space. A shabby and uncomfortable seat is often placed in a dark corner of the vehicle for the accommodation of the traveller. When the heavier exhibits, which are placed towards the bottom of the whole pile of samples, are required, it is often the case that, collapse of the whole is prevented only by the traveller's skill in juggling with 20 or 30 filled cardboard boxes. In our opinion this displays an inexcusable misunderstanding of the whole problem of body design and interior equipment, for commercial travellers' use. With the bigger area which the power-driven vehicle can cover, and the increased load which it can carry, there is no reason why a greater range of samples should not be taken. Provision can also be made for the comfort of the traveller, and for the carrying on of the clerical part of his business, apart from the mere interviewing of customers.
What is Required. Several points must be borne in mind when fitting the interior of these broughams. In the first place, the design must be such as will conveniently accommodate the maximum number of packages or boxes. These must not be so loaded, however, as to render any one inaccessible without disturbing the remainder. Many firms object to the unsightly appearance presented by a brougham when the box-crowded interior can be seen through the windows. For this purpose, blinds of dark material are almost universally fitted. If goods be carried on the roof, it is not possible to light the interior by means of an overhead window. In bodies of the latest type, then, a serviceable system of acetylene or electric lighting should be installed. This should give sufficient light for the traveller to enter up his calls, orders, and reports, while travelling from shop to shop.
The Traveller's ComTort.
In some cases, where goods are bulky but light, the whole interior of the body is occupied by samples, and perforce the traveller is obliged to take his seat by the side of the driver. Business men are, as a general rule, awakening to the fact that it is impossible to accomplish good work when physical conditions tend to reduce the stamina and vitality of the worker. Designers .should not forget this point.
One of the several drawings herewith shows a front and end elevation of a motor-driven brougham in the service of a supplier of ladies' coats and skirts. The whole of the interior of this vehicle is given up to the hanging of samples of these garments, and the traveller is seated by the side of the driver. It will be seen, however, that this body is of the •enclosed type, and, no matter how had the weather, the traveller has little difficulty in keeping himself warm and dry, and in a fit physical condition effectively to .deal with his customers. This is a feature which can be incorporated to a much greater extent than is at present done, when designing this -type of body. Behind the seat for the traveller is a sliding door. This allows an entry to be made into the body of the machine for the purpose of taking out any required samples. No door is fitted at the -back, a certain amount of light being afforded by windows at the side and the rear. The seat on which the traveller is accommodated is of the tip-up variety. The interior of the body is fitted up in much the same style as is the modern private wardrobe. Hooks are provided for coat hangers, in addition to elms for carrying skirts, and these hooks and clips depend from loose bars running on rollers, which are attached to the roof. A nest of adinstable shelves is fitted behind the driver's seat, and these can be pressed into service for the carriage of boxes containing samples of lesser bulk. or they may be entirely removed.
The Samples are Accessible.
A further drawing shows a design for a brougham of a more ordinary type. Here the traveller is accommodated in tho body of the vehicle. A large central door is fitted at the rear of the body. Suitable shelves are built to accommodate the supplies in which the traveller does-or attempts to do—his business. A neat brass rack is fitted on the roof of the vehicle, and here a box of large capacity. secured by straps, serves to carry heavy goods. The two smaller drawings illustrate very ingenious interior designs to which our attention has been drawn while preparing this article. Both of these bodies are lighted by artificial means from a centrally-suspended fitting. The heavier machine is fitted with eight shelves, all of which run down the sides of the body for the whole length of the interior. The centre is occupied by two large boxes. one of which fits on top of the other : they are provided with slides and clamps. This vehicle is used by a
traveller dealing in boots and shoes. it will readily be seen .how every sample carried by him is at once accessible, and is fully protected from possibie damage during transit. Under the body at the back, a strong wooden box is fitted ; this is divided into eight compartments, which are used for the carriage of tins of petrol and lubricating oil, tools, inner tubes, and other impedimenta.
For Smaller Packages.
A body of quite a, different type is also illustrated. This is intended for the service of a traveller whose supplies are not bulky. An upholstered seat will be noticed on the left-hand side of the body. The doors when open allow full access to the interior. Adjustable shelves are fitted on both sides, while, on top of the locker, on the right, is a broad shelf, which can be pulled out and used as a desk by the traveller. Under the window at the front is a stationary rack, in which order books and similar supplies can be carried. Hooks are fixed to the roof from which various articles may be hung, and underneath the body is a. drawer which serves to hold tools and other gear. Two brass rails are run across the interior behind the driver, and these are intended for the holding of small boxes and parcels. which can conveniently be tied up. This body may be aptly described as a combined travelling sample van and office. A rack on the roof serves to keen in position baskets, bags, and similar packages. Many of the special fittings to which we have made reference are already in service on existing vehicles. We have, however, added several features which have not, so far as we are aware, been used in the equipment of a commercial traveller's brougham.
(To be continued.)