WHEELS OF INDUSTRY.
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"The wheel of wealth will be slowed by all difeulties of transport at whatever _pants arising, as a carriage is by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John Beattie Crozier.
Demobilized Transport Men.
The National Council of the C.M.T.J.A. has had under consideration steps to assist demobilized officers and men of the army transport who belong to its membership. Large numbers are known to be desirous to embark upon some branch of active work in conducting motor haulage, goods or passenger, but they are being deterred for want of impartial advice. The National Council has therefore decided to provide .for the services of a qualified and expert advisory engineer of standing, in order to assist in safeguarding these returning soldiers against the risk of participation in uncommercial or unsound enterprises. Inquiries should be addressed to Mr. F. G. Bristow, M ,general secretary, C.M.U.A., 83, Pailall,.London. S.W. 1.
Surname as Trade-mark : Manufacturers Win Appeal Case.
In the Court of Appeal recently there was raised an interesting case in which the judgment given is of very great, importance to traders generally. It arose out of an appeal by H. G. Burford and Co., Ltd., against the decision of Mr. Justice Sargent refusing to register the word " Burford " as a trade-mark for motor vehicles. The Practice of the company had been to place the word " Burford " in slanting script on the radiator of the lorries.
Giving judgment on the present appeal, the Master of the Rolls pointed out that it was the common practice in the motor industry for manufacturers to distiriguish their vehicles by some trademark, frequently a surname, such as "Napier," "Austin," and others. Such names were at present on the register as trade-marks. He pointed out that the weakest point in the applicants' case was that the mark had crly been used by them since 1915. When once it was established that theerione had become distinctive, however, the fact that it had achieved that within a short time ought not to prevent its registration. Lord Justice Scrutton dissenteu, and said that the Trade-Marks Act, 1905, by Section 9 required that a registerable trado-mark should contain one of certain matters mentioned in the first four sections, which expressly excluded a surname, or by sub-section 5 "any other distinctive mark "—that was "a mark adapted to distinguish the goods of the proptietor of the trade-mark from those of otter persons. Mr. Justice Eve concurred with the decision of the Master of the Rolls. He laid down inter alia the question of the class of goods of which the mark was distinctive and the way in which it was used in connection with them; whether they were goods in which the mark was a permanent feature; whether there were any circumstances calculated to induce the belief that the present distinctiveness was due to temporary or exceptional causes; whether registration would tend to. protect the public from imposition or the reverse.
His Lordship said that he could not help thinking that in some of the reported cases too much had been made of what he had spoken of as the characteris c26
tics of the name. The question whether a name was a very unusual or a common one would obviously be a material one on an application to register a surname unsupported by evidence of distinctiveness due to actual user; but where distinctiveness by user had once been established, the question whether the name was a common one or not ceased to be a factor of outstanding importance, and fell back to the level a the other factors to be taken into consideration. Hia Lordship said that the circumstances which existed pointed strongly in favour of permitting registration.
Petrol Control Facts and Figures.
In the House of Commons last week, Mr. Bridgeman, in reply to questions from Major Blair, said that the amount received by the Petrol Control Department as motor-spirit licence duty in February, 1919, was £71,859 4s. 9d. The number of the staff was 439, and their salaries amounted to £3,993. By March 14th, the staff had been reduced to 382.
Tilling's Report.
The report of the directors of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., for the year ended December 31st, 1918, shows a profit for the year of £93,875, which, added to the amount brought forward from the previous year, viz., £41,766, makes a total of £135,641. The dividend on the preference shares for the half-year ended December 31st, 1918, absorbed £8,250. A dividend of 15 per cent. (less tax) is to be paid on the ordinary shares for the year, which will amount to £22,451; thi• will entitle the income debenture etockholdera to additional interest at the rate of 2iper cent, for the year, viz., £5,537. It is also proposed that a further sum o! £5,000 be placed to the special reserve fund for properties, investments, etc., and that £2,000 be added to the Ordinary reserve fund. The appropriations mentioned 'amount to £43,237, leaving a balance of £71,332 to be carried forward, subject to any liability there may be for excess profits duty.
Road Transport Whitley Council.
The first meeting of the Joint Industrial Council for the road transport industry was held in the Council Chamber, Middlesex County Council, Middlesex Guildhall, Westminster, S.W. 1, on March 11th, under the chairmanship of Mr. G. J. Wardle, C.H., M.P., Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour.
The following were appointed Officers of the Council :—Mr. (1. A. Dutfield, J.P. (National Alliance of Commercial Road Transport Associations and Federations), chairman; Mr: E. Bevin (National Transport Workers Federation) vicechairman ; and Mr. G. T. Tuke (National Union of Horse and Motor Vehicle Owners Associations) treasurer. The joint secretaries are :—Mr. F. G. Bristow (General Secretary to the Motor Transport Employers Federation), 83. call Mall, London, S.W. 1, and Mr. E. J. Maynard (National Transport Workers Federation), 8, St. Martinis Place, W.C.
Motor Vehicle Insurance.
A large sum has been expended by Thomas Tilling, Ltd., since the business was formed 73 years ago, on premiums for insurance of various kinds, and after careful consideration of the results it has been decided in the interests.of the company to establish a small private company for insurance purposes. Thus in December lust, the Road Transport and General Insurance Go., Ltd., was registered with a nominal capital of £100,000; 50,000 shares of £1 each (12s. 64. called up) have been subscribed for by the company. Although the printery object of this insurance company is for the purpose of taking over, the major portion of the insurance hitherto placed outside, it is not intended that its activities should necessarily be so restricted.
French Agrimotor Trials.
Lnportant agrimotor trials will be held at Saint-Germain, near Paris, from March 30th to April 6th. These trials are being conducted by the French Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industries, the Ministry of Reconstruction, together with the recently formed Chambre Syndicale de la Motorculture. It is declared that these trials will be the only official ones to be held in France. In all about 60 firms are
entered in these trials. England is directly represented by the Austin, and has indirect representation in a machine built by the Paris General Omnibus Co. under Sa.underson licence. It is evident that French motorcar firms are beginning to pay a considerable amount of attention to agrimotors; thus in these trials there will be presented new tractors from the following well-known French factories :—Renault, De Dion-Bouton, Tourand-Latil and Delahaye. Besides these, a number a small French firms without any direct connection with the motor industry will be present. American makes seem to be in force, with the Cleveland, Rip, American, Titan, Pidwell, Case, Avery, Butterosi, Moline and Forclson.
Leyland Prizewinner.
Leyland Motors (1914) Ltd., received many hundreds of suggestions in connection with the recent offer made by the publicity department of one guinea for the best suggestion for the lettering of the word "Leyland." They varied from lettered drawings of lines of lorries carrying the individual letters to complicated acrostics and a device showing letters constructed from all kinds of component parts of chassis. After very careful consideration of the best suggestions, the design submitted by Mr. H. P. Button, 20, Crofton Park Road, Brockley, S.E., has been definitely adopted.
Extraordinary Traffic.
The appeal of the defendants in the case of Weston-super-Mare II.D.C. against Henry Butt and Co., Ltd., came on for hearing in the Court of Appeal at the beginning of the week. The C.M.U.A. is pursuing the appeal on .behalf.of road users.
Technical Committee of the Motor Industries.,
A very important agreement has been come to between the Institution of Automobile Engineers, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers in regard to the future handling of all technical matters connected with the automobile industry and the relations between the industry and the British Engineering Standards Association.
It will be renaembered that in 1917 the Technic.al Committee of the motor industries was founded by the Institution of Automobile Engineers and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders as an administrative body to consider mattera in connection with standardization, research, etc., and to co-ordinate investigation in connection therewith. By the arrangement just come to this committee will be disbanded and the functions exercised by it will in future be carried out by a technical committee appointed by the A.B.M.A.M.
The latter body was, of course, formed to look after the commercial interests of the British automobile building firms, and it has therefore agreed to conditions which will ensure that the technical qualifications of that committee shall be properly safeguarded. One of these conditions is that not only shall a preponderance of the members of the Technical Committee be full members of the Institution of Automobile Engineers but the A.B.M.A.M, will also appoint to that committee a certain number of members actnally nominated by the institution; further, the Standards Association havo independent representation on the Automobile Sub-committees of that Association.
In future therefore all technical matters relating to the industry should be referred to the Technical Committee of the Association of British Motor and Allied Manufacturers, 39, St. James's Street, London, s.w. 1, which will form the only means of communication between the industry and the British Engineering Standards Association, the latter body being, as before, solely responsible for the issue of all standards and for seeing
that all other industries interested in any standardization put forward shall be consulted.
The agreement come to by these three important bodies should result in much useful work and in the entire avoidance of all overlapping which has been so common in the past, while outside bodies will now know what Committee is competent to speak for the industry as a whole.
• Experimental Roads.
In 1915 a number of trial sections, comprising various methods of road C st ruct o n, were laid on the Great North Road, near Dunblane, Perthshire. The report of the results has now been issued, and it is interesting to note that the Mexican bituminous materials, fluxphalte. and raexphalte, have emerged most creditably from the test.
Section No. El, which was of tar macadam construction, with the surface sealed with fluxphalto, cost only 26.20d. for construct,ion and maintenance for 4 years per super. yard, and it is estimated that the further life of the section will he four years. In the report on the system and the cund:tion of the aeation at the end of 4 years, it is stated that there is a smooth, clean, non-slippery surface, with an absence of waves or corrugations and the contour is almost unaffected by attrition or disintegration. The system is voted excellent and suitable for main road traffic.
Another section, comprising macadam grouted with a mixture of 80 per cent. mexphalte and 20 per cent. flaaphalte, cost 27.52d., including 3i years' maintenance, per super. yard, an the estimated farther life is another three years. Here, again, the report describes the system as excellent and suitable for main road traffic under all conditions, as it gives a smooth, non-slippery surface, which is not affected by atmospheric changes, coupled with an absence of waves and corrugations.
In connection with the agrimoter trials to be held next September by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Mn H. Scott Hall has been appointed organizer, and Mr. G. W. Watson consulting engineer.
Aircraft Erecting Shop Becomes an Auction Depot
One of the largest aircraft erecting shops of the Grahame-White Aviation Co., Ltd., of the London Aerodrome, Hendon, has lately been converted into an auction room. It is intended to hold weekly sales of motor vehicles, the first sale having been arranged for Tuesday, April let, when a large number of American Army vehicles will be offered to the
For the convenience of intending buyers, steps have been taken to inaugurate a special service of chars-S'sbanes between the auction room and Golder's Green Tube station; the first of these will leave the latter place at about.; ten o'clock.
The nom itself is commodious, and its substantial construction assures that those within shall be protected from the elements. What was formerly the shop office—a large, enclosed gallery, traversina one end' of the building—hoe been adapted to the purpose of a refreshment room, and meals will be available for those of the public attending the sale.
At the time of our visit last week, 70 or 80 Ford vans and ambulances had already been aligned in the building. Among other commercial vehicles to be sold next Tuesday are a batch of 33 brand new A.E.C. lorries and a few Ford one-tonners.
Owners of taxicabs are now licensed to obtain as much petrol as they desire to use in their vehicles.
It is with deep regret that we hear of the death of Mr. Arthur K. Connolly, a director of J. W. and T. Connolly, Ltd., Wharfdale Road, King's Cross, N., which has occurred after a long illness Lancashire County Council is claiming "extraordinary expenses" from the British Electric Traction Co., Ltd. (Boxrow-in-Furness Tramways), in respect of road damage caused by motor omnibus services.
Wheel Paddle-boxing.
A method that is occasionally adopted in the coachbnilding shops of Leyland Motors (1914), Ltd., to meet the requirements of certain classes of users, so far as flat platform bodies are concerned, is shown in the accompanying illustration. The machine in question is one of the well-known " Gr " type Leylands—a type, by the way, which has rendered efficient service for the Royal Air Eorce—and is a recent delivery to the Belfast, branch of the Wigan Coal and Iron Co. It is expressly designed for the carriage of sacks of coal or other similar loads, for which it was thought necessary to secure as low a loading platform as possible. It will bo-observed that this end has been met oy paddle-boxing the wheels. The reduction in the height of the platform by this construction is slightly over 7 ins. It certainly appears to us to be a neat method of meeting special requirements.
Shortage of Taxicabs,
Mr. Shortt, replying to Sir R. P. Goff, said it was a fact that there was a large ntunbor of cabs lying idle awaiting overhaul, but nothing was known of there being-any immediately available for licensing. If so, the owners had only to present theni for the purpose, and if found fit they would be licensed at once. ft was believed that there was at the moment a considerable number of lidensed drivers who were unable to find eabs to drive, but this was not due to any desire on the part of the Commissioner to limit the number of cabs licensed. On the contrary, he was prepared to license any number that might be presented provided they were fit for public service.
.Preventing Mud-splashing.
In the past a number of devices have been subiected to lengthy test and trial with a view to preventing mud-splashing, but almost without exception such devices have proved in the long run to be
i inefficient n operation. Inventive genius has been turn eil to the solution of this problem, but up to the present time no satisfactory device has been introduced. An invention by Mr. W. Riley Myers, of Great Horton, was recently tested an a i
vehicle plying betweenGreat Horton and Queensberry. It is claimed to be a simple contrivance, and can be adjusted with ease to suit either heavy or light vehicles, at a very small cutlay, The device works on the hub of the vehicle
and' collects the mud as the wheel revolves, an apron attachment preventing, it is claimed, any possibility of splashing,
Motor Transport Amenities.
Sir Eric Geddes, GCB., G.B.E., M.P., Minister-Designate of the new Ministry of Ways and 'Communications, Mr. Walter Long, M.P., in his capacity as Minister in Charge of H.M. Petroleum Executive, Sir Albert Stanley, M.P., and Mr. W. Joynson-Hicks, M.P., will be amongst the principal guests at the annual luncheon. of the C.M.I.T.A. to be held at the Savoy Hotel, on April 2nd.
Burford Bevels.
A great deal of attention has been drawn to spiral bevel gears and to their use in modernhnotor vehicle construction. The illustration reproduced on our next page shows the bevel spiral gears which were7insed in a Burford twoton lorry built in '1913, and which have been running since that date without re newal or replacement. Mr. Burford is a. great exponent of this form of transmission, and informs us that it is being embodied inl.his new loriy.
Hove Watch Committee has renewed, for another three months the licences,. granted to Tilling, Ltd., for 48 buses.
New Petrol Rail Car.
A new petrol rail inspection car built to the order of the M.O.M., Railways Material Department, by the Motor Rail and Tramcar Co., of Bedford, was recently tested on the Bcdford-Hitchin. branch line on the system of the Midland Railway. The car had to pass a careful inspection at the hands of the district locomotive superintendent of the railway company and other officials before it was permitted on the line. The officials were dubious as to the manner in which such a light vehicle would negotiate the points and crossings, and the idea of reaching a speed of 30 m.p.h. was considered impracticable. The manufacturers, however, undertook in their specification to attain a speed of 30 m.p.h., and to accelerate to 40 m.p.h. under favourable conditions. As a matter of fact, under actual test, the average speed from station to station was slightly in excess of 33 m.p.h. The Bedford-Hitchin line provides a variety of conditions in a, relatively short distance, and on this account this line affords an ideal track for testing the capabilities of the machine.
We hope in an early issue to be able to give details of construction concerning these new petrol rail ears.
New London Buses.
It is announced that the L.G.O. Co. have now practically decided on the design of a new type of vehicle for London service to replace those already in use, and an experimental chassis will shortly be ready for examination by the licensing authorities. It is stated that it will be a lighter and faster vehicle, and will be able to carry more passengers than at present employed. It is said that in general appearance the omnibus will be much the same as the present type, but the upper deck vvill be extended over the engine, and the body will have perfectly straight sides, which will hardly make for improvement in appearance. The
power -unit is said to develop 35 h.p , and to be of much lighter construction than that at present used. A more resilient type of tyre is also -wider consideration. It will be remembered that we recently made editorial reference to the necessity which exists for better buses in London.
Inst. A.E. Meeting.
The ninth meeting of the Session of the Institution of Automobile Engineers will be held on Wednesday April 2nd, at the Royal Society of Arts, John St., Adelphi, W.C., at 8 p.m., when Mr. Carl Opperman will read a paper on " Electric Vehicles." Cards of invitation to the meeting may be obtained on application to the secretary of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1. A further meeting will also be held at the Chamber of Commerce Hall, New Street, Birmingham, on the following day, April 3rd, at 7.30 p.m., when Capt. G. Smith-Clarke will read a paper entitled "Some Notes on Petrol Flowmeters and the Calibration of Carburetter Jets." Cards of invitation to this meeting may also be obtained from the secretary at above address.
Hiring as Against Ownership.
Lancashire County Council has foa some time experienced a great difficulty in arranging for team labour for the haulage of road material, and at the same time the cost has increased to such an extent that it has had to consider whether other arrangements could be made. It has had experience of the haulage of material with traction engines under hired contract, and came to the conclusion that by the use of its own mechanical haulage considerable time and expense will be saved by this method of
traction. It has accordingly accepted tenders for the purchase of two motor tractors, two motor wagons, and ten trailers.
Vulcan Appointments.
Mr. Hampson, the managing director of the Vulcan Engineering Co., has secured the services of Mr. W. H. Hopkins, M.I.A.E., as works manager. Mr. Hopkins was for many years prior to the war chief designer to the Sunbeam and Arral-Johnston companies. During the war he has been largely responsible for the design and production of the world-renowned Beardmore and B.H.P. aero engines, and his services had been commandeered just previous to the signing of the Armistice for experimental work in connection with the Tanks. Mr. W. E Walker, who, with one short break, has been with the company for many years, -has also recently been appointed commercial manager.
Heavy Vehicle Licences.
The Highways Committee of the West Riding County Council has had under consideration the question of the licensing of heavy motor and ateam-driven vehicles which exceed one but do not exceed five tons in weight.
At present if a vehicle does not exceed five tons in weight it is registered as a heavy motorcar in respect of which a registration fee of £1 is payable. If a vehicle exceeds that weight it must be licensed as a locomotive and an annual licence fee of not •exceeding £10 -up to ten tone with an additional fee of not exceeding £2 for each ton above that weight must be paid.
The Committee recommend—(a) That having regard to the large increase in the number of heavy motor and steamdrivee vehicles under five tons in weight and to the damage which they cause to roads, the owners of sueh vehicles should be liable to pay an annual licence fee. That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the County Councils Association with a request that the Association should consider the same with a view to obtaining an amendment of the law.
Local Proceedings.
Sydney Municipal Council has in its cleaning department 11 petrol wagons and 6 electric lorries.
Lewisham Guardians are making in. quiries with a view to the purchase of a motor ambulance. They were offered a special constabulary ambulance for £350, but concluded that it would be best to get a new one.
Tunbridge Wells Council has decided to purchase two motor lorries at £300 each for refuse collection.
Harrogate Town Council has authorized the purchase of an additional twoton Austin motor lorry at an estimated cost of £865.
Knaxe,sborough Rural District Council has appointed a committee to go into the matter of mechanical haulage in view of the fact that the surveyor cannot get team Labour.
At Newport, Isle of Wight, Town Council a letter was read front James Thomas and Co., Ltd., regretting that they could not see their way to pay aaly composition towards the repair of roads carrying their heavy traffic.
In recommending a permit enabling Mr. Rowland R. Roberts, of Widnes, to run a motor omnibus service, the Laaca-shire County Council stipulates for a pay• nient of 2d. per car mile for main roads, with an initial fee of a guinea per annum for each vehicle.
The Wandsworth Ratepayers A8SOCiation has written to the Local Boroagh Council suggesting that having regard to the great progress which has been made in the motor industry during the last decade, the Council should again consider whether the annual expenditure on highways could not be reduced by the adoption of motor road sweeping, sprinkling and other similar machines. The Council promisee to consider the matter.
The Shrewsbury S.T. and Challiaer Tyro Co., Ltd., of Ardwick Green, Manchester, advise us that Mr. Birch, who -was well known, prior to taking up military duties, to a large number of commercial vehicle users in the Lancashire area, has recently been demobilized, and is beak in harness .with the company, looking after their solid tyre interests in Liverpool and district.