C. M. U . A . Organization.
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Owners of commercial motors will do well to close up their ranks without further delay ; fresh attacks upon their forms of traffic are being fostered. We see no occasion for a scaremongering attitude, but we cannot ignore evidences of strengthening intentions to press the Local Government Board for alterations in certain of the articles contained in the Heavy Motor Car Order of 1904. Quite recently, we brought before the notice of the C.M.U.A. Executive a proposal that there might with advantage be a deputation to the Right Hon. John Burns, M P., in regard to the definition of unladen weight, respecting undulyrestrictive speed limitations in relation to registered axle-weights instead of actual axle-weights, with reference to greater freedom for the haulage of ordinary carts and lorries behind heavy motorcars, and about other matters of practical moment to owners and users generally. On that occasion, acting npon the considered views of well-informed advisers, the Executive of the C.M.U.A., quite correctly we feel sure, decided not to move itself. Now, although only a few weeks have gone by, the speech of Mr. Harcourt E. Clare, the Clerk to the Lancashire County Council, which is reported on page 550, has brought to the surface yet-another instance of the steady working of road authorities in favour of changes in the Heavy Motor Car Order which they consider are desirable from the road-maker's standpoint. This public expression of opinion, we feel satisfied, may be regarded as typical of the views of local authorities throughout the country, and steps must he taken to combat such views. Owners must give the necessary support, in order that the C.M.U. A. may be in a position effectively to oppose any drastic alterations, and particularly to prevent their being made retrospective—to the disadvantage of present stock.
We feel that we may properly impress upon owners, not only of steam wagons and tractors, but or petrol vehicles as well, the expediency of their giving support to the C.M.U.A. forthwith. We do not agree with many of the views of " A North County Member " (page 564), and certainly not that there should be an immediate and considerable increase in the annual subscription, but we do think that the membership of the Association should be augmented. It has increased, since November last, by the enrolment of more than 100 new members—all of them owners, but there is every reason why another 200 or :100 members should join almost at once. To-day's eornparative immunity from legal difficulties can only be secured for the future by the presentation of a strong front when opposition interests raise pleas for ad
verse changes, as will certainly be done to some effect either this year or next. Is it fair, we ask, that the great majority of owners should stand outside, saving a paltry guinea or two a year, and leave the brunt of the battle to the few 1 We feel sure that very little reflection will satisfy owners that their abstention is not reasonable, and that they will come into line with representative owners of old standing who already support the C.M.U.A., which body also now enjoys the interrelated and important backing of both the Royal Autombile Clab and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Although trouble with the authorities has not yet come upon us, there is every occasion to organize— organize—organize. A bigger income and an available reserve are conditions precedent, and we ask for that additional support which can alone enable the Association to fight and to win.
Reflex Lights.
We desire again to commend the matter of reflex lights to readers of this journal, in order that they may do all in their power to encourage the adoption of this most-useful type of fitting in any quarters where influence can be brought to bear. The reflex light presents, in a sense, a paradox, seeing that it is not a source of light, but merely a particular combination of lens and reflector which returns the rays of light towards their originating source. In appearance, these reflex lights are in the nature of the configuration which one associates with the glass in a so-called " bull's-eye " lamp. The accurately-cut lens has a disproportionately-long axial length, that in the size for an ordinary cart being approximately 3 in. long, with a face of, perhaps, 11 in. in diameter. The fitting, which costs approximately 7s. 6d. of this large model, and as little as 2s. 6d. when of bicycle pattern, has merely to be attached to the axle-tree, or other convenient part, so that the reflecting face points in the direction contrary to that of the bearing vehicle's normal progression. Thus, when an overtaking motor vehicle comes upon the otherwise-unilluminated farm cart, the driver of the former is made aware of the presence of the latter by virtue of the reflection back to his eyes or part of the light given out by his own lamps. In directing attention, therefore, to the report of the Expert and Technical Committee of the Royal Automobile Club, which is reproduced on page '58, we desire to emphasize the point that each case in which such a reflex light is fitted may prevent a• smash on the highway at nighttime for some driver of a motorvan.
Farmers and other owners of horse-drawn vehicles are inexcusably slow, in our opinion, in this matter of self-protection, and probably they do not much mind an occasional smash-up, seeing that they cariaustailly recover from insurers. In some districts, of course, exemptions in respect of agricultural carts mad wagons are notoriously dangerous, whilst many
counties have adopted no lighting by-laws of an adequate nature. It largely rests, accordingly, with those who own commercial motors to encourage the adoption of these reflex lights, in their own interests, and we trust that many of our supporters will do all they can forthwith to spread knowledge of the good points of these simple attachments, which, once they are fitted, cost nothing for maintenance.
Central Research Laboratory Wanted.
Two of this week's "Opinions from others" bear testimony to the interest which has been aroused by our leading article (issue of the 9th ult.) in respect of the probable support which would be forthcoming for a central research laboratory wholly devoted to scientific investigations connected with road motors.
The project is one which we hope will shortly receive consideration at the hands of the Expert and Technical Committee of the Royal Automobile Club, acting in consultation with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Institution of Automobile Engineers, and the Commercial Motor Users Association. There are, admittedly, strong arguments both for and against an establishment of the kind, but the case of a casein fellowship, in the University of Kansas, which is cited by one of our correspondents appears to us to be typical of likely benefit to the home manufacturer. No matter how wealthy individual companies or firms may be, not-inconsiderable and wasteful expenditure might easily be avoided, with all-round advantage, were a central laboratory to be adequately equipped and endowed.