WHEELS of INDUSTRY "The wheels of wealth will be slowed
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by all difficulties of transport, at whatever, points arising, as a carriage is -by the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—John B eattie Crozier.
RAY CONTROL FOR PEDESTRIAN. CROSSING SIGNALS.
Mr. Hore-Belisha at least cannot he accused of not harnessing the latt-t
scientific developments in connection with the promotion of safety, for he is now about to employ ray control for the traffic lights to be installed at certain pedestrian crossings at particularly dangerous spots. Formerly such signals were operated by a push button. Now, the approach of a person will break the ray to a sensitive cell, the current fluctuation from which starts the sequence of lights. The first example is to be installed on the Kingston By-pass.
Milk-transport Flat-rate Suggestion.
It is understood that, in certain districts, there is a revived interest in the question of a flat rate for the transport of milk by rail and that advantageous figures have been mentioned, subject to all milk from a particular area being carried by rail. The matter is stated to be under consideration by a local agricultural organization, but the proportion of milk producers in the area carrying out transport with their own motor vehicles would appear to make further developments unlikely.
Two Positions Available.
A good position with excellent prospects is available for a works manager with a London company manufacturing electrical and other, equipment for chassis. The salary paid will be commensurate with the responsibility undertaken.
The same company also requires a good publicity man, preferably with journalistic experience, to take complete charge of the preparation of catalogues, brochures and other literature. A fair salary will be paid, and the opportunity should be an excellent one for a young Man with suitable qualifications.
Letters should be addressed " Works Manager " or " Publicity," care of the Editor, The Commercial Motor.
New Speed Limits for Paris District.
The French Prefecture de Police has just issued an order prescribing the following speed limits for commercial vehicles in Paris ;— Vehicles weighing tons gross, 40 k.p.h. (24.85 m.p.h.) on pneumatics, 25 k.p.h. (15.5$ m.p.h.) on solids ; 64-10 tons, 35 k.p.h. (21.74 m.p.h.) on pneumatics, 20 k.p.h. (12.42 m.p.h.) on solids; above 10 tons, 20 k.p.h. (12.42 m.p.h.) on pneumatics, 10 k.p.h. (6.21 m.p.h.) on solids.
The order is to apply to vehicles circulating in the "agglomeration Parisienne." Now this may mean several things. Paris proper is con tained within a line drawn around the exterior of the old fortifications, but Greater Paris extends practically all over the Seine department and parts of Seine et Marne and Seine et Oise. Until the Prefect de Police and prefects of the departments concerned erect notice-boards, how are drivers to know when they are in the "agglomeration"?
T.U.C. and C-licence Drivers' Wages.
It is understood that the question of bringing C-licence holders within the scope of the National Joint Conciliation Board is included in the agenda for the national conference, next month, of the Trades Union Congress. REGULATIONS FOR DIRECTION INDICATORS.
The Minister of Transport has made regulations prescribing the form which direction indicators and stop lights on motor vehicles must take. The object is to seare that those on new vehicles after January 1 next shall be similar as regards type and position. Existing vehicles are not affected, nor is the fitting of such devices made compulsory under the Qrder.
Indicators are to be of the semaphore. arm type, not more than 6 ft. 6 ins. from the ground or more than 4 ft. behind the windscreen base, except in pillarless saloons, where the 4 ft. may be exceeded if the indicator be not behind the widest part of the body. For vehicles without electric light, the indicator must be in the form of a white hand.
The illumination must be amber and visible at front and rear, and the driver must be able to see that the arms are operating. Oscillating indicators and " winking" lights are prohibited. Additional indicators at the back may be used if they be visible at a reasonable distance from any point in the rear.
Stop lights must be at the back, either in the centre or to the right, and must show either a red or amber light. Duplicate stop lights may, according to the regulations, be fitted at the left of the vehicle.
A.R.O. APPOINTMENTS.
Following the winding-up meetings of the Road Haulage Association and the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association, held in London last week, a meeting of the National Council of the newly formed Associated 'Road Operators was held, at which the following appointments were confirmed : Major J. B. Elliott, formerly chairman of the M.H.C.S.A., was elected chairman, and Mr. R. W. Sewill, formerly chairman of the R.H.A., is the national director of the new organization. • • Mr. Clifford H. Gale, late secretary of the R,H.A., is now the general secretary of the A.R.O., as well as acting as secretary of the haulage section. The former secretary of the M.H.C.S.A., Mr. F. A. Walker, has been appointed secretary of the passenger section, and, for the time being, will act in this capacity to the 'ancillary users' section.
Mr. G. Hotter was appointed to the position of national organizer and Major the Hon. Eric Long, T.D, J.P., to be political adviser.
The appointment of other honorary officers of the A.R.O. has been deferred pending meetings of the Sectional Boards.
German Saks Jump.
During June last, 2,695 new commercial vehicles were registered for the first time in Germany, as against 2,046 a year ago. The new registrations during the . first half of 1935 totalled 14,098, an increase of 4,989 over the figure for the corresponding six months of last year.
Of the June total, 728 vehicles had a carrying capacity up to 1 ton; 554, 1-2 tons; 938, 2-3 tons; 318, 3-4 tons, 50, 4-5 tons, and 107 over 5 tons.
Tractors for Railway Shunting Operations.'
The London and North Eastern Railway Co. has recently ordered two internal-combustion-engined tractors for service in its goods yard, wharf and quayside at Ipswich. The tractors will be used for moving rail wagons and will enable 10 shunt horses to be displaced. The tractors will be specially adapted for shunting operations and will be capable of moving five loaded or six empty wagons at a time.
Big CIVI.U.A. Drive in North-West.
Mr. H. H. Lapsley and Mr. S. Preece, the new secretary and organizer respectively of the Commercial Motor Users Association, in Manchester, are actively engaged in arranging propaganda meetings. Meetings were held at Stockport on August 21 and at Crewe yesterday (Thursday), whilst others will take place at Northwich on September 2; Manchester, September 19; Crewe, September 26, and in Manchester again on October 24, November 21 and December 12. Other meetings will be arranged if required.
Special pkins are being prepared for a reunion of members in January or February next, to be addressed by Major R. A. B. Smith, president, and Mr. F. G. Bristow, general secretary.
Leading Remover's Death.
The death has taken place of Mr. Mostyn Williams, of Roath Park, Cardiff, a director of Messrs. Webb's Removal Service, Cardiff.
PERSONAL PARS.
Mr, R. W. Sewill, who has recently been appointed national director of the Associated Road Operators, has resigned his position as joint managing director of London and Southern Counties Transport Co., Ltd. We understand that Mr. Sewill will, however, retain a seat on the board of that company.
Mr. H. S. Pratt, 14I.I.T.A., whose portrait appears on this page, is transport manager of Philips Lamps, Ltd., and has 40 commercial vehicles, as well as 120 cars, in his charge. The company's extensive road-transport organization is described elsewhere in this issue.
Mr, Pratt will be remembered by maity of our readers as the general manager and engineer of Pullman Lounge Coaches, Ltd., Yarmouth, for a number of years, a position which he relinquished late in 1933, when the company was taken over by the Eastern Counties Omnibus Co., Ltd. During the war he served for three years with the R.A.S.C., M.T. Despite the complexity of the coaching business, Mr. Pratt finds the organization of a big goods-transport system to be even more interesting.
Motors Lead in Transport of Perishable Goods.
In his annual report, Manchester Corporation's market superintendent, Mr. Austin Chadwick, gives an analysis of the weight of perishable goods dealt with at the municipal cold stores and brought in by road and rail respectively.
As regards the Elm Street cold store, the tonnage received by road transport was 7,188 (65 per cent.) and by rail 3,983 (35 per cent.), deliveries being 494 and 501 per cent. respectively.
Motor vehicles brought into the Smithfield cold store 1,685 tons (74 per cent.), and the railways 591 tons (26 per cent.), road deliveries accounting for 28 tons (55 per cent.) and -railway 23 tons (45 per cent.). YORKSHIRE BOARD SUPPORTS NATIONAL AGREEMENT. .
Following its inconclusive meeting earlier in the month—adjourned at the request of the Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association, which desired to consult its members as to the policy to be pursued by the organization—the Yorkshire Joint Conciliation Board met again, in Leeds, last week, to consider the question of a permanent settlement of wages and conditions in Yorkshire.
After the meeting, at which representatives of employers and workers signed an agreement ensuring the support of organizations on both sides for the wages outlined in the National Board's report and awarded by the general purposes committee, in May, a statement was issued.
The Yorkshire Board's statement declares : " Test cases have already been held in the Industrial Court, and, in each instance, the court has decided to recognize only the wages and conditions agreed by the respective Joint Conciliation Board, which, therefore, makes these Board's decisions binding on all operators."
Death of a Portsmouth Transport Pioneer.
The death has occurred, at the age of 76, of Mr. Augustus Burnett, the proprietor of the Southsea Royal Blue Parlour Coaches, of Southsea. In 1900, he commenced business as a haulage contractor, using horses for the, purpose, but in 1910 he purchased what was said to be the first petrol-driven lorry to be used in the city of Portsmouth. It was in 1919 that he entered the coaching business. He will also be remembered as the senior partner of Messrs. A. Burnett and Sons, flour carriers and warehousemen.
Mr. Riches Recommends Shetland for Concession.
At Lerwick, Shetland, the Northern Scotland Licensing Authority, Mr. Henry Riches, advised operators in their own interests to apply to the Scottish Conciliation Board to have Shetland scheduled as a rural area.
Mr. Riches said that he had received complaints that certain licence-holders were not observing standard wages and conditions of employment. Having regard to the complaints made to him, it was important for operators to apply to the Board in order to have Shetland ranked as a rural area. Arising out of Mr. Riches' remarks, k meeting of employers was held, when it was decided to call a conference for yesterday (August 29) to consider the position of Shetland, where, it is claimed, conditions differ entirely from those prevailing in other parts of Scotland.
New Ulster Regulations for Carriers.
The Northern Ireland Ministry of Home Affairs has issued regulations, which will come into force on September 1, for the licensing of carriers within the Belfast and Londonderry county borough areas. Under the al.8 Road and Railway (Northern Ireland) Act, 1935, the new Transport Board has no power to acquire businesses carried on wholly within these areas.
The new regulations state that each application for a licence must state how long the applicant has operated in the county borough and the number of vehicles run. The fee for each licence is 5s. The Ministry has power to revoke any licence, should it be proved that the licence has been obtained by misrepresentation, or should the licensee be convicted of an offence under the Act or regulations made under it.
Representation of Bodybuilders in South Wales.
An experienced sales manager wishes to undertake the representation of a large passenger-vehicle bodybuilder for the area of South Wales and adjacent counties. He has had a long experience in the industry and has done busi ness with leading operators, municipalities, etc., throughout this area. Other positions in the bodybuilding trade, such as buyer or inspector of bodies during construction, would be considered. Letters addressed "Body Sales," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.
Northwich and St. Helens to Have C.M.U.A. Branches?
Operators in the Northwich district are invited to attend a meeting at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Castle Street, Northwith, on Monday next, September 2, at 7.30 p.m., when the business will be the formation of a branch of the Commercial Motor Users Association for the neighbourhood. The chair will be taken by Mr. S. Preece, organizer for the Manchester area, and the speakers will be Mr. H. H. Lapsley, area secretary. and Mr. W. E. Harrison.
Another open meeting, to form a local branch of the C.M.U.A., will be held at the Fleece Hotel, Church Street, St. Helens, on Wednesday next, September 4, at 8 p.m. Mr. 0. Baker, transport manager of Pilkington Bros., Ltd., will take the chair. NEW FEATURES IN A MOVING. FLOOR REFUSE COLLECTOR.
We reproduce on this page a picture of the latest model of the Transport allsteel rear-loading moving-floor-type refuse-collection body mounted on a Dennis chassis and recently awarded a silver medal in connection with the congress of the Royal Sanitary Institute, at Bournemouth. The latest body includes a novel loading shield, consisting of a hinged extension to the roof, with two folding side flaps of ample size to prevent dust from flying during loading, even under unusually windy conditions. By means of a spring-loaded weight-compensating device, it is so arranged that it requires no effort to lift and automatically locks itself in either the raised or folded position.
When folded, it forms a shutter for the top half of the rear of the body. When discharging a load, it is auto maties,lly lifted in conjunction with the tail-door and loading-step mechanism, which is operated by means of a handle on the near side of the body, so that the whole of the rear is clear of obstruction. The Transport moving-floor body is the product of Transport Engineering, Ltd., 561, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.1.
Receiver Appointed for M.R.S., Ltd.
ft is announced that Sir Basil E. Mayhew has been appointed receiver and manager on behalf of the debenture holders of M.R.S., Ltd., the wellknown haulage concern, which has head offices in Liverpool. The present company, which was formerly known as Marston's Road Services, Ltd., was
a in March, 1926. It operates a big fleet, largely composed of sixwheelers and eight-wheelers, and has specialized in the transport of particularly awkward and unusual classes of load.
It is stated that the business is being carried on by the receiver and manager, and that no interruption in the "aimpany's usual transport services will take place. COURSES IN TRANSPORT:
The usual winter lectUres on transport subjects are starting at the Northwestern Polytechnic, Prince of Wales Road, London, N.W.5, on September 23. The courses for the Institute of Transport examinations next spring are as follow :— Graduateship Examination; Part I.—Elements of transport, Monday, 6.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m.; ele. nients of statistics. Wednesday, 6 p.m.-7.30 p.m.•, general economies, Monday, Wednesday, 7.30 p.m.-8.30 p.m. Part II.—One of the following:— al modern foreign language, Friday, 7.30 p.m.9.30 p.m. 0) economic geography, Thursday. 6.30 p.m.-8;_ .30 p.m.; (c) mathematics, Friday_ 7.30 p.m.-9.30 p.m.,• elements of the law of inland carriage, essay, Thursday, 8.30 p.m0.30 p.m.
Either part may be taken first or both parts may be taked together.
associate Membership Examination: Part I.— Rights and duties of transport undertakings, Tuesday, 7.30 p.m-8.30 p.m.; transport finance, Tuesday, szo p.m.-9.30 p.m. Part II.—One of the following:—(1) economics of railway transport, Tuesday, 6.30 p m.-7.30 p.m.: 113) eco-. romucs of road transport. Thursday, 7.30 p.m.8.30 p.m. One of the following :—(a) railway transport operation, Thursday, 6.30 P.m.-7.30 p.m.•. (b) road transport operation, Thursday, 8,30 p.m..9.30 P.m. Both parts may be taken together or separately, but Part IT may not be taken before Part I.
This year a special series of lectures from 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., on Thursdays, will be given on travel organization and, the sale of passenger transport. It is intended for booking-agency personnel and all on the selling side.of the passengerjravel ..business. The lecturer is Mr. A. Jenkins, M.Inst.T.A. An important part of the syllabus covers legal rights and duties of travel agents,
Watering Wagon Wanted in Egypt.
The Egyptian Ministry of the Interior is calling for tenders, which have to be presented in' Cairo by September 19, 1935, for the supply of a motor watering wagon. Those concerns in a position to offer products of United Kingdom manufacture may obtain further details from the Department of Overseas Trade, 35, Old Queen Street, London, S.Wi, reference TY5225 being quoted.
New A.R.O. Office at Hull.
The. Associated Road Operators, in the Yorkshire area, has opened its new sub-office in Hull at 13, Parliament Street, with Capt. C. Dawson in charge as secretary for the Hull district, There will also be a clerk in attendance at all times to look after the interests of members.
The organization has also in prospect
a new sub-office at Sheffield, as yet, this has not been established.
Coal-oil Investigations in Wales to Commence.
The committee set up by the South Wales and Monmouthshire Industrial Development Council, with a grant from the Special Areas Commissioners, to investigate oil-from-coal processes in the area is now to commence opera
tions. The committee, which will also take steps for the development of processes, will be under the chairmanship of Mr. David Roberts, the Cardiff consulting engineer, who has been president of the South Wales Institute of Engineers.
Its members include the president of the Industrial Development Council, Mr. George Williams ; Professor George Knox, former principal of the School of Mines, Treforest ; Mr. G. Seyler, the public analyst ; Mr. Thomas Evans, lecturer on fuel technology, University College of Wales; and Mr. P. Walker, chartered accountant.
The South Wales and Monmouthshire Industrial Development Council has taken larger premises at 17, Windsor Place, Cardiff.
New E.L.R. Depot at Oxford.
On Monday next, September 2, the East London Rubber Co. will open an extensive new depot at 3, Ship Street, Oxford, under the managership of Mr. R. H. Walker. In addition to carrying full stocks of the numerous lines handled by the company, the depot will hold a range of spare parts for engines and chassis. The specialized motor spare-parts department is a feature recently introduced at all the East Loudon Rubber Co.'s branches.
Burnley Workers Protest. .
Many allegations regarding non-payment of agreed wages, excessive hours, non-observance of regulations relating to holidays, and other similar matters, were voiced at a Transport and General Workers Union meeting, in Burnley, on Monday. It was urged that the observance of the conciliation agreement should be enforced.
The matter will be brought before the executive, sit being stated by Mr. J. A. Webb, area secretary, that, before any drastic action could be taken, this would be necessary, because disputes in that district would involve the surrounding towns.
Additions to the Douglas Fire Brigade.
Douglas (Isle of Man) Borough Council recently decided to acquire some new motor fire appliances and has placed an order with Merry-weather and Sons, Ltd., Greenwich Road, London, S.E.10, for several outfits. One of them is a motor turntable fire escape with an all-steel ladder extending to a height of 100 ft., the equipment including life-saving apparatus, telephone and searchlight. It will have a 400 g.p.in. pump. Another machine is a Greenwich Salamander fire-engine with a Hatfield 400 g.p.m. pump, 40gallon first-aid apparatus and a 59-ft. all-steel extension ladder. The council is -also buying a Hatfield 165-gallon trailer pump a.nd an Xaust-Suds foam generator for oil fires.
FODENS' TRADING LOSS.
The report of Fodens, Ltd., for the year ended June 30, 1935, shows a loss of 447,866, after providing for depreciation. Adding the debit balance brought forward, a loss of £350 on the sale of certain property, and £2,3C2 representing an interim dividend of 1 per cent„ the total becomes £65,477, and when £1,239 are credited in respect of profit on sale of investments, the debit balance to be carried forward is £58,238. In the balance sheet, stockin-trade and work in progress stand at 4123,078.
In the report it is stated that, although the general range of the company's products has continued to gi -a satisfaction, considerableloss has been entailed in connection with experimental work generally, and with a particular type of small vehicle. A committee of the board was constituted on April 16 for the purpose of investigating the position and organization of the company. In order that its recommendations should be carried out under the direct control of the board, the management has, for the present, been entrusted to an executive council consisting of three members of the board..
C.M.U.A. Activity in Macclesfield.
Difficulties that might be expected in obtaining the renewal of existing conditions on B licences were discussed at a meeting of the Commercial Motor Users Association (Macclesfield branch) last week. Addresses were given by Mr. W. E. Macve, area chairman, and Mr. II. H. Lapsley, the recently appointed secretary for the division. Mr. C. Lovatt was elected branch secretary for Macclesfield, in place of Mr. T. Forster, who has left the industry.
Mr. S. Preece dealt with wages at a C.M.U.A. meeting at Buxton on Tuesday of this week.
Show Stand Revisions.
In our issue dated August 16, we published a preliminary list of the exhibitors at the forthcoming Commercial Motor Exhibition, to be held at Olympia from November 7-16, and the name of Transport Engineering, Ltd., has to be added, the stand being No. 155. Due to the revision of stand allocations, the stand number of Chas. H. Roe, Ltd., has been changed to 92, that of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., becoming No. 96. NEXT YEAR'S INSTITUTEOF TRANSPORT EXAMINATION.
The next examinations for graduateship and associate membership of the Institute of Transport will be held on April 30, May 1 and 2, 1936, in London and at a number of provincial and overseas centres. Full particulars, previous question papers (price Is. per set) and a copy of a booklet entitled " The Institute of Transport Examinatious—Notes for the Guidance of Candidates Unable to Attend Preparatory Courses" (price 2s. 6d.), may. be had on application to the secretary of the Institute, 15, Savoy Street, London, 1.V.C.2.
Daimler Oilers for Overseas.
The Daimler Co., Ltd., Coventry, has reentIy received an order from New Zealand for a number of COGStype chassis, equipped with fivecylindered oil engines, and they will carry single-deck bodies; the vehicles are for service in Auckland.
Another order received, by the company from overseas has come from the Cape Town Tramways and is for 10 similar chassis, but, in this case, sixeylindered oil engines will be installed.
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named from August 30-September 7 inclusive :—Docres King George V. 6; Royal Albert, 4; Royal Victoria, 2; Surrey Commercial, 7; West India, 2; South-west India, 2; Tilbury, 6; Tilbury Stage, 1; Millwall, 4; I,ondon, 1. WHARVES: Hays, 5; Middleton, 1; Mark Brown's, I; Regent's Canal, 2; Tilbury Jetty, 4.
13.20