News of the Week
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PANEL FOR CONTROLLED ,UNDERTAKINGS
AT a joint meeting of representatives of the S.J.C. and controlled undertakings, it was agreed to set up a Controlled, Undertakings Panel Open to elected 'representatives from controlled undertakings which are members of the
seven constituent organizations. •
The provisional Panel, subject to re-election, comprises Messrs. H. AV. Hawker, L. AV. Gupwell, C. Holdsworth, J. F. E. Pye, J. Hudson, W. Donaldson Wright', and Major R. A. B. Smith, Mr. Holdsworth having been appointed chairman at the first meeting.
The purpose of the Panel is to deal with matters of common interest which are the domestic concern of the undertakings, and to take such action as may be necessary in regard to these, provided that no action be taken which affects interests other than those of the undertakings. It must also be kept within the scope of the policy of the S.J.C. Any specialist matters arising which come within the province of other Panels of the S.J.C. will be referred to them.
Regional Committees will be constituted by and under the direction of the P a n el and be convened by the secretaries of Area Standing Joint CoMmittees.
WHY NOT APPLY TO THE B.R.F.?
THE Minister of Town and Country Planning, in a recent speech, said that he was anxious to receive various suggestions .which would help his Ministry. So far as motorways are concerned, we suggest that he might approach the British Road Federation, 21, Southampton Place, Bloomsbury Square, London, WC. 1, which has for many years been advocating them and investigating other forms of roads improvement.
HAULAGE RATES FOR SAND AND BALLAST
A GREEMENT has been reached between • the S.J.C. and the Air Ministry in respect of the rates for the haulage of sand and ballast to aerodrome sites. Apart from these, the S.J.C. recommends that where a concern is responsible for organizing the whole of the transport for any particular site, it is entitled to cover expenses by taking a discount, not exceeding 5 per cent., from the appropriate rate.
We cannot reproduce the whole scale, but the following are the main points: The " fourpenny schedule " is for work within 20 miles of the home base. This _is, per cubic yard, single distance, pit to site:—One mile, 2s. 6d.; two miles, 2s. 9d.; three miles, 3s., increasing thereafter by 4d. per yard for each additional mile.
The " fivepenny schedule " is applicable when pit and site are both at rest 20 miles ffom the home base, and the rates per cubic yard are:—Single distance, one mile, 2s. fid.; two miles, 2.s. lid.; three miles, 3s. 4d., increasing .12 by 5d. per yard for each extra mile between pit and site_ In addition, empty running from base to pit or site (whichever is nearer) and from site to base where necessarily incurred, but for a maximum of one journey per day in each direction, is admissible at Is. per mile, in the case of both schedules, on the,A.A, recorded distance.
DEATH OF MR. EDSEL B. FORD
WE much regret to learn that the only son of Mr. Henry Ford, Mr. Ethel Ford, has died at the age of 49. We met him on only one occasion, and that was when he dug the first sod at the inauguration of the huge Ford works at Dagenham. 'He appeared to us then to be a most polite and gentle type of man. He will be a great loss to his father, with whom he has been associated throughout his career.
EXHIBITION TO HELP REPLANNING OF LONDON
AN 'exhibition " Greater London— Towards a Master Plan " is now being staged by the London Regional Reconstruction Committee of the Royal Institute of British Architects, at the National Gallery, where it is open for examination, comment, .criticism and suggestions. It represents some two years worli and may be considered as an interim stage.
The Committee is the only independent body conducting an organized investigation into the problems of the 'London Region and regarding it as a whole. It has proceeded without official recognition and has concentrated on the main lines of planned development without attempting to fill in architectural detail. In general, the Committee has dealt with trunk roads. railways, canals, docks, aerial transport, living and industrial areas and s open spaces. The exhibition will remain open until July 10.
R.I.A. AND POST-WAR ROADS PLANNING
J UST issued, the annual report of the
Roads Improvement Association indicates that the main roads built or reconstructed during the past 20 years continue to carry present traffic satisfactorily. Other roads in the older urban areas are deteriorating rather rapidly, but most of them will carry, for some time, the substantially reduced traffic now permitted without serious danger. The report emphasizes that the Association's activities are being directed to secure that all planning for post-war reconstruction and development shall -be based on a modernized highway system, it being felt that a remodelled plan is long overdue.
It is stated that a modernized road system should be evolved from a study of the location and trend of traffic, and its potential development, and include
provision for the transport requirements that will arise from the redistribution of industry, development of agriculture and the creation of new residential accommodation. The new works, it is added, should be carried out within a predetermined period on a defined programme, with, a clearly prescribed order of priorities.
MORE PRODUCER-GAS BUSES IN LONDON
LAST Tuesday 39 more producer-gas buses went into service on London Transport routes around London; 35 are already working-24 in the Grays area, eight on Epping routes and three on Central bus route No, 36, The full programme is for 550 vehicles, most of which will operate on Central London routes.
Producer-gas buses require refuelling every 80 miles. On certain journeys, therefore, it will be necessary for passengers to change vehicles a t convenien t points.
The buses which are being converted are the ST petrol-engined type, which seat 48 people. Because the power developed is less than with a petrol unit and is most noticeable in getting away from stopping places with a full load of passengers, and when climbing gradients, slightly increased running times will be allowed.
Special service stations are necessary to handle the stock of anthracite and to provide facilities for servicing the gas-producer trailers. These stations take the form of annexes to existing garages and 27 stations are completed, or in hand, in various parts of the Board's area.
" FLEET ORDER " TO SECURE VEHICLE ECONOMY
LAST week, in the House of Commons, the First Lord of the Admiralty; when aSked what organization was concerned to see that there is no misuse of either fuel or rubber by Admiralty vehicles, or vehicles employed for Admiralty purposes, gave the following information:—
" There is a special Fleet Order on this subject. Worksheets are compiled by the drivers of all Admiralty vehicles showing the journeys performed, the mileage run, and the amount of petrol expended, and these are examined to ensure that transport is economically used. Returns of petrol expenditure are forwarded fortnightly by all naval establishments to the Admiralty for examination and investigation where necessary. Admiralty contractors are authorized to despatch material by road only where conveyance by rail is impracticable."
EXPANSION OF A. SAUNDERS AND SON MT are informed that A. Saunders TV and Son (Harpenden), Ltd., has taken over the share capital of Thomas Rolt and Son, Ltd., of Harpenden. The new directors are Messrs. D. Saunders and E. B. Howes. The concern thus embodied has been established for over 50 years and runs a considerable fleet of horsed and motor vehicles.
LIGHT PUMPS FOR M.W.B.
THE Metropolitan Water Board is making arrangements to purchase a number of light trailer pumps, involving an expenditure of £2,750. •
GOVERNMENT HAULAGE AND HIRE PURCHASE
THE Finance Panel of the S.J.C. has again met the sub-committee of the Finance Section of the S.M.M.T., and explained the difficulties which may arise in connection with hire-purchase commitments as a result of the Government Haulage Scheme. It is too early as yet to assess precisely the effects of this SchZme, but the Panel will watch the position closely and maintain contact with the sub-committee, which shares interest in the financial stability of the industry.
FINED FOR SUBMITTING FALSE RETURNS
FOR having submitted false records to the district council officer, indicating that a lorry had been running long daily journeys while it was actually under repair, F D. Baillie and Co., Ltd., St. Andrews, Fife, was at Cupar, fined a total of £15.
The charges were that returns were submitted showing a vehicle to have run 407 miles oetween February 26 and March 4, 503 miles between March 5 and 12, and 165 miles between March 12 and 15, whereas on these dates the vehicle was under repair and not used for these or any journeys. The charges were admitted. A fine of £5 was imposed on each of the three charges.
"MAIDSTONE AND DISTRICT" DIVIDEND MAINTAINED
rOR the year ended March 31, Maid1 stone and District Motor Services, Ltd., has declared a final dividend of 5 per cent., plus a bonus of 11 per cent. on the ordinary shares, making 1I1 per cent, for the 12 months, which is at the same rate as for each of the six preceding years. A preliminary statement shows that £277,217 has been provided for tax, and £74,980 for depreciation and renewals, whilst a further £20,000 is allocated to reserve. The amount to be carried forward is £37,352, against £35,357 brought in.
STEWART AND ARDERN'S SPARE. PARTS DEPOTS
F ROM June 7, the main spare-parts 1 stores of Stewart and Ardern Ltd. will be at Morris House, Empress Place, Lillie Road, London, S.W.6, the telephone number being Fulham 1244. Spare parts are also obtainable at the following regional depots:—Morris House, High Road, S. Tottenham, London, N.15; Morris House, 543-549, High Road, Ilford; Morris House, Pinner Road, North Harrow; Morris House, 32-34, Brighton Road, Sutton.
BID FOR REPRESENTATION ON TOWN-PLANNING COMMITTEE
ENDEAVOURS are being made by the North-Western Area Standing Joint Committee to secure representation of road-transport interests on the
• various town-planning advisory committees throughout the region. It is regarded as important that, in any proposals for development, the fundamental needs of road transport should be properly understood. VAUXHALL MOTORS RAISES s162,000 IN SMALL SAVINGS A CONTRIBUTION of £62,056 was IA made by Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., to Luton's " Wings for Victory" week, in which the town managed to heat its target of £,1,425,000 by some £5,000. Although the company's savings group already puts away nearly £3,000 weekly through the purchase of certificates and deposits in the Trustee Savings Bank, it was decided to set a target of 45 per head for the " Wings for Victory" week. Within one and a half hours of "closing time " on May 22, £900 was required to reach the target. A works broadcast was made in the morning rest period, with the result that another £2,956 was subscribed during the next 90 minutes and the record was broken.
BRUSH CHANGES MANCHESTER ADDRESS W/E are advised that the Manchester W branch of the Brush Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., Petters, Ltd., and Brush Coachwork, Ltd., has been removed from Daimler House, Wilmslow Road, Rusholme, to Yorkshire House, 45, Cross Street, Manchester, 2.
MODERN LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
DAY and night shifts being almost normal to-day in all our factories, considerable development has taken place in connection with artificial light
ing. In the most recent folder put out by Crompton Parkinson, Ltd.. Electra House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.2, is shown a range of lamps from road-vehicle bulbs to electric discharge lamps up to 400 watts. Chokes. starting equipment for fluorescent tubes, Londensers and many types of Crompton reflector are also covered.
WHERE UTILECON BODIES ARE MADE
W/E are asked to make it clear that VV the Utilecon all-purpose body, which was described in our issue dated' May 21, is a product of the Cheriton Road Works, Folkestone, of Martin Walter, Ltd., and inquiries in respect of it should be sent to that address.
NEW ROMAC PRICE LIST IN a price list recently published by Romac Industries, Ltd., The Hyde, Hendon, Loudon, N.W.9. a wide range of V fan belts, covering a large number of vehicles, is given. Additional to this list is one dealing specifically with lighting bulbs, both for exterior and interior use.
PERSONAL PARS
MR. H. ALLAN has been elected chairman of the Road Transport Section of Liverpool Chamber of Corn. merce in succession to Mr. T. F. Hargreaves, who vacated the office on becoming Area Road Haulage Officer in the Midlands Division. Mr. Allan is Liverpool manager for McNamara and Co. (1921), Ltd. The new vice-chairman is MR. A. E. HANDSCOMBE. MR. R. B. STOCKDAT.E has been nominated to serve as the permanent representative of the Road Transport Section on the Commercial Policy 'Committee of the Chamber, with Mr. H. Allan or Mr. A. E. Flandscombe as officer representative.
R.T.C. TALKS TO A.R.O. ON NEW HAULAGE SCHEME
T AST week, Sir Alfred Robinson,
CD., Regional Transport Commissioner for the South-Western Area, addressed a well-attended Bristol meeting of the A.R.O. Western Area Committee on the M.O.W.T. haulage scheme.
In referring to the Control of Motor Fuel Order, the Commissioner appealed to the members to exercise every economy in both the use of fuel. and tyres, and thought there would be a still greater demand by the Services for those commodities.
In dealing with the Ministry's new scheme, Sir Alfred pointed out that it is the view of the Government that the scheme is for the better prosecution .of the war. He asked all operators, therefore, to pull together to make it a success, whether they like it or not. He also gave a warning that, owing to, the still greater demands for liquid fuel likely to be made by the Services, many vehicles would have to go over to producer gas. Many questiOns were asked relating to the working of controlled undertakings and to the hiring of vehicles, and most helpful replies were readily given in detail by the Commissioner.
; TURN PAPER INTO BOMBS ANY people are extremely proud IVI of their libraries, and numbers of them retain books which, although possibly decorative, are of little value otherwise. The paper thus immobilized could be doing much more in the service of the Nation as war material. Therefore, go through the shelves and pick out the duds. ROAD TRANSPORT OF BEER FOR THE SERVICES WHEN asked why an Order was VV recently made fofbklding the use of War Department transport for the conveyance of brewery products, Mr. Arthur Henderson, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, explained, in the House of Commons, that its purpose was to cut down the unnecessary use of transport. Arrangements have, however, been made to meet the needs of units and isolated detachments not directly served by N.A.A.F.I. .vehicles. The breweries concerned will deliver to the military supply depot from which these units receive their rations, and the War Department vehicles, which carry rations to the units, will carry, at the same time, the brewery products.
LIVESTOCK ZONING SCHEME EXPLAINED
LIVESTOCK-TRANSPORT foremen in A.R.O.'s Western Area recently met in Gloucester to consider a zoning scheme drawn up by certain of the West Midland Area collecting-centre foremen. The primary purpose of the scheme is to achieve economies in fuel and rubber, by eliminating part loads and cross hauls in the collection of stock from farms to collecting centres. The meeting was presided over by Mr. II. R. Grindle, and Messrs. E. W.
Watts; E. G. Oldham and R. L. Whiteley attended from the A.R.O. West Midland Area to explain the scheme in detail, and to answer-questions. Delegates also attended from as far afield as Devon and South Wales.
At the conclusion of the discussions it was the opinion of the meeting that support should be „given to the scheme. It was agreed to set up a small committee to go into the question of rates.
TIPPING-VEHICLE RATES NOT TO BE REVISED
AFTER making a careful review of increases in operating costs since October, 1940, tipping-vehicle owners in the Liverpool district decided, at a recent meeting, that the margin of advance did not, at present, warrant any revision of hiring rates. This was the decision of the Tipping Vehicles and Building Trades Section of the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners Association.
ROAD TRANSPORT HELPS THE MERCHANT NAVY
L'11031 the proceeds of the campaign led by the North-East Regional Transport Commissioner, Major F. S. Eastwood, as a road-transport effort to help Merchant Navy Benevolent Funds, 21,000 has been allocated to swell the Leeds Merchant Navy Week contributions for that pod cause. SCOTTISH BUSMEN'S WAGES: NEGOTIATIONS TO START MEGOTIATIONS between Scottish 1 N passenger-tranSport operators and the Transport and General Workers' . Union on wages and conditions for over 20,000 bus drivers, conductors and auxiliary employees are shortly to start. The Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd, and Young's Bus Services, which control 95 per cent, of the company services in Scotland, were not parties to the claim which was recently rejected by the National Arbitration Tribunal. The companies stated that they would meet the Union independently. The Glasgow District Committee of the Transport and General Workers' Union met last week to consider the report from the delegates to the national conference in London, when certain lines of policy were decided upon.
CHESTER FLANS FOR VEHICLE DECONTAMINATION
PREPARATIONS are being made at Chester for decontamination stations for use by motor vehicles, in the event of a gas attack by the enemy. Thus, it is hoped to cut down distance running of gas-infected machines. In order to provide this service operators are being asked to subscribe 5s. per vehicle.