LOOSE LEAVES
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THE oil engine is receiving an increasing amount of attention In the private-car world and the capabilities of this type of power unit were strikingly demonstrated in the recent Indianapolis Grand. Prix, America's classic motor race. A vehicle having an oil engine travelled 500 miles at the remarkable average speed of 86.17 m.p.h., and a report states that this car, which finished 12th, did not stop throughout the race. The cost of the fuel consumed was about 10s.
This performance is a convincing testimony to the reliability of the compression-ignition unit and " proves that it possesses speed potentialities comparable with those of the orthodox petrol engine.
AMUSING. offers are sometimes made for ancient municipal vehicles, although it is difficult to understand to what use they can be put after 15-20 years of arduous service. The district surveyor for Hampton recently reported to the council that the offer of £5 for the authority's old Daimler fire tractor had been 'withdrawn, and he was instructed to accept a new quotation of £3 10s.
We understand that the proceeds of the sale will make no material difference to the-local rates. c18
THE trust' in the in'. tegrity of The Commercial Motor and the undoubted value of the information which it disseminates are evidenced by the fact that it is widely quoted both at home and abroad. America, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Prance, Italy and Germany— these are some of the countries in which motoring .journals frequently quote The Commercial Motor.
No other journal covering—or endeaveuring to cover—the same field .enjoys anything approaching this unsolicited publicity; yet another proof of overwhelming superiority.
SIR JOHN JARVIS, Bt., speaking at the annual meeting of the National Omnibus and Transport Co., Ltd., said that few people had any conception of the taxation load which a company like that of which he was chairman had to bear. In 1928, he indicated that of every £1 spent 13s. went to labour, 2s. 6d. for petrol, 2s. 3d. in sundry materials, 9d. in dividends and Is. 6d. in taxation. 'In the intervening three years this division has become even more unsatisfactory, and, to-day, the National undertaking is paying more than three times as much in taxation as it is in dividends. THE impending extension of automatic traffic con
trol in London is going to introduce many problems; one will certainly be the effect of pedestrian traffic across the streets which are carrying blecks of vehicles travelling at speeds which the authorities at present contemplate. If the blocks of vehicles be checked there is sure to be confusion. It would seem advisable to prohibit filtration of vehicles to the left at crossings and to prohibit pedestrians to cross except when walking parallel to moving vehicular streams. Until filtration is prevented such a scheme is not safe. In this country drivers have to contend with more restrictions than in almost any other, whilst British pedestrians have to comply with fewer regulations than abroad; an equalization would be no genuine hardship and would reduce the number of accidents.
THHRE are many interesting comparisons and con trasts to be noticed in factories producing commercial vehicles. One of the most striking i in the Pagefield works, Where what is claimed to be the largest air-compressor in the world is now being constructed. The diameter of one of the pistons is approximately the same as the overall width of the new 4-ton oil-engirted chassis, and it would appear Possible to pass the chassis (without wheels) through one of the compressor cylinders.