1930-11-20 — Page 11

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1930.

INGENIOUS EXPERIMENT

Motor Transport School for Police.

CAR EDUCATION.

Economy is a factor of instant, importance to every operator of flects of trucks or motor ears.

Therefore, when the New York Folice Department evolves a plan and puts it into practical effect with its large fleet of cars, whereby hali of all motor troubles are eliminated, the number of machines taken out of use for reconditioning radically reduced, and savings effected In parts-alone amounting to thousands of dollars, then that plan becomes at once interesting to fleet operators' everywhere.

Behind the spectacular results achieved by the New York Police Department lies the story of an ingenious experiment — an experi- ment which, fortunately, is readily applicable to motor fleet operations In general, and often without any additional overhead cost.

The key to the plan is so obvious that one immediately wonders why it was never thought of and applied before. The substance of it is simply nothing more than education. In 1928, soon after Grover A Whalen, then manager of the John Wannamaker stores in New York, was made Police Commissioner of New York City, he began studying the motor transport division of the police department. Further analysis evolved the idea that some plan of training and education might be ap plied to the 1,000 men in that divi- sion which would achieve at the same time both higher efficiency and re- duced cost.

Thus was born the Motor Trans- port School. The amazing results summarised above soon followed. A brief resume of the manner in which the school was organised, and of its accomplishments, will enable the mafor Reet operator better to cam- pare the problems faced by the New York Police Department with bls own problems.

The New York Police Department at the time the school opened used a fleet of 900 cars and trucks, ot

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which

were

approximately 600 Fords. During the first four months of the school the police garage re- ported servicing and repairing 2.289 cara, all of which had obviously bean withdrawn from use for longer or shorter periods while repairs were being made. A year later, in January 1980, after the school had been in session long enough to make its influence felt, the repair and service figures for the corresponding four-month period were only 1,712 cara-521 less than the year before. And the books showed a saving in parts alone amounting to $3,000 dur ing the four months.

.

THE CHINA MAIL.

Fords used by the New York Polica thoroughly. It was found that the Department, much of the Instruction students, by the time of the gradua centred on this motor and its, tion, were far more expert in handi- chassis.

ing a car, and far-more proficlont in The afx instructors of the school, Its proper care, than before enter were picked from among the officials ing the school. The surprise in of the motor transport division of, this fact la pot'so much the improve. the force, which controls all the ment, as that it was accomplished in motor cars and trucks used by the men who were already acknowledged department. The men chosen were to be expert chauffeurs-for every asked to rearrange their regular member of the motor transport divi› duties in such mannor as would alon of the New York Police De allow them several hours free time partment is madeshow proof that at specified periods during each he is already a driver of long experi- work. This plan made possible re-ence before he is admitted. cruiting the entire teaching staff without interfering with the re- gular routine of the department, and without additional expense.

Advisory Board.

The complete course of Instruc tion in the New York Police Depart ment's school now includes lectures and demonstrations covering the following subjects; brakes, lubrica- An advisory board was then form- tion, transmission, tyres, car. ed from among those outside educa-burettor, steering apparatus, cooling tors who had collaborated in the system, axles, ignition and timing. plan. This board embraced nine batteries, electric motors, lighta prominent educators from Columbla horns and signals, clutches, differen. University, New York University,¦tial, generator, muffler, wiring coils, Success Not An Accident.

the College of the City of New York, magneto, spark plugs, springe. The success of the motor traga- and from the municipal Board of wheels, bearings, alignment, body. port school did not come by acci

Education. This voluntary board chassis, necessorles, troubles and dent. Every step in its organisa-maintained a careful check of all accidente. tion and its subsequent operation teaching efforts at the start and Since the start of the school an was thought out with painstaking helped correct faulty methods. expert from the Ford Motor Com care, and with the advice of some of

The faculty was given its assign-pany has been in almost constant the best educators in New York

ments three months before opening | attendance at the classes, assisting City. Commissioner Whalen called

of classes. Each instructor later in technical instruction, advising the in distinguished professors from submitted un outline of the material classes on methods of economica! Columbia University, New York he proposed to give his classes, and and operation and supervising University, and the College of the finally before taking over the teach laboratory work in the shop. The city of New York, all of whom col- ing each instructor appeared before teaching is supplemented at fre laborated in the plan. The feature

the advisory board and his coquent intervals by showings o about it all, of which its organisers leagues, and delivered a sample technical motion pictures, and by are perhaps most proud. is that the lecture. This breaking in process technical lectures by members of the college, aside from incidental teach-continued until the start of the faculties of Columbia University, ing equipment and furnishings for classes.

New York University, and the Gol the classrooms, has not cost the

toge of the City of New York. city one cent.

Surprise Visits.

1

During this preliminary perlod the outside educators who were help. The fourth floor of the Policeing frequently expressed astonish Besides this initial supervision by Headquarters Annex was assigned to ment at the readiness with which prominent educators comprising the the school. This comprised eleven the policemen absorbed the rudi-advisory board, members of that classrooms and laboratory space, ments of sound teaching methods. body and the deans of the various with a total area of 15,000 square The policemen themselves developed divisions of the college make fro feet. A motor repair shop was inconsiderable enthusiasm about the quent visits of inspection to class- stalled, equipped with the complete

new institution, and now take dis

rooms. No advance notice of these K. R. Wilson equipment. Ford tinct pride in it.

visits is given. Hardly a lecture la párts boards, illustrating every part Students for the school were delivered that is not attended by needed in the new car, were erected divided into classes of thirty or some official of the city school sya- in the classroom. In addition, a

thirty five men. The schedule pro tem. At the conclusion of the class, number of cut-away motors and vided that each student was to re- the observer makes a complete re. chassis, rear axle assemblies, and ceive four hours of instruction on port, either commending the effec similar pieces of movable and ata- one day of every week for a period tiveness of the Instruction with tionary automotive equipment were of ten weeks, During that period reasons for praise or outlining how provided for the laboratory work. every principle and mechanical degreater efficiency may be obtained. Because of the large proportion of tall of the automobile was covered

TO YOU AND YOU

OWNERS

OF

CHRYSLER DODGE DE SOTO & PLYMOUTH

MOTOR CARS

IN CASE YOU DO NOT KNOW WE BEG TO

INFORM YOU THAT WE MAINTAIN

A SERVICE DEPARTMENT

SPECIALISING IN

HYDRAULIC BRAKE SERVICE

HYDRAULIC BRAKES ARE EQUIPPED ON ALL THE

ABOVE NAMED MOTOR

CARS.

CONSULT US IF YOU HAVE BRAKE TROUBLES

WE CARRY A FULL SUPPLY OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE PARTS

AND GENUINE CHRYSLER HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID.

REMEMBER

USE ONLY

GENUINE CHRYSLER HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID

AND YOU WILL HAVE NO TROUBLE WITH

YOUR BRAKES.

THESE ARE ONLY OBTAINABLE FROM US.

SOUTH CHINA MOTOR CAR CO.

33, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL

TELEPHONE 25644.

"The course of study," said Com- missioner Whales, "is as carefully planned as is that of any collego We realised that one of the funda- mental difficulties to be met in developing, the school was to me quaint the officers selected for lec- ture service with these principles of toaching technique without which the work might become more or-

ganised telling. Therefore, it was thene gears will get noisy, but still deemed advisable to call upon a when I rock the engine with the limited number of expert school men crank, there is a slight knock which to meet the dean and his assistants might become louder when the on- in group and individual conference gine is running at high speed. Can and to have them lay down certain

you give me any auggestions for principles relating to equipment, overcoming the trouble? assignments, programmes, record keeping and methods of instruction. These educators have kept in con- tinuous touch with the college and have rendered service that is not only a fine Index of their profes-

The car is probably in good con- dition and the knock is possibly caused by detonation, resulting from the use of poor grade petrol. Try the car with some of the bigher

11

"Look at that new

deep.

Buick pulling so easily through this sticky mud."

"Yes it must be a pleasure to own ‘a car like that to travel anywhere—with no fear` of getting in trouble."

ET behind the wheel of the new Buick Eight today. Head out on a road where you can open the throttle - or over 'routes where drivers of other, cars, no matter how costly, will not venture! Then you'll understand the reason for the confidence motor car buyers have in Ruick why thousands of dollars worth of Bulcks were sold before the car was rendy!

Buick with its tremendous horse-power, valve-in-head, eight-in-a-line motor, new synchro-mesh transmission, and its 37 other major features and improvements gives you -a thrill absolutely new to your motoring

experierice.

11

We have a car ready to give you a free demonstration.

The

BUICK 8

The Eights with Buick's Prestige

THE DRAGON MOTOR CAR CO., LTD.

Telephone 30228.

33, WONG NEI CHUNG ROAD, HAPPY VALLEY.

The four- and six-wheel single and double deck trolley buses, manu- factured by Guy Motors Limit

THE KING'S CARS.

Fashioned.

Other cars which the King, and Queen had in Scotland, however. wore their familiar maroon and scarlet limousines, which have been in the Royal service

for several

in service in many parts of the ed, of Wolverhampton, which are Why They All Look Old

World, load and unload their pas sengers nt the kerb. They сад When the King went up to Bal- thread their way in and out of moral for a short stay-his first traffic, and are neither an obstruc visit to Scotland since 1928-be tion to themselves nor, to other used for shooting, vehicular traffic. Moreover, they caterpillar tractor which

a new model consume current produced locally, newest form of "mechanised moor is the

sional skill and knowledge but also grades of fuel. The knock which or at any rate in the home country, peny." their fine conception of citizenship." you hear when you rock the car keep men employed in the power back and forth is in all probability į station, whilst the maintained load The experience of Commissioner

overhead valve on the power station helps to reduce Whalen with "New, York's Finest" the sound of the merely proves again that even "the mechanism, and is nothing serious, the price of current to private and finest" can

ba made finer. Since nor is it anything that can be com- commercial consumers in the city, such substantial economies have pletely overcome without setting whereas in most countries patrol has been effected there; It is reasonable the valves too close for proper to be imported, which, again, ad- to believe that the education idea, if operation. One thing that you versely affects the national trade applied by motor fleet operators might try is to see if this knock is

possibly in the rear camshaft bear- These are only a few of the res elsewhere, would work

Ing. To check this, bear down on sons which influence tramway au- equally beneficial, and

the outer end of the rear rocker thorities in favour of trolley buses scarcely leas starting.

arm, using the end of a hammer when they are faced with the pro- handle. That is, hold the hammer blem of replacing their existing QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

head in your hand and bear down rolling stock, but there are numer with the handle when the engine is ous other advantages such as:- W.B.-I would like you to tell me running slowly. Of course, if the a few things relative to an Essex Increased pressure as the result of 1923 or 29 model engine. This holding down overcomes the knock, engine is out of the car, and I in-you may be sure that the rear cam- tend to instal it in a boat. Or shaft bearing.is loose. taking the front cover off I find that the two centre punch marks on

changes perhaps

the cam wheel and crank wheel are

not corresponding. Should these marks face one another when No. 1

RATIONALISING.

piston la on. top dead contre, or The System To-day a

City Transport.'

balance,

Low maintenance costs, Increased speed and flexibility, Quiet and easy running, Lack of track upkeep, and Low running costs compared with trams.

years.

So familiar to the public, indeed, have the Royal cars become that motorists who see the King and Queen driving to engagements often ask why the King should use "old fashioned" looking cars, for their high, heavy looking bodies, wide wings and running boards are in striking contrast to the long low lines of the modern sports saloon cars used by the Prince of Wales and his brothers. -

The answer to their question is simple--the Royal Cars refuse to wear out.-

With regard to the latter, the

Six years ago the King and Queen, Guy system is particularly interest decided to replace their cars with ing inasmuch as Guy trolley vehicles new models, but, even when the new are fitted with an exclusive type of cara were delivered, they had a motor, which, when the vehicle is alightly more sedate appearance conating down a hill or when pull than other cars of the same year. ing up on flat routes, not only does The King and Queen had been so not use current, but actually

With the constant increase in city generates it and sends it back into pleased with the dignified appear-

should the piston be slightly pro- vious to top dead centre? What is the h.p. of this engine?"

The inlet valve should open 7{

transport comes, as 11 natural degrees before top dead centre, and

corollary, greatly increased traffic} the exhaust valve should close congestion, and this is particularly degrees after top dead centre. From the case where tram lines occupy this you will see that the marks on the centre of the road and where the cam and crankshaft timing the trams cause traffic blocks with gearz. should Hne up when No. 1. platon ja just before top dead cen- tre. In checking this adjustment the valve tappets should be adjusted as follows:-Inlet 004in, and ex- haust 008in. The rated horse power of the Essex engine is 18.5 and it develops 55 bhp at 9,800

r.p.m.

consequent delay to following traffic.

the line.

BEDFORD CORD.

Favoured by Ford Manufacturers.

ance of their former cars that they ordered the new models to be equip- ped with exactly similar bodies, and the cars bought then in 1924 are still in use to-day.

and.

Notoriety Hunters. Royal cars, it may be thought, lead much ansfer lives than the run- even practicable for a tramway But it is not always possible.or

abouts of ordinary folk, but this is far from being the case. They are manager to say "we will scrap our

Bedford cord upholstery, used in use every day, and although they trams" because so much capital is extensively in custom-built automo-receive the utmost attention In the tied up in the power station, rolling blles, is now available in four of the Royal mewe; when they are out "on stock and even in equipment on the Ford body types, according to an duty" the cars frequently aro W.S.M. I have a 1026 Chevrolet the tramway tracks are badly worn Company. It is used exclusively in

roads themselves, When, however, announcement by the Ford Meter", handled roughly. Notoriety seekers,

for example, scratch names which had only done 2,000 miles and the rolling stock is due for re- the cabriolet and may be had with initials on the bodywork and dam- when I got it. “In trying to maka It run smoother I put in a set of placement, the modern tendency is out extra cost in the town sedan, de, age paint and varnish. Then, too, lightweight alloy pistons. This for the tramway committee to turn luxe sedan and de luxe coupe.. there are at Frequent intervals high made a lot of difference to the ran their attention to a more mobile This material was chosen for use ning, but the engine had piston form of transport, and both petrol in the Ford, the announcement said, slap in one cylinder. After running and trolley bus systems are con because of its beauty, durability and 4,000 miles with the new pistons 1 sldered in this connection. Each comfort. put the old pistons back again system has its particular advan The Bedford cord used in Ford and reliably as the express itself. They it perfectly as before, Now, tages, but where the tramway sya bodies is a mixture of wool and cot Probably the Royal car mileage is when I accelerate the engine quickly tem is already installed the Import- ton woven with a cord effect. It as big annually as any in the coun- there, is a knocks like a loose big and aut question of retaining the power has an all worsted face, found only try, and the cars must never fall. bearing, but I have checked these station and the tramway standards in the finest Bedford corde, and Only outwardly are the King's over, and all are perfectly tight tends to Influence the tramway heavy woollen yarns under each cars old-fashioned. Under the bon don't think the knock can be in the manager towards trolley vehicles, cord. This type of upholstery, is nets are the most modern of twelve uming gears, as I have installed a which are as mobile within their soft yet cool in warm weather, cylinder engines, and in one at least, new fibre gear, and this did not fiz traffic routes as any form of Because of its smooth texture it la the new British Hosting clutchi the trouble. I understand that mechanically propelled transport. easily cleaned.

Codeyless fat Thortly to be tested

speed "empty" journeys to be made to Sandringham, or Balmoral, to meet the Royal train, when the cars must be there on time, as punctually