PRAISE FROM AMERICA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1024, 15 July 1930, Page 6

PRAISE FROM AMERICA

OUR COURTEOUS TRAFFICMEN What does the American think of our traffic men? Here is what Mr. J. A.- Ford, of Los Angeles, has to say in a letter to the “Motor” of England: “While taking my first drive a few miles outside of Wellington I had my first and only encounter with the New Zealand traffic police. It was so different from one's usual experiences with American police that American motorists will probably class me with Ananias for even relating such a tale. But it actually happened. We were rolling along at a speed of, perhaps, 30 miles an hour—and I was driving on the left side of the road where Americans usually have a difficult time keeping themselves when driving in British countries. “Next thing I knew I heard a police siren in the vicinity of the right rear wheel, and looked about to observe two officers with a motor-cycle and sidecar outfit. At the moment I could think of no traffic regulation I might have unintentionally violated. The officers motioned for me to pul! up. As we rolled to a stop the officers drew alongside, and the one in the sidecar did the speaking. Tipping his hat, he said: ‘We are very sorry to trouble you, sir, but your rear light is extinguished. Will you please stop at the next motor shop and have it repaired?” Such courtesy from traffic policemen! It was bewildering. Americans in the States usually feel that they are only dogs whenever they are pulled up by a traffic officer.

An American traffic officer is usually much inflated with the authority vested in him, and he takes delight in displaying it! It is little wonder that foreigners visiting America think America is a nation of barbarians. A New Zealander would certainly think so if he were stopped by a tralfic officer —to be cursed in the name of the law, treated like a worm under foot, and to have his ancestors compared with dogs and swine! STAINLESS COMPONENTS A BRITISH DEVELOPMENT The following article by Dr. W. H. Hatfield, of the Brown-Firth Research Laboratories, Sheffield, is reprinted from the “Autocar” of April 4, 1930. In the “Autocar” of March 14, on page 525, there was an interesting article dealing with the fact that Ford cars are now to have “rustless iron” fittings. That article should be read in conjunction with publicity matter which is to be found in the American “Saturday Evening Post” of February 22, to the effect that the Ford bright parts are being made from “Allegheny metal,” i.e., a chromiumnickel alloy which is made by the Allegheny Steelworks, U.S.A. In the “Autocar” mention is made of the progress made by Firths as regards the Staybrite "finish.” In this connection may I emphasise that Staybrite is an alloy steel and not a finish? Whereas the original Firth stainless steel used for cutlery is obviously one that must be hardened, and contains only about 14 per cent, of chromium, Firth Staybrite contains much more chromium, and a large proportion of nickel; it Is a very ductile material remarkably resistant to corroding influences, and is admirably suited to purposes such as the one now under discussion. Principals of the Allegheny Steelworks visited our laboratories in the summer of 1926, and I then had the pleasure of showing them my own car fully equipped with bright , fittings of Firth Staybrite steel (described and illustrated in the “Autocar” of July 30, 1926), and, at the request of the directors of Thomas Firth and Sons, Ltd., I explained the composition and properties of their special steel, which is, of course, the famous IS per cent, chromium, 8 per cent, nickel steel, a new balance of alloy constituents, discovered in these laboratories in 1922, originally produced by Firths in Sheffield, and since 1923 used for many purposes, including chemical plant and so forth. My car was subsequently seen by many Americans, including agents of Mr. Ford, as, indeed, were other cars which were subsequently equipped in the same manner. In 192 S I visited the Allegheny works, and also spent some time personally with Mr. Henry Ford at his Detroit works. I am sure that neither Mr. Ford nor the principals of the Allegheny Company will have any wish that the motoring world should not realise that they are indebted to us for initiating this tremendous advance. Incidentally, I might mention that I fully described our researches' in a paper read by me at a meeting of the American Iron and Steel Institute in October, 1928. COMPARATIVELY EXPENSIVE Some three years ago I also showed my car to Sir William Morris, who was much interested in the possibilities but he quite frankly and rightly said that he had not felt justified in increasing the price of his cars by employing a material which is in its very nature a comparatively expensive one. Mr. Ford’s enormous market gives him great opportunities, since his requirements for tonnage in any material which he adopts are so great In this country, unfortunately, the opportunities for such large and centralised tonnages have been non-existent. ,Iu Angola, Portuguese West Africa, there are now over 15,000 miles of good roads on which a speed of 60 miles an hour can be easily attained. They are maintained in excellent condition by the native chiefs.