TRAMWAYS.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14657, 5 May 1913, Page 4

TRAMWAYS.

THE RAILLESS SYSTEM.

With regard to the statement mado by Mr D. Sykes concerning" trackless trams, Mr J. Longton, president of the iSt. Martin's Burgesses' Association, uifprraed a represents i.vo of "TLe Press'"' that the Association hnd sifted a lot of information, on tho subject, and after very careful consideration was unanimously of opinion that tbo system was totally unsuiteel to the requirements of tho district. Mr Longton said the railless system was not finding so much favour now at iloine as was at first anticipated. In 1911 over forty corporations and districts took up the scheme, but beyond tho three then arranged for, only ono or two others had .gone on and completed t.ackiess systems." ShclfieicT, tho corporation that rirst sent a delegation to the Coiitiaent to gather information, had not yet adopceu the system. Bradford, acting on the information gathered by Sheffield, has had tho system in operation over 18 months, and whereas a suipms was estimated, tho last report of tho Bradford Corporation showed that tho trackless portion of its system was the only portion which was operated at a loss. "Mr Sykes is making a great fuss about the losses on recent extensions," said Mr Longton, ''but he does not stato that these are doing much better than was expected by the Board; nor does he mention the fact that'the other sections of these tram routes are receiving considerable benefit through these extensions. The extensions mentioned by Mr Sykcs have no bearing on. the St. Martin's proposal- as the latter is a through service from the Square to the Hills. The others are mere terminal section of (routes, and these on all tramways aro the least remunerative. ":

"That tho railless cars require good roads is proved by the fact that the . Leeds Corpora tion is experimenting with, aud is in hopes of, perfecting spi - ings and shockers to overcoim* shocks and vibrations. That, tho cars have an appreciative effect on th< roads is shown by tho local authorities in England objecting to their runnin,'!, over thoir roads, by their as3dng for contributions towards the upkeep of tho roads, and by the Board "of Tirado regulating the weisht and width of tyres of trackless cars.. If the Board j wishes to test the railless system, why do they not adopt it for carrying mctnl from Ha'swel'.? There they hare all tho advantages clai-ired for such a system, and none of tho disadvantages felt by individuals. Trackless freight cars nire operating in yCnlifornin successfully in "the carrying of lime, and no doubt ccuJd be used advantageously in carrying metal: Thp Board' should not ask tho St. Martin's residents to pay for its experimental systems."