Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/205



Mr. J. McAdam. 25 August, 1831. breadth of wheel for any weight?—Yes, I do not think any increase of breadth would be of any 25 August, service.

Supposing two Carriages, cne drawn by horses, and the other propelled by Steam, the weight of the Steam Carriage being four tons, and the weight of the Carriage drawn by horses being two tons, which would do most injury to the road, provided the breadth of the wheels were the same in both cases?—I should prefer, with a proper wheel in both cases, the Steam Carriage without the horses, because that question can only be answered with reference to the wheel.

Then, in the case given, if the wheels of the Steam Carriage were four inches and a half, and the wheels of the Coach two and a half, which would do the greatest injury?—The Coach, decidedly, drawn by horses, though only two tons and a half, infinitely more; because I consider, that of all classes of thoroughfare at present, the Stage Coach, as usually la- den, does us the greatest injury.

Can you suggest any mode by which Tolls could be fairly charged on Steam Carriages, in relation to the Toils charged on Coaches?—The mode adopted in Coaches, of taking toll per horse as well as Wag- gons, has been found to answer every purpose, it be- ing, in truth, a penalty upon weight. If greater weight is put upon a Waggon, a greater number of horses are necessary to move it, and the parties bring the penalty in the shape of toll in their hands. This cannot be applied to Steam Carriages, and I am at a loss to recommend to the Committee any general mode, unless the diameter of the cylinder or power of the Engine could be taken. In the Metropolis Act of 1829, there is a toll laid upon Steam Carriages; any Carriage that shall be in any manner drawn by Steam or Gas, shall pay the toll that would be paid by any Carriage drawn by four horses.

If the power of the Engine is equal to any number of horses you only charge the same toll?—The same toll.

Then if a Steam Carriage drew another Carriage