From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Minutes of a daily conference discussing the serious position of rear spring production and policy.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\6\ Scan143 | |
| Date | 9th August 1920 | |
| Hr/M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} 9th Aug.,1920. MINUTES OF DAILY CONFERENCE. 9TH AUGUST 1920. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Present:- Copies to:- Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Hr. CJ. Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} C. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ---------------------------------------------------------------- (1) REAR SPRINGS. The Committee discussed the very serious position that exists re rear springs, - that although for some months we have succeeded in keeping Woodheads going slow on the production of the present solid type springs it has resulted in disorganization of their works, and they are demanding a definite settlement of our future policy. At the present moment we have no policy, and are just carrying on from hand to mouth. The present design of spring in production is considered unsatisfactory for certain reasons. A further design, which it was hoped would overcome these troubles, has not given results expected, and the Conference are of the opinion that under the circumstances we should return to our pre-war springs as a "known and tried basis" from which we can re-start experiments. The direct result of this lack of a definite policy with regard to rear springs is at the moment holding up the Test Department, in changing over split springs and will this week affect output from Works to Test, as seven chassis will have to be fitted with dummy springs, unless suitable springs come from Woodheads within the week. The Conference agree that owing to this hold up of output Woodheads should be given sufficient orders to ensure there will be no delay in future output or in the changeover of springs. America are regularly cabling for definite instructions to enable them to proceed with rear springs. The Conference are of the opinion that the better policy for America would be a reversion to pre-war type spring. | ||