OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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The Editor invites correspondence on, all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on. one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation, is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted.
The Small Bus Owner in London.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2120] Sir,--I feel I must write to you to express my grateful thanks for the admirable article dealing with the small bus owner in London, which you recently published.
When I remember the exaggerated and fictitious reports which were circulated about the Express bus, when my friends and I started running it, 1 can the more fully appreciate the truthful and reas-onable statements which you have been kind enough to make. I have also read with considerable interest your leading article on the situation, which, in my humble opinion, shows a complete grasp of the whole quest ion.
I am sure that all small bus owners will feel that they can count on fair play from your paper in any further developments which may occur.—Yours
A. G. PARTRIDGE.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2121] Sir,—I have noted with interest your recent articles dealing with bus competition in London, and although my buses are not yet in service, perhaps you may find Space for my views on the matter.
have had two Leylands on order since last September. They are of the latest type, with Dodson bodies, seating 22 inside and 26 outside, the arrangement resembling that on the S-type bus. In my opinion, the bus company would have had competitors long before they did if it had not been for the intervention of the war. I had thought about the matter for some time, and was induced to take action by the attitude of the inspectors of the L.G.O.C. in taking full particulars as to the loads carried in those of my motor coaches which happened to pass through London on their various journeys. I hope to have my first bus on the read at the end of this month., and will run it in the heart of London during certain hours. I am arranging a double shift of drivers and conductors, so that. the vehicle will actually be employed during 16 hours per day. This will mean wages for four men per week for each vehicle, and the full union rates will be paid. As to the combine wishing for what is virtually a monopoly, you might just as well say that, because Jones and Higgins have been in Peckham for so many years, they can apply to the Government for a monopoly. In my opinion, the great thing to attain is co-operation between the small bus owners. Each owner should place his vehicles on different routes, and, then, if the company attempts to sandwich our Machine, they will have to use far more vehicles for the purpose. If the small owners enter into competition amongst themselves, as well as against the company, they will stand very little chance of making a success.
I do not think that it would pay the small than who buys on the instalment system to run one or two buses under these conditions, as the £50 or so required each month for the instalments would beloo big a strain on the gross income.
I should at first be quite pleased with a small return, although I have no intention of cutting fares ; in fact, price-cutting would be the biggest possible mistake to make, as the small man could not hope to compete in this way with a large concern like the L.G.O.C., which could always lower its fares, if such a procedure were adopted. So far as passible my vehicles will be run from certain points at definite times, so that the public will become accustomed to them. I am not in favour
of continually changing routes, as, in my opinion, this will merely annoy intending passengers. The question of route numbers is something of a difficulty, and on my buses the destinations will be shown very clearly.—Yours faithfully,
London, S.E. Bus OWNER.
Excessive Fines in Bedfordshire.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2122] Sir,—With reference to the letter of your correspondent Mr. Monkman in your issue of February 28th, with regard to fines in Bedfordshire, we may relate our experience. Our driver was brought beforethe Bedford justices for exceeding the speed limit and was fined £5 for that alleged offence. This driver has been in our employ for eight years and had never previously been brought up on any charge whatever ; yet, on the evidence of two policemen, he was convicted for exceeding the speed limit—a charge which he denies. He was driving a 21–ton Thornycroft lorry with a load of nearly three tons so how he could exceed the speed limit is a mystery to us.—Yours faithfully,
POTTER AND CLARKE, LTD.,
Artillery Lane, London, E.1. HENRY A. PorrEn.
The Projected Haulage Trade • Association.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[2123] Sir,—I was very glad to see from the issue of The Commercial Motor I was reading to-day that the small men are plucking up their courage and are setting out their side of this case of who is to blame for the cutting of the haulage rates. • I have tried very hard to keep up my rates, and I am pleased to say that I have been lucky to be working for concerns which Understand that, you can't keep your lorries in a good state of repair, running well, and giving them reliable, service, if you have cut your rates to smithereens. And I have also been lucky to be working with a good clearing-house concern, the principal of which refuses to cut rates_ But some of the jobs I have heard about are disgraceful, and I think that if we hauliers had a chance of meeting now and again and of talking over this and other questions which affect us, we should be all that much the better off.
I noticed that it was said in The Commercial Motor that a good deal of this rate cutting arose out of sheer ignorance. That is so, I know. I found that out the first big overhaul I had to do, and if I had not had a good friend behind me then I should have been out of the business. And he set me right on costs and charges, so that ha did me a double service I think The Commeroial Motor should, every week, publish its table of running costs and standing charges, and rates to be charged. They might take up space, but they would be a godsend to the trade, because they would stiffen up the men who really do not understand that the-re is more to be provided for than petrol, oil and wages.—Yours faithfully, London. B. GRAHAM.,
Legislate Against the Careless Pedestrian.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR,
[2134] Sir,—I welcome the campaign which you have inaugurated in order to safeguard drivers from the recklessness of the average pedestrian. I feel that the influence which you can exert cannot fail to impress upon the public the necessity for exercising greater care in order to make the roads safe for all those who use them.—Yours faithfully,
STEAM WAGON DRIVER.