AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

40 YEARS OF SERVIC

16th March 1945, Page 31
16th March 1945
Page 31
Page 31, 16th March 1945 — 40 YEARS OF SERVIC
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

FIRST published on March 16, 1905, " The Commercial Motor" was edited for many years by

. Mr. E. S. Shrapnell-Smith, C.B.E., one ' of the founders, in 1904, of the Commercial Motor Users Association, which was for long the only representative body of commerical-vehicle operatZirs. Duringthe whole 40 years of its existence, this journal has been recognized as the leading one for the user and manufacturer of commercial motor vehicles of all types.

In that time " The Commercial Motor " has either established, or assisted in establishing, several notable bodies in the industry, including the Road Haulage Association and the British Road Federation., and, latest of all, the Institute of Road Transport Engineers.

, In our leader in the first issue, it was stated that we

. entered the arena determined to support the highest traditions of class journalism and to maintain ourselves and our charge in the front rank. It was also stated that it was a marvel that, in face of many difficulties —operational and legal—upwards of 3,000 commercial motors, ranging from the 5-cwt. delivery van to the 6-ton wagon, were then at work in the British Isles. "The Commercial Motor" was claimed to be a missionary and educative medium. The no-vice in the industry would be instructed, and we would answer the hundred-and-one questions from users and potential buyers; we would place at the disposal of the industry at large, and to the advantage of the numerous body of doubting users of other forms of transport, the force and iii.iluence of a well-conducted journal with no private interest. We would serve to hold the balance between the maker and the operator.

Early Efforts for Rubber Ecolkoray • Another leader dealt, curiously enough, with the waste of rubber, and asked why it was necessary to endure the rejection of at least three-quarters of an expensive material before it was worn out. This, of course, referred to the solid tyres then employed.

We also emphasized the importance of _cultivating foreign and Empire business, and announced that the second issue would include an "Indian and Colonial Supplement." Since that time the Special -4sues of " The Commercial Motor," devoted to a wide variety of interests and the world sale of British commercial vehicles, have gained a pre-eininent position in trade and technical journalism. They have been of equal value to the user and the manufacturer. These and the comprehensive issues dealing with the Commercial Motor Shows have proved of the greatest assistance in developing road transport to its present status and demonstrating to the world the capabilities of our designers and producers. .

We believe that the journal has more than fulfilled the promises made then, and, in fact, it has becoine an essential part of the industry which it represents, both as regards the manufacturing and operating sides.. To .thousands in both classes, the first thing that is said when a problem is difficult to elueidate is " ask 'The Commercial Motor.' ". This, whilst being complimentary, involves a great deal of thought and, often, intensive investigation, 'but it is a service that is given freely and willingly.

.

One 'Of the earliest. needi-which showed itself was for some system of calculating operating costs, and " The .Commercial Motor " Tables of Operating Costs for all types of vehicle—petrol, oil, producer-gas, steam and

electric—or goods and passenger-carrying and including hire cars—are in their 34th year of publication.

Our costs expert, Mr. H. Scott Hall, M.I.A.E. (S.T.R.), is pre-eminent in this held, and part of our service to operators has been to send him on tours throughout the country, delivering lectures on road-transport costing. The information thus given to hundreds of hauliers and others has been much appreciated.

Another essential need was to provide unbiased and aceurate test reports on many classes of commercial vehicle, and some hundreds of these tests have been carried out. The results of these have been published, and almost invariably the makers concerned have . ordered thousands of reprints for distribution to potential buyers. There have, however, not been wanting cases where the tests have shown up weaknesses in design or in various capabilities, which have resulted in the models tested being withdrawn from sale until such faults have been corrected. The Editor and technical members of his staff have even at times been


comments powered by Disqus