A YEAR AGO
Page 2
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[Extracts from this journal of the 2ot1t Augue3t, 1914-] "We have frequently been told that THE Comm:tour, MOTOR does the unexpected. We evidently did so last week, in believing that paid officials at the War Office are the right men to execute pre-arranged plans, and in realizing that our first duties concerned THE WHEELS OF INDUSTRY. That line of action may have been unexpected, but it was sensible. We fixed upon our own course the day after the declaration of war by England, and we have not delayed one day since."
"We now suggest in all seriousness that there are good reasons for the re-admission of steam to favour with the military authorities, and we take this view largely Because of the developments which have occurred in respect of 3-ton and 4-ten steam wagons fitted with rubber tires."
"So we are intimately concerned with many national and sociological aspects of this great business of war. Our men and our material are to grips with it, and will bear their part, we feel confident, as efficiently and as pluckily as the more combatant arms of Great Britain's defensive and offensive forces."
" Wa must scotch the scaremonger ruthlessly. As surely as transport is the •life of trade, we cannot 'keep the wheels of industry turning ' if we be distracted constantly with tales emanating from nowhere but leading to disastrous distress of mind. We shall have our fill of mishappenings, truthful and harrowing, God knows. We shall best be able to stand the shocks from their telling if we are not previously reduced to a neurasthenic state of mental ill-balance."
"Ono Hear,—Thatone of the best ways to help the Government is to do the best to mind one's own business— if one has one left."
"—That the practicability -of Government employment of the 28,000 pleasure motors so light-heartedly offered is an extremely doubtful one."
"—That many light-car and touring-ear manufacturers are already going to have a shot at the commercial v-ehicle, and that thenefforts in many cases will call for experienced guidance."