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OPINIONS and QUERIES

23rd January 1942
Page 36
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Page 36, 23rd January 1942 — OPINIONS and QUERIES
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HELP TO FORM A DRIVERS' ASSOCIATION time ago I wrote to you abriut the formation of an association for drivers. Since then I have thought a great deal about this matter and read much concerning it.

In my earlier contribution I suggested that it should be formed by men in the industry, and not by people outside it. However, after surveying the problem, my conclusion is that we will have to-seek the assistance of people with high qualifications for planning the scheme and working out the essential details for what may turn out to be a huge organization. Unfortunately, at present, we shall probably encounter difficulty in obtaining the services of such persons

Nevertheless, at the risk of being criticized, I venture to suggest that those who have already written on the subject should arrange a meeting, and, with the invaluable assistance of the Editor, " Tantalus " and " S.T.R.," of "The Commercial Motor," should be invited. With good fortune, we might even obtain the help of such distinguished persons as Professor Joad and Mr. John Hilton.

Suggestions have been made that operators should be approached. Personally. I think that they are already too tied up with the evolution that road transport is now undergoing. They may later accept an invitation to co-operate with such a body as we are endeavouring to

visualize. R. ELwrcir. London, N.22.

ANOTHER APPEAL FOR STEAM VEHICLES

A S a reader of "The Commercial Motor" for the past r-k30 years or so, and laid aside by an accident, may I add my voice to encourage the return of steam transport?

I may say that I have driven both petrol and steam vehicles, so am not biased. Despite this, I thoroughly endorse the views of your correspondents, as expressed in certain of your recent issues.

My suggestion is that some of our experts would benefit by reviving the Clarkson coke-fired steam wagon with the thimble-tube boiler, which was described fully in issues of j our journal published between February and September, 1918. I consider that this model was years before its time, and could be brought up to present-day requirementsmore effectively than attempts at exploiting gas producers. Surely there are some able men who could do this? IRVIN HAIGH. Halifax.

GOOD DRIVERS ARE DIFFICULT TO FIND.

MANY will probably agree that the position in respect "lof drivers of good quality is -serious. I have contracts with the Meat Transport Pool and the Air Ministry. My business, like that of a correspondent who wrote in a recent issue of your journal, was built up by two sons who are now in the Forces. For their sake I would,like to keep the job going, although at the moment

I feel beaten. I have two drivers, one with defective eyesight and, consequently, almost useless in the blackout; the other a cripple, so unskilled that he crashes about half his gear changes. He is rough, bad tempered, careless and unobservant, and his wagon has to be examined for him. So far as maintenance is concerned, his only ability is to change a sparking plug. On one occasion he allowed the cooling water to boil

dry, refilled with cold and cracked a cylinder head, and I have to pay him approximately 2s. an hour foi his work.

I would like to meet a conscientious driver with some " go" who would take a genuine interest in the job. I would be eternally grateful for such a man, just for the sake of my sons.

With regard to spares, I have a wagon which has been partly crippled since August.. It is just limping about on local duties with used parts that cost double the list price, and I have been pesfering the Ministries ,since August 24 to obtain something better.

It seems to me that the conveyor belt that was recently mentioned is more like a concrete wall that cannot be

scaled. A.R.O. MEMBER. Ulverston.

DELAY CAUSED BY RAILWAY HORSED TRANSPORT

A FEW 'days ago I was instructed to deliver goods at r-k a warehouse in Bradford. That necessitated two loads, after which I had a large amount to do to call it a day. I drew up outside the premises, and lol there appeared from the delivery door the head of a large, complacent horse. I thought "Railways for a cert." and settled down for a rest, as I already had some knowledge of railway speed.

At the end of 20 minutes, by which time I could have been unloaded and well on my way for the remainder, I became tired of waiting and wandered inside to see if the drayman had had a heart attack. He was on his seat gassing away like an old washerwoman about the Russian Army. One would have thought that he was Timoshenko's right-hand man. He bay not have known what vodka was, but he certainly knew the qualities of beer.

All this is leading up to one point: How on earth do the railways make their business pay? If it were not for the Government's aid by subsidies they would crash. Anyway, next time that I am held up in my work by a railway cavalry leader I shall be tempted to shift his outfit into the middle of the roadway, so that he will '

soon have to move. L. HILL. ' Bradford. .

HOW TO ACHIEVE ORGANIZATION IN THE INDUSTRY

WE have no desire to raise the controversial issue " between those who favour a carriers' organization and those who would be content with an autonomous section of one organization embracing A-, Band C-licence holders, p.s.v. operators and clearing houses, but the letter from "Road Student," in your issue dated January 9, prompts us to restate, in a nutshell, the views of the former:— (1) The desire for a hauliers' organization does not involve any spirit of antagonism towards traders in general or ancillary users in particular.

(2) On the contrary, the closest co-operation with all with whomthe haulier has common interests is strongly advocated, e.g., railways (through the Road Rail Conference);. workers (through the Central Wages Board); traders (through joint committees, as in the case of that formed by the National Conference of Express Carriers); and road users (through the British Road Federation). In the case of ancillary users, a bridge committee or transport federation could be provided if considered necessary.

(3) The haulier has some commoninterests with each of the foregoing., but in no case are all interests common.

(4) The ancillary user belongs to a transport organization in addition to his own trade association, as a butcher, baker, etc.; why, therefore, should not the man who trade is carrying belong to his own trade association in addition to a transport organization on a wide basis embracing C-licence holders and others?

(5) In no other trade is a customer invited into the innermost sanctum; autonomous sections and voting arrangements are the merest camouflage concealing this vital fact.

(6) It is stated that the C-licence holder must not be antagonized because he is the haulier's customer, but (a) protecting oneself is not being antagonistic, and (b) the C-licence holder ceases to be a customer to the extent that he runs his own vehicles.

(7) The professional road carrier must never be in the position of seeing his organization advocating two policies, one of which is diametrically opposed to his own. No quotation from model constitutions, or reference to autonomous sections will hide the absurdity of the position; to the Government and to the public, one voice with divers tongues is a sign of weakness, not of strength.

(8) We do not know what battles we shall have to face in the future and who will be for and who against us. The haulier should have his own organization, strong and secure, and be in a tactical position to secure the support of its allies—allies who will vary according to the particular issue at stake.

Personally, I am convinced beyond all doubt of the

logic of these arguments. I cannot hope to persuade everyone to agree with me, but I do make a special appeal to all serious-minded carriers to give careful thought to the matter ,because it is their livelihood that is affected. All can understand even if they cannot agree, and at least we have made some progress if we understand each other's point of view.

G. W. QUICK SMITH, Secretary, London and Home Counties Haulage

London, S.W.I. Contractors' Association.

NEW GLASS SUGGESTED FOR TAIL LAMPS

WE have sent to you a sample of the red glass with which the majority of rear lights on our vehicles is being fitted.

This glass is most suitable to replace the plain red

glass (sample also sent) as fitted to the rubber type of tail lamp which enjoys a high degree of popularity in road-transport circles.

Knowing the great interest you take in any steps which will tend to minimize accidents on the road, we wondered if you would care to give this matter publicity in your journal, and thus encourage other road users to fit the glass which we find to be so effective. If the two types be compared against an electric light, the difference will be obvious.

We obtain our supplies from the Semnat Glass Works, 10, Quaker Street, London, E.1, which will cut any size

to order. W. H. KNELLER, Engineer, London, E.C.3. For Transport Services, Ltd.

[We have known Mr. Kneller for many years, and therefore attach some importance to his remarks. The main differences between plain ruby glass and that with one side "dimpled." which he recommends, are, we -find, that the light is well diffused over the surface of the glass and brightens this insteao of merely passing through it, the dimples acting almost in the nature of little lenses, whilst the surface will also catch the rays from the lamps of an overtaking vehicle. This is an instance of a glass which is more opaque giving a better result.—ED.] ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FOR THAMES TU N N ELS ?

WOULD it not be an advantage with regard to the " 131ackwall and Rotherhithe tunnels to adopt a oneway traffic system?

It appears to me to be a good idea, the only snag being

the longer distance between the two " pipes " on the Kent side of the river. If this system were to 1,n, adopted, a faster flow of traffic would result, and there should be less tendency to run tyres in the kerbs. The obvious advantages would compensate the one or two inconveniences, and I think that the scheme is worth

trying. ACLOLAD. Slough.

ORGAN NOTES FROM MR, LAFFORD: SUGGESTIONS SOUGHT

YOUR paragraph under the heading "One Hears" regarding my recent performance on the organ at the Kingsway Hall at the united meeting on December 18. much amused me.

It has been suggested that, should there be another such function, I should, next time, play the song known as "Roadways" also that entitled "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square." Any other suggestions from your readers would be very welcome.

London, S.W.1. E. LAFFORD.


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