Commercial Motor Users' Association.
Page 5
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Report for the Year 1909.
The Development of the Commercial and Public Service Motor Vehicle.
The Association has during 1909 continued its efforts to popularize and improve the commercial-motor vehicle, and the number of these vehicles in daily use has increased by close upon 6,000 during the year. There has been a marked development in the light delivery van and the motorcab.
Legal Assistance.
Fifty-eight applications for legal information, advice and assistance have been dealt with during the year in conjunc.tion with the Legal Department of the Motor Union. Fourteen of these related to points arising in connection with the regulations affecting the use of heavy motor vehicles, 12 to prosecutions under the Motor Car Act for exceeding the speed limit, etc., seven to extraordinary-traffic claims, and six to the use of bridges. Some of the legal points were of considerable difficulty, and upon them the best legal advice procurable was obtained. The Motor Union, on the advice of the Association, made the following grants during the year :— L9 5s. 5d. to Messrs. W. J. Lobjoit and Son; £,10 10s. to the Eastern Motor Wagon Co., Ltd. (in this case the grant was not taken by the members as they decided not to take the case to High Court); and 1:5 5s. to Messrs. J. Wild and Co.
Prize Scheme for Good Driving.
The Third Annual Good Driving Competition was successfully held in October. New features were: (I) a special prize awarded to the driver of the best motor omnibus paraded; (2) special prizes awarded for competition amongst drivers of Lacre vehicles for the least percentage of lost mileage; (3) certificates of commendation awarded to the prize winners and those drivers who moit nearly approached the necessary number of marks to secure cash prizes. The parade was held on the Thames Embankment, the total number of entries being 41. The sum distributed in prizes was 234 10s., and the number of prize winners 21. The police gave invaluable assistance, in recognition of which a donation of two guineas was voted to the Police Orphanage Fund.
Parliamentary.
The Committee has investigated every public and private Bill introduced into Parliament affecting users of heavy motorcars. In particular, it gave particular attention to: .(1) the Finance Bill; (2) the Development and Road Improvement Funds Bill; and (3) the City of London (Street Traffic) Bill.
As regards the Finance Bill, the Association has offered the strongest opposition to the petrol tax as a reactionary proposal tending to cheek the development of the proved methods of transport, and the Solicitor to the Association (Mr, W. Joynson-Hicks) was most, persistent, in his Parliamentary capacity. in opposing the measure. Finally, due to these and other representations, in addition to the abatement of one half, complete exemption was obtained for the year 1939 for commercial vehicles. The Association also presented a petition to the Cnancellor of the Exchequer, signed by over a thousand drivers of taxicabs, protesting against the proposed tax on petrol.
The Association was successful in securing amendments to the Development and Roads Improvement Funds Bill, making it clear that the Road Board could spend their funds in ins. proving and building bridges aim in acquiring land in boroughs and urban districts for constructing new roads. The Association presented a petition to the House of Coinmoos against the passing of the City of London (Street Traffic) Bill as drafted, on the grounds that no local authority should have the power to prohioit or restrict in the way it was proposed the passing of vehicles through its area, also that the rtquirements of through traffic would have to be considered, and as in all probability a Traffic Board would soon be appointed it was not desirable that these special powers should be given to a single urea. The Bill in a modified form has now become law, and the suggested regulations have now been issued, and are beim: considered by the Association.
Regulations affecting Motor Omnibuses and Motorcabs.
In March, 1909, the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis gave warning that in future no new motor omnibus would be licensed which exceeded 3 tons in weight, and also that he would require at an early date all public carriages, propelled by mechanical means, to be fitted with an automatic device to give audible warning when the statutory speed was being exceeded. At a subsequent conference, held between the Police Authorities and representatives of the motor omnibus and cab companies, the Association was represented. The omnibus regulations, when they were issued at the end of August last, had been modified to provide the alternative of axle-weight limits (six tons joint), for which concession the Association had contended.
Conference on Docks and Bridges.
The Committee has, during the year, had under careful consideration the question of the maintenance of private bridges and the facilities for the entry of motor vehicles into docks. Steps are now being taken in conjunction with other organizations to secure the introduction of a Bill into Parliament dealing with the subject of private bridges. A joint Committee has been established with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Traffic Rules and Recommendations.
The Association has issued, after consultation with the leading omnibus and cab companies and traffic authorities, a set of Traffic Rules and Recommendations. These recommendations have been submitted to the Metropolitan Police for criticism, and the Commissioner has intimated that he considers them suitable. A first edition of 15,000 ‘opies has been printed.
War Office Trials.
Messrs. F. C. A. Coventry and H. W. Wigan attended the War Office Competition for Light Tractors, as the representatives of the Association. The successful tractor was No. 4 belonging to Messrs. J. I. Thornycroft and Co., Ltd.
Central Committee for Road Statistics.
The London Road Conference of 1909 appointed a " Central Committee for Road Statistics " to collect statistics and to publish information with regard to roads and vehicles. Col. R. E. B. Crompton (Chairman of the Commercial Motor Users' Association) has been appointed Chairman, and Mr. E. Shrapnell Smith represents the Association on the Committee.
Honorary Members of the Executive Committee.
The three divisions of the Territorial Force in London are now making arrangements for the hiring of transport of all kinds for the forthcoming season, and, in order that the officers responsible for this transport may be brought into contact, with those who can hire out motor tractors, lorries, wagons, etc., the Executive Committee has co-opted the three officers commanding the three divisions of the Army Service Corps for London as Honorary Members of the Committee. They are: Colonel T. J. Kearns, Officer Commanding, Army Service Corps, First Division, County of London ; Colonel P. H. Dalbiac, Officer Commanding, Army Service Corps, Second Division, County of London; Capt. W. D. Hayward, Officer Commanding, Army Service Corps, City of London Division.
Journals.
THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR (weekly) and the "Motor Union Journal " (quarterly) have been supplied throughout the year, free of charge to members of the Association.
Finance.
The income of the Association for the year 1909 was 2341 Os. 6d., and the expenditure 2335 14s. 10d., leaving a surplus of 25 5s. 8d. The total balance in hand at the 31st December, 1909, was 2164.13s. 4d. A copy of the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account, which have been audited by Messrs. Andrew W. Barr and Co., accompanies this Report.
Membership.
The Membership Roll of the Association includes most of tho prominent firms and individuals using commercial-motor vehicles, tractors and public-service vehicles. A form of application for Membership of the Association accompanies this Report, and the Committee hopes that every Member will endeavour to secure an increase in the Membership Roll so that additional advantages may be offered. For the Executive Committee, (Signed) R. E. CROMPTON, Chairman_ REES JEFFREYS, Secretary. Caxton House, Westminster, London, S.W., 22nd February, 1910.