NEWS of the WEEK
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"The wheels of wealth will be slowed by all difficulties of transport, at whatever points arising, as a carriage is hy the roughness of the roads over which it runs."—fohn Beattie Crozier. ,
CODIFY APPEAL DECIS/ONS.
Steps are being taken with a view to securing from the authorities concerned a statement on evidence required from applicants to Licensing Authorities, and as to the general principles followed in considering applications.
At a meeting of the transport section of Bradford Chamber of Trade, on Mon.. day, it was unanimously decided to suggest to the national road-transport associations that a request should be made to the Ministry of Transport for such a statement to be issued.
• Mr. Harold Goodwin, vice-chairman of the section, said that the Appeal Tribunal had now given so many decisions that, in his view, the time had come when these principles should be codified. Pointing out that, this year, most A-licence holders would be called upon to apply for the renewal of their licences, Mr. Goodwin urged that operators should make an immediate start in preparing data.. With regard to prosecutions, Mr. Goodwin referred to the increasing tendency to hold an operator responsible for the acts of his employees, although the offences were committed without his knowledge or against his instructions. He hoped that the amalgamation of the C.M.U.A. and A.R.O. would result.in successful efforts to remedy this state of affairs.
Mr. Fred Pickering, hon. secretary of the Bradford and District Commercial Vehicle Owners Association, who, for many years, has been a Bradford city magistrate, said that he had never fined an employer for aiding and abetting an offence by an employee which the employer could not possibly help.
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He commended the leading article, on this subject, which appeared in The Commercial Motor, last week, and read extracts from it.
Special Motoring Court Coming?
There is a distinct possibility that a special court to deal exclusively with motoring cases will be established in connection with the Bradford City This new safety sign—a series of red reflectors on a white background—is being tried out by Pickfords, Ltd., and if the experiment proves to be a help to night drivers the sign is to be fitted to all the transport vehicles operated by the company.
Police Court. It is learned from a reliable source that the question is under consideration by the authorities concerned. It is suggested that magistrates sitting in such a court should have specialized knowledge of motoring matters.
" BLUNDER " QUESTION FIRE, In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, Capt. Strickland asked the Minister of Transport whether be was aware of the expense placed upon applicants for road licences by railway objections; whether costs were ever awarded against objectors who failed to prove their eases; and, if not, whether he would provide for this to be done? . .; Hore-Belisha said that the Licensing Authority had no power to award costs and he did not propose to . review a decision made so recently.
Capt. Strickland asked whether the Minister was aware of the great expense caused by objections by persons not concerned in the district'? Mr. HoseBelisha replied tat it was for applicants to make out their cases, and any interested party was entitled to object, .
Mr. Holdsworth asked whether the. Minister would consider amending the , regulations, as the railways were using their privileges for special purposes? , Mr. Hore-Belisha'said that if substans tiating facts were brought to his notice,, it would be his duty to look into the... matter. Mr. Holdsworth then asked Mr, , Hore-Belisha whether he knew that the railways were opposing every applica.tion without any question of principle? No other reply was given.
" Hercules Oil Engines to be Built -in England. ,
Ikrculee Motors Corporation, of Canton, Ohio, announces the completion of a licence agreement with Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd., of Lincoln, whereby the latter will build, in England, the Hercules range of lightweight highspeed compression-ignition engines, employing the Hercules patented combustion system. It is expected that Ruston and Hornsby, Ltd., will be in production with at least one model in about four months and, until such time as the British-built engines are available, the company will market the American units. The British-built engines will be known as the Ruston-Hercules type. Mr. G. R. Sharpley, managing director, and Mr. T. P. N. Burness, works manager, of the Ruston and Hornsby • concern, have recently returned to this country after spending several weeks in America.
Sales Organizer Available.
A sales organizer or manager with an extensive connection amongst municipal-transport authorities, big haulage concerns and manufacturers, particularly in respect of oil engines, is available for a suitable position affording good scope for his experience.Letters addressed " Sales Organizer," care of the Editor, will be forwarded.
MORE RESTRICTIONS ON COAL HAULIERS?
The Commercial Motor is able to state that further restrictions on road transport iii the coal industry are being considered. This grim prospect is foreshadowed by a scheme at present being discussed by various coal interests, whereby all coal dealers would have to be registered and hold special licences
for the carriage of coal. ,
The suggestion, we understand, is that no unregistered person would be allowed to take part in the distribution of coal from, the collieries or railheads. The main idea underlying the plan is. that the railways, which are among the biggest customers of the collieries; should be given a quid pro quo for t:heir custom and allowed to do the trunk work from pit-head.
The 'authority of Parliament would presumably be necessary.
Railway Purchase of Two Large Concerns Confirmed.
Recent rumours that a railway company had taken over the business of Garlick, Burrell and Edwards, Ltd., the big Liverpool haulage concern, were, as reported in The Commercial Maar dated February 14, denied by the teriipanies concerned. Now it has been confirmed that the railway companies and Pickfords, Ltd., have acquired the businesses of both Garlick, Burrell and Edwards, Ltd., and Chap.. line, Ltd„ London.
The issued capital of the two concerns amounts to £72,000 and between Them they operate some 200 vehicles. The heiards of directors of both concerns have been reconstituted with a strong railway influence.
More Than He Bargained For !
" General goods," said an applicant for the renewal of his licence, when Mr. J. H. Stirk, East Midland Licensing Authority, asked him what he carried. Requested to elaborate this terse description, Mr. L. W. A. White, the haulier's solicitor, said: " Rags, hones, scrap, manure, dogs, potatoes, soot, turf, flower pots, timber, oil barrels, corrugated iron, wire, paving slabs, sleepers, pig troughs, motorcycles, firewood, sheds, greenhouses, trees and shrubs, ironware and a handcart."
Mr. Stirk: " All right! "
Mr. White: "I think that may fairly be described as general goods!
Shipping Guide for Hauliers.
The following is the number of ships arriving at the London docks, wharves and jetties named, from March 6-14, inclusive : —Docics : King George V, 6; RoYel . Albert, 4; Royal Victoria, 4; Surrey Commercial, 6; West India, 3; East India, 2; South West India, 4; Tilbury, 12; Tilbury Stage, 3; MiIlwall, 6. WHARVES: Hays, 6; Middleton's, 1. Regent's Canal, 1. Tiltruty Jetty, 3.
Diesel Engine Users' Annual Dinner.
The annual dinner of the Diesel Engine Users Association will be held on March 13 at Pagani's Restaurant, Great Portland Street, London, W.1. SAFETY FIRST CONGRESS PROGRAMME.
The annual congress of the National " Safety First" Association will take place this year at the Park Lane Hotel, London, from May 20-22. The opening function will be a reception given by the president, Mr. Gordon Stewart, on the evening of the first day. The Congress will, be formally openea on the following morning bythe Duke of York, who will present a number of gallantry awards—an innovation in the congress programme.
Sir Herbert Blain, founder and pastpresident of the Association, will occupy the chair for a discussion of " Some Accident Problems and Paradoxes," and the speakers will include Mr. G. Stevenson Taylor (Home Office), Mr. H. AIker Tripp (Metropolitan Police), and Mr. A. T. V. Robinson (Ministry of Transport).
At the dinner, to be held on May 21. Sir John Simon, the Home Secretary, will be the principal speaker. • The annual meeting of the Association will take place on May 22, and will be followed by a paper by Sir Charles Bressey (engineer, Highway Development Survey—Greater London), at which Capt. A. U. Hudson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, will preside.
Railway Representatives Disagree Over B-Licences.
Described as a "famous submission," the 14Iorpeth incident (reported in our issue dated February 21) in which a railway representative objected to an applicant for a B-licence, on the ground that he must have an A-licence or nothing at all, was brought forward at an adjourned hearing by the Northern Licensing Authority in Newcastle.
Representing the applicant (Mr. R. Clark, Bebside), Mr. R. G. Hunter suggested that the railway had no further interest in this case.
Mr. R. E. Hodgson, for the L.N.E. Railway Co., on being informed that the conditions were investigated at Morpeth, pointed out that Mr. Boothroyd (who, on that occasion, appeared for the L.N.E.R.) was entitled to make . his submission. It was a tenable opinion. On the other hand, the view had been taken generally that, if a man started with a B-licence and then surrendered his ancillary business, be was not entitled to an A-licence.
The application of Mr. Clark for a renewal of his B-licence was granted.
Building Creates Transport Boom.
That slum clearance and building in the Seaham Harbour district had led to such a boom in road transport that more vehicles were urgently required, was the contention of Mr. R. Clifford, who sought an A-licence, with authority for an additional vehicle of not more than 2 tons unladen, at a sitting of the Northern Licensing Authority, this week.
Figures, said Mr. F. Milton, for the applicant, showed that present facilities were inadequate. From June to December, 1935, Mr. Clifford had carried E16 3,951,250 bricks, or 1,000,000 more than in 1934, and over longer distances. The applicant, who said that he was the only operator in New Seaham, maintained that it was nearly impossible to hire vehicles within the district.
The Authority: "The figures do sag= gest that the need for vehicles is very pressing."
The application for an A-licence was withdrawn. A short-term seasonal Blicence was granted. COMMERCIAL-VEHICLE SALESMEN REQUIRED.
A well-known manufacturer of heavy commercial vehicles requires two energetic salesmen for Wales and the North of England. Other concerns also require several salesmen for work in the Provinces. Letters should be addressed " Northern Salesman" and "Provincial Salesman " respectively, care of the Editor.