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Opinions from Others.

7th March 1912, Page 17
7th March 1912
Page 17
Page 18
Page 17, 7th March 1912 — Opinions from Others.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commer. ial motors. Letters should be on

one side of the peeper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no .respomability for views expressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of tole us or localities may be withheld.

Is Driving Easy ?

The Editor, TEE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[151,5] Sir,—We are much interested in " W.P.'s " letter La and M. No. 1000] and quite endorse some of his remarks. We can go a little further than he does, and we particularly refer to the makers of steam wagons who so often state that any man with a small amount of knowledge is capable of driving. We write, as one of those whci have suffered from a driver with a small amount of knowledge and who was very dissatisfied during the few months he was driving for us. We now have a good man, whom we can rely on, and we much prefer steam wagons to horses.

We write to emphasize the fact that makers are their own enemies, in stating what they do about the small amount of knowledge required to drive a steam wagon. -Yours faithfully,

LONDON OWNERS.

Motorbus or Electric Tramcar?

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1506] Sir,—In the course of an interesting letter on Tramway Congestion" in your issue of the 8th February, a correspondent put forward the suggestion that the tramway had ceased to be, a useful factor in modern passenger transport. Whilst admitting that this probably is the case in small towns, where the motorbus has proved its superiority, the suggestion, of course, cannot apply to the Metropolis, where the tramways are invaluable in dealing with large numbers of passengers at" rush " hours, which they do in a manner that no motorbus concern has at present been able to equal, owing to the lesser seating capacity of the latter class of vehicle, and to the rather remarkable fact that the larger bus companies seem to make no endeavour to increase the frequency of services at times when traffic demands exceed supply. This fact is the more remarkable, when one considers the much more convenient situation of motorbus depots in relation to busy centres than is the case with tramcars, so that the drawback of running empty in one direction should be much less in the case of the motorbus.

The numbers of " pirate." horse-buses remaining on London streets is an indication that the motorbus has not yet met the complete demand in its own sphere of action, much less in that. of the tramway. The latter, in London, has now reached that stage when its usefulness is limited to certain hours of the day. Its usefulness will altogether disappear on the day on which a single passenger-carrying concern can conscientiously adopt as its catch-phrase " We carry you ALL the way."—Yours faithfully.

!That day is rapidly drawing nearer._ED.1

Motor Haulage Company Promotions for Lancashire.

The Editor. THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR,

[1507] Sir,—The history of road motor haulage in Lancashire has more than once been briefly told in your pages. You, Sir, know it well.

Subsequent to the formation of the early companies of 1901-1902, several smaller companies were formed in various parts of Lancashire, but, although many gallant efforts were made to attain success, they were all overtaken by disasters arising from various causes, until, about three years ago, out of some twelve companies, not one was left. In the meanwhile, towards the close of this period of disaster,

several private companies had been formed, mostly u,y working men who drove the machines themselves. These smail concerns, for some two or thtee years, had a very hard fight for existence. The failures of the larger companies, accompanied as they were by financial loss to the shareholders, had left a very bad impression on the business community of Lancashire. It became very difficult for the later small companies to obtain any support. Financial support was quite unattainable, and work was only given out to them with the greatest reluctance. Up to some 18 months ago, progress, although. it had been constantly made, had not be-en as rapid as it should. have been properly to repay the amount of desperately hard work which was being performed to carry on the business.

At the present time, there is a very marked improvenaent in the state of Motor-haulage Companies in Lancashire. It has become evident, by the steady growth of the small concerns, that the corner has been turned, and that income exceeds expenditure, and if this movement is allowed to develop along natural lines, there is every prospect that in a few years Lancashire will be equipped with a number of moderately-sized Motor-haulage Companies quite capable of supplying all her requirements for road transport. These companies will be staffed by men who have fought their way through adverse circumstances to success, and who therefore know their work from A. to Z. There will be no necessity for sensational flotations to be made, as local support will be given to the various companies by their own districts.

A fresh danger has, however, overtaken the motorhaulage industry in Lancashire. Company promoters, who as a, class are always on the qui vice for fresh plunder, have discovered what a glorious county Lancashire is for road transport, and they are hastily drawing up schemes for forming large carrying companies. As very little is known by the general public concerning motor haulage, the promoter's task is exceptionally easy. He invents his own costs for carrying on the business, assures an average rate per ton and makes his income and expenditure produce a profit of, generally, 30 per cent. One company has recently been formed which illustrates very well the methods adopted. This company is purchasing a large number of old London omnibus chassis from another Motor Haulage Co. which has only just been formed, and which so far has not justified its separate existence beyond this transaction.

It might be supposed that, in the formation of these big concerns, some attempt would be made to obtain the use of the experience of some of the older motor-haulage companies already at work in Lancashire, but this has been carefully avoided—presumably because a criticism of the figures presented to the public would spell disaster to the aspirations of the company promoters.

There certainly is scope in Lancashire, at present, for an increase in its motor-haulage equipment, but the present efforts to promote companies of considerable magnitude by those who have no knowledge of the conditions prevail:ng in Lancashire are absolutely futile: they will simply result in financial loss to their supporters. Motor-haulage companies must start at, the beginning and develop from their own ability to grow. A carrier's business must be builtup from small beginnings, as, otherwise, the initial losses while the business is being arranged on profitable basis are too great to permit of ultimate success. The profits of any carrying concern can never hope to reach the figures at present dangled before the investing public, as competition is too keen in Lancashire. Railways, canals, horse-transport and motor-haulage transport already exist in Lancashire to a larger extent than in any other county, and the man who suggests he can compete and yet make a fabulous profit is either ignorant of his facts, or is intentionally ignoring them.

The outcome of these promotions can have but one result. It will destroy the confidence which Lancashire is gradually renewing in the movement. It will create a certain amount of unnatural competition, owing to the ignorance of those concerned of the true requirements of their business. Lastly, it will spell financial loss to the shareholders, which will destroy the confidence of the investing public and make it more difficult for those companies which are worthy to obtain, as they require and deserve to obtain, traffic and other support.-Yours faithfully,

"OWNER OF TEN."

Recent and Coming Flotations.

The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.

[1508] Sir,It would appear from your remarks in your issue of 15th February that Lancashire is shortly to be inundated with commercial-motor vehicles.

I heartily agree with your criticism of some of these recent flotations. It is to be regretted that concerns cannot be content with a reasonable beginning. If this sort of thing is to be continued, Lancashire people will live in as much fear of invasion from motor lorries as from the Germans. No doubt in due course we shall have the edifying spectacle of seeing some of these machines running about with a pound of soap for a load, with possibly a relief machine as a stand-by in case of accident. Respectable and well-established motor-carriers have not much to fear from these huge concerns. The Lancashire manufacturer requires a reliable service and if he already have it, he is not likely to experiment with changes, even though slightly lower rates are quoted.—Yours faithfully,

" LANCASTRIAN."

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