A Busy Six Months.
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The first six months is not a lengthy span in the life of a journal, but it is a probationary period during which those responsible are in turns inspired by hope and inflicted with anxiety : and short though the time may seem, it is long enough for proof to be afforded, by the encouragement of supporters, as to whether success will ultimately crown unceasing effort. In taking a rapid survey of the happenings of the first six months of the existence of this journal, there is little doubt left in our mind that the commercial motor industry has plainly recognised " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" as its representative organ, and in this recognition we see the surest indication of future success. In January last when, foreseeing the great future for the utility vehicle, we made known our opinion that a representative weekly journal was needed, our views and intentions were stated without ambiguity. Our method of entering the field was the straightforward one of taking advantage of the open frontdoor : once in possession of the field, entrance at the backdoor was left to those whose vacillating policy first indicated that the subject of commercial vehicles was not one for specialised and separate treatment, and then prompted the strangely illogical view that after all it was a subject wide enough for dual representation. We do not think business people are blind to inconsistencies of this kind; nor do we think that much heed is likely to be paid to plaintive representations of prestige elsewhere in the family circle. Merit is the proof by which a journal must stand or fall, and "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" is prepared to abide solely by that test. Facts have a habit of leaking out, and attempts to hoodwink the trade by "holding up" advertisements which are obtained on terms which are no terms in a business sense will not succeed in the long run. Glancing back over the past six months we have every reason for feeling perfectly satisfied with the result of our efforts. Realising that "Tim COMMERCIAL. MOTOR" must for some time engage in mis,
Conducted by EDMUND DANGERFIELD. sionary and pioneer work, we have spared no expense in dm Editor" E. SHRAPNELL SMITH. production of the journal, our aim being to instruct the many industries to which the commercial vehicle is likely to appeal
as to the real and numerous advantages of the adoption of motors for business purposes. Six special issues, each dealing with a different branch of trade, have been published and distributed with discrimination, and careful records have been made with the object of ensuring tangible results in these quarters, whilst we are prepared to follow up these special numbers by others from time to time as occasion demands. Inspired by the knowledge that each succeeding effort in this direction will bring increasingbusiness to those firms that use our advertising pages, we shall spare no expense in bringing home to possible users the vast potentialities of the utility vehicle. In an editorial in our first issue the motor omnibus boom was foreseen, and we can point now to the fulfilment of our prognostications with that measure of satisfaction which arises from a correct perception of the trend of events. One reward of our efforts in this connection lies in the appointment of "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR" as the official organ of the Society of Motor Omnibus Engineers. Vans, lorries, tractors, and agricultural motors, have all received equal consideration at our hands, with the result that "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR "is found to provide the channel for the publication of reports from users, of whom 150 have already sent us original and exclusive communications. The industry is advancing with every sign of an assured future, and we are ready to grow pari passu. Ten thousand copies in one week will not satisfy us for long, but to exceed that circulation usefully is mare difficult than may appear at first sight. Our journal is alone in the forefront of the movement which we foster, and to which the writer's undivided labours have been devoted for upwards of nine years, and it is our intention that it shall remain in the position which it has won for itself during the first six busy months of its existence. There are many things that we should like to say as to our plans for the future, but of these more anon. They will be disclosed in due time for the advantage and benefit of the commercial motoring movement.