Correspondence
Page 17
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The Editor invites corresPondoice on all subjects connected with the use of conzmercial nt3tors. Letters hould be. on
one side of th: paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsible:4y jor the view,. expressed is accepted.
The Largest Storage Tank for Fuel Oil.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—We observe that, in your issue of the 2nd July (page No. 426), you state Messrs. Meade-King, Robinson and Company's tank at Manchester is the largest storage tank in England. We beg to correct this statement, and to inform you that we have at our Royal Albert Docks installation a tank of equal capacity, which kindly note.—Yours faith fully, For BRITISH PETROLEUM CO., LTD., GEO. LANE.
22, Fell.ChUrCh Street, E.C.
Horse or Motor—An Offer.
The Editor, 6` THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—In reply to the letter of Sturmey Motors, Limited, I may say at once that my suggestion was not for a manufacturer to supply a motorvan for nothing on the chance of doing subsequent business as a result of the van's being in the district. I did not think my letter would have been taken in this way, and certainly I did not intend to suggest a one-sided proposition. Let me endeavour to explain a little more fully.
I believe I can find paying work for one motorvan at least, and, as development takes place, possibly for more. I cannot buy a new van for cash—the price is beyond me, and the charges for depreciation, etc., on such an outlay would be too much during the first year of building-up a connection ; but this does not imply inability to provide the necessary security if required. If I could arrange to take over from a manufacturer a shop-soiled, a second-hand, or a demonstration van withdrawn from commission, what advantage in terms of gradual payment for the van, and in point of price charged, wouldthe manufacturer give to me in return for the several advantages he would gain? The following occur to me now I.—Local man handling his particular van regularly in the district, and with knowledge of possible local buyers.
2,--The permanent advertising of his firm, by reservation of portion of each side of van body for its name during the time such arrangement existed.
3.—The ability quickly to arrange a demonstration anywhere within a large radius, by means of the van held by local agent. 4.—The possibility of agent's being able gradually to take up a number of small tradesmen's contracts, and consequently to place orders for other motors to deal with the work.
Why, Mr. Editor, you must know that there are scores of tradesmen who would never seriously consider the purchase of a motor for their own business, for several good reasons, such as : (a) want of capital; (b) want of enterprise; (c) ignorance of the advantages arising from the use of motorvans; (d) inability to find sufficient work for one; (e) disinclination to have anything to do with things mechanical, involving (to them) unknown difficulties, charges, expenses, and imaginary troubles.
In the same issue in which the Sturmey Company's letter appears, you publish a letter from " F.S.A.," and this writer seems to have quite sufficient work for a motor vehicle— if it can be done advantageously; but I note particularly that he says, in closing his letter, " At the same time, we would much rather contract for the whole bag of tricks, than buy our own car, even if we had the capital to do so." Here reason (e) given above appears to apply. Presuming this writer were living in the same district as myself, and I were running a certain make of van, do you not think we should sooner or later come together and discuss business? Whether he subsequently bought or contracted does not matter greatly; in any case, it would push the motor industry along.
It appears to me that there is need of practical agents to pick up smaller tradesmen's cartage work with advantage
to all concerned. I think, and I feel sure you will agree,
that there are numbers of tradesmen owning one, or, possibly, two horses, who will never see their way to displace their present plant by a motor " on their own," but it does not by any means follow that they would not avail theni. selves of the services of motorvans if a man came to thent and said :— " I can carry out your collection or delivery work for you on certain days, for a fixed charge, if you will give me a contract. It will pay you to sell your horses and carts, and to use the capital in your business; and the amount of money you have spent each year on stable, fodder, repairs, etc., is more than I want for a contract.'' I have been doing certain work with a one-horse van for a firm owning three horses and four vans, and employing two drivers, for, with this plant, they :a.nnert handle their trade satisfactorily at certain times in the week. They are quite tired of the whole system of horse-vehicle collec tion and delivery. Part of the week, the horses stand idle, and at other times they cannot cover ground quickly enough to handle the business satisfactorily. During the past week, they have asked me whether I am disposed to Consider the provision of a motorvan, making a contract with them for the work ; they would, of course, realise their present plant, and use the capital in the business. They, too, prefer to contract if possible.
I am convinced there are possibilities of such business in every town or district, but at present it is stagnant. Do
you not think the Trade could stir this up in the manner I suggest? If my first letter has the effect of simply causing some reflection on the subject, it will not be lost. Finally, I would like to say to Sturmey Motors, Limited, that I did not think my suggestion was one-sided. I, personally, do not require something for nothing. It is purely a matter for arrangement, and manufacturers ought to be sufficiently alive to their own interests to study the matter seriously. I venture to think that a motorvan permanently established with a capable business _man as agent, and one who has a personal interest in pushing, would do more good for the manufacturers, in given areas, than their spend ing hundreds of pounds on exhibitions, and sending vans on speculative tours up and down the country at great ex pense.—Yours faithfully, " ENTERPRISE. ''