Out and Home,--By " The Extractor."
Page 14
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AustrianDaimlers.—An Alphabetical Tire.— Several Business Changes.—He who Works by the Clock.
A new enterprise in the form of the A.D. Cab and General Motor Co., Ltd., has commenced business in 16, Upper St. Martin's Lane, W.C. This concern's chief business will be the sale of AustrianDaimler cabs ; it holds the sole concession for Britain and the Colonies.
I now hear that a new tire is to be shortly put on the market with an air chamber but no inner tube. It is of novel construction and great resiliency ; considerable non-slip ping qualities are claimed, it is to be called the L.A.P. tire and is invented by Mr. E. B. Killen, who, it will be remembered, was responsible for the KIT. tire.
Rumours reach me to the effect that the London house of the Russian Tyre and Rubber Import Co., Ltd., is retiring from the solid-tire business in this country, finding itself unable to compete at present with British prices, but no indication of such action was given to me by Mr. Gleich, the British representative, when I had a chat with him early last week. He is proceeding to Riga, I understand, probably before these lines see the light, and speaks quite confidently of the future and of his business plans.
Some changes are in progress with the Stoewer concern in London. Mr. Frank Morris, who has been some time associated with Mr. Turner Smith has been paid for his interest and severs his connection. Mr. Turner Smith is at present at the manufactory at Stettin, and it is not unlikely that he will commence a fresh campaign in this country with Stoewer commercial vehicles. It will be remembered that about two years ago their sale was commenced in this country, but a was shortly afterwards practically relinquished, because of the. sheer impossibility of obtaining de liveries. The Stoewer is one of the popular commercial motors in Germany, and the increased home demand, together with a simultaneous boom in pleasure vehicles, made it impossible to send any to England, so Mr. Turner Smith settled down to sell the Stoewer pleasure cars over here of which he found he was able to obtain deliveries. After this lapse of time, output has increased, and it will not be surprising if he comes back prepared to appoint agents and to supply heavy vehicles in the British market.
When I was up in Glasgow last month, it was my pride and pleasure to look in upon Mr. Tom Stevenson, of Messrs. S. Stevenson, and the talk went into the past, present and future of the tire business and the Faransure products in particular. It was of interest to learn that besides making progress at home, these people are doing quite a satisfactory trade abroad. Mr. Stevenson is of opinion that there is a gigantic field in the Colonies for solid tires.
A notification reaches me of a significant change of title in a famous North-country concern. The Yorkshire Patent Steam Wagon Co., of Leeds, becomes the Yorkshire Commercial Motor Co. Seeing that this firm has embraced petrol vehicles in its business scheme, the name required broadening, and for the subtle compliment to ourselves in blending our selected name with their own, I venture to make respectful acknowledgment.
How often during my business career I have heard the expression from the younger men, " I am not going to do that job ; it is not my work and I am not paid for it." One cannot be always lecturing, but I have felt so many times that I would like to say how opportunities are wasted. The younger brigade are too prone to work by the clock. "My time is 6 o'clock, and don't see why I should have this pushed on to me." I always think that if a young man works too keenly by the clock, he will do so to the end of his days, and that is not the way the money lies. The commercial-vehicle side of the industry is making such leans and bounds now, that in a very short time there will be boundless openings for the capable man. It is for the young man at the present moment to see that he equips himself properly, because he will shortly be on deck Capable men with a blend of mechanical and commercial knowledge will be in demand. Let him therefore learn how to manage men Let him study human nature. Let him learn how to grapple with and overcome difficulties and deal with human problems as he finds them and not as they ought to be.
I am led to ventilate these random reflections, because I can see the time coming when there will be countless opportunities in our branch of the business for the man who is practical but who also can sell ; for the man who can take charge of a dozen vans or cabs and get the best work out of both men and vehicles ; for the men in still more important positions who will have charge of haulage companies, who will have to secure haulage contracts, who will have to strive and contrive to make dividends for their directors. Do not therefore, I venture to advise the man who is inclined to "work by the clock," waste any opportunity of gaining knowledge and ripening your judgment, for there is a good time coming for the right men. It is sad to be told by employers "You don't know how difficult it is to get good men."