Record-breaking Tour by S.T.R.
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TT was at Newcastle that S.T.R., 'The Commercial Motor costs expert, had his record audience about a year ago. That experience was repeated on Tuesday of last week when, in a hall capable of seating about 130, every seat was occupied and there was a couple of dozen standing.
The discussion which followed ranged over a diversity of subjects. The question of exchange value of a vehicle when purchasing a new one was touched upon. Apparently, secondhand values in the northern area have reached a low ebb, and S.T.R.'s figures were consequently regarded as somewhat optimistic.
A question was asked as to how far the figures shown applied to tipping vehicles, and S.T.R. explained that, in the case of that class of machine, first cost and, therefore, depreciation and interest as well as maintenance, were in excess of the amounts quoted applying to the average type of vehicle. The wisdom of including interest on first cost as an item was brought into question and debated. One member present, referring to cost of maintenance, cited the case of the owner-driver type of haulage contractor who probably worked Saturday afternoons and Sunday, week in, week out, to keep his vehicle in good condition and yet charged nothing on account of this labour against maintenance.
S.T.R. said that this was obviously on a par with the owner-driver who failed to include driver's wages in his accounts.
On the Wednesday, at Stockton-onTees, there was another record attendance of between 95 and 100. On this occasion most of the discussion turned on the potential life of a commercial vehicle. It was suggested, and S.T.R. agreed, that the class of work must inevitably he an important factor.
At Workington, on the fifth evening of the tour, there were 20 present. It was at Workington that S.T.R. received perhaps the finest compliment that has yet been paid to him. There was no discussion. One member of the audience said that, touching the matter of questions, S.T.R.'s address put the subject of costs and earnings so clearly that no question arose. Another of those present said that he would like to add to that comment, that the figures which S,T.R. had put before them were quite beyond argument.