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That was the year...
Page 14
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CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1944 and 1994.
War — what is it good for? Well it gave us jets and rockets, then those naughty Jerries sent over V1 ramjets and the even more terrifyingV2 rocket. On the other side of the coin, D-Day gave us Duck Tape. amphibious vehicles and temporary harbours.
Victory slogans
With war still raging across the world Cornrner proudly advertised in Commercial Motor that its trucks had been "proved triumphant in two wars". Oldham batteries said it was"Rolling to victory"; Superfect Oil Seals claimed only it could prevent "invasion by their foreign foes dirt,grit, acid and water".
Drivers' duty
CM carried a letter from the Ministry of War Transport. It said: "The man behind the wheel is as important in his sphere of action as the man behind the gun." It called for all drivers to display an ever-more flexible approach and to be prepared to do their bit to ensure important loads got through.
Heartwarming invasion
Reporting the momentous events of D-Day, Commercial Motor praised the road transport industry's part in what it called the "heart-stirring" invasion: "For months there has been piling up in this country a colossal number of fighting and transport vehicles for a wide variety of purposes, and no one who viewed at least some of the preparations could help be astounded at the efficiency and general capabilities of the vehicles. Therefore, in a large measure, the success of our operations is dependent upon the good work of the vehicle producers of Britain. the Empire and America." A group of more than 100 software producers, including IBM, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. formed the World Wide Web Consortium to maintain and set standards for use of the system. Joseph Heller published Closing Time, a sequel to the 1961 classic Catch-22. And Rover was bought out by German auto giant BMW.
No chance...
With an eye on the future, CM reported that there was now very little chance that the EU would allow the introduction of 44-tonne trucks running on six axles. It said the Swedes had asked the EU to shelve plans as they were incompatible with their own 60-tonne limit and would result in a greater number of smaller trucks.
Wage warning
The Road Haulage Association issued a warning that hauliers would pull out of joint wage negotiations if the unions targeted any one company for industrial action before settlement was reached.The warning came after the T&G rejected an offer of 1.9% — an extra £3.11 for a 40-hour week.
Cracked crystal
Again, looking to the future with our deeply-flawed crystal ball, CM told the industry that motorway tolls would be in place by 1998.We explained that then transport secretary John MacGregor was planning to charge a premium rate at peak hours— for trucks about 4.5p per mile. The government said it wanted to avoid toll booths and instead opted for electronic technology. Sound familiar?