News of the Week
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M.O.W.T. HIRED VEHICLES AVAILABILITY
TTHERE is one matter that is worryI log some operators of vehicles hired under the M.O.W.T. Road Haulage Organization, When the scheme began to material* they were told that the Ministry could not guarantee the continuous supply of tyres, but as the Ministry wished to maintain such vehicles as a capable stand-by, the owners would be guaranteed payment whether the vehicles worked or not.
The position with regard to unavailahility, under the latest arrangement, is that the costs of operation have been calculated on an annual basis, so that the full year's standing charges are received by the operator in 46 weeks, allowing six weeks for unavailability.
• If, however, an operator should be able, towork his vehicles for more than this period in the year, he will continue to receive payment for every day worked.
So far, no case has been brought 'to the notice of the S.J.C. that vehicles on hire to the Ministry have been rendered unavailable 'through tyres being unobtainable, but the point as to the continuance of remuneration in such a case is one of the matters which are now being taken up by the Finance Panel.
REFERENDUM OF LUTON HAULIERS
AN entirely new' note in association procedure was struck at Luton, last week, at the meeting of the Luton arid Area District Group of Hauliers Mutual Federation. The purpose was the usual one of electing a committee and officers for the ensuing year, but the method adopted was most unusual. For the committee 25 persons were nominated, from whom 10 were to be chosen, but they were not elected at the meeting. Instead, there ig tohe a postal referendum of all the members in the Luton area, that is to say, in Luton, Dunstable, St. Albans and adjacent districts, thus c ensuring, possibly for the first time in haulage. association history, that every member can take a direct part. in the election of
, • the committee man who will represent him for the ensuing year.
NEW FEDERATION GETTING DOWN TO ITS JOB
ATIME table laid down by the Road Transport Organization Joint Conference provides that the new. National Road Transport Federation and its constituent organizations shall be functioning by the end of June next,'
Scheduled for the middle of May are the meetings of the old associations for the approval of the Joint Conference's second report; registration of the three new associations which will constitute the Federation; completion of the amalgamation agreement; and the call for nominations to the first national councils of each of the new associations.
Registration of the Federation is scheduled for early June, and meetings to wind up the old national associations are listed for the middle of June.
Occupation of the headquarters offices in Bond Street, London, is planned to take place during June.
For the operation of the Road Haulage Association, the country has been divided into 16 areas. For the purposes of the Traders' Road Trans, port Association and the Passenger Vehicle Operators' Association there are nine areas, in each of which the administrative machinery of these two association§ will work jointly,
PROGRESS OF INSTITUTE OF ROAD TRANSPORT ENGINEERS THE total number of applicants for membership of the proposed Institute of Road Transport Engineers is now about 350, of whom nearly half have already expressed their intention of attending the luncheon-conference to be held at the Connaught Rooms, London, on Friday, April 28, the permitted accommodation for which is 200. Further information concerning the Institute and opinions from those desirous of joining will be found on page 194. Tickets are 10s. each, and early application shotild be made for the few remaining.
GOODS MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION'S SUCCESSFUL YEAR THE ..g.m. of the Road Transport (Goods) Managers' Association, of which the secretary is Mr. J. Sheldon, care of Sutcliffe Bros., Ltd., Leicester, and the chairman Mr. L. S. Houlding, was held on April 3 at Leicester.
The retiring chairman, Mr. W. B. WhitweIl, spoke of the successful year experienced by the body, but referred to the difficulties of operation brought about by legislation and control.
Co-operation with the police has continued to serve the Association well, and has been particularly valuable in the investigation of losses of goods in transit, etc., which showed a decline.
Arrangements are being made for theearly inauguration of a branch in Nottinghani. The .next Meeting will be held at 6.30 p.m. on May 1, at the Royal Hotel, Leicester, when Mr. A. Gostelow, the new vice-chairman, will give an address on "Elementary Costing."
LONDON TRANSPORT "GALLERY "OP BLITZ WORKERS ASTRIKING new series of pictorial posters, quite up to the pre-war standard, has appeared on London Transport Stations. It -comprises portraits by Eric Kennington accompanied by verses from A. P. Herbert.
-The " gallery " consists of a bus driver, a woman bus conductor, a policeman and an Underground Railway motor man. Two More portraits depicting an N.F.S. driver and a woman porter will be issued later to complete the series of six. The portraits are of seal people who " saw it through ", in London areas which suffered severely during the heavy raids of 1940-41. Most of the subjects have had extremely
narrow escapes. , . . DRIVERS OBJECT TO BEDROOM " SHUTTLE" SYSTEM
PLANS to end the _alleged exploitaJim' of long-distance transport drivers at road houses are now being made. The men have complained that their subsistence allowances do not cover the charges that they have to .pay for meals and sleeping accommodation, whilst the scheme envisaged will also end the bedroom "shuttle"
• system, to which the men object.
This shuttle " system is the name given by the men to the .practice certain road houses where the incoming driver goes straight into a bed which another has vacated. A committee of trade unions of the road-transport industry is now discussing with employers the question of setting up their own road houses throughout the country, which would be run on a nonprofit-making basis.
This was mentioned to our 'correspondent by Mr. George N. Little, president of the. Scottish Horse and Motormen's Association, in Aberdeen.
OBJECTION TO AN ORDER IN COUNCIL
IT is understood tha. objection, by racans' .of what is parliarnentarily termed a prayer, will be offered in the House of Commons to the Order in Council which empowers the Minister of War Transport to prohibit the carriage of goods by mechanical road transport for 60 miles or more, except through the Ministry of War Transport Road Haulage Organization. The objection is not to such prohibition, but to' the method of enforcing this ban.
Complaint is made that Defence Regulation 78113 introduced through this Order is not sufficiently precise in the clause which empowers • the Minister to provide " for any incidental or supplementary matters" as he thinks expedient.
Resolutions of objection to the Order have been adopted in Yorkshire by the county's Controlled Undertakings Committee and Hired Vehicle Operators' Committee.
INFORMATIVE BOOKLET ON TYRE MAINTENANCE A USEFUL booklet entitled "Tyr Maintenance Instructions," with a foreword by the Earl of Rothes, Director of Tyres, is being made available, free, to all vehicle operators by the Press Office of the Directorate of Salvage and Recovery, Ministry of Supply, Berkeley Court, Baker Street, London, N.W.1.
It contains proposals for a tyre-maintenance system for p.s.v. and goodsvehicle operators, with the object of conserving rubber, reducing cost, and catering for vehicles at their home bases; en route and at destinations, for under the pooling scheme many vehicles may be away from their bases for days and even weeks.
Details are also given of the equipment necessary for proper tyre main-' tenance, and examples of forms which may be employed. There is also a number of illustrations which, incidentally, appeared first in "The Commercial Motor." • MUNICIPALITIES BUS-SERVICE PURCHASE APPROVED
WE learn that Manchester, Rochdale and Oldham Corporations have approved the. joint purchase of the bus service of Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd., at a. cost of 238,500, of which Manchester will pay 213,743, Oldham 216,651, and Rochdale 28,166. These 'quotas are based on the mileage in the respective municipal -areas: — Manchester, 4 miles 537 yds.; Oldham; 5 miles '380 yds.; Rochdale, • 2 miles 949 yds.
According to a report presented to Mantliester City Council, the 194; receipts of Yelloway Motor Services were 227,157, ' representing a weekly average of 2522.
The purchase involves taking . over the company's buses, which will be allocated to the three corporations on a pro rata basis, but the whole -transaction is subject to the approval of the Regional Commissioner: Yelloway Motor Services, Ltd:, will retain its coach business for excursions and tours.
A.R.O. OFFICERS FOR METROPOLITAN AREA
A T a meeting of the Main Metropoli/A tan Area Committee of A.R.O. hel4 recently, Mr. J. Janes was elected chairman of the Area for the ensuing 12 Mouths and Mr. Eric R. Taylor was electti vice-chairman.
Nationa] Coancil represer:tatives are Mr. Eric H. Taylor (hauliers!, Mr. J. Janes (ancillary} sad Mr. F. Boyle Monkman {passenger). )ational Sectional Board representatives are Messrs. Eric It. Taylor and L. V. Ward (hauliers), Messrs. .j. Janes and F. J. Bale (ancillary), and Mr. F. Boyle Monkman Inas,enger).
Sub-area chairmen and secretaries are as follow :—North London: Mr. F. E. Partington, Mr. F. C. khls1:ey. Southern: Mr. L. V. Ward, Mr. S. W. Vizier. Eastern: Mr. H. C. Goasee, Mr. T. C. Galreniold. Western: Mr. C. W Beckett, Mr. W. It. Hughes. Luton: Mr. C. It. Thompson, Mr. W. A. Hines.
FARMERS' OBLIGATION TO KEEP RECORDS
TH_E suggestion that there is general ignorance in the farming community as to the obligation to keep records in connection with petrol obtained under "agricultural coupons was made by a defending solicitor_ ar. . Bradford City Police Court, during proceedings against several defendants, including two farmers.. The summonses related to failure to -keep records, and the acquisition and supply of petrol other than at the time of the surrender of coupons. The prosecution stated it was not suggested that more petrol had been obtained than was allowed; it was a case of the " banking " of coupons.
The summonses were dismissed on payment of costs.
LTA. LONDON BRANCH APPOINTMENTS
AT the a.g.m. of the industrial Transport Association (London Branch), held on April 1 at the LA,E., the following branch officers were elected:—Chairman; Mr. H. W. Russell (transport manager, Vine 'Products, Ltd.); vice-chairmen. Messrs. Noel G. Brookes and F. H. Wilson; honorary treasurer, Mr, E. J. Trigg; honorary secretary, Mr. A. W. Ferguson; assistant honorary Secretary, Mr. B. A. Clark, There were also 28 elected to the branch committee and 13 as London -representatives on the National Council.
PERSONAL PARS Ma. G. E. L/ARDET has been appointed a director of Simms Motor Units, Ltd., which he joined in 1927 after early training with the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board and other concerns in Lancashire. He was employed in the company's Finchley works, and after experience in various sections'be joined the sales department in 1930, when the main product was magnetos: In 1933 he was appointed sales manager, in which capacity he was responsible for the introduction and marketing of Simms lighting and starting and fuel-injection equipment. In 1939 he relinquished this position and was appointed a member of the management committee.
MR. M. R. PEASE, MC.., sales manager, and, since October, 1942, employment manager, with Leyland Motors, Ltd., is leaving that company to become general sales manager with Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd. " Joe " Pease, as he is known throughout the commercial-vehicle industry, has been with Leyland Motors for nearly 25 years—in fact, that annivergary would have been next August. His initiative and energy, combined with a genial personality, have Made friends for 'him everywhere and have contributed in no small degree to the success of his company. A New Zealander by birth, he was educated at Malvern College, England, aild served his apprenticeship at the Vukan Works at Southport. In order to gain further experience, he joined the American Pierce-Arrow Co., and returned to England in 1914, being invalided out of the Army in 1913 after attaining the rank of captain and adjutant. His appointment adds to the interest which is being taken in the developments taking place in Park Royal Coachworks, Ltd., the Board of which was recently strengthened by the addition of Mr. W. W. WalteAeld; Mr, W. R, Black is managing director. SUGGESTED INSURANCE POOL FOR HAULIERS
rrHE announcement of a projected road-transport insurance .pool nas One of the features put forward at the annual meeting of the C.M.U.A. (North Eastern .Division), held in Leeds last week. Mr. • Arthur Jones,
insurance broker, stated that he was discussing the project, which referred, more particularly, to goods-in-transit insurance with Lloyd's underwriters, The divisional committee. which was re-elected
• en bloc with power to add, immediately held, a meetingat which the following officers were., re-elected:—Chairman. Councillor lieldsworth; vice-chairman, Moors. L, J. Mather (Leeds) and it. -E. Clough (Bradford.).
Nominations to C.M.C.A. national bodies were: National Council: Messrs. noldsworth, Wallis. Clough, Roberts, Mather and Feather., Ancillary . Users' Sectional Board: Messrs Clough, Roberts. Chamberlain and Ramsden: Haulage Sectional Board: Messrs. HoldsWorth, Gillatt,•01lhey sod Passenger Sectional Board: Messrs. Mather; Feather, Anderton and M. A. • Hargreaves IMorleyl. Membership and Props ganda Committee: Messrs. Clough and Wallis.
THE MOST COSTLY GOVERNMENT SCHEME?
A N assurance was given by Mr. P. I. PA Noel-Baker, Parliamentary Secretary IVI.O.W.T., in the Hotts6 of Com rnons last week,' that there had been no general increase in rates under control, as compared with those obtaining prior to control being instituted. This was in accordance with instructions given to every unit controller in the Road Haulage Orga,nization. Sir Herbert Holdsworth asked the Minister
to agree " that this Scheme is the most costly and least efficient of any scheme suggested by the Government." Mr. Noel-Baker would not agree to that. The questioner was glad to linnw that the " House " would soon have an opportunity•Of debating it.
"THE AEROPLANE" OFFERS £500 PRIZE FOR AIRPORT DESIGN
Ol-TR associated journal, " The ‘.../Aeroplane," is offering a prize of 2500 for the best design of an airport for London. Fhll details of this offer appeared in the March 24 issue of that journal. The idea is to encourage thought and ingenuity concerning this subject anti to meet what will certainly prove a vital national need.
I.A.E. APPOINTMENTS FOR THE NEW SESSION
AT a recent meeting of the Council of the Institution of Automobile Engineers, Mr. john Shearman, M.I.Mech.E., road motor engineer of the L.M.S. Railway, was elected President for the session 1944-45. The vicepresdents will be. MeSsrs. W. W. Constantine, M.B.E., F-r a n k G. Woolard, M.B.E., and Capt. G. T.' -Smith-Clarke..
. Mr. Shearman is particularly well -known in the motor industry both as engineer, of one of the largest fleets of cOnimerckil vehicles in Britain and' as chairman of the Automobile Research Committee of .the I.A.E., which latter office he had held for the past three years.
DEATH OF MR. E. J. SHOPLAND
WE regret -to learn of the death of MR. ERNEST JOHN SHOPLAND, chief assistant to the Midland Regional Transport Commissioner Sir Arnold /vlusto. When the Road Traffic Act came infb operation in January, 1931, Mr. Shopland was appointed clerk to the Commissioners of the East MidlandTraffic Area (now called the North Midland Region) at Nottingham. Three years later, on the coming into force of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, he was engaged in the same area on matters concerning the licensing Of goods-vehicle operators. He remained
at Nottingham until July, 1936, when he went to Birmingham on his appointment as clerk to the Commissioners of the West Midland Traffic Area. On the outbreak of war ill September, 1939, he became chief assistant to the R.T.C. for the Midland Region, and continued in that capacity until his death. DANGERS TO DRIVERS FROM SLING LOADS
WWHEN waiting vehicles on quayW sides are loaded from slings overside from ships, there is the risk of accident, to which the Liverpool Carters' and Motormen's Union draws attention. It has issued a statement ital the subject and this has been circulated by the Liverpool Cart and Motor Owners'
Association to its members. It calls attention to the danger§ to drivers attendant upon the system of loading vehicles direct from slings. Dockers have not always been stationed on vehicles to assist the drivers -in this work, apart from the fact that, when a load is nearing completion, there is little room on the vehicle for the sling load to be diopped.
, As the result of interviews which Union:: officials have had, zone controllers on the dock ettate have received instructions to ensure that master porters provide sufficient assistance to enable the loading of vehicles to be undertaken in a proper manner.
In their own interests as employers and owners of vehicles which can be damaged (as, for example, in the case of heaVy bigots being dumped by a sling on to a vehicle) members are urged to encourage their drivers to see that proper assistance is given to them when loading direct from slings.