Railways Dispute Vehicle Bases
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RAMWAY opposition of an unusual type faces Ex-Army Transport, Ltd. The company has 61 units based at its central depot at East Ordsall Lane, Salford, and is applying for 10 more vehicles of 7 tons each. The public inquiry was opened on Thursday of last week.
Mr. C. N. Christiansen, managing director of the applicant concern, objected to the description "clearing house '• being applied to its operations, although he accepted figures, put to him in railway cross-examination, showing that sub-contractors carried 147,840 tons, as compared with 63,000 tons by the company's own vehicles. Of the goods carried on the concern's owo vehicles, it was admitted that, whilst 78 per cent, was hauled either in or out of the Manchester-Liverpool area, 22 per cent, was between centres beyond this area.
Mr. B. de H. Pereira, for the railway companies, then indicated the position of the railways with regard to this form of operation. As to the 22 per cent. and to the widespread services of Ex-Army Transport, Ltd., the submission was that it did hot concern the Licensing Authority of this area at all. but the Licensing Authorities of other areas. As to the operations from Liverpool and other depots, the vehicles used there should be based at those points.
Sir William Hart, Deputy Licensing Authority, said he could see the difficulty of having the vehicles based at the different depots in a business of the kind conducted by the applicant.
Over 200 letters from customers supported the application and Mr. Pereira said that he was • going to challenge every one. They were, he declared, solicited letters.
Mr. Christiansen stated that there were 24,000 tons of new traffic. If his customers' business was increasing, he was entitled to enjoy it.
The hearing was adjourned.