Fighting for the Trader's Carcase
Page 57
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X, interesting comment on the present wrangles in the traffic courts, between the railway companies and road-haulage concerns, is made by Mr. C. Hamilton Swanzy, traffic manager of Meade-King. Robinson and Co., Ltd., Liverpool, and chairman of the Liverpool branch of the Industrial Transport Association. In a memorandum, he states:—
" Why do not the railway companies take a leaf from the road hauliers' book and aim at simplifying the process of transport? The present railway rates classification is far too unwieldy and might easily he revised to provide for, say, three groups or classes of traffic, namely:—(1) mineral; (2) general; (3) explosive, corrosive or valuable; the rates to be .groaped on the present weight basis. " These three groupings are recognized. by road hauliers and have obviated the necessity of quoting exceptional rates, which the 'railway companies evidently desire to perpetuate. Further, road traffic is not hampered with conditions which make stipulations as to packing.
" In these enlightened days, the trader, generally, is better able to say which is the most convenient and suitable packing for the safe conveyance of his particular commodity.
"Such opposition as there had been lately in the traffic courts by the railway companies, to applications_by road carriers had created an opinion unfriendly to the railway companies' -aspirations. The railways' arguments, .whilst achieving for -them a result which they generally desired, ignored
the effect on the trader. When ti trader's interests were involved, tl Licensing Authority should have tl power to empanel a business expert assist him in reaching a decision.
" Why do the forces of road ar rail transport indulge in strife for tl possession of the trader's carcase? asks Mr, Swanzy. " It is the trad who povides the traffic and his nee' must be studied. Transport sent industry and is a secondary servic That fact should not be lost sight of
It is palpably absurd for the in way companies to claim that as mu' traffic as possible should go by ra just as it is for road-haulage concer to assert that, because they are t more modern arm of transport, th are better fitted to give the trader ; the service he wants."