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CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE.

16th August 1921, Page 23
16th August 1921
Page 23
Page 24
Page 23, 16th August 1921 — CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

By "The Inspector," NOW THAT the habit of holding commercial vehicle parades has spread from the Metropolis to various important centres in the provinces, and in view of the fact that these fixtures are likely to become annual events, one cannot fail to be impressed with the very excellent work which the propaganda in connection with them is effecting amongst driverS and owners, particularly with regard to appearance.

* * *

A number of people affect to query the necessity of improvements in appearance in connection with commercial vehicles. They suggest that it is not evidence of care of the mechanism and is purely superficial effort, and very often, at that, super

fluous. . * * * * * *

The writer can claim considerable experience of these parades in an official capacity;. he has taken pains from time to time toinvestigate the direct connection that undoubtedly exists between the care that a driver takes of the external appearance of his machine and his activities in the direction of keeping the machine fit and well for its work. Many of us will recall the famous and much-advertised diacussion which took place between two Admirals of the Fleet, who were at one time much in the public eye, as to the relative importance of paintwork and gunnery. One of these big-wigs held that it was a very necessary thing that paintwork on men-of-war . should be kept at the highest pitch of perfection, while theother affected to despise it and suggested that the whole of the energies of the would-be cleaners should be concentrated on a better appre eiation of the technical difficulties and problems pertaining to the craft in which they were engaged.

1* *

The writer always holds steadfastly to his agreement with the policy which has been 'adopted for many years past: by the. chiefs of the Fire. Brigade of London and of other big centres, who have insisted that the. apparatus in their charge shall be kept polished and cleaned until there is nothing more left to be removed iii the way of dirt or tarnish. Successive chiefs of the London Brigade have told him that the essential reason for such careis that they maybe certain that ery visible detail of the

machines of which the at il men have charge shall be constantly under their eyes.

They have decided that the best way in which to -ensure that every part of the machine is very carefully inspected and very constantly is to set them the task of maintaining everything in an absolutely clean and spotless condition. "'The proof of the pudding is in the eating," and it has, been ascertained beyond all doubtthat machines which are kept in spotless condition are invariably well looked after in other, and perhaps more directly important, respects. This is true of the intentions of those who have been responsible for initiating and organizing the commercial vehicle parades of which we hear so much nowadays.

It is a fact that the vehicles which turn up on

parade apparently in best condition are almost invariably satisfactory to the inspectors who have the more detailed task of certifying as to the mechanical fitness of the machines as a whole. There. is no sense in belittling the endeavours that are being made to ensure that drivers arid owners shall do their best to keep their machines in first-class condition so fax as appearances are concerned. That brings us to the consideration of how often we see vehicles of various kinds on the roads whose appearance is nothing short of deplorable. tip to quite recently, amongst the worst offenders were the machines belonging to certain Government departments, particularly those running in home service. They were to be seen about caked in mud arid evidently in a state which showed that they were entirely unfamiliar with brush and water and polishing rag. It has to be assumed that those who were responsible for these vehicles had in mind that dirt and filth were evidence of hard employment. It is a queer frame of mind when one considers the won,derful cleanliness of such units, for instance, as those operated by the Royal Horse Artillery and other Regular Army establishments. The C:M.U.A. deserves every e-.,couragement in connection with. these parade, and the desire to ensure that machines are mairiftia'ned in a clean and wholesome condition. There is a heap of work• for them to do in that connection, for .whereas we may see 100 or so machines paraded at any one centre, all of them bearing evidence of scrupulous care—almost to perfection in ,many eases—there are a great many vehicles running about on the zroad which are a disgrace to their owners and drivers so far as appearance is concerned. One may properly assume that in the majority of such cases the maintenance-is neglected; bits of string and capper wire

-are frequently used where it is too much trouble to get a spare nut or bolt or some other trivial replacement.

Machines in that condition do no credit to the industry, and •do not help the case of the further employment of mechanical transport. They look bad, and they cost more to run. One, of course, cannot expect people who are carting manure or hides or other dirty loads to maintain a very high standard in respect of cOachwork finish, but e-ven in such bad

cases as these there is nothing to prevent the chassis being kept in first-class order.

So far as -mechanical haulage is concerned, probably the worst offender in this connection is the owner of agricultural machinery of all kinds. It has alway.s been a puzzle to the *liter to understand why the farmer appears to take no care whatever of expensive plant which he has purchased, and -which he dumps in a ditch or leaves about uncovered and unpainted for months, and sometimes for years, in the open fields. Depreciation must be very rapid, but nobody seems to mind that.

At the °din end Of the scale one may quote such fleets as the London GeneraI Omnibus Co., the Shell-Mex Co., and many other big owners of commercial motor transport, machines whichdo the very greatest credit to those who are in charge of them, and as to the maintenance of which one has ample proof of its being first-class. Paintwork may not be more important than gunnery, but it is certainthat " spit and polish" help to ensure lower maintenance costs.


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