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"Fictitious" Rail Rates Criticized
Page 72
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" CICTITIOUS ,,rail rates were the
subject of strong comment, at T,eicaster, on Monday, by Mr. J. H. Stirk, East Midland Licensing Authority. Mr. Bramford, of Messrs. Bramford's Road Transport, in the course of an application for an additional vehicle, declined, on the advice of his solicitor, Mr. L. W. A. White, to reveal certain rates. He had claimed that, in some cases, his rates were higher than the rail charges. Mr. H. R. Sturge, for the I,.M.S. Railway Co., contended that reliance could not be placed upon this statement.
Mr. Stirk "The difficulty I am in is this: the railway companies can and frequently do reduce their rates, and, whilst you can say, to-day, that the rate is so and so, either above or below the road rate, one cannot be sure that next week the same rate will obtain. There are such things as group rates and special rates, and I think it has been said that 70-80 per cent, of the traffic of this country is taken at special rates. Why should the road be restricted to the fictitious rates of the railway? Why should they be regarded as the basis of rates? "
Mr. Stirk added that the road operator could always obtain a higher rate for certain articles, because less packing was required.
The action of the railway companies in opposing applications, but calling no witnesses, he also commented upon.
" I cannot understand the mentality —pefhaps I should say the attitude— of the railway company in cases of this kind," said Mr. Stirk. "It gives Mr. Sturge instructions, but apparently does not expect to call any witness. .
• " How do I know that there is any traffic passing by rail of the kind carried, by Mr. Bramford? I do not know at all. I have no evidence."
The application was granted.