Souvenirs, for distribution by hr-ms engaged in the motor trade,
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usually ripen about show time, and it is interesting to see anything of a novel nature. I have not bought an ash tray, a pack of playing cards, a pocket knife or a paper knife for years, and the blotting pads, inkstands and calendars on my office table each boldly proclaims its origin and puts forth alluring recommendations as to what you should purchase, but do not remember seeing, before this week, a really good cigarette case which one could reasonably he expected to use daily. The souvenir of which I am thinking has the magic words " Peter Union Tyres " stamped in small gold letters on what looks like a silver case, and is likely to be much coveted. A twinge of remorse attacks Inc as I reflect that probably the publicity here given will cause a depletion of the stock before show time.
The idea occurs to me, in connection with the foregoing paragraph, that in order to set to work other brains than our own to devise novel forms of souvenirs, and to get out of the common groove, I will give a pair of framed original sketches by one of the best artists on our group of motor papers, or, alternatively, cme guinea, to the individual who sends in to me the best suggestion for a souvenir which we may use in connection with this journal, or present to one of our business friends. The souvenir must meet the following requirements :-
(1), it must be novel: (2), that, for obvious reasons, the cost of making it must be relatively small; (3), its nature must be such that it will be constantly used, either in the office, or carried on the person, thus gaining for its issuer the necessary publicity. Now, will those readers who are interested set to work and strike some original notion, and send it along to me. I will keep the matter open until the 19th of September.
A popular feature in some of the evening papers is the column devoted to "Notable sayings of the day," and in that section of the paper is crystallized many pungent and some shrewd observations, culled mostly from speeches reported in the dailies. The idea has been suggested to me that it would give an added interest to this page if I focussed here a few of the notable sayings of people engaged in the commercial-motor business. I have launched, therefore, a first instalment in this issue, and if notable remarks happen to come my way I shall repeat the offence from time to time.
Mr. William Foden, of Foden's Wagon Works " Others imitate our wagons very closely— they are almost identical—but for some unexplained reason they don't work as well as ours."
Mr. A. E. Dickenson; of Markt and Co. (London), Ltd.: " I fully believe that the bad weather of the last year or two has been caused by the electrical disturbances set up by wireless
telegraphy; personally, I have been fortunate in my holiday weather for many years, so much so that a number of my personal friends wait now until I have selected my holiday period, and then they choose the same date."
Mr. Hind marsh, of Shell Motor Spirit : "In my opinion aviation meetings of what may be called the circus type will finish with this year."
A chief official of a prominent Lancashire motor company says : " There is no form of gaiety in Paris however outré which cannot be found —if one looks, and pays for it—in Blackpool and Manchester."
One of the evening papers, last week, contained a letter from a correspondent suggesting a motorbus route from Piccadilly Circus to Victoria Station, and it strikes me as being so eminently sensible that I gladly give publicity to it in this journal, where it is likely to meet the eyes of those responsible for the arranging of bus routes. There is no direct tube, or any other regular means of travelling between these two points, except by means of the jog-trot horse buses of verdant hue; the need for a line of communication has been bewailed to me scores of times. A circular tour could be made, which would be soundly patronized, going from the circus via Hyde Park Corner to Victoria, and returning via Trafalgar Square.