HAULAGE CONTRACTING WITH STEAMERS.
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T"coNSIDERABLE interest which has been aroused by the articles -which we published a few months ago on "Starting -Life as a. Haulage Contractor" (these are now obtainable in booklet form), as well as by the new periodic feature we, have recently cammenced entitled" Hints for Hauliers," has induced us to endeavour to obtain tam haarliere already well established in this line of bueinesa particulars concerning their operations and the difficulties peculiar to their work which have to-be eacountered.
With this end in mind we recently approached Mr. E. W. Stretch, the proprietor of the General Traction and Steam Wagon Co. of 28," Elmwood Road, Chiswick, wh:e employs a fleet of five-ton Paden. wagons. Although he was disinclined to divulge his rates of charging, for reasons which must be fairly obvious., he had a few interesting remarks to make concerning the running of the machines and haulage contracting prospects in London.
"I suppose, bearing in mind that. you. employ steamers and that they haul trailers, that your work is confined tn. a comparatively small radius," the interviewer remarked, opening the conversation,
"That is so. We can get all the work we require for al& the vehicles in London, and we do not reckon to run beyond a radius of 50 miles from town. Directly you undertake longer distence journeys you introthaaa that doubtful
factor of the wagons returning light. This is of small account on -short journeys, but on longer ones it stands to reason that it must either reduce your profits or the charges for hire must be higher than they would otherwise be. There is quite a lot of money to be made in London without going farther afield." ".s this is the case., I suppose that the working day of each wagon is complete iii itself," we interrupted. "Not necessarily.. Sontetimea the wagons are away for several "Five days comprises the working week of the wagons, and on each Saturday the morning is devoted to general cleaning and overhauling. In this manner the wagons are able to commence eech week's work with, as it were, a clean bill of health. I keep a good stock of spare parts; and so soon as I draw upon this stock for the repair of any of the wagons, I order a similar part from the makers, and am thus able to maintain the stock of spares at constant level." The general spiek-andaran appearance of the machines (each of which looked almost brand new) led -us to remark that the few hours spent each Week in over hauling aere fully repaid. This all the more commendable, as two of the maeaines have seen well over four years' service. "I see that the wheels of some of the wagons are rubber shod amid others. have steel tyres_ Why—" `-!This is only an eaperiment In the near future I am fitting all the wagons with Mackintosh rubber tyres. This make of tyre is giving me good service. "What is your view of the prospects for haulage contracting in London, especially for the man who is starting in business for himself with, say, one ma, chine? " " To> my mind the position is this: If he has a fair amount of capital at the back of him and is prepared to devote plenty of time to spade work, he may make it pay; on the other hand, the irregularities of the business are so marked that at one time he may have more than he can adequately deal with, whilst at another time his wagon may be almost idle_ A man employing several machines offsets the latter by being able to tackle the former. If however, he gives satisfaction to his clients, and can more or less be sure of a steady stream of work from them, he stands a good chance of making a success of it. Since I started in the business myself, in 1913, I have not lost a single client." This latter point, together with the fact that af_r_ Stretch possesees a. very sound and practical knowledge of steam wagon construction, has undoubtedly contributed to the success of hie business.