Another Charge of Rail Canvassing A CHARGE of want of good
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faith on the part of the railway companies was made by a road haulier at a Manchester inquiry, last week.
Messrs. Benthams, of Burnley, were applying for an extra vehicle to meet increased traffic in the cotton-waste and kindred industries.
In evidence, Mr. Thomas Bentham said that, after the previous hearing, railway representatives had canvassed his chief customers, offering cut rates. This happened at a time when he had asked for higher rates, and he was called in by two customers arid the position explained to him.
He took the risk of losing the whole traffic of his four vehicles and stood out for higher rates, Mr. P. Kershaw, railway counsel, questioned the witness on the nature and dates of the canvassing, and intimated that he would call the canvasser as a witness. He put in letters from one of the customers named, asking the railway company for quotations with reference to consignments which were not sent by rail.
The North Western Licensing Authority, Mr. W. Chamberlain, said that the case would be decided on its merits and the charge—unproved—was not relevant.
Decision was deferred.