Chairman in chains
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RALPH BENNETT, London Transport's chairman, is in an unenviable position, .despite his 00,000 or so salary.
Not only has he to meet the demands of the capital's seven million plus populace but also almost the same numbers of tourists in the season. To add to his commercial problems, he is now at the centre of controversy after an independent consultancy report.
It was widely speculated this week that Ralph Bennett is to be replaced at LT by a new top man. But who is better qualified and who can carry on working despite political pressures?
We realise that LT's chairman knows his job but, like all public servants, he is shackled by bureaucracy and the dictates of politicians of blue, red or pink persuasion.
Before the politicians at GLC begin to operate their guillotines, they should look elsewhere for improvement in productivity. They might even be as bold as Mr Bennett and his colleagues and embark on objective self-criticism.
For too long amateurs have exerted their political influence on the professionals in local government and similar bodies.
All too often, the Ralph Bennetts of this world have to submerge their professional expertise to satisfy the political ambitions of their 'masters'.
Mr Bennett, his contemporaries, and their senior colleagues, know what they must do. They must be allowed to do it their way.
Before replacing top men, the political influence should be removed and they should be given carte blanche. That way they will better utilise the professional qualifications of the men they have engaged.
In simple terms, why engage a dog and do the barking yourself?