A YEAR AGO.
Page 2
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(Extracts from this journal of the 22nd October, 1914.) "Russian Orders."
"Russian orders in this country for commercial motors are more tangible than tales of Russian troops were. The former have become one of the dominant factors in the situation, so quickly have they been poured forth during the past few weeks."
Alternatives for Users.
"Tire commercial user of business vehicles finds himself steadily impelled by events towards the acceptance of one of three alternatives : he must buy larger numbers of smaller units from British works' he must give a trial to Americanbuilt lorries, not a few of which are excellent in every sense of the word; he must revert for the time being to oldfashioned, slow and uncertain methods of delivery—to rail, or horse cone rail."
Attempted Deliveries.
" Certain efforts have, we are well aware, been made by some motor manufacturers, to endeavour to mitigate the difficulties of their old customers amongst commercial users by slipping through ' a few three-ton or larger vehicles on Sundays. We are not concerned with the morality of these efforts, for which, in the event of contemporary discharge to time of Government orders, much might be said in a laudatory sense. The War Department's 'maw' has again proved itself insatiable, and these extra assemblies have usually been both discovered and appropriated."
Accidental Discrimination.
"Over and above these cumulative new orders for military purposes, we have to record fourth and fifth 'sweeps ' by A.S.C. impressment officers, and the consequent loss of many hoarded and precious three-tonners to owners who fondly imagined they had been fortuitously overlooked. Those who, suffered earlier are now deriving a small measure of satisfaction from the application to neighbours of the old saying, Ile laughs best who laughs last.' it is, none the less, no laughing matter for anybody : war never can be."
"Our 'Campaign Comforts' Fund."
" These suddenly-made soldiers will come out of this business very well indeed,' an officer in high position has already stated. The driver and his mate, who knew nothing of bully beef and waterproof sheets, until a day OT two afterwards they found thainselves on a twenty-hour spell of driving under war conditions, are doing their job for their country, we learn from our own and other correspondents, with
remarkable efficiency and good spirits Part of oar activities is to be devoted to raising money to purchase, for the same drivers, mechanics and mates, tobacco, cigarettes and driving gloves. These are the special comforts, to the purchase and sending out of which we propose to devote the COMMERCIAL MOTOR Fund. We shall be happy to have further suggestions, of course, and to consider them carefully. . . . . The Proprietors and the Editor have pleasure in starting the Fund.
"One Hears."
" That now there is no headlight, there is no reflex." " That the patience of buyers of three-formers is likely to remain on test for many months longer."