Fiddling While Rome Burns
Page 45
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
There is no Association Truly Representative of Road Transport and Mass Membership Will Not be Achieved Until Some ,Material Return is Shown to Operators Says Capt. E. H. B. Palmer, O.B.E. -THERE. is no association that can I be said to represent the road'transport industry, fol. the 'simple reason that most operators belong to no organization at 'all, except the ITelP'Yotirself Society.". Moreover, this Majority will not be converted into . ar minority until the value, of membership to any-particular association. is made manifest, for, at present, to the and to thou'sands of others,: it is not even as clear as mud.
Apparently, sensational news is not the prerogative of the daily Press. Our own trade newspapers can keep us agog, too--and guessing. Breathlessly, each week, we mark the flirtation between the C.M.U.A. and A.R.O. Complacent matchmaking Mammas assure us that all will be well and, meanwhile, the world is tumbling about our very ears.
With patience we listen, and in vain, for never a word do we hear of what either of these associations has done for the industry or for us. Before more are brought into membership, let us have a report ; let us judge the, worthiness of these champions by their records . over the past three years—years that have made history or wrought disaster, according to the point of view.
Where Were the Big Guns?
We have all discussed the BoutsTillotson case, for even the daily Press featured it. Here was. the first engagement by which the future of A licences was to be decided—or so we wer.e led-to believe. 'Here, at any rate, was a major event and who were present? ..
The four railway companies presented a solid front and a formidable array of legal talent led by King's Counsel. How about the road operators and those who, we are assured, represent them? The appli• cant company fought its own battle— very ably may it be 'remarked—with its own solicitor.
Maybe this was by the company's own choice—I know' not—but there was no substantial phalanx of hauliers in court to lend even moral support and, so far as the eye could penetrate the " ranks of Tuscany," hardly a senior official of either association attended. Daily throughout the country, members and nonmembers of associations are fighting their own cases and all the time we are encouraged to believe that Some day there will be a wonderful big association to protect us all against the big bad *off.
According to report, one of these associations will shortly call a meeting of its traffic court representatives to discuss the situation facing the road-haulage industry, as a result of the opposition encountered in the renewal of A licences, and to decide upon a common policy. Their -deliberations will be on the Sabbath and so I am hoping for the best.
No New Points Raised. , Now, there is nothing new under the sun and there was nothing new in the points raised and argued by either side in the Bouts-Tillotson case. If, therefore, these trafficcourt representatives have had to wait for over two years before a common policy can be discussed, it is surely time that someone should drop a spanner into the works.
The policy of the railway companies has been cut and dried fromthe beginning and uniform in every court. The industry needs a machine of better performance—one that will get us somewhere and not one that starts, stops and then, perhaps, starts again.
I am outside the pale, being neither fish, fowl nor good red herringor, in other words, haulier,. clearing house or ancillary user. I could not, if I would, join any of these associations.
No Timefor Bumbledom.
There are few, however, who can claim personal contact with the operator to the extent that I can. There are few who know him as I do.. If you want his support, you must deliver the goods, for he has no time for Bumbledom and no wish to support expensive organizations without he derives benefit from them.
Two-and-a-half years ago, I was privileged to " defend," at the first inquiry in London, an applicant for an A licence. On his own record, and not by my efforts, were we successful. Renewal of this licence a • few weeks ago was almost a matter of form and I was not concerned in it.
Now he contemplates• a variation of his licence by way of another vehicle, and, after seeking the assistance of an association of which he is a member, he returns to me—because the association in question, so I am informed, has not troubled even to reply to his correspondence. If my client's word is to be-relied on—and I. have no reason to doubt it—this is
a pretty kettle of fish. •
I it an isolated case? I think not, otherwise why would so many memhers. of this association and that despite their subscriptions, look for assistance in other directions?
I freely admit that my , bias is towards the small man. Fourteen years ago I was an owner-driver myself. Let us take, however, the case of the average haulier, who, according to census, is the owner of three to four vehicles.
The Small Man's Point of View.
He has probably developed from the one-vehicle stage and finds that conditions are no easier. No " shirtfront " parades for him, no luncheons, dinners or dances come within his orbit. The plain, unvarnished truth is that he can afford neither the time nor the money, and I doubt whether-he. has the inclination.
Members of these associations emblazon their stationery with the appropriate badge ; some, indeed, sport it in the lapels of their coat. Has anyone derived any beriefit from it, for—you can accept this from me —the only benefit for which the haulier cares tuppence is work, work and again work? Moreover, his respect and support will go only to those who safeguard -his right to that work.
'PEWS expressed in this condemnation of association inactivity are those of an individual contributor and are not necessarily endorsed by "The Commercial Motor." Nevertheless, coming from cm independent expert with a wide knowledge of the industry, they merit close consideration. We would welcome, for publica-, tion, an answer from the Associations.—r.d.