Representative Associations Needed
Page 31
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Says Capt. E. H. B. Palmer, O.B.E.
A Vigorous Reply to the Critics of "Fiddling While Rome Burns" TRANSPORT legislation of to-day
proves, in many ways, that the authorities recognize the importance of the small operator, and the railway companies pay him the compliment of briefing counsel, should he seek another half-ton in unladen weight or another five miles inradius. Why, then, are we in the industry itself so slow to realize, that our strength lies not in the large undertakings, but in those at the other end of the scale?
May of 1926 saw many a large fleet picketed and immobile, whilst the owner-driver, by adroitly manceuvring the simple expedient of parking in a different place each night and at not a little risk to himself and his vehicle, managed to keep going.
Tribute to the C.M.U.A.
It was with a lively appreciation of this situation that I wrote "Fiddling while Rome Burns," which appeared in The Commercial Motor on October 23 and immediately created a storm of controversy. Befire dealing with my critics, however, let me pay tribute to the Commercial Motor Users Association for its timely recovery from what threatened to prove a long period of indifference and inactivity, but because of its very constitution it is not, in my opinion, the organization for the public carrier.
Contrariwise, Associated Road Operators should concern itself with no one else and that is why I, for one, should welcome a revival of the Road Haulage Association and the demobilization of the present anomaly without further delay.
Cleating Houses Should Organize. So far as freight brokers are concerned, they would be well advised to form their own association and should have done so long ago. The association would, naturally, be small, but strength could be gained in all matters of general policy by affiliation with the others.
Its particular duty would be the stabilization of the clearing house as a responsible and effective unit of the transport industry. Few will deny that there is ample useful work to be done in this direction, for the future of those for whom such .an organization would fight is definitely at stake, and anyone who thinks Gtherwise is living in a fool's paradise. I can straightaway disarm Mr. Bradbury (whose criticism was published on November 6) by confessing to an admiration for the organization to which he belongs. My remarks were not aimed in that direction. I have, on the contrary, urged many a small operator to join the National Association of Furniture Warehousemen and Removers and to enjoy its protection. Several have adopted this advice and more than one active member is my friend and client.
Mr. Kinch (see the November 6 issue) supports my views and I appreciate the value of his backing. Mr. Kinch has for his motto "Deeds, not words." He is busy forming a local organization that has, as its policy, mutual benefit—mark the word—and mutual protection.
No Alternative?,
'Answer me fairly, Mr. Kinch. Would you and your colleagues have taken this step had an alternative been available?
Mr. Vintner, of the Star Haulage Co., Ltd., expressed (also in the November 6 issue) vigorous disagreement with my views and, all things considered, I am obliged to him. It helps me quite a lot.
There are machines of such poor quality that it does not matter if one does throw a spanner in the works. Nothing can improve them and nothing can make them worse, but one might draw attention to the urgent necessity of scrapping them in favour of something capable of better performance.
Their mechanism is badly designed and ill-assembled. Lubrication is worse than useless—it is, in fact as bad as pouring shekels into the coffers of an ineffective organization.
Mr. Vintner's point regarding the Alliance of Owner Drivers I gladly take. Of this association I was founder, secretary, and treasurer. My own money and that of a friend, who had faith in my ideals, was lost in its promotion.
Three-and-a-half years is a long time to look back in the history of road transport, and I can confirm Mr. Vintner's statement that the haulier is apathetic. He could not, or would not, see the breakers ahead. I was dealing with the owner-driver, a not-particularly affluent class.
The committee was formed of owner-drivers. Revenue was limited to the modest subscription of one guinea. Membership on paper was encouraging ; in contribution it was ineffective.
We paid no salaries, fees, expenses, or even commission on subscriptions. Every penny was earmarked for printing, postage, stationery, and rental of accommodation for meetings. One red-letter day, accommodation was provided free.
"An Unashamed Beggar."
Clearing houses and dealers could not, or would not help those who helped them. I became an unashamed beggar on behalf of others and received a severe rap over the knuckles from the trade association of concerns the products of which were purchased daily by our members, for daring to solicit financial support.
I became a thoroughly tiresome fellow, Public Nuisance No. 1 in the transport industry—and why? Because I saw the necessity, in those days, of the small operators uniting, so that, in these days they would be in a position to fight.
We were, however, " news " to the Press. The transport newspapers were both interested and sympathetic. Even a leading "daily" gave us honourable mention. What was the trouble? Were we, likely to prove a danger to our big brethren and is that why we lacked financial support and encouragement? We sought affiliation with established organizations and were rebuffed.
Why Not Invite Railways?
Mr. Vintner draws a delightful picture of how, in the South London sub-area, association members forgather to compare rates and customers. I wonder why the railway companies are not invited, too.
We are told what the associations have done to exalt the haulage industry in Parliament and at the traffic inquiries. As regards the former achievement, were this so remarkable surely the big " dailies " would have noted the fact, for news is news the world over. As regards the latter, I contend that every little operator who defends a licence application makes his contribution.