Can Operating Costs Be Standardized?
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I S it a fact that the large operator has
such advantages in respect of buying facilities that he can, as the outcome, cut the rates which are economic for a small operator and yet make a reasonable profit? That was -the general tenor of the discussion following S.T.R.'s initial address of his Devon and Cornwall tour, at Deller's Café. Exeter, on Monday, February 14. Arising out of this came the supplementary question, as to whether, in stabilizing rates, the conditions considered should be those of the larger operator or those of the small one. The discussion was particularly keen.
This meeting, both in the attendance and the interest displayed, was a further vindication of the views expressed by S.T.R., that the most satisfactory method of planning a meeting is to arrange a small, inexpensive dinner and to have drinks available. The gathering, under the chairmanship of Mr. P. W. Cullen, included hauliers who had driven 60 miles into Exeter.
At the meeting at Plymouth on the Tuesday, a representative audience of hauliers discussed Operating costs as they know them in Devon as compared with those in the rest of the country.
The "rock-bottom" figures, which S.T.R. is putting forward in his current series of addresses, were subject to friendly criticism on that basis.
Mr. Curtis, of Plymouth Transport, Ltd., in proposing a vote of thanks, held in his hand a copy of The Commercial Motor Tables of Operating Costs, which, he said, he had used for many years and had found most helpful. Another .member present said that he had read . The Commercial Motor continuously since 1028 and had derived much assistance from the " Problems of the Carrier " series of articles.
At St. Austell, on the Wednesday, Mr. W. R. G. Hawke presided, and was supported by Mr. C. Hodgson and Mr. Humphrey Cooke, A.R.O. solicitor for the area. At this meeting the importance of establishment costs, and the amount which hauliers in different classes of business may be expected to have to pay, were the principal items in the discussion.
At Camborne, on the Thursday, the comparative figures for cost of operation in Cornwall and other parts of the country again formed the principal subject of discussion. Mr. R. E. Newham, in proposing the vote of thanks, said that he had made considerable use of The Commercial Motor Tables of Operating Costs and, in his view, the Association ought to take steps to circulate these tables, so that every member should have a copy available for reference.