B.T.C. Doctrine " Indefensible " "W/E. know, as transport experts, that
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IT the enormous increases in charges sought to be made by the railways and London Transport cannot be justified. We know, as sensible men, that the attempt by the British Transport Commission to recoup its staggering losses over the past three years will only accelerate the general rise in prices which it should be the duty of the Government and of the Commission to keep down."
Mr. F. F. Fowler, national chairman of the Road Haulage Association, made this statement at the annual dinner of the Yorkshire (Leeds) area, last week.
" Road hauliers put up their rates only when it is unavoidable," he continued. "The latest Budget imposition of 41d. per gallon on petrol tax has meant an immediate rise of 21 per cent. in haulage costs and this had to be passed on to he customer, Many increases which have taken place in other costs, and have affected us just as much as the Commission, have been absorbed by the improvements hauliers are continually making in the efficiency of their businesses.
"Lord Hurcomb's doctrine that because costs have risen, prices must automatically go up, is indefensible, and except under a monopoly it would lot be practicable. If his undertaking were subject to ordinary business lazards, instead of being three-parts a monopoly, Lord Hurcomb would have :o resign and give place to people who cnow how transport should be run iconomically."
NEWCASTLE TO EXTEND PRIVATE HIRE?
rioActi operators have threatened to L., "fight tooth and nail" any plan by qewcastle-on-Tyne Transport Departnent to operate private-hire coaches nitsidc the city area. Aid. R. Mould3raham, chairman of the transport .ommittee, said that the idea had been ' turning over in their minds," but had lot been fully considered. He xnressed the opinion that it would be a ,aluable source of revenue.
Mr, F. C Cowey, manager of ;alley's Motors, Ltd., Newcastle, said hat the running of contract carriages by he city council would be an unwaranted interference with private enter'rise. Private concerns, he pointed out, vould be paying rates to allow the city council to oppose them in business.