Out and Home. — By "The Extractor."
Page 6
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
The controversy between the B.U.R. T. Co., Ltd., and Halley Industrial Motors, Ltd., has taken up a good share of attention : I have heard both points of view very eloquently and forcibly expressed, but nothing was allowed to be published. I am now extremely glad to be able to announce, after an interview with one of the principals, that a meeting took place recently, in Glasgow, and an amicable settlement was arrived at. It will be found, I am told, that Halley Motors are going, and will go, stronger than ever.
A well-known personality in the oil trade is Mr. P. C. Angell ; his connection with the Wakefield concern has come to a termination, and he has entered the service of Henry Clark and Sons, Ltd., oil and grease specialists, of 49-51, Eastcheap, E.C. He will now be busy making calls in connection with his new -appointment.
Great Portland Street has become quite a market for motor people, and additions are still going on. The latest. concern to build a nest there is the Polyrhoe Carburetter Co.. from Leicester, for which concern extensive premises will shortly be opened at 144. Great Portland Street, London, W.. and a popular personage, Mr. R. C. Warren, who has been connected with the Polyrhoe some considerable time, has been made general manager. Still another important business change is to be reported: Mr. A. Reginald Pole, formerly general manager of the Glasgow Assurance (Jo., has started in business on his own account, as an insurance broker, at 7242, Gracechurch Street, E.C. He is well known to us at this office and, I am glad to hear that he is making a speciality of motor insurance for heavy vehicles. I look upon him as an exceptionally capable man ; he knows the insurance business from A to Z, and he is to be relied upon. He has worked London in connection with his former post, and it will be a surprise to me if he does not establish a sound connection.
The " man in possession" has been the subject of some quaint stories from time to time, and, no doubt, he has been in some farcical situations: in the houses of the needy great, he has been disguised as a waiter ; he has often posed as the " uncle from Australia," when guests were present, and many other like subterfuges. I remember travelling, years ago, by the Colne Valley Railway, then a small single line which ran through Halstead, in Essex, and a man was in possession ; he used to go to and fro in charge of the train, and collect the fares. The latest development is something in our own branch of business : Renewals and repairs were made by a large concern to
certain motoreabs, and, in spite of persistent solicitation, the wherewithal was not forthcoming ; they were unable to "touch," as some of my young friends gay. It then occurred to them to put a bailiff in possession of one of the cabs ; I gather that he had his meals in it, he slept in it, and when the cab went out to earn its living, he solemnly took his place on the luggage or on an improvised seat. The money was soon paid.
It was put to me, the other day, by one of the responsible heads of a large motor firm, that the Act dealing with bonuses or. commissions to employees works out vastly in favour of the chauffeur, or, in the case of taxicabs, in favour of one or more employees connected with the cab company, and it was shown to me that the bonus receiver is now completely protected, so that commissions are extracted with more effrontery than ever. Punishment, for the giving of commissions,. is meted out to the giver only ; it is, therefore, a sine qua non that he, will keep perfectly silent about his share of the transaction, and, on that account, the employee who can influence the purchaser boldly asks for, and receives, his commission. It is not paid by cheque or by notes, but in coin of the realm. I believe that commission giving is more prevalent than ever.