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By "The Extractor."
"Hail to the Chief."
"if you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you."
From, "IF," by Ratairara Kipling.
One's thoughts go naturally to the above lines when reflecting over the new-appointment of the president of the S.M.M.T. Council, because Mr. Albert Brown is essentially one who in difficult situations keeps his head-;. no one could be more suitable to preside over the premier motoring council than the managing director of Brown Bros., Ltd. He has been in the forefront of every motoring movement, whether of politics, business or sport. In every committee or council I have known, whether in trade associations or in social clubs, the real work is ever done by a small circle of enthusiastic spirits. It has devolved upon Mr. Albert Brown to give a great amount of 'energy and time in this way, because it is his nature to do things thoroughly : no wonder, then; that he is to be found in the main circle of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and in a like position in the Motor Traders' Association. His is the practical mind, and how well he knows the secret of despatchMg business when occupying the chair ! Non-essential points are ruled out, not ruthlessly, but with that special smile, the smile of a strong-man, which is never stereotyped, but which is always ready. on the instant to demonstrate the existence of the kindly feelings. Altogether, the new president enters office with an abundance of goodwill, Most -_ Of the council and officers have had: years of him as vice-president, and they know. As to his hobbies : he still does farming, which pays now, by the bye he may not motor, there is war work to be shared ; '3ut he gets an occasional week-end at golf, which', keeps his body fit and his face the right colour.
Bicycles a-Booming.
No more striking contrast between London and pmvineial motor employees is observable, than in the way in which bicycles are brought into use for the daily journey to and from Jansiness. I was recently at the Sentinel steam wagon works at Shrewsbury and noticed with pleasure the cycle sheds for employees filled -to overflowing. More than one-half of the workers, office staff included, .went their respective -Ways on wheels, some residing. I understand, within a couple of miles, -sonic 10 miles away and some even
• more than that.
Not, I happened one evening recently to be travelling by tramcar (to my sorrow !) into Londonfrom a. northern village, and at Aircra,ftville tremendous queues were assembled. A moiety only boarded our . i . i car, filling t to suffocation. Many had to wait regu
larly for an hour, I was told, and yet, although the road was good and the weather beautiful, I could only count three people going home by wheel. Why, bicycles would be a boon and a blessing to the majority of those people.
Why Not " Squire " ?
In connection with the recent distribution of birthday honours and the resuscitation of the charming oldfashioned title of Dame, it occurs to me that the rank of Squire might equally well he revived. It would prove a fitting honour for many doing natienaLwork, and would be a mom distinctive stepping-stone to something higher than there letters after One's name. What, 'for instance, could better befit Mr. Arthur McCormack, of Wolseley's, than to be named meanwhile Squire McCormack, Q.-rid bow well such an appellation would distinguish that 'popular nersonage, Mr. Henry. Spurrier, of Leylands. Squire Spurrier would fit him like a glove.
An Opportunity.
A gentleman I know extremely well tells me that -capable, steady motor drivers, -not eligible for the Army, are wanted in the East. A good knowledge of motors, besides the ability to drive, is, of course, essential. Wages will be found to be on quite a high scale for the right men, in addition to superannuation funds; etc., whilst six months leave is granted every three years to allow for a return to the homeland. Application in the first instance can be ma-do care of this office, marked " Eastern."
• The increase in the amount needed for qualification for 'traders' season tickets is el interest to many in the motor community. To jump from £300 worth of traffic to £500 per annum per railway company, excludes many important business men from the privilege of a trader's ticket, and wrongly so, especially when it is remembered that business has dwindled during nearly four years of war. It is, I understand, Sir Albert Stanley's oWn particular brain wave, and has. been strongly opposed by chief railway officials, who. have, of course, excellent opportunities of judging how the increased passenger-traffic is constituted. Anyone who travels much can see that there-is, or has been, too much departmental joy-riding. T believe
i
, this s being curtailed, as has also the joy-riding of the "holy" rnunitioneer, as he has been aptly named-. His privilege for any kind of railway. journey, including holiday towns, has been a single fare for the double journey, and that has now been rescinded. At the moment, chaos reigns in season ticket offices., because of the sudden edict as to the traders' ti.eke,t qualification, and a -great number of tickets are being withheld, to the detriment -of businesses engaged on
national work. • •