Annihilate Anti social Operators
Page 25
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I SERIOUSLY suggest that there should be more l general opposition to applications for new licences and for variations of existing licences that are likely to lead M wasteful. competition. 1, moreover, suggest that this opposition should not be left to the British Railways, the Road Haulage Executive or to those who are on . the fringe of riemilisition. It should come from the ordinary hail: ier.
The day will arrive when the authorities will have..a close-up view of stipply and demand. Ever sitice 1934 they have reached their conclusions largely by guess. work: When that day does come: the haulage arena will be restricted to actual requirements.
think that a surprisingly large number of applications: lacking particular merit, manages to slip through, despite obstacles. Because of this, 1 again say that there is not sufficient opposition from the right direction. By carrying the torch as resident opposers to practically everything that is asked for, the railways have consolidated an already strong position arid have made them
selves heartily disliked. We are now an the days when the individual haulier should share this burden, not because he wishes to help the railways and not becaose he is told to'clo so, hut because he prefers to fight his own battle
As I have already implied, the haulage arena is bound to become
uhpleasantly overcrowded, if everything goes according to plan. The haulier's personal style will be cramped unless he does something about it now. Opposition from a small haulier is the more deadly because he is -in this category. The big fellow enters the ring so often and so regularly that the novelty and the effectiveness are apt to wear thin. In the Metropolitan and South-Eastern Traffic Areas it is easy to forecast from whom to expect this opposition. No doubt, in the other traffic areas the same circumstances obtain.
"Why should I oppose'!" asks the little .man, who probably hates forms and bureaucracyand wishes merely to be left alone.
" Because in this vicious circle created by circum
stances you will inevitably suffer," I say: Your dependants will suffer and your employees will suffer.. The backwash from every element of wasteful coin-petition will reach you whoever yoU• are and wherever you are."
Wasteful competition is not provoked by newcomers alone or even by those seeking additionaltonnage or wider conditions. There are other means far less reputable. The C-licensee who carries for hire or reward in defiance of the law is stealing from the haulier. The B-licensee' who exceeds his conditions is a petty pilferer-Hust as dangerous and just as mean and despicable. They should both be reported again and again until the official thumb squashes them into extinction. This is no question of becoming a " nark " or an informer. It is just that of being a good citizen and a worthy member of a worthy industry.
Something akin to a band of vigilantes is badly needed to put things straight.. To them should be entrusted the duty of hunting out every delinquent and the pleasure of putting him out of business. It is no case of taking the law into our own hands, but of helping it with our vigorous co-operation.
London, S.W.11. E.. H. B. PALMER.
[The weapon that Major Palmer recommends hauliers to wield against than fellows may be as dangerous to the user as to the -intended victim: .Readers are invited to express their views on his suggestion.The 'Traders'. Road Transport Association has sh'own its anxiety -to correct any tendency for C-licensees to operate outside the terms of their licences, bzcause the freedom of the ancillary ILIWC to carry his own goods without hindrance -depends on observance of Alm taw, Major Palmer's observations should not -be construed as a general attack on C-licensees, most of 'Whom are scrupulous in 'abiding by the rules.—
• FA
RUBBER PANELS FOR BUSES
THE third paragraph in the "Passing Comments"
feature on page 616 of your issue dated July -15 about rubber panels for the off-side rear corners of buses appears to suggest that this is a new development.
Rubber panels for this purpose were introduced by the Dunlop Rubber Co. 15 years ago, and were supplied for experimental purposes to a number of the principal passenger transport fleets throughout the country. The results were very successful and the panels were rapidly gaining in popularity when production was stopped during the war owing to the need to conserve rubber.
When rubber again became available Dunlop restarted production and its corner panels are now widely used. Glasgow Corporation Transport, Bournemouth -Corporation Transport, and Wilts and Dorset _Motor Services being among the fleets in which they are in use to-day.
J. BONAR MACCOLL
London, S.W.1. (For Dunlop Rubber Co., Ltd.)
INTERVAL FOR BLUSHES
I AM afraid that I cannot claim to be a long,established reader of your journal. The truth is that I have been able to obtain it on a regular. order only since the increase in the paper supply, bat I Must Say; from what I have seen in odd copies at various times, that I entirely endorse Mr. Rogers' remarks.
The road tests of the Land-Rover and the Latil fourwheel-drive tractor particiilarly interested me, as I am a member of .the Tank Proving Establishment and the Long Valley is well known to me. .
hope to read many More of your interesting articles.
Englefield Green. J. WOOD.
ENCLOSE a letter to Mr. R. M. Rogers, of Bridport, a communication from whoni was published in your issue dated July 15.
May I add .my praises to his concerning your excellent publication. I thoroughly enjoyed every issue.
Newcastle upon Tyne. K. NICHOLSON.
AS a driver employed on heavy .1-pad haulage, 1 took to reading your journal; only a fey(' .months ago. I find it excellent in quality and flavour, also a mine of information to a motaimenthitsiast like myself.. I shall continue to read "The Commercial Motor." and. recom
mend it to others. K. Mc DONOUGH. Glasgow, Cl..