Telling Transport Fortunes
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Unintentional Humour Abounded at the Commercial Motor Exhibition and Much of
it was Experienced'
By
Capt. E. H. B. Palmer, O.B.E. WHY does no one suggest holding a Commercial'-Motor Show every year? That, at least, is how I feel about the matter. For me it means the meeting with old friends and new, with even a welcome for those with whom one comes in daily contact. This year, my circle of friends has increased out of all proportion, and this increase has proved to be full of human. interest.
Those who brought their troubles and queries to me each evening at my office in the Municipal Section were indebted to the foresight of this journal.
Every visitor had something of interest to relate and if much of it was a reflection of my daily routine, the coriditions were definitely more attractive, for I often found occasion to suggest the inspection of an exhibit in order to illustrate some point. Should these occasions have aroused the hopes of any young salesman, I apologize profoundly.
Now, let me introduce a few of those who introduced themselves to me during my 10 days at Olympia. Surprising although it may appear to be, quite a few of them were salesmen—and Northcountry at that.
Unnecessarily Gloomy.
The first of these men desired my views regarding the future of A, B and C-licence operators, expressing the gloomy opinion that:pie might as well look for another 'post, if the potential purchasers of commercial vehicles were to be limited, in the near future, to the four railway companies and a handful of haulage monopolies. That my own view proved to be less depressing than his may be judged by the fact that my friend decided to return north and have another "cut at it."
Two operators in joint possession of a coach, now conveying children to and from a certain school, by arrangement with its proprietors, were distressed by the fact that the authorities were inclined to recognize in this a case where a road service licence might be necessary. The arrangement was one of the many advantages set forth in the school's prospectus and it was hard for the operators to realize that fares were being paid indirectly through the school fees.
A second passenger transport puzzle came from a young man desirous of obliging his neighbour hood with a bus service. That the route proposed was covered by no other service was beside the point, when one realized that the terminals were already linked up. In the circumstances, the task of persuading the Traffic Commissioners regarding the necessity of the innovation would be no easy one.
The naive inquiry of yet another coach operator amused me. Hitherto, he had been content with private-party work. Now he wished to run an express service to the coast whenever the weather was fine enough to induce a demand. As a super-optimist, I held him in the greatest regard, but it was incumbent on me to explain that his application, boiled down, would simply amount to a request to do as he pleased. After a little consideration, he realized his own reaction to a similar suggestion on the part of another operator.
Lancashire—and Drunk I One of the quieter evenings produced entertainment on unorthodox lines. A shortish man, with " Manchester " written all over him, beamed at me from the doorway, His first remark, from the depths of an armchair, was : "You'll not understand me, for I'm Lancashire and I'm drunk," Could you imagine a happier introduction? We were friends immediately and I almost rejoined with " I am Scotch and sober." Maybe, some day, we shall foregather in Manchester—and a happy day it should be for both of
!
I was just about to leave my office at the Show, on another occasion, when an energetic man flourished a letter before me. " Read that," he invited; "is it good enough for a contract licence? " " It is," I replied, and he rushed off, apparently amply reassured.
Returning a little later, I observed from a distance the efforts of a " happy " person, endeavouring to gain access to my office. He tried the handle more than once and then prowled around, inspecting the structure from every angle. . He tried again and again. What treasure he imagined was concealed therein— apart from myself—I know not. Fortunately, the possibility of entertainment elsewhere, or the necessity of refuelling, drew him away and I was able to reoccupy the premises.
On the whole, most of the problems brought to me were elementary, and this fact lends support to my opinion that, whilst there is still a large number of operators with inadequate knowledge of their obligations under the road and Rail Traffic Act or the Road Traffic Act, there are many more in absolute ignorance. Were it otherwise, would one, still encounter those who, for some weird reason of their own, believe themselves to be above the law, both as regards the holding of any class of licence, or in relation to the keeping of records and observing regulations regarding drivers' hours?
Licences Not Saleable.
It was inevitable that my advice should be sought on the question of acquiring a haulage licence in place of one hitherto operated by another party. Apparently, it is not yet generally appreciated that a licence is neither transferable nor saleable and that the negotiation for one, with the surrender of another as a quid pro quo, is a matter of considerable delicacy. What the Licensing Authorities have, very properly, to guard against, is trading in licences and the many ingenious attempts to do so by indirect methods; Various efforts in this direction have been brought to light.
Sales representatives may be tall or short, lean or tubby, but they have certain qualities in common. If the sternest of these characteristics may indicate a hawk-like ability to recognize and pounce upon an unhappy prospect, holding him down and " worrying " him with the tenacity of a bull terrier, their happiest qualities are surely invariable geniality and a penchant for retailing short stories. The sales representative whose memory leaves him with no point to his narrative is unquestionably a back number.
Many visitors to the Show brought their womenfolk. One foursome intrigued me particularly. After a curious glance in at the door of my office, where I lay in wait, much after the manner of a fortune teller, they passed on to a more worthy "exhibit." The males stood transfixed at the manifold beauties of a gully cleanser. The women, having registered proper interest, while under observation, caught each other's eyes and collapsed into weak giggles.
Now, let me repeat a little advice given to more than one B-licence operator at the Show and elsewhere. " Do not ask for a greater radius than you require, for to obtain an increase in radius is to grant you greater scope to compete in the haulage industry and much the same evidence would be necessary as is required to prove the reason for increased ton nage, additional vehicles or even a new licence."
Likewise, to all desiring to carry for hire or reward, the slogan should be : "Prove the necessity," and, again, to every operator of every class, I say : " Keep those drivers' records as carefully as you can and preserve them as long as possible, for by them and them alone wilt many of you be able to justify your existence."