Many Operators Resent Attack on Mr. E. B. Howes
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VOUR contributor, Mr. J. Brown, of Leicester, makes -I some bold statements in his letter, many of which are open to question.
It might interest him to know that As effort was the result of the bad experience local operators had received from the Government Road Haulage Scheme, both as regards traffic and rates, and apparently, from the feeling of the meeting, this was not peculiar to this district. tach speaker was delegated by the local operators to
. deal with a particular point, and they were in fact speaking for all. In their opinion there was a deal of difference in the resolution propounded by the Executive and the one tabled at the meetffig.
The question of the Press looms high in the line of Mr. Brown's vision, but may I remind him that it is a long time since the Press (Technical or National) was admitted to an association meeting except to hear particular parts, so that one could truthfully say that instead of a friendly Press, the industry has had no Press at all from the operators' side.
The last paragraph of Mr. Brown's letter is purely personal and is not borne out in fact. • F. Lucas, Hon. Secretary, Luton. , Northern Metropolitan Sub-Area, A.R.O.
I AM astounded at Mr. J. Brown's letter and feel that I in all fairness and justice, I should reply to his remarks, which are so ill-founded and ill-advised.
/Mi. Howes has been connected with road transport for a great number of years, and has a wealth of experience, both in the practical and political spheres. He is a director of the company in which I have the honour of being general manager; the company's activities include a co-operative group of concerns, which Mr. Howes founded in 1937,. and, as their chairman, ha? prudently guided this powerful body of hauliers through difficult times.
Having worked by the side of Mr. Howes for many yttars. I resent this slight, especially in view of his service both to this country and to our industry.
C. W. COLLEY, •
Gen. Manager, A. Saunders and Son (Harpenden), Ltd., anti Hon. Sec. A. Saunders and Son Co-operative Harpenden. Group,
I CONCUR with Mr. Brown, of Leicester, whose letter I was published in your issue of September 18, in his desire for full Press representation at such imporfarit debates as the recent A.R.Cr. meeting, happily, in my opinion, the Technical Press then afforded fair and favourable reports.
I do not know, however, if your correspondent be an authority on road haulage, but he does a grave injustice in associating that eminent engineer, Mr. E. Howes, with mere vociferation. Mr. Howes had the courage and ability to perform his delegated duties and. I venture to think, voiced not only the North London Sub-Area's dissatisfied feelings, but the general concensus of-opinion throughout the entire road-transport industry against the unwieldy and uneconomic Government Road Haulage Scheme.
Although " Multum in Parvo " may aptly describe Mr.'Howes in 1937 his genius-evolved a most satisfactory roadulage co-pperative group, . of which my company is a component, covering several firths, a large vehicle-fleet and securing the utmost economy in loaded working 'with the minimum of empty mileage, from which an example might well be taken as exemplifying unity and organization.
The aforementioned public meeting was necessitated by the -need for articulation by the representatives of many thousands of road hauliers, but surely the constructive suggestion in the final phase of Mr. Howes' resolution cannot be reconciled with the expression " hot-head " contained within your correspondent's
letter. W. A. HINES,
Managing Director, Amalgamated Removers and Transport, Ltd. St. Albans.
AMONG the "Opinions and Queries" in your paper dated September 18, I have read the letter by J. Brown, of Leicetter, and as seconder of the proposition at the Caxton Hall meeting 9n August 26, I cannot help but think that the last paragraph of his letter alludes to myself, where he writes "these lorry drivers who, by some fortunate circumstance, have become owners of
lorries." ' This being so I ask for an apology from Mr. Brown through your paper, as I have never been a lorry driver. I will not go any further into the matter as ni3"T solicitors will do that if there, be no apology forthcoming.
C. R. THOMPSON,
Director, Luton. for T.hompson's Haulage (Luton), Ltd.
A S chairman of the -Metropolitan Northern Sub-area A.R.O., it is my duty and pleasure to reply to the letter from Mr. J. Brown, of Leicester, published in ",The Commercial Motor" dated September 18.
His attack on Mr. Ernest B. Howes, our vice-chairman, who has served this industry so well, will obviously draw comment from various parts of the country. His description of Mr. Howes as a small, but vociferous, operator, is ridiculous.
' We hold Mr. Howes in very high esteem, and it will take more than a letter, written by Mr. J. Brown, to lower his prestige in this...Area. Surely Mr. Brown has not forgotten the thunder of applause, which gave expression to the excellence of Mr. Howes' speech at the adjourned A.G.M. of A.R.O. ,.in the Caxton Hall.
I could say many things of the capabilities and gentlemanly conduct of Mr. Howes, but I have in mind that other people will have something to say about this out
rageous attack. P. R. WILLIAMS. Luton.