At Swan and Edgar' s Corner.
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A .Draper a Wide Reputation Uses Renault Vans Exclusively.
We were placed in a position a week or two ago to give the first public intimation of the new arrangements which have been made for the proper development of the
Renault commercial vehicles in this country. In the course of this preliminary notice, we reminded our readers that this well-known maker had so far done little more in this country than supply us with cab chassis—in large numbers, it is granted.
We were, however, in the course of an interview with Mr. C. H. Saunders, who, it will be remembered, is taking over the Renault commercial-vehicle output so far as this country is concerned, referred, in answer to an inquiry, to one customer who has been consistently employing Renault motorvans for some years past. This was Mr. Walter Morford, the managing director of the well-known Piccadilly Circus drapers. Mr. Morford was recently pleased to give the time for a short interview with regard to these machines.
Watching the Cab Chassis.
It appears that he bought Renault models solely on the basis of his own experience and of his observation of the behaviour of the other types of the same make. He was particularly struck, he told us, with the admirable manner in which the little two-cylinder cab chassis did its work.
" At the same time," he added, " it has always puzzled me to know why it is that vehicle makers have apparently not given any attention to the production of a model which shall come midway between the cycle-carrier and the 70-cwt. van. I think I may say that I have had
very considerable experience with the use of motor vehicles ; my practical employment of them dates back to a very early day in the history of the movement."
Unmechanical Drapers.
" Drapers as a rule," said Mr. Morford, "have not much knowledge of things mechanical ; I think that will be generally admitted. Here and there, of course, there are exceptions ; I claim to be one myself. I take full responsibility for the choice of the Renault for the delivery work in connection with Swan and Edgar's business. I consider that the two-cylinder Renault is unique in its way. It is remarkably cheap in the matter of upkeep and maintenance, cannot be driven at a very high speed—a feature which I think is of vital importance— and it is, as a matter of fact, very nearly fool-proof. It is important, too, to standardize a fleet. There should be no playing about with mixed models." 1 he Demand for Motor Carriers.
" What sort of men do we use ? We use our old horse-van drivers_ They are not all of the same calibre, but as far as possible we pick out those men who have what might be called a sense of the road. I undoubtedly should have gone in for a motor-carrier of some sort, had I been able to ensure the delivery of one or other of the most suitable models. This is another puzzle to me. The manufacturer does not seem to have realized the extraordinary demand there is existing already for these handy little machines. Even after four years I should still find it difficult to choose an industrial model of the same capacity as the 10 h.p. two-cylinder Renault."
Average District Deliveries. . In answer to a query as to the class of delivery which Swan and Edgar's have to undertake, Mr. Morford said that regular scheduled rounds were covered, and that Ithese vans delivered as far away as Southall, Potters Bar and Wey
bridge, for instance. This little fleet of Renaults at present consists of ten machines ; two of them were bought from Harmsworth's, who, on account of the Tariff Reform propaganda of the papers with which they are associated, found it inexpedient to employ French-made delivery vans. These two lastmentioned machines are employed for suburban delivery, in cornicetion with the recently-opened furniture department of Swan and Edgar's. As a rule this user enly sends one man with each van, giving him id. per parcel delivered in lieu of the help of a "loader."
As we have mentioned, this owner employs his vehicles on regular rounds, and we must admit to a certain amount of surprise on being told that such goods as those
which are sold by Swan and Edgar's necessitate a regular delivery throughout the year. Season trades, of course, enhance the intensity of deliveries, but ifis a fact that approximately the same number of packets has to go to each neighbourhood in the course of a year. The law of averages renders it possible to run regular delivery services.
Emergency Cyclists.
With regard to emergency services, where, as we gathered is frequently the case, ladies require the despatch at very short. notice of some special purchase, Mr. Morford finds it economical to employ ordinary cyclists who receive a definite sum for each of the parcels delivered.
" It is surprising," said ,Mr. Morford in this connection, " to what an extent these cyclists will load their machines up. On the whole they \yin deliver to all mode
rate distances as quickly as will the motorvan.
" You ask me whether I am satisfied as to the economical advantage of the substitution of mechanical for horse-drawn delivery plant? I do not think we can have any doubt. about it. We not Si) long ago used to employ 16 horses, and we now only have six, and as these last wear out we shall, without the slightest doubt, replace them with motors."
Travellers' Broughams.
In addition to the ordinary delivery, several 614 h.p. Rovers are used for the travellers in the service of the firm. One elderly gentleman who is well over 60 years of age was offered by Mr. Morford, almost in a ,spirit of fun, a motor vehicle upon which he might do his rounds, and it is amusing to note that this gentleman not only jumped at the opportunity, but has turned it to excellent advantage for a long while past.
Swan and Edgar's do not undertake their own maintenance. Small repairs and adjustments are carried out by their drivers, the annual overhaul being undertaken by an outside repairer. In conclusion, Mr. Morford said, " There is no doubt about it, as I have already pointed out, the majority of drapers know little about mechanics at all and for that. reason they are largely in the hands of agents, who, I fear, do not hesitate in some cases to take advantage of the ignorance of their would-be customers. There is an enormous future for a small van which is nothing like the fine but somewhat heavy 10-cwt. models which are offered by the betterknown makers. In most cases, the draper will find that the lightest forms of well-made cab chassis will suit his purpose better than any other model. My experience of the Renault amply justifies this assertion.' '