Opinions from Others.
Page 16
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be an one side of the Paper only, and type-written by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for the views exbressed is accepted. In the case of experiences, names of towns or localities may be withheld.
in Exchange for lid.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,033] Sir,-1 suppose you are right.; we should look beyond our noses, but it is not very easy to " lie down " to the immediate payment in return for promises only. Of course, when you had Mr. Lloyd-George's assurances several -weeks ago, I think you did the right thing to act upon them. If we can force improvements because we are paying, it is a much safer position than if we were told ee had no right to demand improvements because we were exempt! I have three petrol vans, and some of the roads I use have bad corners and bad surfacs. In a few niontlis from now, I intend to press our local council and surveyor pretty hard.—Yours faithfully, '' CONTENT.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MoToe.
[1,034] Sir,--Not content to wait to see my usual copy of the " C.M.," when I reached home late last, Thursday, I saw your poster when catching my train to the north, and I immediately secured a copy of the new issue from the bookstall. In such lean days as these, your bold suggestion of " is. for 11d." made me anxious immediately to learn how I could increase my available surplus by 700 per cent. At first, it read too much like " something for nothing," hut your useful leading article contained what, to me, seemed such rational inferences that I am prompted to write a few lines to you in appreciation. In the midst of much panic-stricken protest, I am glad to receive some confirmation of my view that owners will only secure a lams standi when they can point to the fact that they are helping to pay the piper, and, therefore, should have a word as to the tune.
Although we shall probably not diminish the genuine claims for extraordinary-traffic, we shall, on the score that we shall help to pay for road improvement and proper maintenavice, incidentally decrease the contingency risk of accident, and probably of damage to the toads, and, as common carriers, many of us will be able to develop our road-carrying businesses on reasonable lines—or, should I say, reasonable roads. No doubt, the London bus companies would be hard hit; so would other users who have to work under existing contracts. but T have an idea that the Chancellor realizes these disabilities and will temper the wind to the few shorn lambs in some suitable manner.
I am not the sort of man who rims around looking for the tax collector, as a rule, but I certainly regard some form of tax, such as the U.A. one, as a subscription for which I anticipate quite reasonable returns. If I don't pay, I have no right to shout, and I give you my word, if I'm to get a living in the motor-carrying business, rye got to shout!—Yours faithfully,
Stockport.
Road-damage Procedure.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,035] Sir,—We note the paragraph in your issue of yesterday's date—" Answers to Queries " No. 1,467. This seems almost a parallel case to that of ourselves v. the Somerset County Council, which was tried in Atigust of 1907. Of course, we won the case, but there is no doubt whatever that it was through our employing Messrs. Hicks and Co., and Mr. Charles, K.C. ; the last-named gentleman is the man to win.
It appears that " D.M." has a better chance of success than we had, viz., the work of the traction engine. " D.M." should immediately take the steps given in your answer, and not fail to obtain every particular and evidence, and all the witnesses he can get. We had two of Foden's wagons and still have them at work, but we have never heard anything from the County Council since. We may say that Messrs. loden gave us splendid advice and
lielp.—Yolirs faithfully, J. LOVELL AND SONS. Bishop Sutton,
24th September, 1909.
Dorking Wants a Motorbus Service.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1,036] Sir,—It has been felt for some time that there is a great need of a motorbus service to the villages in the neighbourhood of Dorking. From time to time, horse buses have been running, but this has not been altogether successful, partly because they did eot cover a sufficiently-large district, and also owing to the slowness of the locomotion. It is a little difficult to give the names of the villages, as so Much would depend on the distance anyone who took it up would he inclined to cover. As you may know, the district is a good residential one, where we have a large number of visitors in the summer, besides the ordinary residents, and, our country being very beautiful, we get numbers of people down for the day, who walk to Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Holmwood Common, and other beautiful spots. It is felt that SOMA motorbus service, such as I have outlined, should appeal to the visitors as well as the residents in the villages, and in many cases the villages are several miles from the nearest railway station: all residents, therefore, have long walks when coming into the town to do their shopping. The buses, I believe, would get a considerable amount of work in carrying parcels, and I should be very pleased to give anyone all the information that lies in my power.— Yours faithfully,
ARTHUR H. LYNE.
Dorking and District Chamber of Commerce.
[ We have no doubt there will be a satisfactory response.—Eod