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THE ORGANIZATION OF MOTOR TRANSPORT.

3rd January 1918, Page 17
3rd January 1918
Page 17
Page 17, 3rd January 1918 — THE ORGANIZATION OF MOTOR TRANSPORT.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

AFTER THREE YEARS of warfare the trading community of this country is beginning to awake to the fact that "There is something rotten in the State of Denmark."

On the one hand it is virtually impossible to get prompt delivery of goods ; and on the -other hand motor vehicles of all capacities are to be seen daily running about the country, either partially loaded or not leaded at all. It is certainly very annoying and foolish that it should be so.

The commercial motor owner does not want to run his vehicle about without a load upon it. The trading community want to fill it up many times over. Something is missing to overcome the difificulties of both parties. .. Many suggestions to solve the problem have been forthcoming recently from as many different sources. Several have the hallmark of unbridled imagination. Others, however, appear to be more carefully thought out.

The Problem of the Return Load.

A very popular panacea for "light running " is summed up in the magic words "Clearing House." This

appears to be a mysterious place where motor owners f an find just those loads they require always waiting, ready to drop on to their vehicles like ripe apples into the hands of a hungry schoolboy.

The public have become firmly convinced of one fact—that motor vehicles only run light on "return" journeys. Of course it is natural to assume that a motor is not sent out on a journey without some prospect of a load in one direction, but it is quite incorrect to assume that the motor owner only sighs for " return loads "—or further to imagine that from the financial standpoint the return journey is of less consequence than the outward run.

Certain patriotic individuals who know something 'both of the complexities and possibilities of motor transport endeavoured to give the matter publicity through the Press. The "Times" and "Manchester Guardian" both opened advertisement columns for loads wanted and haulage available. But the public did not respond.

It is quite true, however, this matter of using motor transport to its fullest possible extent was

taken up. by the country in a proper manner. The

country is .getting "all out" in the gigantic world war in which it is engaged. If given a fair chance motor transport can and will provide universal relief to the public which is gasping for better transport facilities.

Wanted—a Transport Napoleon!

The main points to remember in approaching the subject are that motor haulage is a technical business and cannot be dealt' with by amateurs. Moreover, motor haulage has already given to the country as freely in both men and material as any industry, and in its weakened condition has to grapple with quite as many extraordinary difficulties arising out of the war as any other industry.

What it requires at the moment is the skilful guidance of an experienced hand, to lead it in the first place into those channels where it can best derve the needs of the country for war, and afterwards to concentrate as far as possible in relieving the congested ports or busy centres of industry, and assist in the rapid and direct distribution of foodstuffto toilers on the land.

Toaccomplish such a work a director of road transport is required, one who is familiar with the worklogs of motor haulage, and who can become acquainted rapidly with the needs of the various congested

districts. Such a man must be able to take a long view of life, and be able -to 'discern the esrntial from the non-essential.

The filling up of motor vehicles to their full carrying capacity is a very desirable object, but it does not meet the needs of the case. It is necessary that motor transport should be concentratedupon the vital requirements of the country, requirements which are constantly. varying in their nature and quality.

The Ministry of Munitions have recognized the need of some such organization of motor transport, and efforts have been made to produce the results required through the medium of Chambers of Commerce. The effort is doomed to failure as surely as if. the Cotton Manufacturers Association or the Fishmongers Association were to endeavour to -take over the management of one of our big railway systems.

If the country really requires the maximum assistance from motor transport it must employ a man of organizing capacity who is conversant, with the technicalities of the trade, and he must acquire his assistance from men who' also have a practical experience. of the possibilities of the .equipment which they are to employ.

These are associations in existence composed of men of this calibre. The Commercial Motor Users Association, the National Traction Engine Owners Association, the Provincial Omnibus Owners Association—an number in their ranks men who have had long experience in various phases of motor transport, and some are men of proved high organizing ability, It is to these organizations that the Ministry of Munitions must look for assistance, which will be freely forthcoming—and not to Chambers of Commerce and other bodies of a semi-academical nature.

M.T.


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