The German Clearing-house System
Page 26
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I N view of the great interest that is now being taken in the attempts to promote some scheme for the fixation of haulage rates, it may prove useful for our readers to know what is being done in Germany in this connection.
Here we come across the vital factor that all individuals or concerns engaged in the haulage industry belong to one association, but it is not a body such as is known in Britain. It is developed on a far more comprehensive basis, and yet does not interfere with the freedom of the individual vehicle owner. It is based more upon the principle of a gigantic clearing house, except for the fact that, so far as we can ascertain, it does not extend its activities to the finding of loads.
The scheme is that the haulier searches for his work, but payment for this is invariably effected through the association ; thus there can be no question of cut rates or of one man bidding against another. A certain percentage is retained for working expenses, and the remainder is paid to the vehicle owner.
We have not gone fully into the details of the arrangement, but it strikes us as being particularly practical. Obviously there must be different rates for different classes of work, but this matter should not offer any great difficulty, whilst the haulier benefits because he does not have to shoulder any financial responsibility, such as that of obtaining payment from obstreperous customers, who now know that they have to deal not with a, possibly, simple-minded man, but with a sound and well-organized body.
The system is not entirely a Government institution, but is, naturally, kept under the beneficent eye of the Minister of Transport.
Incidentally, Germany has quitea large number of what may be termed "tramp" hauliers, who may tour the country for weeks or months before returning to their bases. Usually they live on their vehicles, special provision being made accordingly, and they wander about picking up loads and taking them from place to place, just as the work demands.
A system known in Germany as "pendulum operation" is also developing, as, for example. between Hanover and Berlin, a distance of approximately 190 miles. In this instance a vehicle and trailer ivith a total load of 22 tons starts each day from each city, leaves its trailer to be unloaded, and returns with a full trailer which is waiting for it, so that there is practically no delay. Three concerns have combined their transport requirements in this way and find it a most effective and economical manner in which to operate.
A New System of Traffic Control
ANEW development in connection with the German "storm troopers" is the inauguration of a section devoted to the control of road transport. Like all the rest of these men, they work on a voluntary basis, pursuing their ordinary occupations and putting on their uniforms as occasion permits.
Each wears a bright breastplate, formed like a crescent moon, to indicate his special capacity. They are picked and trained in traffic requiremehts. They have no power to fine or even to summon an offender ; their work is politely to draw attention to omissions to signal or other forms of inconsiderate driving, but their influence is certainly marked and their advice is not resented.
Schemes of this nature have been suggested in Britain, but so far have not been put into operation, and, naturally, it must be remembered that a uniform counts for a good deal in such matters.