Culled from Contemporaries.
Page 5
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Selected Collection of Extracts from the British and Foreign Press.
Town Travellers.
In other words, where seven years ago one person journeyed by horse 'bus, two now journey by motor-bus, tubes and uaderground railways notwithstanding. Daily Telegraph."
Sheer Dishonesty.
If the men really propose to try and prevent the masters putting up notices in prominent places that ex,res need not be paid for unless charged on the meter, they will enter on a very dangerous course. It is exceedingly difficult to see on what such a claim can be based but sheer dishonesty.---" The Morning Leader."
A New Type.
The most surprising thing of all is that the 'bus companies were left, to work out their own salvation. High charges for replacements forced them to build their own vehicles, and how well the General has succeeded is understood by everyone whe has travelled in the new BX type, winch glide along in the streets with the quietness of a pleasure-ear.—" Westatineter Gazette."
The Driver as Mid Aeman.
Taxi-cabinen have set another problem as middlemen between the capitalist and
the purchaser. The capitahst is complaining that the driver fiddles with the taximeter, and does not hand over the
teetras of 'luggage and passengers. He doesn't. And it isn't quite fair to ask the passenger to get into a row in order to save the capitalist.—" Daily Clutoniele."
Not by Amateurs.
The recent English mail brought to hand a copy of the special overseas edition of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, and it proves on examination to be all that was promised. The various aspects of the commercial vehicles are dealt with in a. thoroughly exhaustive manner and fully illustrated. The various subjects, being written by acknowledged experts, and not amateurs, are well Worthy of perusal. All trade houses, also business firms, would do well to secure a copy of this 'valuable publication, if possible, and keep it for constant reference,— " The Australian Motorist."
The Night Cab.
Time : Night. Period: Present. Scene : Street. Man on the kerb. Taxicab
strolling peacefully along. " Hey Cabby!" Cabby brakes to three miles an hour. " Hey, Taxi !" " Yus?" still at three miles an hour. " Stop, will you?" irascibly. " Where d'yer %venter go?" " Stop, I say—" walking beside the cab. " Where d'yer wanter to go—eh?" contemptuously. " West Kensington— stop, will you r". "Ain't got any petrol," four miles an hour. " Here ! You must take me—I'll report----" " Goin' to the
garage." " report, you if you don't take me. I'll go to the police. I'll write to-A crescendo of righteous rage. " Gam!" 10 miles an hour, Sounds of a racing engine and a raging human. Midnight silence and the lonely patter of footsteps on deserted pavements.—" The World."
Another Point of View.
The excuse of the drivers, that unless they impounded the extras they would mm underpaid, is hardly satisfying from the ethical point of view.—" The Daily Graphic."
Not in it Tor Their Health.
The motoreab companies naturally desire to make a prorit. That is why they hive gone into the business, which has proved to be so great a, convenience to the public of London.—' Atomize; Advertiser."
The Parade.
For a simple, single-day affair, this animal meet is the greatest educational influence that one can conceive. A walk down the line shows in striking manner the multifarious uses to which the motor can be p The Sunday Tunes.''
A Tramways Official.
"I am well qualified in one, way to respond to the Least of the " Visitors," because I sat for three years on a Tramway Committee, and at the end of that time I ascertained without any doubt that I knew absolutely nothing of tramway matters."—From a speech by the Lord Mayor of Belfast at the Tramways and Light Railways Association.
Instructing the Laundryman.
We would like to draw the attention of readers who are engaged in a large way of business to the article we are able to publish from the pen of Mr. E. Shrapnel", Smith, the well-known expert
on this interesting subject. . . In many of the districts, both of London and the large provincial centres, motordrawn vans are already in use, and their success is such that under no circumstances would the proprietors be without them for the simple reason that they are (madded to cover the ground so quickly ire their collection and delivery of work that the saving in this department is an important item.—" The Laundry Journal."
Its Only Appearance this Year.
It is anticipated that this year there ought to be some 300 to 350 competitors; and this parade is regarded as being particularly important in view of the large number of foreign and Colonial visitors who are sure to attend it. In fact, it practically takes tho place of the abandoned show, which could hardly expect to attract the same numb-ers as the pleasure ear. The heavy vehicle is naturally marketed in quite a different way, but one probably even more pay. ing, as an order does not mean one, as with a pleasure car, but a block of any number that may be repeired by a big house. That is, so to speak, one of the plums of this lucrative, but unostentatious business. No pains or money will be spared on this particular day on which the heavy vehicle makes its one show appearance in the year,
Ale getber, this great parade promises to be a very important event, coming just twhen it. does; and it should give an impetus to this branch of the industry.— Gerald Rise in " The Stendard."
The Elegant Lorry.
The vehicle and in it used diem"
elegance of the commercial has improved very much labels, service it is much cleaner than to be.--" The Manchester Guar
A Changed Attitude.
Taxicab drivers are still hankering after that shilling fare which the driver of the now obsolete horse-driven cab pocketed with disdain, not unmixed with en assortment of avenge words which made the hearer wonder how a man could think of such fearful things all at eace.—" The Western Morning News.'
The Automatic Traffic Regulator.
The motor-omnibus, in its present improved form, rivals railways and tramways alike This rivalry, in so far as it amounts to competition, is, however, to e greet extent compensated by the process of mutual interchange of passengers whereby each system is fed by the other. :1Loreover, the unique advantage possessed by the onmious, in the facility with which it can change its route, COlietitllte.S it an automatic regulator of passenger traffic, inasmuch as it shapes its course to the crowd and finds its chief remuneration in the most congested areas.—" The Times."
A Rapid and Convincing Demonstration.
Even the most luxurious limousiner takes an interest in the commercial car, for motorists are members of an unformed brotherhood whose scope covers the whole sphere of the self-propelled vehicle. Though perhaps we may net patronize the plebeian 'bus, or, in fact, have no more concern with the business side than to see a light delivery van from the Maison Something arrive about once a mouth with a new hat-, or a hobble or harem skirt, vet all who the motor movernent take a keen interest in so important an event OS the annual parade organized by the Commercial Motor Users Association. Yearly this precession demonstrates, in a more rapid mind convincing manner than could be done be any other moans, the complete conquest of the motor for industrial purposes. Practically every trade that one can call to mind has reaped the benefit of the little three-wheeled carrier, the light van, the lorry, the heavy tractor, or whatever form of mechanical vehicle is best suited to its needs. To judge by the way in which entries are being received for the Coronation Parade—which is under the patronage of the King—the representation this year will be more complete than ever, amid the lesson to those who still favour the older method consequently the more striking. The types of vehicles will include mail-vans from the G.P.O., omnibuses, fire-tenders, motors for millers, mineral water, mangle, and macaroni makers, motors for market-gardeners, every and any kind of motor old and new, for some will have done their tens of thousands of miles, and others will be resplendent in their glistening newness.—'' The Referee."