Motor Contracting.
Page 1
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We have been taken to task, in one or two quarters, for the comparatively-high rates which we have advised intending motor contractors to ask. We naturally anticipated, when we were framing the terms and contents of the special section in our issue of the t5th ultimo, that would-be hirers might not view with pleasure our stafements as to what were remunerative and unremunerative rates, On the other hand, as it is hardly necessary for us to point out to fair-minded folk, this journal at all tittles endeavours to hold the balance between the manufacturer, the owner, and the general public. It would be obviously unfair to write anything which might persuade people to invest money in motor contracting on false or unduly-optimistic bases, and for that reason we particularly emphasised certain of the difficulties which are bound to confront anybod \ who enters upon the business of motor contracting. We venture to assert that the few who have adversely criticised our warnings, and who think that we are wrong in stating that a motor contractor must—would he avoid bankruptcy—obtain at least 6o per cent. more in revenue than the equivalent of the costs which would properly apply to an owner with ideal conditions, i.e., loads both ways and no delays over terminals, have neither read nor considered the points which are germane to the issue. There are, of course, established contractors whose businesses are snfficiently developed and elastic in other and older branches to permit them to take risks. If they care to " cut " rates for their own reasons, they can give to their customers is. in exchange for rod, without giving offence to us, We merely desired to set down the pros and cons, and to remind everybody of contingencies, such as shortage of work and claims fot jamage_