Bird's Eye View
Page 50
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The Germ
By The Hawk
THE international lorry drivers' competition which is being organized in Paris, on Sunday, by Les Amis des Routiers is the result of an approach made to that body by an American Army unit stationed in France.
For some years, Les Routiers have been running a national lorry drivers' contest, in which there are more than 2,000 competitors, and the American Army asked whether they could participate. Consequently, the organizers decided to test the idea of an international contest.
As The Commercial Motor reported last week, England's representatives on Sunday will be Mr. E. Jury, of Portsmouth, the 1956 Lorry Driver of the Year, and Mr. R. Mason, of Coventry, champion " articulated " driver.
Mutual Assistance
pIDERHAPS the competition will form the basis for a sort
of drivers' United Nations, and certainly no. organization is better suited to this task than Les Routiers. This body is the French equivalent of a cross between the,Transport and General Workers' Union and the Automobile Association. Whilst it is a trade union, it is probably unique in France in being non-political. It alsohas the unusual merit of virtually being pledge.d against strike action by
its members, except in extreme cases. The warmth and friendship implied by its title arc apparently all-embracing, Its declared aims are to create ties of friendship and mutual assistance between professional long-distance drivers and between tourists, and to protect and assist members while they are on the road.
The organization has now extended its scope to Britain and members are being sought in this country. Mr. Gilbert Lesage, who is temporarily installed at 21 Monmouth Street, London, W.C.2, is the British representative. Cafe and hotel proprietors are warned to look out for Mr. Lesage when he begins his gourmet's tour of Britain—for five years he ran an hotel in Paris!
All-star Bill
A"presidents of the Institute of Transport chosen for their wit or is the gift of humour fortuitous? This thought crossed my mind last Friday as I listened to an allstar cast of speakers—Mr. Peter Masefield, the retiring president, Sir Gilmour Jenkins. the immediate past president, and Mr. F. H. Cave, who has now been installed in office for
1956-7. Mr. Cave, whom I had not previously met, lives up to the high standard of dry wit set by his predecessors.
It was an uninhibited occasion to which I always look forward—the luncheon given annually by the Institute to transport journalists. The speakers know that they will not be reported and they speak to entertain rather than to instruct. I can think of no more pleasant midday interlude.
Rule Britannia
1FE may be difficult for British bus operators, but it is I—I at least well ordered. Public dissatisfaction over fares does not precipitate a riot, as it has in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia.
I remember that when I was in Calcutta any public disturbance was usually inaugurated by setting fire to a tram. Considering the number of free rides that the population managed to take, this always seemed to me to be the height of ingratitude.
Disgruntled British operators do not turn to crime and prey on the buses of their former competitors. One of the principal Moroccan bandits is said to have been a bus operator who acquired unsocial habits when his licence was rescinded. If he were not so British, Mr. J. S. Wills, on hearing that a B.E.T. company had been refused a licence, might run amok and write rude words in the dust on a Tilling bus. He might even cause untold mischief by removing the " Reserved " labels from the seats of railway carriages.
Workers' Playtime
ADIO is liable to increase brake wear. I was told at the Show that drivers of lorries equipped with wireless sets tend to coast down long slopes with engines switched off sc as to improve radio reception, and the brake facings suffer accordingly.
I now expect to hear that the Road Research Laboratory is investigating the effect of rock 'n roll music on lorries and their drivers.
Double Time
QNE day last week I had occasion to telephone a large trade union at 12.30 p.m. "They are all out at lunch" was told. " They will be back at 2.30."
Apparently double time extends to the lunch hour.