Nationalization Ends 35 Years of Effort in Haulage
Page 31
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rIECEMBER 31 was the end of LI 35 years in transport for Mr. George Tucker, Heath, Cardiff. At midnight on that date, his 25 vehicles, ranging from 5-tenners up to 15-ton eight-wheelers, went under State control as a result of one of the first compulsory acquisition orders to be issued,
All that he retains are two vehicles operated under C licences, which he will use in farm work.
Compensation has not yet been agreed, but as Messrs. Tuckers Transport is one of the first undertakings to be acquired, the final figure agreed will probably set a precedent for future acquisitions.
" I can so, with satisfaction that in my 35 years in• the business, the only time 1 have had to record a loss on the year's trading was in 1944," Mr. Tucker said this week. " We were operating under Ministry instructions then, and lost £1,100."
The business was founded in 1913 with horsed transport, and graduated to its present form through steam-driven vehicles. Promising quick deliveries, trade has spread from regular South Wales-Covent Garden ruffs to take in ship store deliveries, steel and tinplate loads.
" One thing of which we boast," Mr. Tucker added, "is that there have been no bottlenecks in the business. Our experience has ensured that very little waiting was necessary for return loads, and we have been able to ensure that all our drivers had every Sunday at home."
The stall of 40, with periods of serv!ce ranging up to 27 years, came
under Ministry control on December 31. As drivers returned from their runs after this date, they reported to the garage, in Newport Road, Cardiff, acquired by the State when All-British Carriers, Ltd., agreed to voluntary nationalization about six months ago.
The firm's headquarters was in a country house, taken by Mr. Tucker on a long lease early in the development of his business, and situated in the centre of what is now one of Cardiff's public parks. Extensive outhouses had been adapted as garages and workshops.
Drivers will in future work a 44-hour week without overtime, Mr. Tucker has been informed. There will also be a difference in some running schedules. Where, by working overtime, loads had gone from South Wales in a day, drivers will now stop at High Wycombeor some other intermediate prrint.
"I have contested this acquisition as far as I was able," Mr. Tucker concluded. "and I accept the fact...that there is nothing further I can do."