Carrier Warned of Serious Penalties
Page 32
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
QEVEllE warning was given to an applicant by Mr. A. Henderson, Southern Scotland Licensing Authority, on Tuesday, when Anglo-Scottish Express Transport Co. applied for the renewal of A. licences for five vehicles (141 tons).'
Capt. Webb, sole proprietor of the concern, stated in evidence• that his application Was based on the factsthat his vehicles had been licensed, had been fully employed and that there had been no material change in his business. , the L.M.S. and L.N.E. Railway emupanieS, Who objected, alleged that Capt. Webb had undertaken to operate in Scotland and the Midlands. It had since transpired that -traffic had been carried to Wales, Monmouthshire and beyond.
The applicant stated that the original application was in respect of traffic throughout Great Britain, but it was proved that the objectors' allegations were correct. He had, however, been operating in those areas since his entry into the industry and, this being so, he averred that his business remained unaltered.
The railways maintained that the field Of operation 'was not that specified in the original application and that the present case must be regarded as a new application.
Before announcing his decision to grant the application, Mr. Henderson addressed himself to Capt. Webb, drawing the latter's attention to a pile of papers on his (Mr. Henderson's) desk. The documents had accumulated, he said, since the beginning of the .year. and referred to reports and complaints concerning Capt. Webb's conduct as a carrier, investigated either by the police or by traffic examiners.
The Authority emphasized his obligations to satisfy himself concerning au applicant's conduct and pointed out his jurisdiction to withdraw licences.
" There are lesser penalties," he continued, " and scime Licensing Authorities have ekercised their discretion by imposing suspensions and punish/nerds in varying degrees. Frankly, I do not think that such punishments do any good.
"I have on two occasions revoked carriers' licences. . In these cases, it was on the grouud of a gradual accumulation' of evidence that appeared to be irresistible and I felt compelled to take some action, , Each of the'cases followed a special inquiry. 1 should be loth to take such action here."
Capt. Webb made no reply.