Birthpangs in Broadway
Page 28
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FOR the first time since the appointment of the British Road Transport Commission there has been an announcement that it has done something —something, that is, unconnected with fixing up jobs for "the boys." In the absence, therefore, of any other clues as to the outlook, mentality and future behaviour of this three-month-old body, this solitary, this unique action lies awaiting direction and analysis.
What is this first-born brain-child? Sir Stafford Cripps mentioned it in the House of Commons among a disrespectful medley of other facts for the public notice. The Commission, he said, had already arranged for the Railway Executive to give attention to the shortage of railway wagons.
Here, then, is the clue to the Commission's future procedure. Its satellites on the Executives will do the thinking, after the Commission has instructed them in what they are to think about. Among the members of the Railway Executive there are, no doubt, men who would, unaided, have reached the conclusion that the shortage of railway wagons needed thinking about, but the Commission, vast democratic instrument of the Nation, does not work that way.
As yet there is no indication whether the Commission will itself think, either additionally or exclusively, about a subject that it decides should be thought about. In any case may we suggest, having regard to our drastic position, that the reproduction rate of one brain-child per quarter should be increased. After all, at the rate of £8,500 for the chairman and £5,000 each for other fulltime members, this Commission is costing the country £28,500 a year in salaries. For a much smaller sum we ourselves would gladly produce a few questions for the Executives to think about, and so would any provider of transport.