The Haulage Generals of Yesteryear
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Those Who Have Led the Haulage Industry in 1942 Are Asked to Exercise a Little Introspection To See if Their By Stewardship Has Been of Benefit to Operators as a Whole Tantalus" and Individually SINCE the day when man first understood time and the seasons it has been the custom, at the beginning of each New Year, to take stock and review the 'vents and achievements of the past 12 months. It is a .:ustom which has endured throughout the ages; and in war time it has greater significance and deeper meaning in relation particularly to individuals as well as to nations.
Maybe, then, the time is fitting for the penning of an open letter to all those who control the destinies of associations and committees connected with the roadhaulage industry—to those, in fact, whose responsibility it is to guide the industry through the tortuous and uncertain paths of war-time difficulties towards prosperity and security. To all those included in this category the following remarks are addressed :— Some of you—the old campaigners—are original members of various committees on which you have served since their inception. You are hardy annuals or— to change the metaphor—recurring decimals. When any new committee is formed you will be there. Were you not elected or invited to serve on any such bodies you would be disappointed and your pride would be hurt. Your vanity would suffer for you would regard the omission as being of a personal character.
The time has arrived, however, when efficiency must be the first consideration; and only those individuals possessed of the qualities and attributes essential, viz., statesmanship, wise and mature judgment and, most important of all, strength and sincerity of purpose— should be considered as suitable candidates for election. It is for you to ask yourselves how many of you have displayed these essentill qualities in the difficult period through which the industry has passed during recent years. If a plebiscite could be taken, considerable surprise would, undoubtedly, be experienced by certain leaders at the volume of disappointment and disillusionment which their weakness and vacillation had produced amongst hauliers.
Have You Served Your Own
. Ends or the Industry?
With the coming of the New Year have you pawed to reflect upon your stewardship during the year which has gone? What beneficial service have you rendered to those who confidently elected you as leaders? The word service should not be taken to mean merely "lipservice," which is frequently glib and, more often, insincere—but real honest-to-God work carried out for and on behalf of your constituents or members of your associations; for their, and not your own personal, benefit. Assuming that you have carried out this process of self-analysis, are you satisfied with the result? Is your conscience clear that in all matters your attitude has been governed by a genuine desire to reflect the wiLl and wishes of the average haulier? Or, have you, perhaps, been the victim of flattery and surrendered to a small but powerful minority when discussing policy or other matters of equal importance to the industry? Has your judgment never been influenced by the effect which certain decisions might have upon your business, upon you personally or upon your fellow members of
committee? Speaking generally, the persons serving in the capacity of leaders are those with considerable business interests and are in danger of being swayed accordingly.
If you have not taken the trouble or have not considered it necessary to take stock of your stewardship, maybe you are conscious, nevertheless, 'of the prevailing unrest and spirit of criticism which your sins of omission have ciused. In that event is your attitude one of regret and apology or is it one of egotistical stubbornness? If the former, there is some hope for the future; but if the latter, then hope must be abandoned.
Do not forget that—at one time—the ordinary " manin-the-street " haulier had confidence in you. He trusted you to look after him and believed that his destiny was safe in your hands. Whether or not you are satisfied with your efforts he, certainly, is not satisfied. You have, in fact, forfeited his confidence and are fast losing his support. Therefore, if you be candid and honest in your personal stocktaking, there is little ground for satisfaction.,
S.J.C. Scheme of Reorganization was Well Received and Promising
For the S.J.C. the year 1942 afforded a golden opportunity for the making of history; for that committee was responsible for a memorandum which might well have conkituted a charter for the reorganization of the industry. It was a document full of promise and hope and one of which much, quite rightly, was expected. News of progress was awaited with eagerness; but weeks went by and now months have passed, but still little information as to progress is forthcoming. No doubt the inner circle is fully aware of all that has transpired, but Jones, Brown and Robinson remain in the dark. And, what is much more serious, is that many do not want to know, for they have largely lost interest. [Perhaps they will soon learn something, for the Road Transport Organization Join t Conference, with Lord Perry in the chair, held its third meeting in London last Monday.—ED.] • In reviewing the failures of the past year not one of the so-called leaders Should be surprised at the turn of events, It was inevitable that, sooner or later, some active movement would develop: That development hascome about with the launching of the new body covering the movement towards co-operative grouping.
No doubt when you leaders first heard of this movement, your attitude was one of indifference because you considered your position in the industry to be impreg -nable. Now, however, that the new Association is making rapid strides and receiving a great volume of inquiries and promises of support, you may consider that there is cause for apprehension; and this because the future representation of the hauliers may largely be changed.
The year 1943 opens with the prospect of changes,in the mould which will shape the future of the haulage contractor. It may be, therefore, that your star of past leadership can no longer remain in the ascendant and for that, surely, you have only yourselves to blame.