The Newspaper Press and Motors.
Page 19
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It has for some time been evident that the relations between the newspaper Press and the motor delivery van arc bound to become more and more close, as the utility of the latter, in connection with newspaper work, is recognised in a growing degree, Several of the progressive newspaper publishers in the kingdom have already adopted the use of the motor vehicle for the conveyance of papers to railway stations and newsagents, as well as for other purposes, and these initial trials have conclusively proved that this method of delivery must, presently, supersede horse traction. Amongst the newspapers which have been pioneers in this direction are the " Belfast Evening Telegraph " and the associated morning paper the " Irish Daily Telegraph." The motorcar has been used with great success by these dailies as a means of procuring important information with the greatest despatch possible.
During the past six or seven years a series of terrible shipping disasters has happened round the coasts of Antrim and Down, at points where the nearest telegraph office is situated many miles away. Under these circumstances, in the event of a shipwreck occurring, only the baldest facts could he obtained by the paper in the short space of time between the forenoon and the hours of publication of the evening editions. The railway was equally unavailable, as no station existed in the vicinity, and the absence of full information on a sensational piece of news, so important to the up-to-date journal, was only avoided by the use of the ubiquitous motorcar. In cases of emergency, reporters are conveyed by the car to the scene of accident, which may be 40 miles away, then carried back again with all speed, in order that their vivid descriptions of the occurrence may be presented to the public at an hour when rival newspapers contain only a few brief lines on the subject. In each of the branch offices established by the proprietors of these papers, in Londonderry, Newry, Dundalk, etc., there is a residential reporting staff and dis tributing centre, and at each of these offices the reporters have instructions to fall back upon the motor where trains or other circumstances are unsuitable to the news needs ot the moment. It is enterprise of this nature that goes far to build up a reputation for thoroughness and real endeavour to be abreast with the times—two virtues that are always sought in the news-sheet purchased by the business man—and such modern methods will certainly spell success to any news organisation employing thetn. A short time ago the motorcar was put to a new use by the paper, when it was made the medium for conveying a representative on a tour of inspection of agents located in the North-West of Ireland, in which district the "Irish Daily Telegraph " largely circulates. The total distance covered by the car, which is one of 8-to horse-power, manufactured by the Anglian Motor Company, of Beccles, was 1,245 miles, and the whole trip was accomplished without a puncture or other untoward incident of any kind. The car itself was converted into a neat ambulatory hoarding, and covered with posters referring to the newspaper. In this apparel a start was made with it from Belfast, and a long run succeeded, through Ballymoney, Coleraine, and Limavady, into Derry. From Derry, the progression was continued through Innishowen,and every town and village throughout the peninsula, as far north as Malin Head, was" conquered." The motorcar attracted considerable attention throughout each town, and an excellent advertising result was secured, as in many places a motor had never before been seen. Cresslough was next visited, near the famous Doe Castle, the stronghold of the MacSwines, and Glencolumbkille marked the turning point of the expedition, which was a marked success in every way. It is an undoubted fact that the advertising value of the motor delivery van has in no way diminished in this country, and it cannot fall to any appreciable extent while show horsedrawn carts make up the majority of the business vehicles on our crowded city streets.