Correspondence.
Page 21
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John Dickinson and Co.'s " Hallford " Var.
The Editor, " THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—We observe in your issue of 2nd April, page 145, in your correspondence columns, a letter stating, among other trade matters, that Messrs. John Dickinson and Co., Ltd., of Apsley Mills, Hemel Hempstead, have purchased a 3-ton vehicle. We should like to point out that the vehicle we have sold to this firm is one of our standard 4-ton chassis, fitted with a special, side-entrance, box-van body, for the special requirements of their trade.—Yours truly, J. AND E. HALL, LTD., H. Kerr Thomas. Dartford Ironworks, Kent.
Argentine Enquiries—A Warning.
The Editor, '6 THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—It came to our knowledge during the recent Olympia Show that a certain foreign gentleman approached quite a number of firms with enquiries for motor vehicles, etc., on behalf of the Government of the Argentine Republic. This person, who professed a name which is honoured in that country, was of gentlemanly appearance, spoke English well, and was generally well informed. He was at the exhibition on several days and was very circumstantial in stating his Government's requirements. He appears to have instructed several firm's to send quotations and particulars to a certain named official of a government department at Buenos Aires. Certain details connected with the procedure of this gentleman at the Show led us to doubt his bona fides, and accordingly we made enquiries at the Consulate General and also at the Argentine Legation. As a result we find that t(1) No such person is known in official circles, (2) the last bearer of the name (whom he claimed as an ancestor) died without issue, (3) there is no official of the name mentioned (to whom particulars were to be addressed), (4) there is no such department of the Argentine Government as that specified, (5) the Government is not contemplating any such adoption of motors as he indicated. Further, he is not known at the London address which he gave in some cases. In the course of conversations, he seems to have made statements which appear to be deliberate falsehoods. He does not seem to have actually placed any orders or to have laid himself open to a charge of fraud in any way, and what his object may have been we are unable to say, but we think that those who have been in communication with him may be glad to be in possession of the information which we have gleaned. We have withheld names as unnecessary, but we are in possession of them all.—Faithfully yours, MARRHAm AND PRANCE, Consulting Motor Engineers. 143, Strand, London, W.C., 6th April, 1908. An Appeal.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—May I appeal for work for the men thrown out of employment through the closing of the Star Omnibus Company's yard, in Camberwell? They are men of character and the foreman will speak for them. Among them are : drivers, conductors, coachbuilders, painters, fitters, washers, carmen, stablemen, horsekeepers, etc. Anyone requiring men of this description and writing to me shall be attended to at once. We want to bring employers needing men and men needing work face to face, and let them settle the terms themselves.—Yours truly,
(Rev.) J. STEPHENS.
Camberwell Green Church, London, S. E.
6th April, 1908.
Are Motorbus Men Slovenly?
The Editor, " TIIE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir was interested in " Relief's " letter, which you
published recently, and I should like to add a word or two in regard to the slovenly ways of drivers and conductors of the motorbuses of the present time. I myself am working for a motorbus company, and for about 17 hours per day, and, allowing for time to get to the garage and back to my home, which takes an extra hour, this is 18 hours per day, leaving six hours for tea, supper, and bed. We get 30 minutes for dinner, and lucky to get that. Motorbus driving is a different thing to what it was, say, 18 months or two years ago. I myself should like to see the double shift back again—nine hours per day. Then one would take an interest in oneself.—Yours. faithfully,
A DISSATISFIED VANGUARD.
Finsbury Park, N.
Motor Traffic in London.
The Editor, "THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR."
Sir :—With reference to your report of the Conference on Heavy Motor Traffic in London, I enclose you a cutting from the " Daily Telegraph" dealing with the same meeting, which you will see is headed" Motorbus Traffic" and clearly shows that the general impression given was that this was a meeting of protest directed solely against motor omnibuses, and, as is usual, was simply an argument against them, five speakers having taken this course and three speaking in their favour, leaving a heavy balance of adverse opinion.
I notice you have not commented at all upon the subject, but, if you had, I am sure you would not have failed to
• point out that even while this meeting was discussing " infernos," etc., in connection with Hammersmith Broadway, fresh • electric tram tracks were in course of construction, which will converge on that same Broadway, where already the trams are responsible for much traffic congestion. Further, these new lines will connect Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush, which are already connected by three motorbus services and indirectly by the trams along Goldhawk Road.
One could appreciate the efforts of these Conferences if they were only a little more reasonable and a little less prejudiced. For instance, how much better it would have been in this particular case if, instead of urging the vesting of increased powers in the Commissioner of Police, they had recommended that heavy motor traffic should be dealt with by a totally independent body, giving undivided attention to so important a subject.
With heartiest congratulations on your two Olympia Show Numbers, which were a most interesting and useful guide to the Show.—Yours faith fully, " Pive now refer oar correspondent to page 155.— En.l.