Opinions from Others.
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Albion Orders from Vickers, Ltd.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
111574J Sir,—As our advertisement concerning the recent order placed with us by Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., for motor lorries might possibly cause some misunderstanding owing to the fact that Messrs. Vickers, Ltd., are the proprietors of the Wolseley Motors, Ltd., who in normal times supply commercial vehicles, we think it only fair to state that the reason for Vickers, Ltd., purchasing lorries elsewhere is due to the fact that the Wolselcy works are at present devoting their entire organization and plant to the production of material of war.--Yours faithfully,
ALB ION MOTOR CAR Co., LTD. G. M. YOUNG,
Director and London Manager. 2I-22, Upper Rathbone Place, W.
The Urgency of the Driver's Position.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1575] notice the leader in your recent issue re scarcity of drivers; also the .remarks in " One Rears" that 17,000 more drivers are required before the end of March. Where this large number of drivers is coming from I really cannot understand. I think the Government should at once begin to teach (or pay private owners to teach) slightly-crippled soldiers with a mechanical turn of mind: they would in a few weeks be as efficient as some already enlisted. The Government standard is exceedingly low in my opinion. The private owner is in an awkward position ; he cannot afford to pay equal to 23 per week to compete with the Government, and he has to consider whether he will teach more drivers, who do a lot of damage sidle learning, or let his motor lay by until some improvement comes, either by your scheme or the conclusion of the war.---Yours faithfully,
Durham. `` OWNER DRIVER."
The military authorities are training large numbers of new men. Thitt is for their own purposes. Users will have to "help themselves " iu detail, although the C.M.I7.A. is doing all it can by negotiation. See first page of "Wheels of Industry." Pay for an Army driver-learner is 1-.21. per day, and double this when eflicient.—Em] The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1576] Sir,—tinder the heading "The Wheels of Industry " in your issue of the 25th November, we notiee that you lay stress on the urgency or the driver position. We are in complete accordance with your views on this matter, and we recognise that unless special consideration is accorded. to the position existing at the present time, a, serious embargo will he placed on all aspects of the heavy-motor industry of this country.
Appreciating as we do the increasing urgency of 'lie question, we are offerings to our clients a free course of tuition in driving, and a general outline of instruction on practical running points to any un tamed men who may be in their service, or into whose hands they would care to commit their vehicle, provided they were satisfied it could he run with reasonable success. Men over military age or otherwise rejected from military service, provided 1 hey have the necessary physique and intelligence ;Ind were otherwise suitable, might therefore be trained to take the place of drivers who are engaged in military activities. This course of training can be carried through in an average of 10 days, asid the scheme, we venture to think, will commend itself to a number of employers who at the present moment earl get the work to warrant their increasing their fleet but cannot find the. drivers--Yours faithfully,
For PALLADIUM AUTOCARS7 LTD., Ross MACMAHON, Managing Director, FeIsham Road, Putney, S.W.
Driver Shortage v. Driver Surplus.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
1_15771 notice that you have been paying in creased attention to the seriousness of the problem which faces not only the commercial-vehiele industry, but the pleasure-ear industry, first of all in. respect to the shortage of drivers at the moment owing to enlistment, and to the attractiveness of Army rates to this kind of work, but what is no less serious to the enormous surplus of men or trained drivers, who will be available when peace conditions again prevail. Tens of thousands of men will have been trained, at any rate, to steer lorries, and further tens of thousands are wanted. At the end of the war there will, one foresees, be a temporary shortage of vehicles, and a vast number of drivers of a kind. Schemes that are proposed to turn out half-fledged men in the present emergency, should not lose sight of the extraordinary conditions which will prevail when peace conies—and what will the driver do then, poor thing?
—Yours faithfully, "LARGE EMPLOYER."
Spare Parts for American Chassis.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1578] Sir,—In the interests of British users, we desire to call your attention to a matter which is of the utmost importance to purchasers of American. trucks, and that is that, apparently, some of the firmswho are importing these outfits are making no provision whatever for keeping them on. the Toad when in use. As we are now getting pretty well known in the trade as suppliers of American i-components to manufacturers, we have received several inquiries lately, from users of named American trucks, asking us if we can supply various parts in their equipment, which have given way or worn outs Our inquirers do not appear to be able to obtain these " spares" from the parties from whom they purchased the trucks, • and we svould, therefore, urge upon purchasers of these vehicles, the importance of ascertaining beforehand, whether the importers are properly supplied with stocks of "spares," and in a position to stand • at the back ef the vehicles they are selling.
There are importers of trucks, and users of American components, who are doing all that is necessary in this direction. Users will do well to see that such firms get their business.—Yours faithfully,
Coventry. BRAMCO, LTD, Loads of Ingersoll Watches Offered.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1579] Sir,—At the present time, we are experiencing considerable difficulty in connection with the transportation of our gonds from Liverpool to our warehouse in Lendon.
It has been suggested to us that road haulage by motor would be a means of overcoming this difficulty, and we have been recommended to your good selves as probably being able to give us the names of sonic competent firm to handle our business. We have regular weekly shipments, and whilst we would, of course, prefer to have them come direct by rail from the docks, yet at a time like this, when the railways are closed for certain periods eackiweels (for transportation of troops, food stuffs, etc.), we
think it would be advisable to have other means at. our disposal. Therefore, we would thank you to give this matter your consideration, and perhaps you would be good enough to let us hear from you on the subject, at your earliest convenience.Yours faith
fully, Roar. H. INGERSOLL AND BRO. Audrey House, Ely Place, E.C.
[Perhaps some reader can make an offer? Messrs. Ingersoll should find road transport a success. • .Em]