Outside , one's immediate business circle in London, one's motoring and
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Te'ephone few others, one can Trrals. not keep telephone numbers in mind, and a pocket book is not sufficiently comprehensive to enter the telephonic wants of a ubiquitous person like myself. I feel " out of the picture " with a recent development of the National Telephone Co., Ltd. The latest move on the part of that useful, but often aggravating, concern is that telephone directories comprising trunk numbers are not even kept at its own provincial chief offices—the caller is supposed to know them all, or failing that, to ring up the " enquiry," a plan that absolutely dazzles one at times with its perfectness and promptitude_ Well t it was at the Warrington chief office, and I wanted hurriedly a Manchester name to whom I had spoken dozens of times, but I was solemnly told the name was not on the list; my wrath found some vent, and I had a chief official fetched up, and he also spelt. out the name to the " enquiry," but hack came the stolid response that it was not to be found. The system broke down there--they had no other resources, and I missed confirming an important appointment. It was all nonsense, of course, and my Manchester friend has made a serious complaint
to headquarters. The " enquiry " is all very well wheu everything else fails, but. the country books must lie there for us to go to. or there will be no end to the time wasted.
Since my notes, in last week's issue. concerning the development which is taking place amongst More About motor agents, who Agents. are interesting them selves in the sale if commercial vehicles. I have had more talks with other agents. Sonic of the larger ones have not hesitated to take over agencies for well-kilOwn vehicles for prescribed districts, and to give minimum orders fur the first year, with one for immediate delivery, fur demonstration purposes. That doubtless is the royal road to progress, and there are large numbers ni' agents, both at home and abroad, who are prepared to put their capital ieto n branch of the business that is so likely to yield them an increasing and adequate return. There are other agents also, men who are well worthy of consideration because they are keenly alive to the possibilities of business in their localities and can influence lockl users. but their capital is probably locked up at present in the pleasure-vehicle side of the business : consequently, they are not, at the moment, justified in stocking demonstration vehicles. In such
(.:1,es. some manufacturers would not be averse to sending a machine on sale or return, or, at any rate, would arrange to send down a demonstration van or lorry, under their own supervision, at specified times. There are many ways, and my suggestion is that manufaeturers and agents will do wisely to meet each other.
When I was in Edinburgh, during last January, I reported a decision that the Scottish Two Scottish Show for 1911 would Shows. be held in Glasgow-.
It was confidently expected that a suitable building would be ready; it has now been decided that it shall be held in Edinburgh, as there is a disappointment over the Glasgow building. I hear, further, that the Scottish section has decided to hold two shows next year, and has applied to the S.111.111.f. for the necessary sanction. The first Show is to be devoted to pleasure vehicles and then, after an interval of one week, a show is to be devoted to commercial motors, motorcycles and marine motors. This seems to me a very wise move and is likely to receive, firstly, the Society's sanction, and, secondly, the support of a largelyincreased number of exhibitors of commercial vehicles and the supplies itecessary for their employment.