Motor Road Transport For Commercial Purposes
(Liquid Fuel, Steam, Electricity)

PREFACE The subjeet of Motor Road Transport for Commercial purposes is so extensive, and is one which can be treated from so many points of view, that it would seem desirable to state that the present book has been written as a guide for those who intend adopting mechanical traction for the first time, or who, although already possessing motor vehicles, have not a wide experience in their use. There has been no attempt to cover the whole of the subject. With regard to the question of Running Costs, it is impossible at any time to give standard figures which. will prove strietly accurate. Especially is this the case to-day when many transport fleets are only now being re-organized. Pre-war and war-time vehicles have suffered abnormally from the inevitable lack of spare parts and skilied labour ; and on the other hånd, post war machines only are being run by many firms, while prices of fuel, labour and material are constantly fluctuating. Again, all costs are variable quantities, since the locality in which the service is usually run, the organ- ization of the despatch, the nature of the work, the driver of the vehicle, and so on, all have their deter- mining influence on the final figure of the cost per mile. The tables included in the chapters on costs will, however, give useful data upon which traders can base their own estimates of transportation charges. It is not possible to give here a complete list of all who have very kindly helped me in the matter of siipplying information, figures or photographs, but my special thanks are due to the Ministry of Transport,