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

CHAPTER XXVII CLEARING HOUSES The subject of clearing houses or transport exchanges for motor road vehicles is of great importance because, with the adoption of an efficient system throughout the country, ton-mile charges could be reduced. Owing to the relatively high costs of all fuel, materials, and labour in connection with the running of motor vehicles, traders have been forced to consider seriously the question of return loads. Clearing houses for motor vehicles were originated during the war by the Government in an attempt to save transport. Several of the larger municipalities followed the example and created organizations for this purpose. In August, 1920, there existed some twenty or so clearing houses for road transport under either the direct supervision of local municipal- ities or Chambers of Commerce, or, at any rate, with their official encouragement and support. These exchanges were instituted primarily to deal with traffic between large main centres, such as between Leeds and Manchester, Manchester and Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester, and so on. The experience gained from these pioneer clearing houses shows that while they undoubtedly did much good work, they did not really attempt to solve local difficulties. Obviously what is required in addition to connecting main centres is that outlying districts should be linked up also. One of the greatest obstacles to a complete clearing house system is expense. The cost which would be entailed in setting up offices 200