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

CHAPTER II ADVANTAGES OF MOTOR TRANSPORT USED COMMERCIALLY A few years before the war it was almost impossible to discuss the relative advantages of mechanical and horse haulage on anything but the broadest lines, because the scope of Utility of the mechanically-driven vehicle was too limited. The motor van could, as a rule, only be run with economy on long distance service, where places of call were few and far between. With the advent of the lighter and speedier types of petrol-driven vans and also of the electric vehicle, all this was changed, and traders found that with suitable machines almost any kind of delivery service could be undertaken, and with a marked saving over the horse haulage system. In these strenuous and unsettled days the success of most business firms depends largely on the efficiency of their delivery service. An important point to be borne in mind by those who are hesitating over the change from horse to motor transport is, that it is to the firm which takes the initiative that the greatest benefits accrue. There is no place to-day for the business man or firm who is not thoroughly up-to-date. Quick Deliveries Ensured. Quick and punctual collection and delivery are dependent on the most essential feature for despatch work, namely, reliability, and that this can now be attained, and in greater degree than with horses is too well recognized to-day to need further emphasis. The motor is largely independent of weather, and 13