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

14 MOTOR ROAD TRANSPORT the importance of this faet is sufficiently obvious to all connected with. the delivery of goods. For the transport of perishables, the motor is particularly well suited, since it conveys them from door to door, with only one handling at each end, while no delays occur as must be the case where frequent unloadings and reloadings have to be under- taken. In hot weather thousands of pounds worth of foodstuffs are wasted owing to the goods perishing on the journey, through slow and badly ventilated means of transport, most of which might be saved by the employment of motor vehicles. Extension of Trading Radius. Another great advantage is that, owing to the in- creased mileage which is possible with the motor, the trader’s radius of business can be largely extended. By the use of motor-vans, outlying depots, with all the expenses entailed by staffs, warehouses, stables, etc., rendered necessary by the limited capacity of the horse, can be dispensed with, thus effeeting great economy. Figures more Eloquent than Words. A few general particulars relating to a large private despatch service engaged in the delivery of perishables, drapery, and general goods, may therefore be of interest. Seventy horse, and sixty motor vans are in use, while for the heavier class of goods steam wagons are em- ployed. The total weekly mileage of the vans is approximately 25,000, or 1,300,000 miles per annum. Some 13,000 parcels are despatched daily on six days in the week, and the number of weekly deliveries amount to 36,000. The tonnage per week totals about 750 tons. This firm originally had eight distributing depots,