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

34 MOTOR ROAD TRANSPORT This sort of driver—if of a good class—is generally conscientious, and takes a pride in the reliability of his work. Automatic Features. There are types of petrol motor vehicles to-day which (provided as they are with automatic control of the engine speed, lubrication, ignition, and so on), are eminently suitable for being driven by a converted horse-driver. Any intelligent person who has had some experience of horse driving can handle such a van safely and satisfactorily after a few days’ tuition. There is no doubt, however, that definite advantages accrue to the firm who encourage this class of driver to acquire a certain kind of knowledge with regard to the running of a van. It must be remembered that it is not desirable that he should do repairs of any sort, or even any important adjustments, but it is an asset (since the foreman or inspection-mechanic will not be able to travel often on the van during its daily rounds), if the driver on his return to his depot can report the commencement of a trouble, and perhaps locate it fairly accurately, thus saving both time and expense. The Converted Horse-Driver. Even if a firm is able to organize a weekly inspection of their vans, it is quite possible for a defect to start two or three days after the examination, and by the end of the week to have developed into a serious fault. In the case then of a firm which owns a fleet, the size of which warrants a regular inspection and repair department, the employment of converted horse-drivers —especially those who have previously served the house—may prove highly successful.