That was the year...
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CM was launched in 1905; for our centenary year we're bringing you stories from years gone by. This week we're back in 1927 and 1977.
1927
The first transatlantic telephone call was made from New York to London.The Ford Motor Company ceased manufacture of its Model T and began to retool ready to start making the Model A. In what might, in hindsight, have been a had move Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Soviet Communist Party leaving Joseph Stalin with undisputed control of the Soviet Union and Trotsky with an appointment with an icepick. Closer to home Mercedes Gleitze became the first Englishwoman to swim the English Channel Horse vs Truck Liverpool Corporation was investigating the relative economies of horse versus mechanical transport.The increased taxation on motor vehicles coupled with their high cost of maintenance seemed to make employing horses for journeys up to five miles a better bet — this friendly dual was to be decided by a series of tests.
London congestion
A London "traffic pool" was suggested in a report by the general purposes committee of the London County Council. Because of London's worsening traffic problem, the committee believed it would be advantageous to set up a special committee to consider and advise the council on the broader aspects of the situation.
Leyland warranty
In a bold move Leyland Motors Ltd was offering a 5,000-mile warranty on its Trojan, limiting the operator's expenses to cleaning and the purchase of petrol and lubricants.
1977
Record company EMI sacked the controversial punk group the Sex Pistols. The Star Wars series was launched. The space shuttle Enterprise test vehicle made its maiden flight on top of a Boeing 747. Elvis Presley died in Tennessee. Spain had its first democratic election after 41 years under Franco's dictatorship British Airways inaugurated regular Concorde flights from London to NewYork.
Hours fear
French objection to a -safeguard" clause in changes to the EEC regulation on lorry drivers' working conditions aroused fears the maximum UK driving day could be cut from 10 to eight hours. British officials said there wasn't enough time to draw up and implement legislation.
Fuel duty
The RHA protested to Chancellor Dennis Healey about his decision not to cut the tax on diesel saying it contra dicted the government's policy to reduce living costs.
Hours confusion
The new Common Market logbook for truck drivers was described in court as -a Chinese puzzle". It caused such confusion that men at one haulage firm were getting their time sheets wrong.
Dover delay
Drivers had come to accept a 12-hour wait at Dover's Eastern Docks Customs as normal, according to the director of an international haulage company.