Liberty and Independence
Page 36
Page 37
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
64e'r HERE could be nothing more contrary to liberty and
I independence than a return to rail monopoly," and it would not be good for the nation to allow a "declining and probably doomed form of transport in its final years to attack and damage newer forms on which our economic strength . . must depend." Familiar subject? Yes, but not another attack on Dr. Beeching. The quotes come from Clarence A. Kelley. president of the American Trucking Association. His words were inspired by proposals incorporated in pending legislation which will remove bulk commodities from the U.S.A.'s minimum-rate regulations. Mr. Kelley takes no comfort from assurances that unfair competition will not be allowed; he says that there is nothing to show that the railways will not use every available device to shore up their tottering position. "Railroad men estimate that if they get bulk commodities exempted from minimum-rate controls . . . they will lift minimum-rate controls from 70 per cent. of their freight," he said.
No More Clocking
AN interesting legacy of the past has disappeared with the removal of the six trolleybus headway recording clocks from the entrance hall of London Transport's headquarters at 22 Broadway. They marked the passage of trolleybuses at Ealing Common, Highgate, in Green Lanes and Seven Sisters Road at Manor House and in northbound and southbound directions at Golders Green. The last-mentioned pair of clocks remained in use until the routes in the Finchley area were converted to diesel bus operation in January, and the Routemasters took over.
Now the clocks follow the vehicles they recorded into oblivion, thus ending a tradition going back into tramway days, about 40 years ago. The system, which operated by means of contacts attached to the overhead wires, was introduced by the Metropolitan Electric Tramways and the London United Tramways. Clocks were installed at most M.E.T. and L.U.T. depots and at Ealing Common and Goiders Green Underground station.
Those who found a fascination in watching the "blips" appear can still gratify their interest, however, as the Underground clocks at 55 Broadway remain in use and on full view to the public.
Where's My Umbrella ?
IN a recent review of its lost property service for last year, London Transport stated that more than 376,000 articles were left by passengers on buses and Underground trains. This, however, was 31,000 fewer than in 1960.
Over a third of this drop in lost property was in one item— umbrellas! It is estimated that this might well be due to a rather better summer in 1961. Umbrellas, though, were still top of the 10 most left-behind articles on London Transport. Nearly 80,000 of them ended their journeys at the well-known Lost Property Office in Baker Street. In the wet summer of
the grand total of forgotten (temporarily at least) :.11las which took up impermanent residence at Baker Street 11,000—an all-time record.
Ler items high on the left-behind list were gloves, wallets iandbags, and cases and bags.
isputable
TER exploring every avenue the Federation of British Industries informs us that: -"Shortage of orders is • tsingly the reason which limits output." Which leaves st where we came in.