Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-04-20
R0ADs TO HELP RAILS
| IN TRANSPORT PROBLEM
England Is Striving for the Con-
struction OF n System OF
Highways.
'LAN TRAINS OF MOTOR LINES
lessons Taught During the War
Promises to Afford Great Dcvclp-
ment in the British Commercial
Affairs.
BY PATRICK o.rI.AuEnry.

BY PATRICK O'FLAHERTY.
LONDON. April 19.-Now that the
Rvar Is practically over. the road trans
port board. which was appointed to
erve during the war. is negotiating
With the Ministry of Reconstruction Of
he British government to continue its
abors throughout the reconstruction
period. II is extremely probable that
pacc will be found for the valuable
irea;z OF the board in creating an
hrouShout Great Britain even beyond
ne reconstruction period The board
AS been doing pioneer work through
"a, Great Britain. and it's labors have
greatly relieved tho railways that
is not impossible that 1t Will ul,i-
natcly become permanent organiZa-
The road problem in Great Britain
las been the same as in America. cx
are have made road possibilities even
frcater than in the United states.
To Develop Motor Lorry.
With the development Of the motor
orry, the transportation of frcigh, by
Dad has become an accomplished fact,
md the proportion OF the freight bust
N size. The business has grown cs-
'ecially during the wartime period OF
congestion on the railways. until by
his time il has made for itself per
treat Britain.
Briefly. the work Of the road trans
nanuiacturcr IN London has five pianos
or shipment 10 a piano dealers in
Dad the five pianos into :, motor lorry
u his factory door, TO send them TO
birmingham by lorry and 10 set them
Town again q; his dealers door. Then,
'eturns 10 London empty. |; is to lind
cargo for tn" returning iorry that
JUNCTION. although at the boards in
option a wartime function is not
expected 10 disappear with the return
u normal conditions IN Great Britain.
Motor lorry transportation VIII con
inuc TO tie cheaper in the case OF
'ertain hauls than railroad transpor-
.aiion TO prevent wastage in lorry
transportation is expected TO grow with
he Erow,h ,, OF iorry ' ,,aa
As organized by the British War
'abiuct. the Road Transport Board, s
unction was ITO coordinate the work
II existing government departments
n Connection with road transport; TO
ictcrmine what further measures are
lecessary TO ensure the most economic
heir efficient ALLEGATION for meeting
UGH requirements AS may arise from
inc TO time for the transport OF food.
munitions. and other war materials
md for the essential needs OF the
rade and indnSiry 81 The conntry
'oard OF Trade, 10 give executive CT
cct thereto.
The board consisted at It's orEaniza-
OF control and morse transport de-
,artmcnts OF the Board of Trade, the
Ministry OF Munitions, the Ministry Of
'ood, the transport and upkeep OF
Dads departments OF the War, Office,
he Post Office and the road boards.
IL arms OF the British government.
administered from London. its or
sanization consists OF thirteen divi-
ionsl road transport boards, sub
divided into e!ghtyfour area boards.
II Iy-.. -, Scot
and and Wales. Both the d!visi onal
md area boards give representation
uc the local chambers OF commerce.
'wners and users Of road transport
Conservation Plans Consider
The boards hrst object during the
!itions OF the direct necessity. OF Brt-
aims supplies OF petrol and horse
eed. Unnecessary use of transport
rising from duplication or overlap
hing had to be eliminated as far as
,oss iblc for the period OF the war; On
he other hand: there had TO be
he period OF the war, on either a
,eogra phical or trade basis Cor
,oth), whichever, might be best suited
o the needs of the locality under con-
federation. Schemes had 10 be pre-
pared under which certain vehicles
would deliver in fixed and definite
;strict all the supplies required with
n that district. Wherever possible.
Arrangements had to be made for re-
urn loads and support given TO limit
ID pools or com binations OF certain
raiders for the purpose Of collection
nd delivery. Traders in each town
lad to be required to coniinG their
deliveries to the area naturally tri-
butary to the town, and coordination
between road. rail. canal and other
orms OF transport had TO be encour-
gcd as far as possible.
Plan Increased Efficiency.
1t had TO be the aim OF the board
"a
he number OF vehicles on the. roads.
Reductions which could be obtained in
he number OF vehicles in use would
,iding they could be secured without
he in6iction of undue hardship on
he trade interGsfs, con iSa hoards suc-
.css depended largely on the amount
81 cooperation 1t would be able TO
secure from traders and owners OF
transports. Every attempt was made
- O consult the interests affected. and
is a tribute to the British merchant
hat almost without o exception me
reartiest OF corporation, despite the
he fact that cooperation involved a
good many petty hardships and irri-
,ort which now covers Great Britain
vas perfected. The credit for elicit
ne this cooperation belongs largely
brown into the closett touch with the
owners and users OF transport These
divisional boards have taken tho
course OF indicating in what direction
Economics must be secured. and only
- last resort, using the authority
yested I'm them to compel compliance
with their recommendations.
Takes Census of Vehicles.
In order to acquaint itself with the
FACILITIES at its disposal, the board
irsl caused census to. be taken of
all vehicles available for transport
whose capacity did not exceed 1900
bounds These were registered and
heir owners were required to notify
he local authorities of any changes
made in their vehicles. Permits were
Granted to registered vehicles and
he use for road transport of any un-
registered vehicle was forbidden.
supplies Of petrol were recommended
or all vehicles bearing permits and
priority certificates were issued guar
{,nteeing the right OF registered We
licles TO repairs and spare parts.
or course, the necessity that lay at
) he back OF the wal, cabinets mind In
he creation OF the British Road
Transport Board was provision
lgainst the necessity Of commander