The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-23
AN EVERY DAY TEST.

ITO my mind there is but one method to
be pursued in testing the wheel for military
use and that is to mount man for courier
service and keep him at it every day in the
year, placing before him all the problems
presented during that period by conditions
of road weather, etc. If the wheel comes
through this test scoring more points than
can be made by the cavalryman, its utility
for military purposes is demonstrated from
all standpoints, for where one wheelman
can go another can follow.
when the weather is bad, the roads bad,
and everything opposed to the successful
movement of troops in the midst OF a cam
paign, infantry, cavalry and artillery re-
main motionless, but the most intense ac-
tivity prevails at headquarters and the de-
partment devoted to communication Is
taxed to it's utmost extent. 1t is just at
this time also that we may look for rail-
ure in the means of communication by the
various methods of signaling Telegraph
lines get out of order, the sun IS oDscured
and the helograph is not available rain
and fogs cut the line of sight and prevent
the use of the flag and torch. The only
resource left to the worried minds OF the
leaders is the courier, 1t Is Well-known
fact in the army that the first sergeant
details for detached service from his COM
pany not his best and most capable men,
hut the poorest sticks he has, whenever he
can do 1t. The service of a courier calls
for a man full of resources and Self-reli-
ance. Many failures of men high in rank
NAV be traced directly TO the lack OIL tneSe
qualities in the simple private taken from
the ranks to perform this important office
Of carrying messages, upon which the
whole safety of an army and nation de-
ponds, to their destination.
There is talk of providing a regiment of
wheelmen for service with the army. The
proper way to bring this about Is to add TO
the signal corps enough intelligent, self
reliant men to form twelve skeleton COM
These men would then have an extended
knowledge of methods of communication
which would be invaluable in time of war.
Mount the right and left companies as now,
and place the balance on wheels. having
every man thoroughly drilled for courier
service The horsemen would then act as
signal men operating stations, the balance
of the command being available for courier
work and the establishment of temporary
lines of communications. moving without
heavy loads and armed for defense and at
close quarters only.
ITO reach these conditions the test of the
wheel must be continued with reference to
the service required until the coming mill
tary cycleis evolved Problems in line of this
service should be given the experimental
army The wheel must be in use every day
in the year. winter and summer, in sun
shine and rain over every variety of road
afforded by our country: Speed does not
necessarily have to be aimed at except as
a secondary consideration-only a demon
stration of the fact that the wheel can be
profitably employed under all conditions A
careful study of the weak points of the
cycle must be had, a definite statement of
lilG NdSt LAflAc anu 81 ouSStSttDH III the ma
ture of a remedy of the defect be forth
coming. The rider himself should be
studied by the medical department, and a
full record kept of the observations, for In
this case the strain upon horse and rider
in the old method falls upon the rider al
most wholly. This calls for a man expert
enced not only in cycling, but also with
some knowledge of military.
If the result of the experiments now
being made be looked for in a test of this
nature they will all be found. and many
more problems win be solved which can
be approached in no other way. Very few
persons. even among old riders. know the
extent of the capacity OF the wheel for car
rying it's rider through what are generally
considered impracticable conditions"