Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-10-06
GRIEF FOR JOY RIDERS.
In Case Of War Your Auto WI BE
At Disposal Of Government.

OF the United States may perhaps be
called upon to forego the pleasure Of
10y riding long tours or the comforts
that machine brings them, II the
war departments succeeds In having
enacted q law from the scheme that
Major General Wood has given a
great deal OF attention to lately.
While no immediate danger from
automobile enthusiasts is expected
from the war department, the posi-
bihty that war might some day de-
yelop in the United States, when the
question would Immediately be
brought to the attention Of congress,
with dire results to the wearers OF
leather leggins and goggles.
The scheme calls for general reg
istration at the war department OF all
automobiles operated by private
owners everywhere in the country.
For the sake Of greater convenience
to army officers this registration
might be divided between depart
mental commanders, of which there
are at present nine, within the terri
torial limits Of the United States.
Since under this arrangement, the
government could keep a close touch
on all machines, 1t is thought that II
an emergency arises requiring quick
TRANSPORTATION OF either men or sup
plies to a given point, 1t could be met
with better advantage than under the
old system of army transportation
This is not the only use to which
automobiles might be put to In time
OF war, for 1t is claimed that their
value as part Of the equipment Of an
army has been established beyond
question.
The army has already equipped a
number Of military stations with, au-
tomobiles. The results prove that
they are essential to the proper tit
ting out Of army corps. The use TO
which they can be put are manifold
staff work, courier, dispatch and gen.
eraI military routin, being part Of the
regular army work In times OF war,
Hence, the need Of the automobile
mas lead high army officials to look
upon facilities for obtaining automo-
blIes in time Of war as essential to
the usefulness Of the army.
Past experiences, in numbers OF
instruction camps where militia has
received lessons in the art OF war,
have led officials to believe that au-
aornobiIe dealers could not begin to
supply the demand which the war
dlepartment would make in the time
or war. Usually 1t has been found
that a dealer could not supply any
machines at all, on short notice for
the reason that factories have been
running ahead on all orders. Natur-
ally to put into working shape, the
scheme that has been advanced, It
mas been put to the war department
that the only way to obtain machines
would be from private owners
should the western coast OF the
United States be threatened, the war
department could telegraph the de-
partment commander on the Pacific
seoast to assemble automobiles at a
xiyen place. Troops supplies could
be rushed by train, and thence trans
Rerred by machine to various en-
rampments.
ON the field OF battle and during
actual hostilitIes, however, 1t Is
thought that the greatest need OF the
automobile would be felt. While
certain official business could be
transacted by wireless and by land.
telegraph lines other business Of the
same nature could be carried ty swift
machines.
Naturally, the contemplated use
of the machines In the army has
caused officials to advocate ;he build
ing Of good roads under the supervi-
sion Of government engineers, all over
She United States. Generally the
matter has been taken up by the
states and not much improvement
has been accomplished in this line
IN some sections. should congress
approve OF the scheme advanced BY
MAJOR General Wood, and strongly
advocated by other officers Of the
army, a general appropriation for
road construction similar to those
passed every year by congr as for The
Improvement Of harbors and rivers Il
expected.
Two Of the essentials for the main
zenance OF the United States army
improvements that the absolutely
ssoessary are the construction OIL
rood military roads in every section
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