The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-09-04
War Department Wants Autos
Listed For War Emergencies

biles in time of war as essential to the
usefulness OF the army.
Past experiences, in numbers Of in
struction camps where militia have
received lessons In the art OF war
have led officials to believe that auto
mobile dealers could not begin to sup
ply the demand which the war de-
partment would make in the time of
war. Usually IL has been found that q
dollar could not supply any machines
at ALL on short notice for the reason
that factories have been running ahead
on all orders. Naturally to put into
working shape. the scheme that has
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
coast to assemble automobiles at a
given place. Troops supplies could be
rushed by train, and thence trans
ferred by machine to various encamp-
ments.
ual hostilities. however, it is thought
that the greatest need OF the automo-
bile would be felt. While certain Off
cial business could be transacted by
wireless and by land telegraph lines
other business Of the same nature
could be carried by swift machines.
Naturally, the contemplated use OF
machines in the army has caused Off.
cials to advocate the building OF good
roads under the supervision OF govern
ment engineers, all over the United
States. Generally. the matter has
been taken up by states and not much
Improvement has been accomplished
in this line in some sections. Should
congress approve OF the scheme ad-
vanced 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 congress for the
improvement OF harbors and rivers is
expected.
1.-TWO of the essential for the proper
maintenance of the United States
army. improvements that are abso-,
lutely necessary, are the construction
Of good, military roads in every section
OF the United States and the quick
transportation of army supplies. In a
measure, we have solved the trans
portation-problem. but we are woofully
lacking In proper road facilities for the
movement of large bodies of men. "
said Major General Wood. during an
interview.
"Good roads would not only be of
great benefit to the movement OF an
army corps" he said, but would add
also to the general prosperity of the
country. It would mean that in time
of peace. farmers could bring their
be more greatly patronized by the
travelling public and the country would
be more thickly settled. In certain
sections of the country, the develop
ment of agricultural pursuits is greatly
handicapped by the lack Of good roads
1.-THE quick transportation facilities
of the army today are about as good as
| in other countries. We have excellent
railroad and steamship facilities, but
what We lack is a quick mode Of trans.
portation between the terminals of
railroads and the places Of encamp'
ment of troops. This lack can only be
overcome by the use of automobiles,
With a number of high.class machines
at the disposal of the war department
| the difficulty would be overcome and
the problem solved.
In European countries. automobiles
have, in a great measure. superseded
the horse and the army mule. STAFF
officers use the machines exclusively
Courier work. form division headquar.
ters to commanders in the field, is car