The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-04-15

ness launched. This company was
far-sighted. also. in deciding that most
economical vehicles would be those
having the greatest length of life and
building first OF all for efficiency and
stability. The greatest profits TO the
user accrue from the vehicles that are
in commission the largest percentage
OF the time and least In the shop.
Too many motor trucks are TO be
seen having engines too powerful for
this character OF vehicle. The big
engine has tendency To shake the
truck with undue vibrations. and,
again, II encourages the driver to
drive fast when his truck is empty.
To find the exact balance between
power and weight and proportions and
materials brings the highest perfec-
ton This seeking balance" is the
constant air OF its engineers, and II
is said that the Alec trucks give evil
dence OF il in the way their
trucks stand up One big express
company has about 80 OF them, and
they are kept in service from Is TO %
hours day.
when the horse Is eliminated from
city streets there will be a great
MULTIPLICATION of their capacity, TO
say nothing OF the sanitary gain and
the saving in street cleaning. The
change would mean not only these
things, but also some very definite
benefits OF humane. ethical and social
character. The time is near when a
philosophic retrospect will reveal the
motor truck as having been not mere
ly a great mercantile economizer, but,
moreover, distinct factor making for
progress In civil and social life.
Scarcely does II seem far-fetched TO
add that the substitution will glorify
TO some extent, the humble occupa-
ton OF the cartman and the wagon
driver.
With the emancipation of the horse
will come relief OF humanity from
many painful sights OF hardship and
cruelty to the animal that are Incl
dent to his servitude; there will come
also freedom from the unsanitary
stables indoors and from those
stables between sidewalks" other
wise known as the streets OF the city;
above all. there will arrive the eman-
cipation of the stableman and the
driver from debasing drudgery as
handservants TO dumb beasts. Under
these generalities come the humane,
social and ethical benefits referred to,
and they are by no means trivial.
After paying full tribute TO all sim
cere affection for the horse. Ii may be
fairly questioned whether the man or
the beast has been more ennobled by
their 1000 years of association. II
will be we'll to have the cursing jehu,
who flays his tired back To his proper
level but IL will be better TO have the
capable and considerable driver pro-
NOTED TO the higher grade of labor
represented by the motor truck. II
is with reason that the chauffeurs are
envied by the horse drivers OF both
coach and cart Operating an engine
is a higher brade OF work than driv-
ing a beast and the psychological eff
feet induced by washing the feet and
belly of horse, is very different from
that reached through cleaning the
transmission and engine OF an auto
mobile. The man on the motor truck
with his ability more developed will
have made self-respect than the horse
driver and will be better member OF
society In whatever strata he may
move. This will be social gain, so
that among the many boons TO be be-
slowed by the motor truck, will be
that OF establishing higher grade or
intelligence in the personnel OF those
who guide heavy vehicles through the
city streets.