The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-20

Auto trucks For Army.
The military world has for several
years been interested in the use OF
auto trucks. but only recently has our
army taken up the subject In a serious
way. Experiments are now being
made both in the Tilted States proper
and in the Philippines with view
to determining the value and capa-
city of auto trucks and to adopting
a suitable type for army use.
The larger the worlds armies be-
come the greater are their needs
and the larger the quantities OF sup
plies of all kinds which they require;
consequently, the more complex will
be their trains. The Increased de-
mands thus made on the means of
transportation In the field as well AZ
on other branches of war material
are partly facilitated by the develop
ments In mechanical contrivances and
in scientific progress In general. To
such improvements belong the auto
truck. which is remarkably We'll suit
ed to simplify the army trains and
TO reduce the total number OF horses
required by the troops
No country liz in q position to or
ganize and hold in readiness in time
OF peace the entire auto truck park
question arises. How can the neces-
sary material for this purpose be best
secured so as to be available In time
OF war, without too great expense to
the governorment?
Germany solved this problem in q
way that has proved very satisfactory.
and its method IL well worth careful
consideration. Since 1908 Germany has
been securing for her army for use
in time of war the necessary auto
trucks by the payment of certain
sum to private owners or such vehicies.
Twas essential however, to deter
mine. first OF all, what kinds of auto
trucks conform to the requirements
Of the military authorities, and this
was effected by means of trial runs
of about 1850 miles, under the SUI
pervision of the officers Of the trans
conducted in part over specially se-
lected difficult country like that Of
the Harz Mountains and the noun
famous country of Sfiesia. and the re-
suit was that sixteen different fac
tories in Germany proved the efficien-
ey of their cars and their right to
benefit by the subsidy law.
The general type Of car considered
suitable is an auto truck OF from IS
TO 40 horsepower. with a trailer. Both
together constitute flight freight
train" the useful load of which IL
about six tons. The conditions for
acquiring the right to the amount OF
the subsidy are in general outlined a.
follows: The owner, after purchasing
an auto truck from one of the sixteen
factories, binds himself to keep 1t in
perfectly serviceable condition, as de.
termined by the inspections Of the
military authorities. for period OF
five years. On payment of certain
rental the cars can be called in by
the War Department for use during
tho annual imperial manoeuvres In
time of peace. In return the owner re-
ceives from the State purchasing
premium of 1000 marks (about ST.
000) and five successive annual pre-
miums of 1000 marks each; In sum
total. therefore, about 5000 marks, or
about half the cost OF the machine.
The great advantage Of using auto
trucks with a useful load OF six tons
each Is evident from the following
considerations: The daily food supply
of a division On a war footing amounts
to about thirty-six tons, SO that six
or seven army auto trucks Will be per-
fectly capable of keeping up the daily
food supply Ut division. whereas the
twenty-sev four-horse wagons con-
stituting a Continental supply column
can carry only twcnty-seven tons.
The entire train of auto trucks fs
hardly ego yards long. Is more mobile,
can accomplish far more than the
wagon trains. especially In the late
stages of campaign when the horses
are worn out, and requires far less
in the way of its own supplies.
In time of war. aside from the d.
vision trains, the army auto trucks
would be organized into trains for the
line OF communications each COM
posed OF nine auto trucks. and in
every army there will be, In addition,
auto truck parks with repair work.
shops and supply depots. The gen.
eral stan OF the army and the quar-
termaster's department have taken UP
the subject OF auto trucks for the
United States army.
Receive Gliddcn Trophy.
Charles J. Glidden. Of Boston. has
a A.