The Detroit times., 1913-10-13
DRIVER Is BIG
FACTOR IN LIFE
OF AUTO TRUCKS
Wields Influence in Financial
Showing of This Type Of Car,
Says d. X, Chilcott
GENERAL MOTORS SALES
MANAGER GIVES VIEWS
Bonus System of Remuneration
Would Increase Ehfeisncy
of Men At Wheel

| Il IL the contention OF many motor
truck owners that the driver can prac'
tically make or break the successful
performance OF a motor truck.
In commenting on this point, w.
X. Chilcott. sales manager OF the
General Motors Truck Co. expresses
the opinion that the driver Is a big
factor In the financial showing OF al
most any commercial vehicle. II q
driver is intelligent and careful, both
In the matter Of loading truck and
In driving, the machine, II properly
applied to the service. will make
money for the owner. II on the other
hand, the truck Is recklessly oper-
ated, overloaded and overspeeded,
disastrous results are sure to follow.
Broad experience with our own trucks,
and the many machines Of owners
which are under our direction. has
shown that the selection Of q driver
10 o matter Of utmost importance.
Purchasers Of new trucks often ask
our advice in this connection. and We
usually recommend that II the driver
Of their horse-drawn vehicle Is a
reliable man. and fully acquainted
with their business. he Is exactly the
man to choose for a driver, provid-
Ing he Is willing to learn and has the
intelligence to grasp the compare
lively simple details of power wagon
manipulation.
The former horse driver makes a
better motor truck driver than the
ordinary chauffeur as he understands
the handling Of merchandise and is
familiar with the particular business
In which the truck is going to be en-
ployed. Each line of delivery has
innumerable peculiarities of its own.
Each class Of goods requires a DIFF
ferent experience for it's best and
most efficient handling. 1t has been
our experience that drivers who have
been In the employ Of q firm for
years are usually anxious to learn to
operate motor vehicles and owners
find that their years Of experience
and their knowledge Of the business
Is an asset which cannot be gained
In short time. Learning to operate
q motor truck. however, can be &C
quired in a very short time, "a long
as the driver does nothing but drive.
and Is able to call on service station
for the necessary mechanical inspec-
tons and assistance In keeping his
machine In frst-class shape.
One method Of increasing the ef-
hciency OF drivers is to place the
man on bonus system OF remunera-
ton. This system contemplates first.
the hiring Of good men at a good
wage and Offering cash rewards for
good driving, freedom from trouble
on the roads, and so forth Some
Detroit owners have a regular sys-
tenn by which credits or dement's are
given to their drivers based on free.
dom from accidents, promptness in
the morning, appearance of vehicles,
attention to oiling and grease cups
or other duties which may be as.
signed. This system works out both
to the advantage of the drivers and
the owner. A good driver earns
more than he does working on the
other basis. and the owner saves
money too. through reduced bills for
operation A good driver working on
the bonus system can save an owner
large amount every month, and not
only this, but the service to custom.
ers Is greatly improved with un.
doubted financial benefits to n com.
pany's business.