The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-04

all the countries now at war entirely
without adequate transportation facili-
ties" says Mr.. WHY'S The Wholesale
destruction of motor vehicles Is rapidly
decreasing the number of cars and trucks
on the Continent.
Great numbers of horses are being
slaughtered daily and every available ami
NAL already Is In army service. There
will be a shortage of horses among the
many commercial enterprises of Europe
and abnormally high prices will be de-
manded for the few left At tho close OF
the war. In addition many continental
railroads have been deliberately put out
OF commission TO prevent their use or
seizure by the enemy. Bridges have been
blown up. roadbeds destroyed and much
OF the rolling stock crippled beyond re-
pair.
Motor trucks have proved them.
selves invaluable In transporting sup
plies and ammunition and in con-
tributlng toward tho rapid move
ment OF troops. But no mechanism, how
ever strongly constructed. could with
stand the terrible treatment they have
been receiving In the field. War has left
neither the time nor the facilities for CIV
ing tho care necessary to keep the trucks
At their high point OF efficiency In the
continual rush of the campaign drivers
cannot stop TO replenish the oi' supply
or adjust small mechanical difficuitieA
They keep tho ear going just as long as
they can and then are forced 10 desert
II for another. On roads used by the big
armies deserted motor trucks are found
AT frequent intervals
THE army trucks travel In conveys.
consisting OF an assortment of perhaps
score OF vehicles ranging from light 10
heavy and from good TO bad. 1t Ia 10 be
| NNper'cd that when an exceptionally rapid
pace is maintained some OF the trucks
would prove unequal to the task, The
military authorities are absolutely ruth
1 less In tho uee Of the vehicles they have
in their service. II liz usually impossible
to find garage facilities within access of
the base Of operations Consequently the
trucks remain In TIE open. rain or shine
aud they will doubtless continue 10 do so
| until the war Is over. Rust will ruin the
best piece OF machinery ever built
80 In spite OF tho elaborate precau-
| tions taken 10y the French and German
| war barons TO subsdize large numbers
of trucks for military use thov are find
rig their transportation facilities rapidly
| becoming weaker ana the need Of replace
ment becoming urgent Practically every
available truck In Europe has been com
Wandered More than 900 motor omni-
| buses Of Paris have been converted into
| meat wagons, which haul large sup. 'lles
OF fresh meat 10 the allied forces. The
motor car factories stll IN commission
| are working under Government super
| vision in an ondoavOr TO turn out trucks
| for the army, but their forces have been
so depleted by the call 10 arms that the
| result Ia far from satisfactory.
THE upshot of It AL Is that immedi-
ately upon the declaration Of peace there
will be an exceedingly brisk demand
abroad for commercial vehicles Business
will be resumed lines of traffic will re-
open and there will he merchandise to be
| moved. Europe will demand trucks At
| the same time the industries abroad will
DE in state OF complete decentralization,
| from which they will be unable 10 recover
| for many months,
"The automobile factories already are
| so completely disrupted that II the war
| were stopped to-day lengthy process OF
| reorganization would be necessary before
| they could DO ready 10 conduct business.
| They will not he able to resume business
| at the point where they shut down TO
allow their men to respond TO tho call