Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-12-29

for which 1t has proved Its practical
bility in army manoeuvres, the auto
mobile truck Is found today employed
on the battlefield as wireless tele-
graph station, as an aeroplane tender
and transport, as hospital elaborate
ly equipped for surgical work, as
heavy tractor for transporting with
speed and certainty the heaviest army
guns, and commissariat trans, as q
tractor and generating plant for power
full searchlights, and as an unrivaled
agency for the rapid transportation OF
troops. In all these uses, aided by the
many and excellent roads in Europe,
speed and reliability have been OBJ
tanned to degree undreamed Of when
the horse had to be depended upon for
all military draughtwork.
Subsidies for Motor Trucks.
To give an idea Of the extent to
which the Germans had prepared
their army for the situation which now
faces them, it may be noted that, In
the single department Of road trains
for the transportation Of food supplies
and ammunition, they were reported to
have under subsidy and available for
immediate use no fewer than $500 OF
these trains. The German system of
subsidy by which the manufacture OF
military trucks Is encouraged, has
been initiated by Great Britain, France
and Austria. Germany, however. sur
passes all other countries in the liber-
atty Of her subsidy. And the care ex-
ercised in keeping this auxiliary Of her
service up to standard is very strict.
Not only is practically ever automo-
bile run In Germany said to be subject
to requisition by the government In
time of war, but by means Of subsidies
the government has available without
great expenditures for government
care and garages, the pick Of the mod
ern motor trucks Of the empire. Un-
der the German plan, the purchaser OF
truck in time Of peace Is given the
benefit Of a government inspection,
should he choose to take advantage OF
the subsidy, and $1,000 Is paid by the
government toward the purchase
money. In return, the purchaser must
insure his truck; he must make a de-
tailed report every three months, on
penalty Of a fine as to the work done
by his machine, and twice a year he
must send the truck on reliability
tour. At the end Of the second year
the subsidy Of $3.50 year begins, and
ceases when government aid to the ex-
tent Of $4,000 in all has been given.
Some Of the tests to which the ma
chimes are put to qualify for the sub
sidy are very severe. They must be
able to use gasoline, benzine, benzol,
or alcohol, and, loaded to the guards
with provisions or ammunition, they
must be capable Of making ten miles
an hour on level roads, and Of climbing
grades OF as much as IA per cent.
Motor Cyclists Used in War.
Another German plan which makes
for speed in military operations Is that
Of organizing motor cycle riders in
time Of peace. "Schnellfahrers," as
they are called, are the registered men
of the empire who own motor cycles,
and desire to serve the government In
time Of war. At recent manoeuvres
two thousand Of these motor cyclists
reported. In carrying dispatches to
headquarters, keeping up communica-
tion with aeroplane scouts, and SINH
lar work, they are invaluable. In peace
times, they are kept in hand by the
necessity Of reporting all changes in
address, or in their machines, and
when they appear at manoeuvres they
are we'll paid and receive coveted priv
ileges. One of the things a "schnell-
fahrer" Is permitted in time Of mimic
or real war, Is that Of travelling ninety
miles an hour on German roads with
out fear Of arrest.
Some Standardization Of military
trucks has been obtained in order to
simplify the question Of repair and
equipment in war time. BY frequent
trial trips, it has been found that
trucks heavier than three tons are un-
suitable for most roads, and that one
and half ton trucks are best for all
round use when soft and miry ground
has to be traversed. In general, one
motor train has been found most prac-
ticable at between fifteen and sixteen
TONS Tractors were found to be feasi-
BILE in any place where horses could be
used, and the advantage lay with them
on most difficult roads.
Recent French manoeuvres proved
how completely their army had been
Fresh meat was provided
by the commissary in motor trucks,
the army repair department was
brought to the point needed in spe-
Paris motor 'buses-the government
has an agreement with the Paris Mo-
torbus company-were used to trans
port troops, and as headquarters for
officers and the general staff; and the
big six-inch cannon were moved at
speed Of eight miles an hour by the
four-wheel drive tractors. With one
Of these artillery trains, ten or twelve
men on the tractor, and brakeman
each on the ammunition wagon, the
gun carriage, and a second ammuni-
ton wagon which made up the train.