The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-11-30
MULE POWER STILL
USED IN u. 8. ARMY
Because of the Fact That Highways Do
Not Permit Extensive Use of Motors
But Experiments Are Being Made in
the Quartermaster's Department

the Quartermaster's Department.
Washington, d. c., Nov 30,The
American army mule need have no fear
for his laurels because of the great part
ga soline motors have played in trans
portation problems of European armies
in the present war. Until American
roads generally are brought up to the
high standard of the roads of Germany,
France, Belgium and other European
countries, the army mule will determine
through his capacity for hauling, the
limitation of operations for American
military forces.
Only one branch of the United States
army is giving seriens attention to mo
ter traction. In the quartermaster's de-
partment experiments are being made,
particularly along the Texas border, with
handling supplies in motor trucks. Mo-
tor trucks are in general use, OF course,
about army posts and wherever good
roads are available, but when maneuvers
take the columns into the field and the
sandy or muddy country roads, where
mere wheel tracks across the country are
the only highways, the six-mule team is
still master of the transportation situa
ton.
A few years ago it was determined to
experiment with motor transportation as
means to increase the radius of field
artillery. The most available subject
for this purpose was the battery wagon,
the FORCES for gun repairs and
horse shoeing and also the saddler's
One such wagon accompanies
every battery of artillery in the field.
1t trails along in the rear OF the column
and does not go into action. Thus its !,
activities are largely confined to roads !
although the battery itself must 20 cross |
lots by field and stream to take positions |
against an approaching hostile force.
General Crozier chief OF the army |
bureau. designed motor bat
terry wagon which was tried out in
II prved fiat failure for
il was so heavy that it broke through /
bridges sunk to the hubs in soft roads
and generally hampered the battery to
which it was attached. The experiment
vas abandoned and the ordnance bureau
S now content TO await the results OF
he experiments of the quartermaster's
department. in self-propelled army trans
units. Mules and horses are
rood enough for American artillerymen
Is yet.
In CONNECTION with the newest heavy
iege pieces designed for the American
rmy it was proposed recently 10 expert
nent with European gasoline traction
ngines. Arrangements were under way
or the importation Of one OF these at
he time the European war broke out
'ow every engine of that character has
zen turned TO actual use abroad and in
tead OF importing automobiles or mo-
or trucks, the United States is ship
ing them abroad for the Use OF armies
here.
In many ways, army officers believe
he present war will have little effect
y the development OF American mill. ;
iry transportation equipment. The =
lmies Of Germany. France. and 20 some G
Ntent England are equipped TO fight in
be- highly developed territory which is
be present theatre OF war. Transfer .
lem TO the interior OF the United States u
nd the gresetr part OF their motor
Iuipment and much Of their heavy ar
llery would b. found almost useless, q
Is said. They would have 20 BE- re- n
Iuipped with horse and mule transpor- b
tion. The difficulties encountered by N
arman troops WHO crossed the Russian q
y der officers say, were those OF trans y
rtation. Poor roads made il iinpos- b
bic for them 10 move gums and sup b
ies a. their tactical training directed a.
veral big guns were lost without hay. ID
q fired a shot. II Is reported. because T.
ey could not h. withdrawn swiftly. st
The United States army snployes mo a.
rcycies "a some extent for orderiirs q,
trying messasss. Even this b limited al
road conditions. however. and while IN
Egestions for q motorcycle corps have 81
IN made, serious attention has not |uf
IN given 30 the subject o. vet A ith
valry horse still answers the purposes |ti
the army better than any other means Ia
communication by orderly. -