El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-19
EUROPE SUB5IDI5E5 TRUCK USERS;
THEN CRABS TRUCKS FOR WAR USE
Thus it Has Automobile Transportation Ready Manned
by Chauffeurs Who know Their Cars; American Au-
tomobile Maker, Who Had a Car Seized Tells
of the Use of the Auto in War.

who Communicated the car for their own
fered the same loss. There are practlcally
no motor cars operated by private indlFld-
uaIs in Europe today
Preparing for War
ssThe war lords Of Europe early foresaw
the superiority Of the motor truck over
horse drawn vehicles as a means OF trans
portation.' continued Mr.. WHY'S This
statement is verified by the precautions
they took TO reserve the right 10 use large
batteries OF heavy duty vehicles purchased
for commercial use by private lnuiFlouals
or corporations. They realized that In case
OF war the manufacture Of automobiles on
their side Of the Atlantic would be at a
standstilL- Consequently tney auopleu
measures 10 assure Themselves OF the proper
motor equipment even under such straits
The German army administration was
induced 10 take up the question OF motor
truck transportation with a dual purpose
in mind The authorities desired TO secure
an efficient method or hauling supplies IN
bIockadIng OF military roads with horse
drawn vehicles when they desired them
open for the movements Of troops
The Subsidy System
1T was practically impossible for the
army authorities to maintain a sutficlentIy
large quantity Of uniform motor TRUCKS not
only because Of the initial cost OF the
vehicles, but also because Of the impossi-
biIity Of keeping under the flag in times
Of peace a large enough number OF skilled
chauffeurs TO operate the trucks.
LneSe CONSIDERATIONS leu 10 the AtllAA1A
OF subsidies Of such substantial import
ance as to encourage the purchase Of motor
trucks by private concerns under conditions
which would enable the government at any
the certainty that in the meanwhile they
would be kept in running condition and
provided with a properly trained chauffeur
Trucks Mostly Light
"In order that the trucks might be used
without damage TO the ordinary roads and
bridges of Germany. and at the same time
Ia =af Ia
countries which might possibly be invaded.
trucks were prescribed which. when loaded.
ranged from two tons to tFe and halt
tons weight on the rear axle None OF the
motors subsidized for army use are less
than s. horsepower Trailers also are speci-
fled as being particularly desirable for
The subvention for a single truck
amounts TO the sum OF $3.50. payable as
follows A premium Of S42S upon purchase,
followed by four annual premiums OF
$3.50. so for the maintenance Of each vehicle
II three or five ton trailer IS provided
with the truck the original premium is
raised 10 STA. with annual payments OF
France has adopted much the same
method as that Of Germany. by paying
heavy premiums 10 truck purchasers with
the understanding that they are 10 revert TO
the government for immediate use in case
Of war.
Trucks Regularly Inspected
Each year these trucks are submitted
TO the military authorities by the various
owners and an exhaustive examination de-
.ermines whether or not they fulfil all OF
the government requirements. The truck
must be constructed entirely in France and
In factory where at least three-fifths OF
the working force are French. II must be
In commercial use on French territory. It
must conform in construction and equip
ment with the requirements laid down by
the French military experts. Upon COM
plying with these regulations the truck
owner receives a bounty aggregatiug from
Sl02z 70 S1S72
In spite Of these precautions which have
been carried on almost since the inception
Of the motor truck industry. am alarming
shortage Of transportation facilities has
been found by the tremendous armies now
In the field. Although the levies on motor
trucks have been followed by heavy drafts
7n horses, many more trucks are still
needed"