The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-08-05
GASnkLZE CzNzZRY''

sort happened to a bunch of New York taxicab
drivers who were shipped out to handle tram
made up of a certain uniform make of trucks
They got 30 miles into Mexico, and then occ1oed
that they did not like the country at all. They
agreed that the United States government was
foolish to go in at all.
Their spokesman went to the captain and in
formed him that they had decided to go back. They
did not like the food, the water was not iced. and
there beer in the godforsaken place
Whereupon the captain gave orders to the sergeant
of his guard. The nOncommissioned officer in
formed the drivers that the first of them swho
turned back to Columbus would be systematically
shot up.
The drivers protested that they were American
citizens and wanted their rights. The sergeant
listened unmOved as he drew up his squad INTO a
convenient place for the shooting The drivers
finally concluded that they too far away to
consult their attorneys and the train proceeded to
Namiquipa-
Camping out away from a garrisoned town. the
truck trains take the same formation that was
used by the emigrant trains when they were forced
to guard against Indian attacks at night. The
trucks distributed in a circle, with the captains
runabOut, the cook truck and the ammunition truck
in the center. Placed in this formation. the truck
train is in difficult position for bandit band TO
rush.
No doubt many a band has been watching those
valuable trains OF food and ammunition, longing
to pounce upon Them but they refrained. A we'll
ordered truck train could get into battle formation
In few minutes. and the Springfield rifles would
De covering every point or attack very enecuFely-
quarter of a million dollars in gold was
shipped in with train, guarded by so picked
marksmeh. Bandit bands, knowing of this. prob
ably lOnged to rush it, but they did not make the
attempt. At night in its proper formation with
its outposts alert, the wellconducted train should
be impossible to surprise But civilian drivers are
hard to convince OF the necessity for remaining
alert They will lock their ammunition in the tool
boxes; and while they painfully sOcitous of
the mechanism of their trucks, they have no re-
gard for the mechanism OF the Springfield rifles
which issued to them.
They have respect for shoulder straps. A
typical incident was one near Espia. The truck
train drew into the place hot and dusty. The news
was spread that there real swimming hole
20 feet deep in the place
Soldier guards and civilian drivers made dash
for it AS they neared it they heard a delicious
splaShing. but sentry halted them SORRY, boys
he said 'but there's officer bathing there now.
and the orders that nobody is allowed in till
he gets through"
big ex-taxicab driver from New York proceed
ed to peel of his army uniform. In another min
ute he dived into the pool with mighty splash.
He came to the surface and grinned cheerfully at
the indignant expression of the second lieutenant.
outraged at the fact that his privacy had been dis
turbed apparently by the enlisted man.
"Oh. that's all right !" shouted the auto driver.
Il don't mind if you little bit dirty. Come on
in The water is fine"
But OF these days the truck train will be sys-
tematized- The drivers viii all be enlisted men
There viii be a fixed rate of speed. end the trucks
viii all be up to determined specifications
When the truck train is perfected the mule train
will 60 Also. the pride Of the cavalry viii be
trailed in the gaSoiinescented dust Of the auto
truck train.