El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-05-20

N
a corps Of the United States army
L h stated last week that there is
every reason to believe that within the
near future the motor equipment need
sd for the hauling OF artillery, for the
transportation of ordnance and quar-
termaster's supplies, for the use Of the
signal corps and for a score Of other
purposes win soon be authorized for
the United states army; and, as there
is every Indication that congress IS
about greatly to increase the strength
Of the army. this means an outlay Tor
motor traction that viii total many
millions of dollars
As this officer pointed out, the
various tests to determine the kind Of
machines best suited for military pur-
poses are now being made or have been
concluded, and he cited a paper pre-
pared by Mai Luciau 3. Moody OF the
ordnance department of the army, pre-
pared Tor the Field Artillery Journal,
lne service paper of the officers Of the
field artillery arm Of the regular army
Ihat paper deals with the subject
from every angle and gives the de-
sirablc features OF the tractors and
trucks that, based on tests already
held. should be adopted for The United
states army.
Must consider Cost.
I'm considering such radical changes
as are now being discussed" says Maj.
Moody, the question OF cost must be
considered and I'm this case preliminary
figures are fortunately very favorable
TO motor transport, so that the OBJ
lection Of increased cost will not be
raised TO oppose in their early stages
such trials as may be proposed by the
Yield artillery"
Maj. Moody points out that the un-
.na.r.- H.rr
battery viii he a 4.1-inch or 6-inch
howitzcr battery and that the field
artillery board estimates a saving ia
cost of horses in the operation of this
battery Cue TO motor transportation
Of about $4,000. If six CaissOns are
replaced by trucks there viii be an
other saving OF $4,000. i'm addition to-
GOO for harness and $4,000 for per-
sonal and horse equipments bringing
the total gross saving i'm round num-
bers TO about $4,000.
THE auto store and battery
wagons" he continues. will cost
about as much as the present. so no
saving is estimated. Against this
there must be charged five tractors
ut about $500 each. "a total OF $22,50o.
Adding 20 percent for extra equip
ment spare parts. etc, brings this
cost TO $4,000. making q net saving
i'm initial cost of $4,000 per battery
big saving Expected.
The saving i'm Ordnance Depart
ment material alone would be SUI
dcient TO provide practically complete
motor transport for militia batteries,
and thus satisfactorily solve tho
problem OF transportation, which is
understood TO have been the iusur-
mOuntable barrier to the organization
Of militia heavy field batteries, and has
kept the majority Of our small stock
OF heavy material locked up I'm arsenal
stOrehOuses.'
Mai Moody describes the various (
trucks and tractors tested. after which .
he summarizes the desirable features
or points that should he remembered
I'm selecting trucks or tractors for mil
itary use. The more important
features indicated are.
Should be set high
enough 80 that water cannot enter II
fn crossing streams Of reasonable
depth. and adjustments and connec-
lions should be readily accessible .
without removing other parts.
Big Gasoline Tank
Gasoline Tank-Should. IL practt'
cable. have capacity for q hours,
running Connections should be eN-
uosed SO that leaks will be evident and
easily corrected. Should have drain
cock and straiuere. Connections should
lead away from tank so that approx
mately the last gasoline VIII bc
drained irrespective OF angle Of ma
chine lougitudinally OF crosswisc. \ .
small reserve supply of gasoline tnat .
can not be used without action on the /
part of the driver should be habitually
The best way to provide thia
ie "A partition in the tank extending Z
NO far enough TO leave about five gall
Pipes lead from each side 20 the feed