New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-23

Definite steps toward the cooperation
81 the various national automobile as
sociAtions and tho railroad companies
with the Federal government in the
formulation Of plans affecting the pre-
paredness Of the country IN the mooih-
zation Of its motor and railway trans
portation facilities in time OF need
were taken carly last week at CON
ference at Washington between the
automobile and railroad interests ana
the officers OF the War College Whiie
no Official statement was made as 70
the developments Of the conference II
Is understood that gratifying reports
were made by the various interests as
20 thcir- preparedness 20 adapt them
selves 70 war conditions upon short
notice.
At the last monthly meeting OF the
hoard Of directors Of the National
Automobile Chamber of Commerce II
was voted that the chamber. represen-
tative Of more than 90 per cent OF the
industry. should cooperate with HOW
Ard T.. Coffin, Of the Naval ADVISORY
Board. in the work he Is carrying on;
AS the first move IN this pian Allivu
Reeves. general manager Of the N. a.
c. C.. was delegated TO compile com
nlete information concerning the prl-
vatelv owned motor trucks in the coun-
try. These statistics are 10 be ciassl-
fed by districts, and II is probable
that the work will 60 so Tar as 10
include the actual drafting Of plans for
use OF the machines in each territory
Resides tabulation OF actual trucks,
stocks OF snare parts and supplies car
ried at factories and branches, are 10
he listed. and even the drivers, repair
men and factory workers are 10 De
taken into account. with the idea OF
making il possible TO secure quickly a
body OF experienced men for service III
any part Of the country.
The War College has been worklng
for years on transportation plans 10
be effective in the event OF war, ne
purpose OF the conference held las,
week with the automobile and railroad
REPRESENTATIVES was TO formulate a
complete line Of procedure ms soon as
this can be done. The limitations set
by the provisions Of the United States
statutes at this time were explained
clearly, as we'll as some Of the legisia-
ton contemplated. such as that pro-
posed to be enacted in the form OF the
Chamberlain bill 10 provide for a motor
truck reserve corps, the President APP
pointing reserve corps subject 10 the
orders OF the War Department at any
time in case Of special emergency ana
for relatively short intervals IN times
of peace. II Is thought that the motor
truck corps would be under the Jurls-
diction Of the Quartermaster depart
ment. and the railroad transportation
plans under the direction Of the en-
gineer corps of the army.
II is appreciated, of course, thatmod-
ern mobilization plans are. IN view OF
the Great War, subject 10 relatively
quick changes. No nation abroad mas
given UP animal transportation en-
tirely In war. New regulations o. TINS
government are being tried out IN Mex
leo at this time. in mobilization regu-
lations current abroad at this time
motor transport is divided broadly into
two classes. consisting Of heavy trucks
and light trucks. respectively. Pleas
ure car automobiles and motorcycles
are. Of curse. used extensively as we'll
BY the use Of $500 trucks 10000 troops
have been moved in what would have
been thought in past years an incred-
IDLY short time. The use Of the trucks
for Transporting supplies is obvious.
The automobile industry VIII appoint
representatives 10 work on national
plan 10 be developed in detail. Ways
and means must be had TO form units
of procurable machines and material
The automobile industry will IN the
last analysis have to supply the men 10
man the trucks, as well as the trucks
themselves. The number Of trucks
needed would depend on the length OF
haul rather than the number Of men or
the amount Of supplies 70 be hauled.
IL is estimated that there is nearly 30
per cent saving operating trucks thirty
miles a day as compared with horse
haulage.
The good roads authorities are hope
full thaS with the existing methods of
state aid in forty different states and
the proposed Federal aid there will be
in a short time four or FIVE roads across
the United States in an cast and west
direction and the same number north
and south.
There il good assurance that an ade-
ouate military transportation system
will be established and maintained IN