New-York tribune., 1916-05-11
Recruits Flock to Join
Guard on Chance to
Fight in Mexico.
SPECIAL VEHICLE
CALLED LIFESAVER
New York Engineers Design
Bridge Repairer and Hauling
Carrier of Unusual Power.

The National Guard OF this state is
fast getting on a war basis, according
to officers OF various departments Of
that organization. While it would be
ready as body TO move at once into
Mexican territory, efforts are being
made to get 5000 more men and a
number Of special type motor trucks
with equipment for driving spiles for
bridge work in canyons and hauling sup
ply wagons up steep grades and out OF
mudholes.
Recruiting is progressing in splendid
fashion, according to Major r. i. Fos-
ter. OF the 18th Regiment, who Is IN
charge of that work.
"Since May 1 we have enlisted SAT
new men," he said, "and we expect to
have the sought for 5000 within thirty
days. That was our intention when
We started the campaign OF enlistment.
We will seek to enlist the services OF
the 100000 preparedness citizens VINO
ar. TO march on Saturday, and hope
the response from that assemblsge Will
be large"
Hauling Equipment Needed.
Confident that they will be called
soon TO enter the Mexican campaign
the Corps of Engineers sent out re-
quests yesterday to the builders oil
motor trucks asking for prices on
speciaI type one and a half ton vehicle
for use in advance Of the army
This type of military truck, which
was designed by an officer Of the corps
is expected TO be a marvellous time
saver. and, as one OF the engineers ex-
pressed il. "a saving of time means
saving of lives among our men.
1--WE need these trucks and we need
them quick" said the designer. III
we can get what we want we VIII De
able TO build bridges over creeks, rivers
and ravines almost as rapidly as the
Mexicans can destroy them. our spe-
eifcations call for a truck with driving
mower on all four wheels that VIII be
equipped with an air compression tahS
and a winch holding 900 feet OF wire
cable. both compressor and wlnch
10 he operated from the motor. Inc
eouipment must also have der
rick boom and 200 Id. pneumatic pile
driver hammer. -,
"Derrick boom and hammer VIII
facilitate the rapid construction OF
temporary pile trestle bridges. A de-
tachment of engineers with the neces-
ssry tools can be transported quickly
to the place in advance OF the coiumh
where a bridge is to be constructed:
with the winch and cable equip
ment on this type Of truck we nave
solved the problem Of getting escort
wagons out of the sinks or mudholes
that abound in Mexico after heavy
rains"
1000 Pounds to an Axle.
"The gross weight of the proposed
truck will be about 5000 pounds, IN
Guiding that of equipment and sixteen
men. II is our aim to have the motor
trucks so designed that load OF about
4 900 pounds will be given to each
axle.
"Our unit is about the most complete
one in the National Guard of the
United States" continued the oificer,
"but we certainly need few OF these
motor trucks.
"The cavalry, of course. can go any,
where, but it cannot build bridges and
perform feats of engineering so vital
to the quick movements of an army,
with four or five of these trucks
we could run ahead OF the troops a
full twenty-four hours, and by working
night and day could have passage"ay
ready for them when they came up.
1--WE have not been mapping IN pro-
curing the proper men to join the en-
gineers in the event OF our being
ordered TO Mexico. We have on call
now a few hundred dock builders op-
posed to Joining the National Guard,
but willing and anxious 10 go out as
bridge builders and construction men
with the engineer corps. These are
Just the sort of experienced men we
need -