Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-19
MOTOR TRUCKS ARE
RUSHED TO BORDER
Twenty Eight Trucks Furnished by
the White Company on Twenty
Four Hours Now on Way
to Front.
TRAVEL ON SPECIAL TRAIN

CLEVELAND. O.. March 1S.-(special
Telegram)-The speed with which Amtri-
can Industries can be "mobilized" to
supply the sudden needs OF tho United
States army was demonstrated yester-
day when a long distance telephone call
from the War department TO the White
company resulted in the dispatching OF
a spScial train load OF White army escort
trucks to the Mexican border within
twenty-four hours after the order was
placed. This special train now speeding
toward the border under special orders
and fun right-of-way carried twenty
eight trucks which will compose the first
motor truck company Of the United States
army.
Twelve hours later the White company
had supplied the personel OF this truck
unit from a large number OF employees
anxious to serve. thirty-four picked men
were enlisted to act as drivers. mechanics
snd truckmasters and tho company left
Cleveland in n special car under COM
mand Of Captain James w. Furlow.
L. s. A.
Although the ultimate destination OF the
company is unknown due to the censor
formation the trucks will be unloaded at
FL Paso and begin their active service
from that point.
Tho intention Of completing the organi-
zation and equipment in FL Paso is taken
as an indication that tho trucks will con-
voy the column OF General Pershing in
the punitive expedition across the border.
Last OF the Army Mule.
The organization OF the first motor
truck company, which marks the last
stand OF the army mule. not only dis
closed the speed with which military
emergencies can be met, but revealed the
degree of preparedness maintained by
Americas largest motor truck manu-
facturers. The same flexible manufac-
turing facilities which have enabled this
company 20 supply large fleets Of motor
trucks to big corporations ON short notice
enabled the company TO meet this military
exigency without loss OF time. Smaller
companies building trucks only as ordered
would have required several weeks time
10 complete the necessary chassis follow
ing the telephone order for equipment.
The white company was able to put the
twenty-eIght trucks under a severe road
the train IN less than twenty-four hours.
Almost simultaneously the bodies for
these trucks were shipped from the
quartermaster depot at Jeffersonville and
the bodies to be mounted on these trucks
are the regulation army field wagon
bodies that are familiar 10 most people
and similar to those used in Cuba, the
Philippines. Alaska and China. They are
20 be mounted on chassis OF one and one
half tons capacity and will be fitted with
the regulation bows and canvas covers
which have been characteristics of the
field wagons heretofore drawn by mules.
much as six-mule team under the
conditions to bo encountered in Mexico
and will be particularly valuable on long
marches inasmuch as they do not have
70 carry the great quantities OF fodder
required by mules.
This Is the first time that the United
States army has made use of motor
trucks I'm active service and the Mexican
campaign IA expected TO reveal the com
parative merits of the mule and motor
truck under the most difficult conditions
imposed by military service. g.
The organization OF the first motor
truck company consists OF Captain James
w. Furlow In command. one maehinist
enc mechanic and one mechanics helper
Each OF the three assistant truckmasterl
win have charge of nine trucks. To
facilitate the supervision OF this equip
ment the truckmasteFs will be equipped
with motorcycles.