Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1916-08-11

army enlisted men, detailed to drive the type OF
truck tentatively adopted. The others are chauf-
feurs of all sorts, Adventures from all over the
country, college in search of experience. and
even ex-taxicab drivers from New York city. With
some of the trucks under probation are men from
the factories.
1t is picturesque body than any as
semblage of mule SINNERS The types more
varied and the views upon things in general are
interesting Moreover the army chauffeur
in the aggregate is naturally more intelligent than
the mule skinner whose close association With the
mule has given him some of the traits of that noble
animal.
To the average army chauffeur the stolid-looking
numbering auto truck is a beautiful and living
thing
On the road to Namiquipa listened to a colored
sergeant of the Ninth cavalry who had been de-
tailed to drive a fve-ton truck He was addressing
his vehicle.
Eyes, Betsy, old girl" he was saying "Ah knows
that this here cheap government gasoline amt the
proper nourishment for heightened lady truck
like your But when gets to Corallitas Ah'm go
ing TO put of that. nice cool spring water in
your radiator Thatll freshen you up whole lot,
Betsy. SO
Does you-all want little more oil in your bear
ings Betsy? If you does, jes' say 'Taint no
trouble at all for me. All jes thought you might.
because your pretty engine breathing little
hard on that last hill. All don't want any of them
fresh New York chauffeurs to think you COM
planning, Betsy. because me and you knows that
you don't complain"
The coored trooper adjusted some pink and
green ribbon which was tied TO the truck radiator
The whistle of the truck master blew. The SER
geant whirled the crank listened socitously for
an instant TO his motor, and swung Betsy into line
with her mates.
One of the difficulties which the captain of
auto truck encounters is In maintaining discipline
with mixed company OF civilians and soldiers.
Civilian drivers have their own notions to how
auto trucks should be driven. 1t is the theory OF
the captain that the auto train should have per-
feet alignment with the trucks hundred yards
apart
The civilian drivers cannot see the necessity for
this. Some Of them to show that their trucks
can travel the fastest. Others insist that their
trucks be carefully handled The result is that the
captain. Tuning inwardly has TO be diplomat
when he is In command of mixed train of trucks.
One of these trains started out at the rate of II
miles hour. short distance out of Columbus
it encountered bad roads A truck slowed
down and began to pick the going.
The captain shot cross-cOuntry from the in
his standard runabout to see what cutting his
train in
whats the trouble?" he demanded of the CT
william driver.
mo trouble at ALL" replied the driver "But
eight miles is all that l going to do with this
load and over this sort of road You go ahead
with those Barney Oldfelds if you want to- III
catch up with you after half of those trains
wrecked"
The captain was trfe ~hgry. He reminded
the driver that all trains ordered kept intact.
1t was no 'cross-country race. l.. military
track train The driver was obdurate, and the
train had to slow down q reasonable pace. The
driver right, though very unmilitary. The
loads which the trucks carrying not
needed in a hurry. But If he had happened to be