The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-08-04
GHSC2LLZyE C4X4LRY"

sort happened TO n bunch of New York taXicab
drivers who shipped out to handle train
made up of a certain uniform make of trucks.
They got 30 miles into Mexico, and then decided
that they did not like the country at all. They
agreed that the United States government was
foolish to 20 in at all
Their spokesman went to the captain and in
formed him that they had decided to go back. They
did not like the food the water was not iced, and
there was no beer in the godforsaken place,
Whereupon the captain gave orders to the sergeant
of his guard The noncommSsOned officer in
formed the drivers that the first of them who
turned back to Columbus would be Systematically
shot up.
The drivers protested that they were American
citizens and wanted their rights. The sergeant
listened unmoved he drew up his squad INTO
convenient place for the shooting. The drivers
finally concluded that they were too far away to
consult their attorneys and the train proceeded TO
Namiqupa.
Camping out away from garrisoned town, the
truck trains take the same formation thar was
used by the emgrant trains when they were forced
tO guard against Indian attacks at night. The
trucks distributed in circle with the captains
run0bout the cook truck and the ammunition truck
I'm the center. Placed in this formation, the truck
train is in IA difficult position for bandit band TO
rush
No doubt, many band has been watching those
valuable trains of food and ammunition, longing
| n
ordered truck train could get into battle formation
in Il few minutes and the Springfield rifles would
be covering every point of attack very effectively.
A quarter of million dollars in gold was
shipped in with one train, guarded 10y 90 picked
marksmcn. Bandit bands. knowing of this prob
ably longed to rush it, but they did not make the
attempt. At night. in its proper formation, with
its outposts alert, the weconducted train should
be impossible to surprise. But civilian drivers are
hor ri tn a hp necessity
alert They will lock their ammunition In the tool
boxes; and while they are painfully soicitous OF
the mechanism OF their trucks they have no re-
gard for the mechanism of the Springfield rifles
which are issued To them.
They have no respect for shoulder straps. A
typical incident one near Espia. The truck
train drew into the place hot and dusty. The news
was spread that there was real swimming hole
20 feet deep in the place
Soldier guards and civilian drivers made dash
for IL. As they neared II they heard delicious
splashlng, but sentry halted them. Sorry, boys,
he said. "but there's an officer bathing there now,
and the orders are that nobody is allowed in till
he gets through
big ex-taxicab driver from New York proceed
cd to peel off his army uniform. In another min
ute he dved into the pool with mighty splash
lie came To the surface and grinned cheerfully NJ
the indignant expressich Of the second lieutenant
outraged the fact that his privacy had been us
turbed apparently by the enlisted man.
ooh that's all right - shouted the auto driver
"I don't mind If you are little bit dirty. Come on
in The water is fine"
But one of these days the truck train will be sys
tcmatlzed The drivers will all he enlisted men
There will be fixed rate of speed. and the trucks
will all be up TO determined specifications.
When the truck train is perfected, the mule train
will 60 Also the pride of the cavalry VIII DC
troi,ed In the gasone-scented dust Of the auto
truck train.