The Washington herald., 1916-06-07

The armv's transportation trials in
Mexico have proven to the Quarter
masters Department the necessity for an
auto truck Of larger and heavier type
than the II-2 ton vehicle which has
hitherto borne the brunt OF the trans
portation burden below the border
The army has learned that thrce-ton
truck is much more adaptable TO the
work and that the use of the larger V"-
hicle is much more economical and eff
cicnt. The operating cost Of tn" bigger
truck is only twenty-five per cent great
er than the small sized vehicle, Yet its
capacity is double.
The three-ton truck, service conditions
have shown. can cover distance as quick
ly as the l. ton machine. and further
more, with but trihing increase in the
operating personnel
1t has also been demonstrated to the
army experts that motor truck COM
pany should properly consist Of thirty
three trucks instead of twenty-seVen.
OF these thrty-three vehicles. it is pro-
posed that one shall be the company Kit
chen, one a repair truck and one used
for parcels and mails.
Although it is quite possible that there
may be something to the criticisms ad-
vanCed against the three-ton truck, par
ticularly as to its inability to negotiate all
grades or bridges. owing to its weight.
it so happens that conditions in Mexico
with the punitive forces are almost
adapted to the use of the larger type Of
motor vehicle.
Army officers are Of the opinion that
the Judge Advocate General viii shortly
be called upon to write an opinion as to
whether the proportion of medical Off
GERS for every 1000 OF the total enlisted
SfrpnCth c nf the a = prONGtf
cent legislation. is to be based upon the
total line force or upon the full quota Of
the military establishment. including tie
nOncomba tant forces.
Another question has arisen. on which
officers are divided in opinion, as 20
whether the army medical corps in
crease becomes effective in its entirety
on July l, or whether the increase will
be apportioned over five years
Regardless OF the opinion the Judge
AvoCate General may render, there Will
be substantial increases to the Medical
Corps, with corresponding promotions.
Applications received by the Navy De
partment for places in the mOtor-bOIt
coast defense exercises, now being plan
ned by the department. indicate a sur
prising interest in the idea. according
to officers in close touch with the situ-
alton. There is every indication that &
large fleet Of seagoing motor boats will
be assembled for the exercises.
1t has been decided that motorcraft, to
be eligible for competition in the maneu-
vers, must be about forty-five feet long
and have a speed of from eighteen to
twenty miles per hour A number of big
naval vessels. including the Kentucky.
Alabama. Kearsarge. Illinois, Maine and
Virginia, have been selected as mother
boats for the fleet of motorcraft
All crews of motorboats participating
in the exercises will live on the battle
ships, under actual service conditions
Previous to the motor boat mobilization
a school of instruction for owners Of the
small vessels will be held and the own
ers are being urged to join this course.
The training, it Is believed, will be Of
vast help to the owners of motor boats
in sailing their vessels during the maneu-
Yers. -r