The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-08-05

army enlisted men, detailed to drive the type OF
truck tentatively adopted. The others chauf-
feurs of all sorts, Adventures from all the
country college men in search of experience, and
ex-taxcab drivers from New York city. With
some Of the trucks under probation from
the factories
1t is picturesque body than any
Semblage of mule SINNERS. The types are
varied and the views upon things in general are
more interesting. Moreover, the army chauffeur
in the aggregate is naturally intelligent than
the mule skinner whose close association with the
mule has given him Of the traits of that noble
animal
To the average army chauffeur the stolid-looktng.
numbering auto truck is beautiful and living
thing.
On the road to Namiquipa I listened to a colored
sergeant of the Ninth cavalry who had been de-
tailed to drive fve-ton truck. He addressing
his vehicle.
Eyes. Betsy, old girl" he saying. "Ah knows
that this here cheap government gasoline amt the
proper nourishment for a high toned lady truck
like you. But when gets to Corallitas Ah'm go
ing to put some of that nice cool spring water in
your radiator. That'Il freshen you up q whole lot,
Betsy.
Does you-aIl little oil In your bear
ings. Betsy? If you does, jes' say so. 'Tain't no
trouble at all for me. All jes thought you might,
because your pretty engine was breathing little
hard on that last hill. All don't want any of them
fresh New York chauffeurs to think you
planning. Betsy, because and you knows that
you don't complain"
Inc c00red trooper adjusted some pink ana
green ribbon which tied to the truck radiator.
The whistle of the truck master blew. The ser
geant whirled the crank, listened sOlicitously for
an instant to his motor, and swung Betsy into line
with her mates.
One of the difficulties which the captain of an
auto truck encounters is in maintaining discipline
with mixed company of civilians and soldiers.
Civilian drivers have their own notions as 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 want to show that their trucks
can travel the fastest. Others insist that their
captain. Tuning inwardly, has to be a diplomat
when he is in command of mixed train of trucks.
One of these trains started out at the rate of II
miles hour. A 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 two.
whats the trouble?" he demanded of the CT
william driver.
mo trouble at ALL" replied the driver. but
eight miles is all that going to do with this
load and this sort of road You go ahead
with those Barney Oldfieds if you want to. I'll
catch up with you after half OF those trains
wrecked"
The captain trfhe angry. He reminded
the driver that all trains ordered kept intact
1t was no 'cross-country 1t military
truck train. The driver obdurate, and the
train had to slow down to a reasonable pace. The
driver right, though very unmilitary. The
loads which the trucks carrying were not
needed in hurry. But If he had happened to be