The Washington times., 1916-06-24


camped at Fort Myer, waits on or
ders to proceed to the Mexican bor-
der. When those orders are received
the troops will travel Southwest by
train.
In the European war motor trucks
have filled a need that no railrpad
system In the world could meet.
They have plowed through swamp
lands and mud seas upon which 1t
would have taken years to build
railroad. They have climbed grades
at angles which would AFFORD no trac-
ton on the polished steel rails for
the most powerful locomotive built.
They have crossed swift streams and
wallowed certainly through yielding
sand.
No railroad engineer could over
como those difficulties In time to save
a city threatened by an enemy host
ten hours away. And because a rail-
road Is SO thoroughly dependent upon
roadbed and tracks, In the event OF
invasion no part of our tremendous
system would be safer than the
strength of our defense. In short,
the capture of a few miles of railroad
tracks might jeopardise several hum
bred miles or throw an entire branch
into uselcssness.
Not SO the motor truck. In hun
dred variations of wars sudden ne
cessity II answers the problem OF
swift movement of troops.
American trucks have established
their worth in the present European
conflict, but the army OF the United
states does NOT yet know Its real
utility. True. Pershing's troops In
Mexico are using them to splendid
advantage. The three hundred miles
of Mexican sand wastes were Sc
But the 1,5OO-mile drill from WASH
ington To the Mexican border would
be splendid test for seveuty-tive
trucks of various makes. carrying ATT
entire regiment OF the District ma
tioaal guard. 1t would have incal-
culable value from a military stand
point and would he n step In the edu-
cation OF officers on how properly 10
handle troops with n motor truck
train.
Many of our highways are in q
splendid state of Improvement:
But there are still thousands on
thousands of miles south of the
Mason-Dixon line that would try the
mcttle OF motor trucks as severely
as anything in Poland. Russia. and
Galicia.
Motors Saved Paris.
Motor trucks savcd Paris from
the terrific German onslaught
French officers had had long expert
ence In the handling of automobiles
and trucks. Maneuvers Of the French
army we're accomplished with great
est expediencc because its officers
by intimate knowledge of roads and
highways all over France knew how
to use motor vehicles advantage
ly. They knew every inch Of the
roads leading into Paris. They knew
just how long 1t took to send a
given number OF troops over these
roads.
When Paris actually was in dan
ger the motor truck was one OF
Frances biggest assets; rushing
troops to weaker points and releas-
ing men from the stronger positions
for service ut those imperiled:
The railroad was valuelcss from a
strategic viewpoint. The tracks
were its greatest obstacle. The mo-
tor truck could I've sent to the very
point where troops were needed.
The railroads nearest tracks were
often miles away.
Would Give Experience.
Tho sending of one regiment of
the District national guard to the
frontier in train of motor trucks.
carrying every item OF reglmental
equipment would add materially to
its efficiency. since trucks must have
general usage in the threatened Mex
lean war.
II ultimately the border has to
be crossed hy the militia. the rapid
ity with which that one regiment
may be handled might enhance its
fighting ability tremendously.
it might be necessary for the Gov
eminent to commander these
trucks. or to go into the market
and buy them. But. in any event.
the plan Is worthy of serious con-
sideration. The handling of tented
camp Is one thing. The manage
rent of sixty or seventy motor
truck and merhanicians. drivers.
blacksmith trucks. besides the tent
ed encampment. Is quite another.
and. judging from reports from tho
earlier punitive expedition. officers
had much to learn in the matter OF
motor train camp direction.
The Woods Mobilette is a handy
little motor conveyance. In letter
of testimonial to J. &. Long, presi-
dent of the company. a Key West
gentleman named Lampkin writes
~ am just in receipt OF letter
from Mr. Stotz with whom l placed