Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-13

John II. McFadden, Jr., has no love for
Henry Ford. because the auto king made
European junketing trips popular.
The cumulative effect of this is being
felt by Mr.. McFadden in the shape of
applications for positions of drivers in
the American Ambulance Corps, with
which he is swamped. The lelsured and
wealthy youth of the city have an idea
that taking little sea trip to rance,
and running automobiles on the western
battle front is Just another Ford joy
ride, Judging from the number who have
made applications but have failed to
pass the tests, or who have been scared
away by the dangers entailed in the
work
Mr.. McFadden. Jack" to clubdom and
a wide circle of friends, IL experienced
in the war game. having seen service
as an automobile driver at the front
since the early days of the war. lie is
now equipment officer of the ambulance
corps. He is here to raise at least $4,000,
which is needed to purchase new cars
and to recruit drivers among Philadel-
phia society men.
ONLY FEW QUALIFY.
The recruiting has been going forward
rather slowly. but not from a lack of
applicants. out of more than 30 appli-
cants only six men have been chosen for
the work. Others failed to qualify for
various reasons They were under the
impression that their expenses would be
paid: or they did not know how to drive
car; or they did not know carburetor
from a differential; or they were ignorant
OF what kind of work they would be
called on to do, etc Mr.. McFadden re-
fused to disclose the names OF the six
selected. for the reason that their APP
polntment has not been ratified by high
official of the ambulance corps in New
York. This is a mere formality, he ex-
plained. but IL is necessary before he can
makes the names public.
The tenor of Mr.. McFadden's remarks
today at the residence of his father, John
II. McFadden. 10Th and Walnut streets.
indicated that many of the youths whose
names apepar in the social register think
that driving car on the battlefront is
nothing but a pink tea. Also, that II
is somewhat difficult for youth whose
most serious problem has been to win
Il tennis match at one of the cricket
clubs, or persuade pretty girl to break
an engagement with another young man
10 10 SOtIleWntEt WIFI MINI, TO RcI u proper
idea OF the seriousness of life on the
battle line.
"Tn the first place a man has to know
how to drive a car before he will be
considered" said Mr.. McFadden. "In
the second place, he must know a little
about the mechanism of an automobile
1t is not necessary to be an expert me-
chanic. but he must know enough of the
to be able TO make slight
repairs. Another thing | would like to
impress upon candidates is that they
must pay their own expenses to Europe
and for their equipment. OF course board
and lodging will be provided while they
are in service.
DRIVERS ARE SOLDIERS.
THE equipment costs about $40. As n
matter of fact. it is a little less, but /
put that as the maximum expense. This
includes a uniform, puttees, sleeping
bag. kit of tools, etc The drivers are
soldiers as far as treatment by
the military authorities is concerned.
They are billeted when they are in Paris.
only they are assigned to better quarters
than the soldiery. The corps is called
on to work under fire.
The ambulance corps is under the con-
troll of the military authorities and the |
must be carefully selected. If |
one spy were 10 succeed in getting en-
rolled it would wreck the corps; its use
fulness would be ended.
Mr. McFadden said that there is urgent |
need for funds with which to buy 20 au- |
.omobile ambulances. The ones now used |
nave been in service since the Battle of |
he Marne, which was fought in the early |
lays OF the war. and the continual wear
and tear has shortened the life of these, |
10 said. There are now four sections OF /
o cars each in the service. The cost of |
.ar is $500.