South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-07
To TEST UTILITY
OF MILITARY ROAD
Value of Army Highway Ex-
peCted to be FOrCibIy Shown
by Experiment.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, oct. g.
A forceful demonstration of the
value TO the nation. a system of
military highways connecting the
supply bases with the military can
tonments. viii be made Thursday.
Oct. IL when six-two ton motor
trucks laden with government sup
plies for the supply depot of the
post quartermaster at TT. Ogle-
thorpe, Ga. will leave the ware
house Of the depot quartermaster at
Atlanta for the 115-mile trip over
the Dixie highway. AT the same
/ time a test Will be made in the
! transportation of infantrymen, when
a specially constructed high power
ed passenger truck, built according
to specifications of Major Gen. Leon
ard Wood; will transport 16 soldiers
from TT. Mcpherson to FIT. Ogle-
thorpe. together with their guns.
ammunition and full marching
/ equipment The outcome of the test
is being watched with the greatest
of interest by army officers. par
ticularly those in the supply and
I transportation department.
Major r. B. Powers, L. s.. @. NJ.
n
! assisted by Capt. A. T. Dalton, U. s.
@ NJ. c. post quartermaster at Ft.
/ Oglethorpe will prepare data as TO
the time required and the cost of
making a similar shipment by rail.
Official observers will compile data
relative TO the time required in
loading. transporting and unloading
the supplies, road conditions. and
detailed costs of gasoline, oil, de-
probation. etc, on the trip. The
Dixie Highway association, the
Georgia state Automobile associa-
ton. the Chattanooga and Atlanta
Automobile clubs are giving every
cooperation in obtaining the infor-
nation desired. A large escort of
cars from the Chattanooga and At
lanta clubs will be on the road dur
ing the day. AS the trucks and es-
corts will be equally divided be-
tween the Dalton and the Rome
routes. the counties through which
the highway passes are hard at
work making all of the improve
ments possible in order that their
road may make a good showing in
the test.
With good weather conditions.
when the highway between Atlanta
and TT. Oglethorpe Will approx
mate those of an all weather mill
tary road. it is confidently expected
that from u to "a hours will be cut
of the time ordinarily required in
making this shipment by train. 1t
As likewise felt that a saving in cost
may be had when comparison be-
tween rail and truck costs is made.
/ particularly in view of the fact that
the motor truck can load, transport
and unload at destination without
| the necessity Of a double transfer
from truck TO train. However. the
saving in time will be the most i'm
I BOl ldIll item VI COlSlueIdll 10 the
government at the present time.
The SECRETARY of war and Maj
Gen. Leonard Wood in letters to
/ Judge NJ. NJ. Allison, president of
the Dixie Highway association have
called attention 20 the high pa
! triotic service the citizens of the
counties can perform in the con-
struction of important links of the
Dixie highway so as 10 make il
available for military service 1t is
pointed out that even where the
highway is used for commercial
purposes, the service TO the nation
In providing roads which can be
used for this purpose is just as val
liable, as it releases much needed
freight cars for the longer hauls
and enables business, which might
otherwise be compelled to suspend
on account Of freight car shortage
TO continue as near normal as pos
sible.