The Washington herald., 1917-06-10
NARCAUSESNCREASE
in Use OF TRACTORS
Automotive Engineers Assist Army
Ordnance Department in
Research Work.
By CokER F. CLARKsoN.

EndneerA
1t Is. Of course, well known that
mech snfcal traction has been utilized
% q very large extent in the great
var. It Is a fact that the war could
lot be conducted in anything like the
present manner without the use OF
Tactors, not to speak OF motor trucks,
motor boats, and railroads.
It has been appreciated for a long
ime that mechanical power can be
Employed in many ways for the trans
oortation Of troops. supplies, muni-
ions Of war. and guns. The haulaSe
II field guns by European armies has
Deen largely by mechanical power and
l great deal OF development work has
Deen done BY the Ordnance Depart
n this country the first completely
motorized field artillery battery.
The Ordnance Department is now
loing a great deal OF advanced work.
some of the best trained officers in the
urmy are devoting their entire stten-
ion to the subject. Several promi-
tent members OF the Society of Auto
Mobile Engineers are also engaged In
he work. President George W. Dun
Iam. Of the society. is the civilian
member of the Ordnance Department
5oard for the Motorization of Field
Artillery.
There are manv logical reasons in
avor of the substitution of motor
lriven apparatus for horses in the
narshalling of field guns. Horses oil
he required type are becoming more
nd more scarce and costly. 1t has
Ie6n established that certain types of
round can be covered by the use of
ractors when II would be impossible
With horses. The tractor, as a whole,
in one sense more vulnerable to
;un fire than a field artillery team
- El- ha 81 nd
he tractor can work longer and be
epaired within chorter time than is
equired for a horse TO recover from
ny ailmeEt. Sentimental; reasons, of
curse, are in favor Of the horse be-
ng emancipated from the frequently
extremely heavy work Of gun haulage.
The Tractor Standards Division, OF
he Society of Automotive Engineers.
( which H. L. Horning is chairman
nd George T. Strife, c. NJ. EasOn.
fred Glover, E. r. Greer and Ray
nond Olncy are members, Is co-op-
rating in several fields OF tractor
Togress. including that having to do
forming is a member OF the auto
antive committee Of the advisory COM
1ission of the Council of National De-
ense, representing the tractor in
erests. The manufacturers OF pas
enger cars. motor trucks, parts and
CessOElGS IOE dulOulOllNt
ircraft, watercraft and motorcycles
re also represented on this committee
ThiCh has within its jurisdiction some
matters OF a commercial nature, as
veil as those involving engineering
roblems.
The great potentiality Of the farm
Tactor in the solution OF the world S
ood problem is, OF course, well ap-
TeCiated. Many points are. however,
Evolved in the adequate production
nd use Of farm tractors. In the ma
ure OF starting point Is the fact
hat the average farmer does not I'M
erstand sufficiently the merit OF the
raCtor and is not trained as he should
in the operation of the mechanical
pparatuS.
There is no doubt that a great deal
I tractor development. as an i'm
lediate result Of military activities
in sight. The most spectacular fea-
Ure of this development is the mill
AIRY work. but the production of crops
1 ErCatly increased quantities is a
consideration second to none in the
atlOnal welfare