The Washington times., 1917-09-08
BUILDERS WARNED
ORDNANCE TRUCKS
MUST Do BIG WORK

Efficiency and rapid progress char
ment section of the Ordnance Depart
ment of the United States army,
which will be responsible for one OF
the most important arms Of the mill
tary organization. says the Power
Wagon. Major L. B. Moody, under
whose able guidance the work is be-
ing conducted, is sparinS no pains in
an effort to make the results exceed
ell expectations, In full realization of
the vital Significance of artillery
transport. His chief function will be
the supply and maintenance of motor
vehicles for hauling guns and ammu-
milton that are destined to play such
\ necessary part in the coming opera
tons.
Special Type for Ordnance.
Ordnance Department vehicles must
be Of q very special type and must be
capable OF rendering efficient and de-
pendable service under the most try
ing conditions, in cross-country travel
over marshes, sand, shelI-torn- ground
and small trenches. Extensive tests
NnG
demonstrated the undoubted superior
fly Of the chain track type Of tractor
in the handling of guns near the
front, where the roads have been bad
ly damaged or even obliterated by
shell IRE.
The machines selected for hauling
the As and 6-inch guns will have an
engine OF about 55-horsepower, with
average road speeds OF from 3-5 to 4
miles an hour and an emergency speed
OF from to miles an hour. The de-
STABILITY of a higher emergency
speed has been recognized and 1t is
hoped that a tractor having this val
liable characteristic will be developed
IN the near future. For the haulage
OF heavier guns a larger machine Of
the same general specifications has
been adopted The engine and other
vital parts of both machines are pro
tected by armor plate. e.
Motor Trucks Task.
The task Of keeping the big guns
supplied with ammunition will de-
volve upon motor trucks Of the four
wheel-drive type. having q capacity
of two or three tons. These vehicles
will conform rather closely to the
general specifications issued by the
Ouartermaster's Department, being
provided. however, with steel bodies
TO Withstand the severe shocks Of
travel over rough ground. The body
will BE- OF standard design and the
chassis supplied must allow the ap-
plication Of II without change. In
special conditions these vehicles may
be called upon for the haulage OF
guns as well a. ammunition.
Other special vehicles mounted on
four-wheel-drive chassis will include
machines for carrying anti-Gircraft
guns. armored cars. armored tanks.
and machine shops on wheels. StiIl
other machines will be provided for
Transporting spare parts OF guns, car
rilges. and motor vehicles.
Maintenance Difficult.
The maintenance Of these vehicles
In operating condition will be a work
OF extreme difficulty and supreme I'm
portance. For this purpose about
1000 men will be required. including
foremen, machinists, ail-around me-
ehanics, motor vehicle machinistA.
drivers, helps. and repairmen. Al
though men familiar with automobile
work will be preferred. the only
working requirements are an ability
TO- operate a lathe. electric drill. etc.
Tho men connected with this branch
Of the service will be paid from $50
20 1870 monthly, with board, cloth
ing, and quarters free. --.-