The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-11-10
PUTS MOTOR TRUCK To HAULING
FREIGHT IN |NTERURbAN LINE

The extra-territorial service OF the
motor wagon--its ABILITY TO compete
with steam and electric railwayS-has
been one of the chief sources OF the
machines economy with many concerns.
Through the use Of motor trucks the
numerous landings necessary in rail-
road freight shipments have been re-
duced with Z consequent saving OF time
and expense. and examples Of large say
inss made by the machine In this man
ner abound on every hand. In Ca4l-
foraia however. the development or 'h's
phase OF motor h2ulaSe has been uh-
usually active. the quality ot the roa1S
and the keen insight Of the western
business man being contributing FACTORS
OF considerable Importance. Int=rurhan
railways, which are common In the west
and have given an efficient and much
needed serTice. have IN the past enjoyed
4 large traffic in the collection and dis
,r.hu,ion ii agricultural products of all
kinds, but during recent years the motor
truck and uirtor his have made very
serious entertainments on this class or
business. Fly she use OF thu motor truck
shipments hay" been made direct from
farm to city market. from town 10 couh-
Try. and from on" "illagc TO auotnc".
Tie low cost Of operation has madH
possible NOR" frequent service the!t
couId h- offered By an. railway on small
int shipments. the conycri1n'". dispute"
ard economy OF tho system hav" COM
::;rndtd il 70 the favor of farmers. lner-
chants and big business men.
Motor Trucks Cut Profits.
III. cxu.riaucc Of q short !n;eroan
.ailway in The Imperial valley "t cali
cnruia supplies an interesting and ~
PEA! exar:rl" OF this diversion @! tTaf-
-, from Ia. railroads u the motor
wagon shippers. At Il. sam" time
however. it illustrates m" manner in
which Genius and commercial instinct
,ay. united in the solution OF Z pres~
sing aul ;.i,:! problem. between FL
,'entru and Elolivilir. some ;wr'T" miles
:,r.r:. ;itcre is an nt"rurhaH railroad
.,.,,l.d the IIolton Intsr-Urb2H railway,
'"tiy - owned hy W. =. iIoit. one Of The
>4ii..v'S unEccr. after whom the town
.,r iiul:y;!l has brca named. For many
vsarS th,. short haul traffic or tins ROAD
has provided = yer? prcfitahle income
im; OF lats. III" motor truck Shippers
Lavc ,,i:tn much OF tn" business ny
Offering a cheaper AMI superior SerF-
I'D, Thr net earnings of the road five
,aars a-o w.r.. in th.. n"iEhb0rhood OF
ST. anh annually. while during the last
fc,; YEAR; The annual losses have hcen
nearly $! 900 TIL" difference was at
first tu. nHlr - tho diversion or pas
S.n-.r traffir. :ut with ne development
of lnt"r-ritS. r,n'n- hauiaSe the freight
business DECREASED also.
7; WIS quite clear IN Mr.. Holt. who
has given the problem much study.
tina. thu. smal'-lnt traffic WAS the pre-
dominating Influence in determining the
profit or loss Of his road. and for this
lass OF business the motor trucks oPer-
ted IN single units were the ideal trans
....r;ation medium. II seemed equally
81 .-;uus that some combination Of tn"
.v.n systems. uniting the fleHih:ltv or
m. ,.r.nr wagon ard the ideal railroad.
We; fer permanent solution.
I-u,,.r the present system OF opera
fiu: 81. MOTOR truck calls at the stor"
or w:.-..a..,rar Of the shipper and takes
on it,; load. It then goes 10 the Hell
ron r,irw.nr - any road ar street cross
ina; a,,, ,r;,.> ",to the tracks. If freight
has t,..a h;ll"d to any point between
tn. t.rrnii.i. the machine leaves tho
RI, * u, tina, place and proceeds To its
destination on the highways. Having
Delivered its cargo it returns 10 III"
rails and continues is joarn"y to tn"
newt Gaetiaation on tn" return trip
collections arc made at the farms and
ranches. the delivery being made by
rail and road direct to destination.
Shc--IInw long will ti:cy b. raw re-
crt:itS"
We-rntil thN veterans Gnlsh roast
in: thsm!-Purs