The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1918-12-18
FOOD TRANSPORTATION
PROBLEM IS SOLVED
armers. Manufacturers and
Merchants Cooperating viii
Make 1t a Success.

defense established the Highways
transport Committee, there were IN
operation in Indiana a number OF
privately owned and operated motor
truck lines. Many of these before the
outbreak OF the war had assumed the
proportions of a transportation sys-
tenn, the regulation of which was be-
ing demanded q. by common carriers
subject TO the supervision OF the Pub
lie Service Commission With the
coming OF the war. and the increased
demand for railroad facilities. the
more intensive production of food and
fuel. and the maximum output of fac
tories for which raw material and
finished products demand hauls OF
enormous tonnage, the element of
competition in the motor truck lines
was obscured by the possibilities Of
tremendous public service and re-
lief. which were quickly recognized by
all economists.
Through the cooperation of State
Councils of Defense, Chambers Of
Commerce, local war boards and
motor clubs, the Council OF National
Defense, through its Highways Trans
port Committee and its State Coun-
ellis section, is building up a system
for more efficient utilization OF the
highways OF the country as a means
of affording merchants and manufsc-
turers relief from railroad embargoes
and delays due to freight congestion.
The purpose is to take some of the
burden of the short-haul trafic from
railroads and put it on motor trucks
operating over the highways. Very
considerable quantities of merchan-
disc and materials of all kinds are
nov being carried by motor express
and haulage companies, and by trucks
operated by private concerns in their
own businesses. In a majority of
cases. however these trucks. after de
livering a load, return empty, where
as there are shippers who would be
glad to avail themselves of the oppor-
tunity to send load back on such q
truck to its home town il they had
information that it was going back
owner would be equally glad to Sc
cure a return load, because the charge
made for hauling it would reduce his
own haulage cost.
To bring the shipper and truck
owner together serves the interests
OF both. It doubles the eff ciency OF
the motor truck, enables business
xnar - xaoka 7r0u,vf Sb;urnap41 ~ -
cure deliveries in a day instead of
several, relieves the railroads of
much short-haul freight and thereby
releases cars for necessary long-dis.
lance haulage of munitions, equip
ment and other supplies for our army
in France, and for foodstuffs, fuel,
etc, for the civilian population at
home.
The logical agency for bringing the
two interests together in the local
business mems organization in each
locality-the Cham Der of Commerce,
Board of Trade. or by whatever name
it is known. They are in direct touch
with the manufacturers and ner-
chants in their respective communi-
ties, they know the present Difficult
ties of shipping and they have the ia
cilities for most quickly and systema-
tically putting the shipper in touch
with the man who has the facility for
haulage
The method OF doing this Is by the
establishment OF Return Load
Bureau-an information department
that acts as clearing house for this
particular purpose. Once initiated
the work of such a bureau can, in
most cities, be carried on by a single
employe Of the chamber. probably in
addition to his other duties. II neces.
sary or desirable, q small charge can
be made to the truck owner or the
shipper for the service to cover what
ever expense may be involved in
starting and Maintaining the bureau.
But the plan affords an opportunity
to be Of such additional service to
members OF the organization and to
business interests of the city general
ly that the increased support which
may be gained through it should on
set the cost incurred. Apart from this
is the opportunity it presents to be
OF patriotic service to our country BY
increasing it's transportation facili-
ties at a time when the safety of the
nation depends absolutely upon trans
portation.
Shortage OF railroad cars and loco
motives created a shortage of coal
during the winter. Lack OF coal
slowed down production of steel.
which in turn delayed ship construc-
ton. insufficient coal for bunkering
ships created a critical congestion OF
freight in Atlantic port terminals and
in railroad yards hundreds OF miles
inland. A certain part of this conges-
ton was due to short-haul shipments
OF freight within cities and original
mig in nearby points, 10 90 or so
miles from the cities. Much OF this
short-haul freight can be carried on
the highways by motor trucks. 1t
can be picked up at the door of the
shipper and delivered at the door OF
the consignee, entailing only two
haulings. It can be delivered the
same day it is shipped. whereas the
same shipment by rail would require
several days If not a week or more
And the shipment can 20 forward by
motor when a rail freight and express
embargo precludes shipment by rail
at all.