Arizona republican., 1918-05-26

Akron and Chicago was completed in thirty-five and one-half hours, elapsed time, which is as good as the time made in shipping by express between the same two cities. The actual running time of the trucks was twenty-two hours, the other thirteen and half hours having been consumed in stops for gas and oil. food, an occasional re- pair and bad roads.
 ''The big freighters were accorded a rousing welcome by the Chicago au- thorities, who granted special permits to operate through the citys various park systems and over the matchless houlevards. Under motorcycle police escort the cavalcade moved down Mich | igan avenue through the down town business section, being everywhere hailed as the first motor truck train to enter the city. After unloading, the trucks were parked over night under a military guard of tackles from the [. $. s. Commodore.
 Donated to Red Cross Before leaving Akron the services of the fleet had been donated to the central division fthe American Red Cross, for the transportation of hospi- 1 tai supplies to Baltimore for reship-
 ment to France. The trucks were loaded at headquarters with IS tons
 of hospital supplies, and as Red Cross motor supply train, the first
 ever utilized by the American Red Cross society, participated in another big parade through the business sec tion of the city. Escorts were fur nished by the Great Lakes Naval Training station, forty miles distant. band of fifty pieces, trained under the direction of John Phillip Sousa, and company of marines were sent by special train for this purpose. The
 executive staff of the local Red Cross and a unit of nurses also formed part of the triumphal procession. Upon completion of this parade the trucks set out on their journey for the eastern seaboard.
 Attract Attention
 Bearing their big Red Cross banners and rolling on big pneumatic tires, A by 10 on the rear wheels, the trucks attracted a great deal of attention all along the route, and whenever stops were made, interested crowds thronged about them. The run from Chicago to Baltimore, a distance of $50 miles, was accomplished in the record time of 100
 hours, the route followed being the Lincoln highway, as far east as
 Chambersburg. Pa. Here the fleet
 turned south through Hagerstown and
 Frederick. Md, to Baltimore.
 The regular custom of continuous driving was followed on this trip each truck having two drivers. working in relays, one driver sleeping in special l ly constructed compartment, while the other operated the truck.
 Deliver Their Loads Upon arrival at Baltimore the trucks delivered their loads to the export agent of the Red Cross. unloading di- rectly into the lighters, which bore the
 much needed supplies to a ship in the harbor for shipment to France. AL
 though rendered somewhat blase. be-
 cause of the many army truck trains constantly pouring into the city, Balti-
 more paused to welcome this first Red Cross motor supply train, and great i interest was shown in it while parked at the court house plaza.
 From Baltimore the fleet proceeded
 to Trenton, N. J., where load of wire
 rope was picked up at the big Robeling
 plant, for transport back to Akron. In just one week after leaving Chicago
 the trucks were back in Akron, ready
 to resume their regular Akron Boston
 schedule.
 "The remarkable time made by the trucks is accounted for largely in the pneumatic tire equipment. The use of
 these big cord tires. instead of solid tires, is responsible for the average of sixteen miles per hour, which the trucks were able to maintain during their actual running time.
 Much interest has been aroused in recent months over the possibilities of
 developing speedy overland freight ser- lvice by means of large trucks, running on pneumatic tires to help in relieving