Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-06-23
THlRrv.Two TRUCKS TO MAKE
TRIP FROM ATLANTIC TO PA
ciFIc COAST.
WILL TRAVERSE LINCOLN
HIGHWAY ENTIRE JOURNEY
Big Train Of Army Autos to Demon
strats PraetieabiIity Of MOTOR Trans.
-portation in War-Wili Leave New
York July 1-steps to Be Made IN
All important Cities.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Council Bluffs. June 23.-Americas
first coast to coast transport convoy.
consisting of thirty-two trucks and
operated by 100 picked men Of the
army transport corps, in command OF
fifteen officers, will leave New York
July 1 for San Francisco on a journey
Of 1881 miles across the Lincoln high
way, according to announcement made
by the motor transport corps OF the
war department. The convoy should
pass thru Council Bluffs within ten
days later.
This will be the longest trip OF the
kind ever undertaken in the history
of the world. 1t will be under the, di-
rection Of Gen. Charles A. Drake and
Col. A. Owen Seamon. Of the general
staff. u. s. A.. CO. operating with Major
j. NJ. Richie. Capt. Bernard Mcmahon
and other officers Of the motor trans
port corps.
The object OF the trip will be for both
military and Educational purposes
along good roads lines. Captain Nc
Mahon will act as personnel officer
and select the men who will go.
The lineup on tour Is expected to be
SIS follows:
One eight cylinder car.
Two twelve cylinder cars.
Two four cylinder cars.
Four motorcycles with side cars.
Two ambulances.
Two light trucks.
Fourteen one and one-half ton
trucks.
Fifteen three ton government "B"
trucks.
Two 1000 gallon tank trucks.
One standard mobile repair shop.
Two mobile field kitchens.
H. G. Osterman, the Lincoln high
way field secretary, 1t Is believed. Will
act as official pilot for the big%convoy,
in this way combining his nineteenth
annual trip across the continent with
the undertaking Of the war depart
ment.
Purpose Of Trip.
AS outlined BY motor transport Of
ficials the purpose Of the trip will be
(a) An extended service, or per-
Torrance test, Of the several stand
ardized principal types of motorized
army equipment used for the trans
poration of troops and cargoes, and
for other special military purposes.
CD The war departments contri-
button to the good roads movement
for the purpose Of developing the con-
.struction of thru routes and transcon-
tinental highways as a military and
economic asset.
(c) A demonstration Of the prac-
ticability OF long distance motor post
aid commercial transportion on the
Lincoln highway and the necessity for
the judicious expenditure of federal
governmental appropriations in pro-
viding the necessary highways.
I'D The collection of detailed data
for use in connection with the technical
training Of commissioned and enlisted
personnel Of the motor transport in the
essential function Of the corps-that of
operating motor transportation.
te) The procurement Of recruits
transport corps.
f) Provision Of an opportunity for
extensive studies in terrain observation
Of certain branches Of the army. par
ticuiarly the field artillery. the air ser
vice and the engineer service.
CD An exhibition to the general
public, either thru actual contact or
resulting channels Of publicity Of the
development Of the motor vehicle for
military purposes, which is conceded
one Of the principal factors contribut-
ing to the winning of the world war.
Stops are to be made at every i'm
portant point on the Lincoln highway
from coast to coast. At these points,
moving pictures illustrating the pro-
gress of Lincoln highway improve
ment will be shown, speeches will be
made and literature distributed.