Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-07
(By G. S. s~trandvoldr

While some rumore are current that
airplanes very soon will be used ex-
tensively for inter-city passenger trav-
Ell, it is not likely for some time to
come that they will be able to replace
Nthe motor truck now used In many
places for transportation of farm pro-
ducts and other goods.
throughout the country where railroad
facilities are inadequate. and the dis
lance to the market too excessive for
horse travel, and the charges for COM
mercial truck service u~nreasonabiy
high. These were some of the condi-
tions under which inhabitants Of
Hartford county, Maryland, we're chat
ing some time ago-until some n
conceived the idea that cooperation
might solve the existing difficulties.
In consequence pf this idea an as
ISOLATION was organized. and incorpo-
rated with a capital of $1,000; 200
shares Of stock were sold. each share
having a par value efN$25.
Every member was Obliged to own
at least one share of, stock. but none
could own more than 20. The Hart
ford County Rural Motor Truck asso-
citation, as the new enterprise became
known, purchased a four-ton truck
which now operates between Bel Air
and Churchville. as well as Baltimore.
in hauling milk. cream. and other
farm produce to the city. and feed
stuffs, seeds. salt. fertilizer. machin-
cry and supplies for the rural mer-
chants on the return trip.
Receiving Station Established.
A lair business man furnished
office room and clerical help for the
association when 1t was quite young;
as soon as it was well under way, it
established a central receiving station
in Baltimore for the reception and
Capitalization of supplies to be sent
back to the country district. No at
tempt has been made to earn divi-
bends. and rates are adjusted with a
view to meeting expenses. providing
for depreciation, and accommodating q
surplus to be used as a working cap
ital.,
/ The rates on goods classified as
first class and including such arti-
Giles as apples, axle grease. baskets.
butter, beans. buckets. buckwheat,
barley. blankets, canned goods, coffee,
cabbage, cantaloupes, fish, groceries.
h a molasses. machinery Under
900 pounds. oils. oranges, potatoes,
dressed poultry, ETC.. are is cents a
hundredweight. while second class
goods are hauled for IL cents. Calves
are hauled to the market foF 50 cents
each. while live cattle and hogs are
handled for SO cents a hundredweight.
It costs Is cents a coon to ship
chickens. while cream and milk are
hauled at 2 Ia cents a gallon: knock
the city to the country at rates rang
ing. according to size and weight, from
81 to IS.
Members are compensated BY the
association for all goods lost or de.
stroyed while in transit. Where the
shipper desires insurance against loss,
the charge for hauling cream is i
cents a gallon while. If the farmer Is
willing to assume the risk, the same
charge is made for hauling cream a.
for milk.
Along the route Of the cooperative
motor truck members have construc.
ted loading platforms at their front
Eatee: they are Of the same height as
the floor OF the truck. thus facilitat.
Ing he transfer of freight from the
farm platform to the vehicle. Just
now. in consequence Of recent ex.
pansion Of business. two trucks are in
constant use. n four-ton truck and
another of five tons capacity. Daily
trips are made teRaltimore and back
. total distanceNof about 1870 miles.
This cooperative Maryland club 1,
Of valuable assistance to its mem:
: IN both h purchase and sale o.
eSN0SS y McUl0eES N0ll.
~ the secretary Of their needs and
as soon % q sufficient number Of or.
ders 10 on hand. he buys at wholesale
in large quantities in Baltimore thu.
materially reducing the cost Of arti.
Giles to the farmers and minimisina
all troubles incident to the purchas,
and hauling Of the hoods Of each in.
dividual member.
In cases where q purchaser want.
to make his ~ purchases he has thu
goods delivered at the central stati6r
In Baltimore 50 that they may be car,
ried back home by the truck Of which
he Is q part owner.
Carries Full Crew.
Competent and reliable drivers are
OF course, essential In making the e..
pertinent a success. Each driver ia.
with him on every trip 4 helper VIM
before he gets that Job. must qualif,
Rs 2 chauffeur and an auto mechanic
10 that ne can take the wheel in case,
OF emergency. A reserve crew 81
drivers and helpers IL maintained botF
at Bel Air and in Baltimore SO tina,
fpo d. ~aA - ~ 49,.