The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-27
Of
TRUCK ROUTES IS
NOW NECESSARY

Systematic organization Of motor
truck express lines already in opera
ton and intelligent Inauguration Of naw
routes win afford at least partial soiu-
ton to the present high cost Of living
problem, according to men prominent in
industry and commerce,
Lack of adequate transportation Ia
one of the chief reasons Offered for the
present crisis. In many cities, govern
ment ana state officials are investi-
eating food waste whlcha according 60
the commission men, may be traced d.
rectly 70 transportation delays.
There are numerous Instances Of com
mission firms having been indicted for
the wholesale disposal of food -stuffs,
which, the commission men claim, wera
delivered by railroads in unstable con-
dition.
Efficient organization of the motor
truck lines in various communities with
the idea OF eliminating the possibility Of
idle trucks and light return loads viii
go far toward solving this transporta-
ton problem and reducing transporta-
tto1 costs, in the opinion of many who
nave given this phase of the matter
careful consideration.
To obtain maximum returns from
motor truck transportation the numer.
| Gus lines now operating should be sys-
a, Williams, Jr, president OF the Gar
ford Motor Truck company, who has
devoted considerable time to the study
Of the transportation problem.
without unity Of purpose there is
a capacity waste in every community.
This naturally results in loss Of tom
mage and increased costs. II has been
said that 70 per cent of the motor
truck operating In the United States
during 1918 travelled empty one way.
From these figures It was estimated
there was capacity waste Of 2S5, 5000
tons during the year
with the establishment of highway
transportation commissions in the vari-
Gus states and the organization of trans
portation bureaus In many of our cities
this tonnage waste IL being eliminated.
In several cities the haulage concerns
have formed associations and have es-
tablished central offices from which the
motor truck transportation activities OF
that particular community are directed.
These associations are affiliating with
associations in nearby cities In order to
further decrease the possibility OF idle
trucks and light return loads and to in
crease the general efficiency of the SER
vice.
1.-THE motor truck actually has become
a public utility In many localities. En-
tire communities are depending upon 1t
as a means OF supply, II has become
equally as essential as the railroad and
waterway.
ITO obtain maximum efficiency. the
transportation units Of the Countrywide
railway waterway and highway--should
be linked up systematically. More high
ways should be built, the present high
ways improved and greater number
OF motor express lines touching those
sections not reached by either rail or
water, should be created
THAT such a system would have irn-
portant bearing upon reducing the cost
of living essentials is apparent. Avail
able government figures show that In
1919 the cost OF shipping by truck
throughout the country was from 10 to
80 cents per ton mile lower than the
! cost by horse drawn Vehicles. One can
at least imagine what this viii amount
| TO In a year.
Speakers before a recent convention
| Of retail and wholesale groeers In Toledo
| voiced the opinion that their hope OF re.
| ducing prices lay In the motor truck.
| Practically an entire session OF the con-
| vention was devoted TO this phase Of
| the transportation problem which they
deemed highly responsible for the pres
! ent high costs.
| zone speaker, an officer OF the grocers'
| organization, declared that the motor
truck held the, actual solution to the
| problem ess
| "This recognition OF the motor truck
/ as a transportation factor, coming from
men who analyze and understand condl-
| tons governing the markets Is note
| worthy and should he taken as convince
| Ing proof of Its worth"
| The Memphis overland Co.. are Gar
ford distributors In this territory.