New-York tribune., 1919-06-22
Firestone Halls
Motor Trucks
Part in Transport
Haulage Problems of the
Whole Country Solved by
.'ship by Truck; Infor-
nation To Be Had Locally

ssThe great tap root of Americas
transportation system" Thus Harvey
{ Firestone characterizes motor truck
sxuress, the new way in transporta-
zion, and the objective of the famous
ship by truck" movement which has
hsen heralded from coast to coast as
the most notable forward step taken
IN many years in the interest of de-
veloping our counsr-'s prosperity.
.The great war aught US a lesson
N transportation that will not soon be
forrotten. The railway situation was
20 desperate that freight embargoes
we're necessary. The congestion in
freight yards and terminals was ap-
palling," says Mr.. Firestone. "It was
next to impossible for shipments to
get through. Even war plants holding
priorities were handicapped greatly.
As for the ordinary lines ot business,
they were crippled almost to the point
Of extinction.
The motor truck to the rescue!
Dozens of haulage companies were
organized almost overnight. and ship
ments by motor truck over distances
hitherto considered impossible soon
became regular occurrence.
"Up to that time the motor truck had
been regarded as essentially medium
of short hauls in cities. But now,
under the strain of necessity, it leaped
full fedged into the limelight of pub.
lie attention as a new and effective
method of freight transportation. The
railway situation was materially re.
ieved. Finally the armistice was
signed and the transportation situa-
ton cleared up gradually.
Before the war the possibility Of
the motor truck competing with the
railroads had never occurred to truck
owners, but when they found that they
could operate truck lines successfully
between cities at considerable dis
tances, carrying both freight and ex-
press, and at profit, they began to
see great light.
1.-THE railroads also got new angle on
the situation. They knew that their
revenue from short hauls was all out
Of proportion to that derived from long
hauls. AS a matter Of fact, they had
been operating at loss on the short
hauls. So as time passed they well
coined the truck companies more and
moro cordially as feeders for their
lines.
"The motor truck companies are that
and more. They are tapping sources
Of supply which were before inacces-
sible, bringing in new and better prod
ucts to market more quickly and more
economically"
The "ship by truck" movement,
fathered by Mr.. Firestone, was the first
active effort in the interests Of motor
truck express. It's influence in behalf
Of the new way of transportation has
been incalculable.
The recent 6,700-mile trip of the
Firestone "ship by truck" feet through
the South and East opened the eyes of
the entire country to the possibilities
Of motor truck express. 1t was by far
the most convincing demonstration of
long distance hauling by truck that
rad ever been staged.
Motor truck activities in this city
and vicinity are being effectively pro-
NOTED by the local Firestone ship-by-
truck bureau, at 1871 Broadway. A
large fund Of practical information
concerning the operation of motor
truck lines is available to the shipping
public, as we'll as schedules Of routes.
rates, tonnage capacity Of trucks, etc.
No charge is made for this service.