The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-26
TESTING TRUCKS
IN MIDDLE, WEST

A new vision Of the possibility OF
the motor truck will be given to the
Middle West in a few days, when the
automobile truck sales managers OF
the big truck companies of the coun-
try, including representatives OF .
big majority Of the manufacturers OF
the nation, will start out demonstIa-
ton tour Of motor trucks. from chi
cago for a spell-binding tour OF the
central States A 5000 mile trip IS
proposed, but the journey OF the
trucks will be q practical demonstra-
ton of farmers of several states OF
the possibilities Of the truck, both for
highway transport and for the farm
user Of motor machinery.
It will be an experiment only from
the standpoint of the public. 1t Will
not be an experiment from the point
Of view Of the manufacturer, for ne
already knows the possibilities Of the
motor truck. The experiment, now
ever, lies in the carrying out or a
new motor selling campaign. by prac-
tical demonstration to the possible
user of the value Of the truck for all
kinds Of uses.
The motor truck men will not con-
fine their work to motor trucks alone
however, for they will demonstrate
the practical use OF the truck on the
farm as a producer of power to oper-
ate the farm machines instead OF the
old type Of stationary gas engine.
The motor truck trip, however Is
designed for a bigger phase OF the
truck industry than the conducting OF
freak demonstrations, for it will In
volVe the proving to the farmer Of the
value OF properly organized truck ser
vice to get the farm produce 10 the
market. 1t will show to the farmer
how he can profit by motorized equip
ment by the high prices in vogue in
city markets for country produce and
will mean eventually a big increase
in truck utilization on the farm
The campaign will be conducted
entirely separately from any adver-
Using campaign on the part OF the
manufacturers who participate. There
are so many different types of vehicle
involved in the organization which Is
promoting the trip that the demon
STATIONS will be standard, with no
effort made to throw business to any
manufacturer or to make sales Of
trucks while on the trip. Some Of the
manufacturers may accompany the
demonstration feet with a typical
uct,' but the main purpose Of the dem
onstration trip is to prove the value
OF the motor truck and of highway
transport to the farmer.
The trip will cover 5000 miles and
will last for about q month, starting,
according to advance plans, August L
and will take in the central States,
with special headquarters established
at cities such a. Milwaukee, Des
Moines, indianapolis. St Louis. and
other cities in the central States,
while the demonstration trips will be
made into the country from these CEN
trail points.
The plan Of the demonstration trip
has not as yet been completely given
out as much of the proposed work Is
being kept as a secret by the truck
companies. One thing that will be Of
particular interest to truck users after
the demonstration is completed. how
ever, will be the compilation OF valu-
able statistics about the use Of the
truck. the cost Of operation and re-
pairs and OF maintenance, and the Sc
curing OF a new standard set OF cost
statistics for highway transport in
farming regions.
Such figures are already in exist
ence in the city fields where the
of operation Of q delivery or city
transportation system. There is a
shortage, however, Of complete hg-
ures on operation costs Of trucks in
gagged entirely on farm work, and
the manufacturers with their demon
stration trip with a fleet Of vehicles
OF different types involved will be able
to get a completely charted series Of
costs statistics which will be of great