Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22
LONG TRIP TO TEST
M0TORTRANSPORTS
Convoy of 80 Trucks to Leave
New York for San Fran
cisco July |.

Americas first coast TO- coast trans
port convoy. consisting Of thirty-two
trucks and operated by 100 picked
men Of the Motor Transport Corps in
command OF fifteen officers. will leave
New York June l for San Francisco on
journey Of 1881 miles across the Lin
coin highway. according to announce
ment made by the chief Of the Motor
Transport Corps OF the War Depart
ment.
This will be the longest trip of the
the world 1t will be under the direction
of Cen Charles A. Drake and Col A.
Owen Seaman of the general staff.
United States Army. cooperating with
Maj. j. NJ. Richie. Capt. Bernard Nc
Mahan and other officers of the Motor
Transport Corps.
For Educational Purposes.
The object Of the trip will be for both
military and educational purposes along
good roads lines. Capt. McMahan will
act as personnel officer and select the
men who will go.
The line of tour is expected to be as
follows: One eight cylinder car, two
twelve cylinder cars. two four cylinder
cars. four motorcycles with side cars,
two ambulances. two light trucks, four
teen one -and-one- half-ton trucks. fifteen
thrce-ton government trucks. two 1000
gallon tank trucks, one standard mobile
repair shop. two mobile field kitchens.
Maj. Richie. with A. F. Bement. sec
rotary Of the Lincoln Highway Associa
ton, have been In conference with
motor transport officials during the
week.
field secretary. it is believed. will act as
official pilot for the big convoy, in this
way combining his nineteenth annual
trip across the continent with the under
taking Of the War Department.
Objects Outlined.
AS outlined by the motor transport
officials, the purposes OF the trip Will
be:
(a) An extended service or perform
ance test of the several standardized
principal types Of motorized Army
equipment used for the transportation
OF troops and cargo, and for other spe-
ciAl military purposes.
tb) The War Departments contribu-
ton TO the good roads movement for the
purpose Of developing the construction
highways as a military and economic
asset.
tc) A demonstration Of the practical
bilty Of long distance motor post and
commercial transportation on the Lin
coin highway. and the necessity for the
judicious expenditure of federal gov
ernmental appropriations In providing
the necessary highways.
td) 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 functions of the corps-that Of
operating motor transportation.
fe) The procurement of recruits for
the enlisted personnel of the Motor
Transport Corps.
UD The provision Of an opportunity
for extensive studies in terrain observa-
ton by certain branches Of the Army.
particularly the field artillery. the air
service and the engineer service.
(g) An exhibition to the general pub.
lie, either through actual contact or re-
sulting channels Of publicity. Of the de-
telopment Of the motor vehicle for mill
tary purposes. which is conceded one OF
the principal factors contributing 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 progress
of Lincoln highway improvement will be
shown, speeches will be made and litera-
ture distributed.