Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1919-06-19
Over Country BY Truck.
Plans For Motor Transport
Traiu Trip Across Continent
Completed.

IraIu Tip Across Continent
Completed.
Washingto, June 14.-Plans were COM
pleted today by the Motor Transport
Corps for the first transcontinental trip
of an army motor-truck train. 1t will
start from Washington July Z, and end
at San Francisco from az to 60 days later.
Before the machines get away President
Wilson is expected to dedicate mile
stone in. front of the White House to re-
present the starting point for highways
radiating from Washington.
The itinerary for the trip has not yet
been completely worked out but as far
as possible the truck train will follow
the Lincoln Highway, with detours at a
number points. 1t is the intention to use
two full strength Motor, Transport Corps
truck companies to operate the train.
In addition. there will be attached auxil-
larry and technical observation personnel
from the Motor Transport Corps. the En-
gineer Corps, the Medical Corps, the Field
Artillery and the Air Service.
In the train will be FIVE passenger cars
IS trucks of all army types, two ambu-
lances, six motorcycles, two tank trucks,
two kitchen trailers. two water tank
trucks, one engineer shop truck, one Of,
fee work truck and one seerch-light
truck,
Purposes of the trip, as outlined by the
corps, include test of several standardized
principal types of motorized army equip
ment used to transport troops and cargo;
demonstration of long distance motor
post and commercial transportation; col
lection of data for use in connection with
the training of commissioned and enlisted
personnel of the Motor Transport Corps;
procurement of reruits for the corps;
provision of opportunity for extensive
studies in terrain observation, particular
ly by the Field Artillery, Air Service and
the Engineer Corps; encouragement Of
through-route and transcontinental high
way development as military and eco
nomic asset and an exhibition to the
people generally of the development of
the motor vehicles for military purposes,
(which is conceded one of the principal
factors contributing to the winning of
the world war"
1T is the purpose to preserve intact
the entire convoy train throughout the
movement from start to finish," said the
corps announcement. 1.-The convoy is
to be self sustaining in that it will not
be permissible or necessary to depend
in any way upon external assistance ex-
cept for certain operating supplies such
as gasoline, oil and water. All repairs
adjustments or requirements to vehicles
or their accessories will be accomplished
by the maintenance personnel.
Sufficient engineer personnel and
equipment will accompany the convoy
to perform such military field engineer
ing functions as may be necessary in
GLIDING the examination and strengthen
ing of bridges, the removal or adjust
ment of road distractions, drafting,
duplicating and photographers service.
IA medical detachment sufficient to
care for any ordinary injuries or sickness
will accompany the convoy,
at is planned to simulate service con-
dtions in that the persondel will be
quartered either in the trucks or in mill
tary structures available along theroute.