Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-19
DRIVERS TRAINED
FOR u. s. TRUCKS
( Tests Similar to Those
Used in Army May Be
Applied to All
FEWER ACCIDEN N rs
Men Required to Exploit
Their Skill at Wheel
Over Rough Course
FEWER ACCIDENTS.

New York, March 1S--How the gov
ernment selected its drivers of motor
trucks for service here and abroad was
interest ingly described by Captain f. o.
Buhler. L. s. A, at the monthly meeting
of the Motor Truck Association of
America. Inc, at the Automobile Club
of America, says the Comercial Car
Journal. He said that the tests proved
80 per cent correct and were adopted
after the government had transported
many expert" drivers who not only fell
down on the job, but seriously impaired
the efficiency of the transportation.
After describing how the personnel ad-
jutant indeXed the drafted men and how
those claiming driving experience were
separated from the $50 odd trades the
men were subjected to three tests. oral
picture and performance. The oral ex-
animation followed conventional prac-
tice, as did the picture test, the men be-
ing examined as toSther knowledge of
the components of the truck.
Drivers disciplined
The performance test was the acid
test and each performance was scored
by single point. /, or zero mark The
points were added and certain number
was necessary to qualify the applicants,
who were then rated as expert Journey
men. or apprentice. Previous to these
examinations the men were given thirty
days discipline consisting of drilling, etc.
The first performance consisted of the
operator driving from one defined point
or post to another and how he started
the engine, used spark and lnrottle> con-
trolls, changed gears, used Iiutch speed,
etc, were factors considered by the ex-
aminers. Another test was to drive the
truck through an S.shaped road having
stakes four feet high and five feet apart,
affording a clearance of approximately
eight inches on either side of the car. If
the driver completed the route without
touching n stake he was credited with
one, but touching a stake gave him an
ought. Still another necessary qualifi-
cation was the ability Of the operator to
back the machine over the same course,
"and," said the captain, "25 per cent
of the men did SO without touching a
stake"
Reverse Gear Test
Driving up a two and one-half foot
grade to square of board at the top
of the hill and stopping the truck so that
its step centered a certain board. was
another stunt. The driver was told to
hold the car at the mark, e.sengage the
clutch and place the gears in neutral.
Another performance required was turn
: ing the truck on the grade within n pre-
scribed space and where backing was
tsse7tial. If the driver permitted the
truck to slide backward Il foot or, stalled
his engine. he was given a zero mark.
These and performances of similar ma
ture determined the ability of the driver
to qualify as an expert.
A large number of men were ex-
amined. At one camp $4,000 were tested
from June to August, inclusive. In addi-
tion there were tests to determine the
physical and mental fitness of the men
the examination Incorporating the sail.
ent features which applicants Ior licenses
Undergo. At the conclusion of the ad-
dress the speaker answered questions