Arizona republican., 1919-10-19
Historic Tour of Army Trucks
 Aids Betterment of Highways

Francisco on September 6. There . milestone was unveiled to mark the achievement of the first motor trans port convoy to attempt a trans -conti- mental trip. To each man was pre- sented medal approved by the war department. An unusual honor and courtesy came to four civilian drivers WHO made the entire trip. These men were the drivers of the path finding NlllyS-hnight touring car and the lhfee Overland As which served as the scout publicity cars of the convoy. Col McClure, the expeditionary command CT, included the four Willys- Overland oflVers among the recipients of the medals for faithful, efficient and untir- Ing service with the convoy.
 The record made by Overland As on the trip is considered remarkable Overland is the new type of car which the Wlllys- Overland company intro
 duces to the public this season. It's olsllhctlVe feature is a new three point spring suspension. These scout cars excited public interest everywhere aIong the route. They covered nearly z,oO0 miles more of road than did the trucks, preceding the convoy from tow1, to town. The new spring suspension was given the hardest possible test ;,, actual army transport service. Army officers and others who rode in them were enthusiastic in praise of the com lort and ease of riding and the mile eatlng ability of the new cars,
 It Is interesting to note that these oVeriand 4s and the Willys- Knight competed the transcontinental ionr- ney without necessity for repairs. How well the cars performed may be judged rom this record kept by Major M. c, cooper, who represented the Willys- Overland company on the trip. His report read:
 Overland As and Willys-nnight con- pleted transcontinental trip with clear records. Willys-K Knight covered 4132 miles with but two punctures. Over land Sedan covered 4,387 miles with but two tire changes. Driver Schell in Overland touring made 4,743 miles with six tire changes. Driver Brown in Overland touring covered 5,055 miles with only three tire changes"
 Dr. s. M. Johnson was the official lecturer of the convoy. He made ad- dresses at all stops on the need and importance of good roads; he assisted in the recruiting campaign which was part of the work of the convoy. pr. Johnson rode in the Overland Sedan. Writing to the Lincoln Highway asso- citation, Dr. Johnson said:
 T found the Overland 4 Sedan so suited to my needs that I rode in it from choice all the way. It must be the new spring arrangement; but even where the roads were rough, I came to the night stops without fatigue. The car is a marvel of ease and comfort
 "Only once did the car stop except by own volition. We tried to run around the truck on a dirt road too highly crowned and slippery from rain. We slid into a deep gutter. We se- cured a spade, dug down to dry earth for traction and went out on our own power"
 At Sacramento, Cal, the motor con- voy was met by Governor Stephens ot california and a distinguished group or army officers. The officers and men or the convoy were the guests that night of John N. Willys, president of the Willys- Overland company, at a great dinner. The beautiful souvenir menu booklet and invitations were de- llVered to the coyvoy by airplane a Curtis JN making the trip from Sac ramento to meet the convoy and drop the mailbag of invitations. The dinner was held in the sales headquarters of the Willys- Overland Pacific comnanv at Sacramento.