The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-23

ton. Mr.. Firestone selected a number
Of big trucks from his service fleet and
has sent them out on trips over the
country.
Perhaps the most notable expedition
Of this "ship-by-truck'' fleet was the
one recently completed by n section
OF this fleet through the South and
East.
Dusty and travel stained. these two
big motor trucks returned to Axiom, o.,
the other day with a record OF $500
miles TO their credit, in the interests OF
the "ship-by-tTuck" movement, advo-
eating motor truck eXpress-the great
est advanced idea in the history OF
transportation since the coming OF the
railroads.
The immediate goal of the expedi-
ton was a truck demonstration con-
ference at Macon Nearly in April. The
fleet comprised the regulation two-ton
trucks. one shod with Giant pneumattcs
and the other mounted upon Giant
solids.
Pushing their way southwark from
Akron-one day hub deep in the mire
and bowling along at a 40-mile clip the
next, with wind and rain alternating
with blue sky and spring sunshine
the trucks arrived at Macon in time to
ring up the curtain on the conference.
Riding IN the big solids was well
enough, but on those pneumatics-be-
lieve me, It was just like a Pullman
said one of the crew.
Have Great Time.
En- route through Ohio the trip was
without special incident, but down in
"Old Kaintuck," in the mountain coun.
try of Tennessee, in "Alabam" and
Dear Old Georgia." there were many
little happenings which made the trir
very enjoyable for the crew. The Fire.
stone film division had sent a director
and camera man along, with a ''mov'
ing camera, and they were kept busy
filming matters of interest on the trip
The Journey was one continuous ova'
tion, the people all along the way wei,
coming them enthusiastically. Parades
banquets and receptions everywhere il
their honor.
Possibly the real highlights Of tn,
Akron to Macon trip were the banque
given them at Nashville. attended b!
the city officials, the motor INTEREST,"
and the leading citizens; the reception
parade and public meeting at Atlanta
and the great parade and rural motto
truck demonstration at Macon.
On entering Atlanta two brass band
and a delegation of 100 trucks, witt
thousands Of citizens in line, gave then
a vociferous welcome. United State
army transport officers inspected tn,
trucks, and in addition furnished a gov
eminent band and escort for the pa
rade. Public, addresses and the film
ing Of the occasion followed,
An interesting incident Of the frs
day at Macon was a Firestone tire
changing contest In front of one of tn
newspaper offices, participated in by
number Of popular society girls of Ma
less than five minutes time was mad
by the winning team, due to the effec
tive combination of the new Fireston
wheel design and the demountable rim
But the browning feature was stage
on the following day. -Four trains @
! 60 trucks each had been organized an
assigned routes radiating out so mile
! from the city.
Loaded to capacity, these trucks de
parted to deliver goods of various kind
to farmers along the road, picking u
return loads Of farm products on the
: trip back to Macon. A speed of !
miles was maintained throughout.
I This was the most impressive sigh
5 fof the whole conference.-the long trail
of loaded trucks. headed for the rurs
: districts, while freight cars ~containin
, perishable fruit and other shipment
where immediate delivery was impoI
tant, stood on sidings block after blocl
waiting for orders, held up by, conges
: ton in the railroad yards, lack OF Ell
gines and the thousand and one otht
h phases Of inefficiency in our preser
railroad system.
: The motor trucks were moving II
0 while, delivering the ~goods-which We
n merely as it should be-and as 1t WI
be everywhere when motor truck eS
Q press gets under full way. 1t was
: very striking demonstration OF the ne
t way in transportation, as under actui
o operating conditions.
: with a rousing send-off, the "shiI
by-truck'' fleet left Macon for Savar
nah, intending to make its way mort
: through the Carolinas to Richmon'
Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia
e New York and back to Akron.
n rs.- -, 81