The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-12

tolloWlnB closely the pan ADOPTED by
the st. Louis expedition and which
proved so successful despite the mud,
the truck division of the Memphis Auto
mobile Dealers association, under the
management Of G. W. Richardson,
chairman of the committee, launched
the local movement early in the week
when conditions OF such an expedi-
ton, its aims, purposes and results were
outlined before local truck dealers by
Roy S. Rauschkold, manager of the
Firestone ship-by-truck bureau at st.
Louis.
Mr.. Rauschkold, t:iefly but graphic
ally, detailed the experiences of the st.
Louis truck dealers who made a con-
tlnuous trip Of nearly 400 miles in seven
days, through mired roads, with a per-
feet score-that is despite the heavy
going and the original fear that many
Of the trucks would drop by the way
side, every truck went the entire route
and did 1t without missing one minute
on the schedule,
Practicability Proved.
ut showed that motor transportation.
especially for the short haul, Is not only
a possibility, but an assured system of
safe, economical, convenient transporta-
ton from producer to consumer, de-
vial GU NIL 1Ndu0tIlhpIus 1t DlONSu Soi-
clusively to the farmer that the solu-
ton of freight handling problems,
whether the commodity be merchandise
or produce, is the motor express. 1t
demonstrated beyond dispute that the
truck train as a demonstration of the
possibilities OF the motorized highway
are unlimited, 1t proved further that
the farmer and the merchant have at
last found the missing link for an eco
nomical exchange transfer of their re-
spective commodities, n that motor
express lines. because Of their dis
patch, low cost and convenience, have
come to stay"
Mr.. Rauschkold brought the word
from St, Louis that so successful was
the run 81. Louis dealers contemplate
another In the near future. 1t brought
forcibly, he says, to the attention of
the farmer that the short-haul trans
p~ortation problem has been solved abso-
lutely and 1t proved a tremendous slim
ulant to the truck trade in general.
Committee Busy.
Acting on suggestions advanced by
Mr.. Rauschkold the truck dealers ap-
pointed an executive committee of the
following for arranging the Memphis
ship-by-truck expedition: Elwood Lloyd,
commander-in-chieft G, w. Richardson,
chairman of the membership commit
routes; c. T, Sands, chairman Of the
initial trip; E. 7. MacNicol,a chairman
of publicity; Clifford H. Poland, official
photographer: Noble Bruce, ]. II. Nc
1t Is proposed to make the initial run
into Mississippi, the trucks entered to
assemble at Forest park the night be-
fore and to start at daybreak. At least
two days will be required for this one
tour.
truck train, position in the train to be
awarded by lot, and top capacity of
trucks limited to two tons, An en-.
trance fee will be required OF each
| firm, each entry to be allowed any
number, Of trucks desired, with OF, with
out bodies, With or without loads.
The possibilities in this tour, as the
truck dealers see it, are unlimited, 1t
will be the one big FACTOR in %acquaint
ing, not only local prospects, but the
farmer and the country merchant, with
the praeticability Of motor transport
| phis dealers and distributors the trade
stimulant that it did ror the St. LOUIS
association.
Invite Nonmembers.
Entry of trucks Is not limited to
members of the Automobile Dealers
association. The invitations being sent
out under the direction of Chairman
| Richardson are directed to both mem,
| bers and nonmembers and the general
| expectation is that wnen the siren at
| the head of the procession blows a de-
parture signal there win be at least
80 trucks in line.
Good roads speakers, motor express
lecturers, moving pictures of highway
and traffic conditions, a band-in fact
everything possible to make the ex-
petition enjoyable as well as education
al, will be carried along, Entertain
ment for the tourists Is to be arranged
for ahead Of time at each of the towns
in the expeditions itinerary.
AS the opening gun for the tour,
which Is not to be In to- nature OF a
test, the trucks will load up with metal
guide posts now being manufactured
under orders Of the Automobile cluh
and every crossroad, turn, etc, within
a radius Of several miles of Memphis,
north. northeast and south. will be
marked, the guides to pc placed in the