New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-16
First Motor
Truck Freight
Line Starts
Cooperative Plan of Eighty
Merchants in Chicago
District Is Reported To Be
Working Out SplendidIy

A group of far-visioned manufacture
adjustments of Chicago and vicinity
are applying the cooperative principle
to truck transportation, having organ
ICED what is believed to be the first CO.
operative motor truck freight line in
the United States. Firmly convinced
that the time is ripe for extending the
usefulness Of the truck in the field of
short-haul transportation, eighty mon,
representing business interests in Chi
cago and cities within radius of fly
miles west of Chicago, formed the
Western Truck Lines 1t is a cooper
atlve venture, simon pure, there not
being share of promotion stock with
in the organization. There is good
example here for New York to follow
Rail lines entering Chicago like the
railroads of the entire country, found
it practically impossible to transport
the vast amount Of freight that was
dumped at their doors last spring and
summer, AS consequence unavold-
able delays in the transportation Of
!
dition that led the manufacturers to
seek relief through the organization
of the motor truck line as an auxiliary
to the overburdened railroads.
On September 3 daily schedules were
inaugurated between Chicago and West
Chicago and intermediate points Short
ly after schedules were extended and
freight stations were opened at Aurora,
Elgin, Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles
AS rapidly as possible it is planned to
extend the service TO points within a
radius Of one hundred miles of Chi
cago. At present the longest haul is
| fifty-tWo miles one way.
The motor truck line has now been
in operation a sufficient length Of time
to convince thoroughly it's promoters
and patrons alike of it's merit both as
a profitable investment and as a me-
dunn for quick and economical ship
ment of goods AS matter of fact
the enterprise was a success from the
start. Serving territory in which some
of the largest manufacturing plants of
the country are located, the truck line
| is giving q freight service much speed
Ter than is possible by any ether form
of transportation. This is true cspe-
cially with shipments of less than car
load lots. Frequently freight is placed
IN the hands of manufacturers within
few hours from time of shipment
that If consigned by other carriers
might be days in transit.
Chain of Depots
In the operation Of the Western
Truck Lines railway presidents have
been followed in so far as they have
been found Of advantage. A terminal
station or depot similar to those
maintained by railroads has been cs-
tablishcd in the hear. Of Chicago's
shipping district, at Clinton and Polk
streets. This terminal building has
$4,000 square feet of floor space AL
trucks load and unload at shipping
platforms arranged in station order
Depots are located in all cities through
which the trucks operate. Each depot
IN loading and unloading, makes out
bills for freight and checks and col
lccts bills for freight received in fact
renders Il service for the truck line
much similar to the duties of lcca
freight agent.
All trucks arc operated over cstab
lishcd routes, but delivery Of shipment!
and pickup of shipments from and tt
points other than dcpots in Chicago
and towns west are made at regular
published rates, the rates being basct
upou "c0ua' service rendered on eacf
specific shipment.
In the organization Of the Western
Truck Lines a broad plan for futur,
development WAC followed The pres:
dent Of the company, Edwin Anderson
vas engaged in the tcaming business IN
Chicago for thirty years. The vice
president and general manager, George
N. Lamb, was for years ono of the fore
most road builders in Illinois and ha.
"a wide experience in the operation OF
trucks. He WAS formerly supcrinten
dent Of highways in Kane County, III
Inc bourd Of directors is composed o