Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-06

A steadily increasing number of
shippers are looking toward the mo-
tor truck forB the solution of their
transportation problems. Farmers
are included in this category and it
may therefore be well to point out,
as the result of avtual experience of
others, the things they should con-
slider in connection with the use Of
motor trucks to haul their produce to
market.
In very few instances, say experts
of the Bureau of Markets, United
States Department of Agriculture, is
it advisable for farmer to purchase
and operate a motor truck solely for
his own needs, as the initial invest
ment, cost of upkeep, and the linn
tied time the truck is likely to be in
use make the venture expensive and
disproportionate to the convenience
secured.
Where trucks are operated by pri-
vate individuals for profit the owner
of the truck usually operate between
The farmer assumes no risk. He
simply pays whatever the rate for
carriage may be, and many find the
use of this means of transportation
over hauling his produce to market
himself by team. At the same time
it has often occurred that when the
farmer had learned to depend upon
this service, the rates would be rails
ed to point that the farmer could
ill afford to pay, or that another mo-
tor-truck operator would enter the
field with the result that both opera
tors were compelled to go out of
bushes, leaving the farmer without
any truck service at all.
1t, may be we'll to consider the
basis upon which a farmer may Sc
cure motor-truck transportation at d
M 1jr1n nd 70 nrNyin
upon which he can place full reliance.
There are several cooperative mo-
tor-truck associations in existence Of
which perhaps the Farmers Cooper
ative Co., of Hartford county, Md,
has had the largest measure of sue
cess. The territory served by the
association is very productive as-
ricultural region. Many of the farm
ers ship milk to Baltimore, some
raise truck crops, and other prac-
tice general farming.
modities are decidedly lower than
those of the railroad. The members
say. that the saving of time in mar
keting their produce is a big adj
also 6ae 9r +6eir when
market by. wagon they had to start
out at midnight and did not return
home until 9 o'clock the next morn
ing. Now, at least hours of that
time is saved IOr OCn6r WORK.
y But while the Hartford County
company has had considerable sue
cess, it would not have been possi-
BILE had the condition not been IA
vorable for the operation O. a coop
erative motor truck route. This fact
should not be lost sight of; and for
the benefit of those contemplating"
the eSta blishment of cooperative mo-
tor truck associations the following
points should receive careful con-
sideration:
A careful survey should be made
to determine the adequacy of pres
ent transportation facilities, the rea-
sonableness of the rate charged. the
approximate daily tonnage available
for movement in each direction, the
character of the roads over which
the trucks must be operated, and the
general sentiment of the community
toward such an association. The dis
lance from market should not be
more than forty miles, and there
should be sufficient volume of pro-
operation Of the trucks throughout
the year.
1t having been concluded that the
cooperative enterprise will be a de-
cided advantage, only men who have
demonstrated their business ability
in handling their private affairs and
who exercise good influence among
the members of the community
should be selected as directors. The
secretary should be a man with en-
ergy, tact. business ability. and q
high appreciation of the farmers
interests The capitalization of the
association should be large enough to
permit the issuance of enough stock
to pay for the trucks in cash, to as
sure a sufficient amount of cash on
hand as working capital, and to have
enough unissued stock to provide for
future sound extension of the bust
ness. as we'll as a depreciation fund
TO replace WORKOUT equipment.
The trucks should be selected only