Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11
PLANS Modifying
TRUCKS AND AUTOS
Defense Council Counting on
Motor Vehicles in Case
of Strike.

Mobilization of $4,000 government
owned motor trucks and 100000 pri-
vately owned trucks to be reinforced
by 7,Ooo,ooo passenger automobiles, to
meet the threatened emergency should
| the strike of railroad employees in
terfere seriously with rood transporta-
| ton, was planned yesterday by the
Council of National Defense.
Organization of this great emer-
would enable the country "to face
| with a degree of equanimity almost
any temporary failure of the railway
systems" Herbert F. Shenton, acting
| secretary of the council, announced
after the conference.
Establishment of these great mo-
tor transportation lines could be
promptly effected through the ecoun-
CHS motor transport committee, Mr..
Shenton said. in the event Of an OBJ
Stinate struggle.
| OF the government trucks 1900 could
| be equipped and manned by the Motor
Transport Corps of the War Depart
ment for the relief of New York city
| within few days, formal statement
| sets forth, and about 100 Of the corps
| trucks could be rushed to the as
sistance of each of the follow hug
named cities: Washington, Philade,-
phia. Norfolk, Detroit, Columbus, New
Orleans. Ell Paso, Baltimore. SAN
Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Indianap-
oils, Buffalo, San Antonio and Seattle
Altogether the Motor Transport
Corps has about 10000 trucks which
could be placed in commission should
the emergency justify, as soon as
drivers could be assigned. In addi-
ton the War Department has 10000
trucks in store, of which 1900 are
suitable for commercial use and could
be called into service rapidly. More
over. the $4,000 odd trucks that have
been turned over to the bureau of
public roads for use In highway con-
struc.ioE are now in possession of
the various state authorities and
should be made quickly available for
public transport service. The Post
| Office Department has 1000 trucks in
daily use now which might be tenn
porarily concentrated on critical sup
plies in the event of a paralyzing
strike. Moreover, there is a certain
number of motor cars in use in the
various executive departments which
could be commandeered if necessary.
The government trucks, supported
by the 100000 privately owned ones,
the statement says, could no doubt
be made available to very large
extent should steam transport be tenn
porarily eliminated. There are in the
United States almost 100000 automo-
bileS of all kinds, which could render
almost incalculable freight. express
and passenger transport service if
need be.
A meeting Of the Interdepartmental
Board of the Council of National De-
Tense has been called to confer with
members of the former highways
transport committee Of the Council Of
National Defense for the considera-
ton of ways and means to promote
| the utilization of motor trucks in
! the event the same should become
necessary or advisable. The highways
| transport committee of the council
| was created during the war and was
effective in securing cooperation on
! a large scale in motor transport un-
! dertakings. Its personnel and con-
facts include the best informed men
| in the United States concerning prob
| lens of highway transportation.