Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-11-17

portation problems. Farmers are in
cluded In this category, and II may
therefore be we'll TO point out, as the
result OF. actual experience OF others.
the things they should consider In con-
nection with the use Of motortrucks
TO haul their produce to market.
In very few instances, say experts
Of the bureau of markets, United
States Department Of Agriculture, is
il advisable for farmer to purchase
and operate motortruck solely for
ment, cost of upkeep, and the limited
time the truck is likely 10 be In use
make the venture expensive. and dis
proportionate TO the convenience Sc
cured.
Where trucks are operated by pri-
vate individuals for profit the owner
OF the truck usually operates between
certain points on fixed schedule. The
| farmer assumes no risk. He simply
pays whatever the rate for carriage
| may be, and may find the use of this
means of transportation an advantage
over the railroad or over hauling his
| produce TO market himself by team.
At the same time il has often occurred
that when the farmer had learned 10
depend upon this service, the rates
would be raised 10 point that the
farmer could i'll afford TO pay. or that
another motortruck operator would en-
ter the field with the result that both
operators were compelled TO 20 out of
business, leaving the farmer without
any truck service at all.
One Successful Venture.
1t may be well 10 consider the basis
upon which farmer may secure mo-
tortruck transportation at q nominal
cost and create a service upon which
he can place full reliance.
There are several cooperative mo-
tortruck associations in existence, OF
which. perhaps, the Farmers Co-opera
tive company OF Hartford county,
Maryland, has had the largest measure
of success. The territory served by
the association is very productive
agricultural region. Many of the farm
ers ship milk TO Baltimore, some raise
truck crops and others practice gen.
eral farming.
The association rates on many com
modities are decidedly lower than
those of the railroad. The members
say that the saving Of time in market
Ing their produce Is big advantage
also. For example, when the farmers
hauled their produce 70 market by
wagon they had TO start out at mid
night and did not return home until
nine o'clock the next morning. Now,
at least eight hours Of that time is
saved for other work.
But while the Hartford County COM
pany has had considerable success, It
conditions not been possible had the
condition not been favorable for the
operation of cooperative motortruck
route. This fact should not be lost
sight Of and for the benefit Of those
contemplating the establishment of CO.
operative motortruck associations the
following points should receive care
full consideration
Factors to Be Considered.
A careful survey should be made to
determine the adequacy of present
transportation facilities, the reason
ableness Of the rates charged. the APP
proximate daily tonnage available for
movement In each direction, the char
acter of the roads over which the
trucks must be operated, and the gen
eral sentiment of the community to-
ward such an association. The dis
lance from market should not be more
than 40 miles, and there should be
sufficient volume Of produce TO war
rant reasonably constant operation Of
the trucks throughout the year.
II having been concluded that the
cooperative enterprise will be de-
cided advantage, only men who have
demonstrated their business ability in
handling their private affairs and who
exercise a good influence among the
members of the community should be
selected as directors. The secretary
should be man with energy, tact,
business ability, and high apprecia-
ton of the farmers interests. The
capitalization of the association should
be large enough TO permit the issuance
Of enough stock TO pay for the tracks
In cash, TO assure sufficient amount
of cash on hand as working capital,
and TO have enough unissued stock to
provide for future sound extension Of
the business, as well as depreciation
fund to replace WORKOUT equipment.
Make Service the Watehword.
The trucks should be selected only
after thorough and unbiased consid-
Grafton of the various makes. Records
of performance. OF cost OF operation
and maintenance, furnished by actual
operators of trucks rather than by
agents OF truck manufacturers, should
be carefully considered in the light OF
present and prospective needs of the
association.
The K
A.