Pueblo chieftain., 1921-01-23
H.SALMONS TELLS0F THE
EVIlSTHAT ARISE FROM THE
0VER-LOADINC0F MOTOR TRUCKS
Indications Point to the Eventual Regulation Of
Freight Vehicles By the Commissions
ofAl States

Tho evils of overlooking motor
trucks not only operate to the detri-
inent of tho tax payers. upon whom
the burden of upkeep of state and
county roads is thrown, but they act
with equal force upon tho truck own
erg. Trucks overloaded eventually
break down. When such accidents oc-
cur. serious loss. injuries TO truck
drivers, and even death. may be pen
olties for carelessncss or ignorance,
according to r. II. Salmons. member
of The National Motor Truck commit
Zee of the National Automobile Cham
Der of Commerce.
Tho recent authorization by the
California Highway Commission of
the purchase of six loadometers for
tho purpose of making a systematic
Weighing of motor trucks on the state
highways reveals determined effort
to keep overloaded trucks from the
roads. Up to short time ago no at
tempt had been made anywhere in
The country to compel motor trucks to
observe the maximum load violations.
With the increase of motor transpor-
tation aad the consequent greater
wear and tear on the roads. the at
tention OF officials in a few places
was directed to the matter primarily
as a means of road preservation.
Whiis 1t is admitted that the majority
of tho roads are by no means what
they ought to be. they must be taken
as they are until means are found TO
improve them properly. and It Is an
evidence of wisdom as well as Justice
toward all road users on the part OF
highway officials TO keep the load
weights within reasonable bounds.
In New Jersey. wherc this problem
OF excessive motor truck loads has
been tackled more thoroly than in any
other Eastern state. the plan was
adopted early in the summer of weigh
ing trucks that appeared suspiciously
heavy. This was merely preliminary
to n moro determined effort It Is
now announced that proper scales
have been purchased and placed al
five selected sites along the thoro-
fares.
The control OF this whole matter is
OF direct interest, therefore, to all the
taxpayers who are responsible for the
upkeep OF the highways of the coun-
try. IT affects all towns and inter
urban stretches along the main truck
ing routes.
II took tho railroads years to discov-
cr that GroSs overloadins mover pays
in the long run. They found out that
10 was too expensive and dangerous
a waY TO mako money. A freight car.
like "a truck. Is built with a factor OF
safety to stand certain strains caused
by uneven roadbcd and pounding over
cross-ovcrs; IL given proper care, it
VIII stand such strains without cSces-
rive overlooking. Just think for a
moment what may happen If a car
axle breaks from such abuse. The
whole train may ho wrecked. Just
as spoctacleS of this kind cannot bo
permitted to occur often on the rail-
roads 50 must tho truck owners OF tho
country war against similar accidents
on highways.
\ truck will stand some overload;
the manufacturer refers to this ability
as the factor of safety. 1t is the do
SiSnerS idea that this additional
strength takes caro- of the greatest
strains the truck may encounter when
operated under normal conditions of
load and speed. II might better be
called u factor of ignorance. for tho
additional strength of tho truck IL
expected By the owner to support the
additional load put on 1t due to iS-
norance. Altho a machine may be
carefully designed and conscrvatively