Evening star., 1932-01-31
BY A. ]. BROSSEAU,

Vice President OF the National Automobile
Division and President OF Mack Trucks.
Demands Of motor truck users for
new units to replace worn-out equip
ment will be very inSistent with the
revival of business activity in general.
The return of normal business condl-
tions will result in output equal to the
banner years Immediately preceding
1929, when the peak was reached.
A total of 425 900 trucks were pro-
duced in 1881 by American manufac-
turers. OF these vehicles, 95.5 per cent
we're of two tons or less capacity. In
the heavier vehicle field there was q
marked increase in the output OF six
wheel units equipped with pneumatic
tires. Only 33 per cent Of the total
number of trucks manufactured were
fitted with solid tries.
80 Per Cent Below.
The 1881 production figure is 90 per
cent under that of 1880, and is the
lowest since 1923. This indicates, in
part, a diminished use Of new vehicles,
but is also reflection OF conservative
purchasing practices prompted by "A
months of inertia in all industries. In
proportion, truck Use did not decline as
tribution facilities. Buying in small
lots creates a more universal demand
for highway vehicles, primarily because
the flexible service they render enables
shippers to keep inventories at mini
mum.
approximately $4,000 American
made trucks were sold in foreign coun-
tries in 1881. This is 81 per cent de-
cline compared with the previous year,
but is not as sharp a decrease as that
in exports of other American products,
including passenger cars which fell OF
At per cent.
Rail Truck Use.
American railroads utilized more
trucks last year in rendering store
door delivery service. Eighty-flve of the
leading carriers were operating about
10000 truck units, as compared with
1000 in 1880. This does not include the
more than 5000 trucks Of the Railway
Express Agency. Among the outstand-
ing developments toward rall-motor
coordination in 1880 were the filing Of
tariffs by Southwestern roads to insti-
tute door door" service, and the
plan recently adopted by four Eastern
carriers to move detachable truck bod
les on fiat cars.
several rdllrOdQS are operating u uCho
Oh the highways in competition with
independent truckers for short haul,
than carload traffic, which, expert
ence has proved, can move more eco
nomically and expeditiouSly by motor
trucks.
Railroads also increased their bus
operations in adapting them as feeders
and in substituting them for rail service
on non-paying lines. Eighty roads were
using or were financially interested in
the operations of 5000 busses last year
an increase of 1000 units over 1880.
Taxes Held Sufficient.
The growth Of commercial vehicle
transportation and its effect on rail-
roads was a much-discussed question
during the past year and led to several
Investigations by State commissions,
shippers organizations, investment
houses, besides that Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission on ratl-motor
coordination. which lasted over a Pc
riod of several months, with hearings
In II leading cities. The findings Of
this inquiry will be made public after
oral arguments are heard by the COM
mission at Washington.
Blaming highway transportation for
their present plight, railroad witnesses
recommended increased taxes and Fed