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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 1919)
THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAJT. PORTLAND, SEPTEMBER 21, 1919. TRUCK CONVOY HELD UP BY POOR ROADS THE COLUMBIA RIVER HIGHWAY WILL BE PAVED LIKE THIS ALL THE WAY TO HOOD RIVER BY NEXT YEAR. Soldiers Put Jn Many Weary Days and Nights en Route. WEAK BRIDGES A HANDICAP Firestone Representative on Ixmg Cross-Continental Tour Gives Vivid Account of the Run. 8 Pi - ' . i - VI I j HI . - - v 4 gt i v . " - 4 a ff.-' .:;. . rn-.t-'" : . v ' '"' "I I R i tt-' JZTi- . k... "v , BY C. W. EDEN. Tlreatone Representative WUh Army Transport Convoy. Ifa great to be a pioneer, but sol diers of the motor transport corps, the first to complete a motor transport fleet transcontinental tour, are satis fied to leave pioneering to others, at least for a time. The convoy arrived in San Francisco recently, the men tired out by weeks of strenuous exer tion on desert and mountain trails. They never weakened. Far from it. But ask any of them if they want to go back over the sun-baked highway. Ask them if they would like to spend a few more weeks pulling a 20-ton truck out of the chuckholes or guiding a big transport over the perilous wind ing mountain highways. Ask them but carry a gun, if you do, and be quick on the trigger, for an erstwhile sand digging soldier may get mad, and if he does, watch your step. Anyway, the soldiers have had a great experience, and even if they don't want to do it all over, most of them are glad they came and have had many enjoyable times along the way to make up for the hours of hard work. Towns people and residents have been very generous with them. A dance or a party or maybe just a date with a girl are not very restful, probably, after a long day of driving, but they are en joyable and just what the soldier wants and it's just what he has been getting everywhere the convoy has camped for the night. Behind Their Schedule. The convoy left Washington July 7 with a schedule that was intended to bring it into San Francisco on Septem ber 1. It arrived at its destination five days behind schedule, and further de lays were prevented often by driving late into the night. Twice Colonel Mc Clure found it necessary to order the men to be on the march on Sundays. The first bad roads on the trip were encountered in Nebraska, where the men lost time in the mud, causing them to come into Cheyenne two days be hind schedule. The other tnree days were lost on the deserts of Utah and Nevada. Many times the big trucks were sunk hub deep in the soft sand and soldiers acting 20 or more in a crew tolled and sweat in helping the powerful motors pull truck after truck through to solid road. Defective bridges and culverts also have been a cause of numerous delays and the bridge-building crew of the engineers have had many bad days. One day it was necessary to repair IS bridges before the big trucks could pass over them in safety. In some in stances the trucks have gone through despite precautions, and it has been necessary to resort to the use of the tractor in pulling them out. The trucks have gotten over the mountain grades without great diffl ci lty, except in places where the sand was soft, adding to the stiffness of the pull. Here also it was necessary on a few occasions to resort to the use of the tractor. Road Conditions Bad. Once in Utah conditions became se rious when one after another of the largest trucks became stuck in the sand and the men worked for more than 12 hours in pulling them over a scant two miles of soft road. Late at night Colo nel C. W. McClure. in command of the convoy, gave orders for the men to make camp at the roadside. Water for the steaming motors was carried from a ranch several miles distant, but the men were placed on short rations of water and were given only a. small canteenful to last them through the night. The morale of the men has been good despite the hardships encountered along the way, and there hasbeen little dis content among them. The life in the great outdoors has been beneficial to the health of the convoy and the hos pital unit accompanying the convoy has had little to do. The results of the convoy are satis fying. The principal object of the coast-to-coast trip, as announced by the gov ernment, was to demonstrate the prac ticability of the motor truck as a means of freight transportation for long dis tances. The ultimate practicability of the plan has been proved, but it has been Just as clearly proved that long hauls by truck cannot be fully effec tive- until paved or at least improved highways take the place of the present poorly-Kept roads. Shippers Show Interest. However, shipping circles all along the line have taken an enthusiastic interest in t.he convoy and to them the trip has a greater significance than to the ordinary observer, because they see in it great things for the future. They contend that gor 1 roads will come all the sooner as the result of the trans continental trip, because everywhere the convoy has been the interest in bet ter roads has been intensified and the very fact that it met with difficulties along the way will, they say, cause many people to stop and think of the possibilities that are being overlooked. They see in the motor truck the hope of the future the one thing that can relieve the railroads of a burden which they have clearly demonstrated in the past they are unable to carry alone. Freight congestion, they say, would not be possible with the motor truck as a means of transportation. because more trucks always could be obtained and there would be no cause for such congestion at terminals. A highway expert has accompanied the convoy and has explained to the people the great benefits to be derived from road improvement and the eco nomic possibilities of the truck when good roads have been built. The recruiting branch of the convoy has been very successful and Captain J. W. Murphy, who is in charge of the work, has secured more than 300 re crults lor tne motor transport corps during the trip. Many others have been interested and have signified their in tentions of signing up as quickly as business affairs will permit. The wonderful highway system of California mad the last few days of the trip easy for the men of the con voy. They were a great relief. "We'll get there, all right," was the laconic way in which Colonel C. W, McClure started the journey from Washington. Many obstacles have been overcome to make good that promise, but the promise has been kept by the men of the army motor transport fleet. Rod Rattles. Brake rods or other rods beneath the car sometimes slap against each othe or against other metal parts. To locate this trouble have one person drive the car while - another sits on one of the forward fenders and listens for the noises. If the horn is gripped tightly and the rattle cease It is reasonable to blame the horn. . BRITISH ADMIT 3 MAKES AXD OXL.Y 384 3 OF THEM WILL BE ACCEPTED. Ford, Studebaker and Overland Cars Sole Exceptions to Embargo on American Autos. k Although Great Britain has repealed its restrictions on the Import of motor cars, abolition of these restrictions may be only temporary.. A new rationing plan permitting cars and trucks to be imported in proportion to the aver age number imported In 1912-15 may be adopted. Up to September 1, 1919, imports have been rationed on the basis of 60 per cent of the 1913 imports In average monthly quantities. Under present uncertain conditions surrounding export of cars to European countries and the desire by all Ameri can makers to obtain wider distribu tion of their products in foreign fields, it is interesting to note that the final apportionment announced by the Brit ish government permits the entry of only three American-made automobiles. In a special communication to "Auto mobile Industries," the London cor respondent says: The American apportionment of the 8000 cars which the British government 111 allow to be imported, in addition to the former rationing scheme, have been apportioned as follows: Ford 2578 Studebaker 769 Overland 494 f v ' This plctnre ihom a section of the newly complete blrnlltkle pavement between the Mnltnomah eoumtr line and O eade Locks. A mile and n half more of this particular stretch remains to be paved. Car ean go through only before 7 o'clock A. M. and after 5t30 o'clock, p. Bl. while this construction la in progress. The car In the photo la a WUlys- Knlght. in France railroad rolling stock, food, supplies, tractors, buildings, etc The oars owned by the American ex peditionary forces were not desired. It was made clear, however, the Amer ican government would not consent to separate the material. It was owing to this that a settlement has not eeen possible earlier. The general estimate of the value of the American material secured by France is $1,000,000,000. This, however, is only a guess. No official figures have been issued, .and no information on the value of the material has been given out. The agreement has yet to be rati fied by the French parliament, and when this is done it is understood an announcement will be made regarding the actual price paid for these Ameri can expeditionary forces supplies. It has been reported generally here that the cars numbered 100 to 110,000. This is Incorrect. Even including bi cycles and trailers, the number reaches only 100,000. A very accurate estimate of the number of American motors is 60,000, of which 45.000 are trucks and the rest touring cars. NATIONAL LAW PROPOSED BILL AIMED AT ATJTO THIEF INTRODUCED IX CONGRESS. MANY NEW TRUCKS HERE ACGCST BIGGEST MONTH YET IX TRUCK REGISTRATIOX. Many Passenger Cars Also Were Registered, as Shown by Records of M. O. Wilklns. August was a big month in motor- Total 3S42 car -nd truck registration in Oregon. "The rest of the 5000 are to come from French and Italian makers. It was at first presumed that the Ameri can factories would get the entire allowance. "The American figures are propor tional to the total imports during the years of 1912 and 1915, exclusive. ' American importers here have been greatly disappointed by failure of the government to give them a definite statement on what they may expect in the way of business prospects beyond this allowance, which waa undoubtedly made partially to meet the public de mand for cars. British manufacturers are still struggling with slow produc tion and are keeping up demands that their industry be protected by keeping out cars of foreign makes." BUY A. E. F. CARS 60,000 AUTOS AXD TRUCKS TO BE PURCHASED. Estimated Value of Vehicles to Be Transferred Unofficially Given Out as $1,000,000,000. France has agreed to purchase the whole of the left over supplies of the American expeditionary forces. Includ ing about 60,000 cars and trucks and 20,000 motorcycles and sidecars. The American government offered the whole of its material to the French andi refused to consider treating for only parts of this material. It was de sired by the French to purchase only such material as was specially required HEAD OF BIG HATXES AUTOMOBILE! PLANT, J" ( 1 ! -nS J '?(" - J. 1 Figures compiled by M. O. Wilkins, publisher of the Automobile Record, show the total registration for the month, including trucks, to have been 3254, as compared to 219C registra tions in July. The gain over August, 1918, was 750 registrations. Mr. Wilkins' figures show that Fords are still far in the lead in number of new cars of any one make. New Ford registrations in August were 794. Those of several other well-known makes follow: Chevrolet, 371; Bulck, 159; Overland. 156; Dodge, 142: Maxwell. 141; Stude baker, 134; Oakland. 93; Hudson, 36; Nash, 36; Chandler. 30; Reo, 31; Essex, 31; Franklin, 26; Cadillac, 25; Cole, 19; Liberty, 15; Briscoe, 10; Ilaynes, 10; Fierce-Arrow, 8; Winton, 8. Many trucks were sold and regis tered during the month, more, in fact, than in any previous month of any year. Total new truck registrations were 143 in Ford trucks, and 447 in trucks Of other makes, as against 88 and 219 in July. -Registrations for August were aug mented to some extent by the fact that cars registered then are taxed only half the annual license fee, in place of the full fee, as in July. But so far in September registrations have been keeping up to the August pitch, with 1076 registered in the first If days of the month. Removing Stolen Car Into Another State) Subject to Term of 10 Year In Prison. WASHINOTON.. Bept. 10. With view to putting an end to automobile thievery, which has been more or less rampant throughout the country, Ren resentatlve Leonldas C. Dyer of Mis souri has Introduced a new bill after consulting with government authorities and automobile sharps. The act is named the "motor vehicle theft act." It defines "person" to in elude an individual, partnership, corpo ration or association, and the term "mo tor vehicle" to mean an automobile. automobile truck, automobile wagon motorcycle or other self-propelling ve hicle, not intended for running on rails. The other provisions of this new bill are as follows: "That any person that steals, or by fraud, false pretense or deception obtains possession of an auto mobile, and who shall remove or cause the same to be removed from one state territory or the District of Columbia, or to any foreign country, or who has in his possession any automohlle, knowing the same to have been stolen, or that the possession thereof ! as been so ob tained, shsll so remove the same, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5000 or by imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both. Nothing In this act shall be held to take away or lm pair the Jurisdiction of the courts of the several states under the laws there of. Any person -violating this act may be punished in any district In or through which such automobile has !e-n transported or removed by such officer. inat any sheriff, marshal or other peace. officer of any state may pursue beyond his jurisdiction any such person so removing an automobile out of any state, territory or the District of Co lumbia, -and apprehend and take such offender before any court. Judge, justice of the peace or magistrate, to be dealt with according to law. "That if any provisions of this act or the application of such provision to cer tain circumstances Is held unconstitu tional, the remainder of the act and the application of such provision to circum stances other than those to which it la held unconstitutional shall not be af fected thereby." NEW DEPARTMENT .DDEO IGXITIOX WORK HANDLED AT WILXARD SERVICE STATIOX. Willoughby Bros. Put in Charge of Electrical Department by Charles S. Harper. j ine local wiiiard service atatlon. Ninth and Everett streets, has opened an electrical department and is now equipped to handle all phases of auto mobile generator and ignition work. It is in charge of the Willoughby brothers, men who are not only experl- enced auto electricians, but seasoned I Wiiiard service men, giving a combina tion automobile owners have long de sired. "The idea behind the Installation of this department." said Charles S. Har per, "Is simply this: many times an electrical system is blamed for what is really a condition of the battery. Equally often the battery gets the blame for a condition in the electrical system. If either one is not function ing properly the other suffers in other words, to allow either condition to con tinue may result in a damage to one, or both. It is our purpose to bring either condition to the attention of the owner and correct it if necessary. "Every endeavor will be made to maintain the same standard of service in the electrical department as Is now rendered on our service station floor." Under Mr. Sieberllng'a direction of the Haynes Automobile company as vice-president and general manager, its policies have been so correct that the plant Is now fairly swamped with or ders for the new 1920 Haynes car. New buildings are being erected to double the capacity output of the Haynes factory. Electrolyte. Here are a few things regarding the fluid used in storage batteries. Iron rust, even in small quantities, is. very detrimental to the battery. Almost all rain water contains Injurious matter. Chemically pure sulphuric acid only should be used. In mixing acid and dixillled water the acid should be poured into the water slowly. The ad dition of water to acid Is dangerous. Don't disregard the child On the curb. Remomber, he can start quicker than you can stop. SELLS CARS BERT REED IX XEW INTERSTATE MOTOR COMPANY. Agency Handled Here for Daniels Eight, Anderson Six and the Monitor Six. Some 20 years ago Bert Reed started selling pianos In Portland, down on First street. After a few years he opened his own store at Sixth and Burnslde streets, and today if one asks "Who Is the best-known piano man in Portland?" nine out of ten an swers will be, "Bert Reed," not H. O. Reed as he signs himself, but Bert Reed. Mr. Reed is still president of the Reed - French Piano Manufacturing company at Twelfth and Washington streets, but has branched out and en tered the automobile business. Archie Henderson, who is in charge of this territory for the Daniels Motor Car company of Reading, Pa., selected Mr. Reed as most worthy representative of the Daniels Eight. With this agency gerberX DEMONSTRATION Week of September Zt-tl The Thlnn Ton've Ben WUUina For. a chance to see and know how Wind Deflectors work, and to make ua prove our statement that you set clear vlafon In win ter, when moat needed, with Prltohard WIND DEFLECTORS The Nash Six Is Quiet Economical and Powerful Theunusual economy of operation in the Nash Six appeals to owners everywhere. This economy com bined with the unusual power and quietness of the Nash Perfected Valve-in-Head Motor places it in the frontrank of America'sleading motor car values. Not only here but throughout the country Nash dealers are experiencing a heavy demand for more cars. Y&nH in rVrcrteJ l'ot-lr-HtaJ hfalat Five - P a e e n a-i Teurlac CU-...S1730 Two - Pnaaenn- er Roadster f 17SO Fonr - P a a e n iter Sport Model. . .S12S even- Paaaeoaer Touring Car...l!0 Four - P n a m e na-er Coupe SM125 5 e v e n Passenaer Sedan S20O Prices f. o. b. Portland Portland Motor Car Co Tenth and Burnside Streets vv.. JE CARS AT VOLUME PRICES Golden Rule eVrvlce. Iloventn and OaTi. Mr. Reed will also handle the Ander son Six and the Monitor Six. which are now on display in the different models at the warerooms of the Interstate Motor company. 111 Thirteenth, street. At present a few Immediate de liveries can be made. AIRPLANE GLl'E FOR AUTOS Waterproof Stnff Max Be Adopted by Manufacturers. Some of the new waterproof glues developed primarily for slrcrsft pur poses during the war offer the possi bility of overcoming a difficulty that has proved very annoying, oth to the automobile owner and to the manu facturer wherever linoleum Is used on the running board or as a covering for the floor of the car. Ordinary glues, which are soluble in water, are not very effective In cementing linoleum, and most automobile owners have soon discovered that the glue disintegrates and the linoleum comes loose after the car has been washed a few times. Casein glues are admirably adapted to this purpose, and If the quality Is rlM end they are prop.rly applied the linoleum should give no troublt during the life of the car. Casein glues are exceedingly resistant to the action of the water and retain a very high percentage of their original strength, even after long immersion under water. They are comparatively Inexpensive, and the materials are readily available. Take Note or This. High speed shortens the life of a mo tor car. When you double the speed of your car you far more than double the force of the shocks to which it is uh1ct.d r 222 ivr 3 'WINTOM SIX Yes, we are enthusiastic WE admit it. We can't help if This new-style Winton Six has set us tingling with delight. Every time we look at it, we see new beauty. Every time we ride in it, we experience some new pleasure. We thought we were surprise proof. We thought we knew all the joy a motor car could give anybody. That was our mistake. This notable Winton Six has shown us more genuine enjoyment than we ever knew before. If you haven't already had the pleasure, by all" means get acquainted with this surprising car. Simply telephone. A. C. Stevens 531 Washington St. Phone Broadway 1614