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.
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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
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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,
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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