By Land and Sea 107 



Trucks and Busses Hold Their Oivn 



A survey by the Automotive Council of War Production 

 of 227 truck operators showed that of 30,069 loads carried in 

 a one-week period in 1943 almost 75 per cent conveyed mili- 

 tary materials or products. Another survey, of 741 war plants, 

 revealed that 65 per cent of incoming freight and 69 per cent 

 of outgoing freight was being shipped by truck. Likewise the 

 amount of shipping, both incoming and outgoing, carried by 

 motor vehicles, averaged better than 50 per cent for 1,311 

 smaller firms in Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota. 



Looking ahead to postwar years, the NRPB believes the 

 fluidity and quick response in emergencies of truck transpor- 

 tation, which made it valuable in wartime, will enable it to 

 hold business in the future. 



"The motortruck is most useful," the NRPB reported, "in 

 terminal service, on the shorter hauls, and over longer routes 

 where its speed can equal or exceed that of rail operation. 

 In the merchandise business, however, speed and flexibility of 

 service, combined with favorable rates and minimum packing 

 requirements make truck service especially attractive. Most 

 less-than-carload business, except on the longest hauls, may 

 eventually move by truck or by some form of coordinated 

 service. In areas of light traffic density, along branch lines, 

 and in local service along major channels of trade, the motor- 

 truck has another important place to fill." 



Engineers of Mack Truck, Inc., foresee a great change in 

 materials that form the body of postwar trucks. Magnesium, 

 aluminum, and a host of other lightweight materials, such as 

 plastic bonded plywood, will cut truck weight and allow for 

 that much more weight in pay load. Major changes also are 

 expected to take place in the engine. A lighter engine with 

 greater horsepower in proportion to weight is being designed. 

 High-octane gasoline, used now exclusively for aircraft, will 



