MOTOR TRANSPORTATION FOR RURAL DISTRICTS 25 
co-operating motor truck operators, for the purpose of gathering data 
on costs of maintenance and operation. The forms may not have been 
ideal for the purpose, but a number of operators found, to their ‘sur- 
prise, that keeping complete and accurate records was not the im- 
possible task which it appeared at first. It is not desirable to indicate a 
complete system of accounts in this bulletin, but the “Driver’s Daily 
Report Card” on page 24 should prove a satisfactory basis for any 
permanent cost recording system. This form has been used successfully © 
by the Bureau of Markets in cooperating with a large number of rural 
truck operators. It may not prove satisfactory under all conditions, 
but it is offered as a suggestion to those operators who desire to secure 
regular reports from their drivers each day. 
The information conveyed by the driver’s daily report card, coupled 
with that in the hands of the owner of the truck, can be transferred to 
permanent records of a type desirable to the owner. Whatever system 
is adopted, this one fact must be kept in mind, that periodically it 
should be possible to balance all receipts against all costs, to determine 
profit and loss. Any system which will enable the owner to do this 
without too much effort can be used. 
UTILIZATION OF THE FARM TRUCK. 
There are an increasing number of farm trucks, particularly on 
farms adjacent to large cities. Not all these trucks are loaded to full 
capacity on their periodical trips to the city. Few farmers have their 
business so arranged as to permit the use of the truck to its maximum 
capacity regularly. Many farmers need a motor truck, in spite of 
the fact that they are unable to use it to capacity on a regular basis. 
Such farmers have gradually begun to haul a part or all of their 
neighbors’ products to market and in some cases, this practice has led 
to the establishment of a regular route. Where the business has 
warranted, farmer-owners have increased their facilities for hauling 
goods, and many substantial rural routes are the outgrowth of the 
individual farm haul. Some farmers have been enabled to purchase 
trucks because of the fact that their own business, coupled with that 
of their neighbors’, has been sufficient to warrant the purchase of a 
truck. It cannot be doubted that the motor truck as a community 
institution will be increasingly important. The farmer who is hauling 
for his neighbors is performing a useful function. Such practice is 
susceptible of expansion and the farmer-operator can usually offer 
attractive rates to his neighbors. Farmers needing a motor truck for 
part time service would do well to investigate the possibilities of 
business in their neighborhoods. It has been found in several instances 
that co-operative action has proven feasible and the subsequent forma- 
tion of a farmer’s association has resulted. This feature of the motor 
hauling business is distinctly worth serious consideration by those 
who may be interested. 
