* * * * * AUGUST 1, 1918 BULLETIN NO. 3 (FOR SHIPPERS) "RETURN LOADS" TO INCREASE TRANSPORT RESOURCES BY AVOIDING WASTE OF EMPTY VEHICLE RUNNING HIGHWAYS TRANSPORT COMMITTEE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE WASHINGTON, D. C. [Illustration] RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. "_The Council of National Defense approves the widest possible use of the motor truck as a transportation agency, and requests the State Councils of Defense and other State authorities to take all necessary steps to facilitate such means of transportation, removing any regulations that tend to restrict and discourage such use. _" WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1918 COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE. HIGHWAYS TRANSPORT COMMITTEE. WASHINGTON, D. C. HIGHWAYS TRANSPORTATION AS A WAR-TIME MEASURE ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS OF THE SHIPPER'S "SHORT-HAUL" PROBLEM. To increase the highways transport resources as one of the means ofstrengthening the entire transportation system of the country, and forthe purpose of avoiding the waste incurred by running transportvehicles empty, return-load bureaus are established. These bureaus area means of bringing together the shipper having goods to move and theoperator of an empty vehicle which is possibly running to the pointfor which the goods to be shipped are destined. With the cooperation of State councils of defense, chambers ofcommerce, local war boards, and other organizations the Council ofNational Defense, through its Highways Transport Committee and itsState Councils Section, is building up a system for the efficientutilization of the highways of the country as a means of strengtheningthe Nation's transportation resources and affording merchants andmanufacturers relief from necessary railroad embargoes and delays dueto freight congestion. State Highways Transport Committees are being organized in all Statesof the Union. The primary functions of the State Highways Transportbodies are the development of the five outstanding activities to whichinstant attention is being given by the Highways Transport Committeeof the National Council of Defense, as follows: Return Load Bureaus, Rural Express, Cooperation with Federal RailroadAdministration, Educational, Transport Operating Efficiency. These activities encompass, briefly, and in the order named, thefollowing: Elimination of empty running of trucks by bringing together shipperand truck owner in such way as to provide full loads whereverpossible. Rapid development, over fixed routes, of daily power-vehicle service, with definite schedules of stops and charges and provision made forgathering shipments both on outgoing and incoming trips. Substitution of adequate truck service that the intracity andshort-haul service of rail carriers may be relieved and partiallysupplanted; the relief of congested terminals, and an effectivestore-door delivery plan. Organization of a campaign to place highways transport work throughoutthe States in its proper light before the public, that the support ofthe people in favor of national policies may be made certain. To thisend an outstanding feature of the work will be enlistment of thesupport of all users of highways transport. Making transportation more efficient through encouragement of such useof highways transport as will eliminate making trips with part loads, the loss of time in loading and unloading, and unnecessary delays inthe handling of receipts. By taking part of the burden of the "short haul" off the railroads andplacing it on motor trucks operating over the highways, millions oftons of merchandise and materials are transported satisfactorily andthe railroads are given much needed relief. The motive power and carsthus freed from short-haul work can be employed in very importantlong-distance service. The Railroad Administration has indorsed motortransportation for this work and reported that this form of reliefwill make it possible for the railroads to operate more effectivelyunder the present traffic congestion; hence shippers using thehighways are assisting in the solution of transportation problems andrendering a patriotic service. It is also to be noted that if shippersuse the highways for short hauls and thus relieve the railroads of aburden, they assist in improving general conditions so that they willindirectly benefit by having more prompt service on long-distanceshipments. Dependability of Highways Transportation Proven. The practicability and dependability of highway haulage betweenneighboring cities has been demonstrated fully. Hundreds of local andintercity motor express lines are in successful operation in widelyscattered sections of the country. The return-load bureau system hasbeen installed in England, where it is now considered unpatriotic torun a truck without a load. Manchester, England, for example, and allthe surrounding cities were among the first to start return-loadbureaus and have reciprocal arrangements whereby they exchangeinformation regarding available trucks and loads. Much of the short-haul freight is carried on the highways by motortrucks. It is picked up at the door of the shipper and delivered atthe door of the consignee, entailing only two handlings. It isdelivered the same day it is shipped, which for certain commodities isthe rapidity of transport desired. Frequently after motor trucksdeliver a load, they return empty, whereas there are shippers whowould avail themselves of the opportunity to send a load on such atruck to its home town. On the other hand, the truck owner would liketo obtain a return load because the charge for it would reduce his ownhaulage cost. To bring the shipper and truck owner together serves theinterests of both, hence the return-load bureaus are of mutualbenefit. These bureaus are nonmoney-making patriotic organizationsdeserving of the support of shippers whom they serve unselfishly. Return-Load Bureaus Listed in Telephone Directories. In many cities the telephone companies have listed the return-loadbureaus under the title "Return loads" in the local directories. Bycalling "Return loads" or the telephone number of the bureau, shipperscan learn where trucks may be obtained to carry loads to points whichthe shipper wishes to reach quickly. In many cities there are motorexpress lines operating on daily schedule over regular routes, butthere are also many companies, firms, and individuals that own truckswhich stand idle part of the time. The return-load bureaus list thesetrucks and can place them at the service of the shippers on shortnotice. There may be many transportation problems confronting shippers, especially during the winter period, when it is difficult for therailroads to operate at maximum efficiency due to weather conditions. There is, however, no period in the year when the judicious use of thehighways can not be of service both to the country and its shippers. It is suggested that a contact be made with the traffic manager of thelocal return-load bureau and the possibilities of this type oftransportation studied. Preparedness is proportionately of as muchbenefit to the individual as to the Nation, and if consideration isnow given by the shippers to the few problems that may be confrontingthem in connection with highway transportation, they will be in aposition to profit by this form of transportation when the needsarise. It is the purpose of the Highways Transport Committee to bring aboutas quickly as possible an organization of return-load bureaus in allStates where it will be beneficial to establish reciprocal relations. In the meantime shipments can be made over those routes which havebeen designated for highway transportation. Motor trucks are a part ofthe transportation equipment of every community, and to increase theirtransport capacity they should operate continuously under full loadsas far as possible. This is also in the interests of conservation, inthat they do not "wear the road without the load, " and effect a savingof the equipment and incidental supplies. Shippers can be ofconsiderable assistance in making efficient this war-time measure bycooperating with the return-load bureaus. Shippers are urged to giveas much advance notice as possible, so that the bureaus may notifythose in other cities in time to arrange for loads for motor trucks onreturn trips. Since transportation problems have greatly multiplied, due to thedemands made upon the railways, waterways, etc. , the one source leftopen for quick expansion is the highway. Manufacturers, merchants, andothers interested in the shipment of materials and supplies of allkinds should give this form of transportation careful considerationand encourage the work of return-load bureaus. Shippers should realizethe vital importance of patronizing these bureaus, which are sounselfishly rendering a great service, as the expenses of each bureauare cared for by the local community or organization where the bureauis located. In many cases highway transportation costs less than rail expressrates, while in some cases it is slightly in excess, but, regardlessof rates, highway transportation is a war-time measure. Shippersderive great benefits from the quick movement of merchandise by railover long distances, due to the relief the railroads receive as theresult of short hauls being taken care of by motor trucks. Shippersthus directly assist in the solution of their own transportationproblems by using the highways. * * * * * We are always interested in receiving suggestions regarding theoperation of return-load bureaus, or suggested need for such a bureauwhere one is not already to be found. These communications shouldproperly be directed to the highways transport committee of the Statecouncil of defense, or to the Highways Transport Committee, Council ofNational Defense, 944 Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. * * * * *