Nevertheless it seems probable that new methods of operating the motor truck transport, and possibly new types of trucks or trucks and trailers will be developed so that freight traffic over many roads will be of considerable tonnage and an established part of the transportation system of the nation. In the article above referred to are given the following data relative to the cost of hauling on improved roads by motor truck and these cost estimates are based on the best information available at this time. They should be considered as approximate only, but serve to indicate the limitations of the truck as a competitor of the steam railway. TABLE 1 TRUCK OPERATION COSTS, FROM REPORTS BY SIX MOTOR TRUCK OPERATORS, DIRECT CHARGES PER DAY +---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+----------- | A | B | C | D | E | F | Average | | | | | | | Total +---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+----------- Driver | $5.00 | $5.20 | $5.00 | $5.00 | $5.17 | $5.50 | $5.13 Tires | 3.00 | 3.75 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 3.00 | 2.68 Oil, etc. | .30 | ... | .30 | .50 | .25 | .25 | .35 Gasoline | 3.00 | 4.00 | 3.50 | 4.65 | 2.08 | 3.75 | 3.50 | | | | | | | ------ | | | | | | | $11.66 +---------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+-------+----------- INDIRECT CHARGES PER DAY -------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------------ | | | | | | | Average | A | B | C | D E | F | Total -------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------------ Depreciation | $3.50| $4.19| $3.60| $3.40| $3.67| $4.00| $3.77 Interest | 1.20| 1.26| 1.08| 1.22| 1.10| 1.00| 1.15 Insurance | 1.50| 2.54| 1.26| 2.10| .86| .50| 1.47 Garage | 1.00| 1.20| 1.00| 1.00| .89| 1.00| 1.01 Maintenance | .50| ...| .50| ...| 1.00| ...| .75 Overhaul | 1.33| 2.75| 1.80| 1.60| 2.00| 3.00| 2.07 License | .17| .27| .20| .20| .20| .20| .20 Body upkeep | .25| ...| .30| .10| .40| ...| .27 | | | | | | | ---- | | | | | | | $10.69 Supervision | .50| 2.93| 2.05| 1.90| ... | ... | 1.90 1.90 Lost time | 2.20| ... | 1.67| 3.40| 2.50| 1.97| 2.57 2.57 | -----| -----| -----| -----| -----| -----| ----------- | 23.45| 28.09| 24.26| 28.07| 22.12| 24.17| 26.82 -------------+------+------+------+------+------+------+------------ TABLE 2