Positive Proof of Pulling Power.
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charge of each division, to-which is also attached two travelling inspectors, whose business it is to inspect and " set. vice " every 90 days all equipment in their respective territories. From each town visited the inspectors forward to their respective superintendents detailed reports on the condition of each vehicle inspected, including an estimate of the material and labour necessary for any repairs which are deemed necessary. The shop superintendents in turn forward the field reports to the chief motor engineer in the general office at Denver.
The reports from the field aie so complete that they furnish a running history of every motor vehicle, and enable the general-office motor department to ascertain at any time the condition of a particular unit used for soliciting business, or that of a lorry engaged in the distribution of petroleum products. The svstem has been so simplified that only eight forms are used to record all phases of operation from field inspections and shop service to transportation performance and overhead costs, whilst the entire staff of the general-office motor department, including the chief motor engineer, numbers but ten people.
One of the practices of the Continental Oil Co. is to rebuild vehicles at the base shops after they have been subjected to a considerable period of strenuous use. The reports which are constantly being received reveal the mechanical condition and road worthiness of every vehicle,
-whether it be used in remote areas or operates close to the bases, so that thetime when reconstruction is likely to be needed can be fairly accurately ascertained.
The precaution of maintaining " active
relief " units in each division avoids any disruption of service in a locality from which a lorry is removed to a base shop for rebuilding. By this thoroughness of organization the engineering department is able to render 100 per cent, transportation service to the marketing department. It is also in close working relationship with the general-office accounting department.
So sufficient unto itself is the Continental Oil Co.'s motor transport system that only where the work is of a minor character, and the expense of sending a service-man into the field on a special trip prohibitive, is an outside garage or mechanic called upon. Inspectors render service on their regular rounds. For rebuilding, of course, the units are removed to the territorial base shops of the company. These shops, although limited in extent, are well lighted and equipped with modern machine tools and other plant.
The Continental Oil Co. claim that, as the result of systematic organization and proper attention to mechanical condition their vehicles have never failed while on service. One of their White 2-ton units, after four years of mountain climbing, including two years of travelling up and down Pike's Peak, is still doing regular duty as a tank wagon on a route out of Greeley, Colorado. This company now own 106 lorries of the same make. Standardization is essential to the success of such a scheme.