The telephone company should be asked to list the Return-Loads Bureau
under the title "Return Loads" in the local directory and truck owners
and shippers be notified that by calling "Return Loads" or the telephone
number of the bureau they can learn where a load may be obtained to
carry back to the city from which the truck brought a load or where a
truck can be obtained to carry the goods the shipper desires delivered.
Publicity should be given in all the local newspapers and in those of
neighboring cities of the establishment of the bureau, so that all
interests may immediately begin making use of the facilities afforded.
It will be found that there are two classes of business to be handled by
the bureau--regular and irregular. In many cities there are motor
express lines operating on daily schedule over regular routes and there
are shippers who have regular shipments to make. Having brought these
together once, further service of the bureau will be unnecessary so far
as these particular parties are concerned. Then there are many
companies, firms or individuals that own trucks which they use only in
their own business but which stand idle part of the time or which from
time to time deliver a load in a neighboring city and return home empty.
There are also shippers who have depended on the railroad but in
emergency wish to make a quick shipment. It will be necessary to keep a
daily record of these and cross off the truck or the shipment as soon as
it is learned that the truck has gone back to its home city and is no
longer available or the shipment has been completed.