The Laws governing the operation of motor vehicles upon the
public highways of the State of Washington are contained and
summarized in Senate Bill No. 220, Session of 1921 of the
Legislature of the State of Washington. They include the
following provisions governing the operation of motor trucks and
trailers:
(a) Chapter 153 of the laws of 1913 and Chapter 142 of the laws
of 1915 are repealed.
(b) Motor truck vehicles weighing less than 1,500 pounds must pay
an annual license fee of ten dollars ($10.00); Trucks weighing
more than 1,500 pounds and not to exceed 6,500 pounds, ten
dollars ($10.00) plus forty cents per hundredweight for all in
excess of 1,500 pounds and in addition thereto fifty cents per
hundredweight at the rated carrying capacity. Motor trucks
weighing more than 6,500 pounds must pay a license fee of ten
dollars ($10.00) plus fifty cents per hundredweight for all in
excess of 1,500 pounds and in addition thereto fifty cents per
hundredweight at the rated carrying capacity. Trailers =used as
trucks= shall be classified and rated as, and shall pay the same
fees as hereinbefore provided for motor trucks of like weight and
capacity.
(c) No vehicle of four wheels or less whose gross weight with
load is over 24,000 pounds is permitted to operate over or along
a public highway. Any vehicle having a greater weight than 22,400
pounds on one axle, or any vehicle having a combined weight of
800 pounds per inch-width of tire concentrated upon the surface
of the highway (said width of tire in the case of solid rubber
tires to be measured between the flanges of the rim) is also
barred by the provisions of this law, with the following
exception:
PROVIDED, that in special cases vehicles whose weight including
loads whose weight exceeds those herein prescribed, may operate
under special written permits, which must be first obtained and
under such terms and conditions as to time, route, equipment,
speed and otherwise as shall be determined by the director of
licenses if it is desired to use a state highway; the county
commissioners, if it is desired to use a county road; the city or
town council, if it is desired to use a city or town street; from
each of which officer or officers such permit shall be obtained
in the respective cases. Provided, that no motor truck or trailer
shall be driven over or on a public highway with a load exceeding
the licensed capacity.
_Chain Drive._ Trucks equipped with a chain drive should be supplied
with an extra set of chains so that they may be changed and cleaned
every week. To clean the chains, they should be soaked in kerosene which
removes the dirt, grease and gum that has accumulated. By doing this the
life of the chains will be quadrupled. The small amount of time that it
takes will pay.
_Top._ The truck should come equipped with a top over the driver's seat
that is easily detachable. In bad weather the driver should be protected
from the elements, but the top should be removed in good weather as it
is in constant danger of being broken during loading. Many operators
leave the top off entirely and the driver must dress for the weather. A
good demountable top will add to the comfort of the men and often helps
to keep a good man at his job.