Non-Uniform Regulation by States Creates Truck-Building Riddle

BY their lack of uniformity and disregard of scientific and economic fact, legislative restrictions on motor-transport vehicles now in force in the states militate against efficient transportation and thus retard economic recovery. In this indirect way and in several direct ways the same situation presents problems to truck builders. Variations in state requirements necessitate undue diversity of designs, present difficult engineering problems, discourage enterprise, threaten the American system of production and penalize good engineering and sound manufacture.

Although the pertinent facts which should form the basis for equitable legislation of this kind have been determined by the most painstaking scientific research and experiment, under the most responsible auspices and with the endorsement of the highest authorities, and also have been given wide circulation, the states generally seem to have imposed restrictions on motor trucks less for the benefit of the public than to favor selfish interests. Dire results are apt to ensue unless the present oppressive trend of motor-truck legislation is arrested and legislation based upon fact and fairness, uniform as between states, is substituted for the crazy-quilt of present state truck legislation.