Return-Loads Bureaus to Save Waste in Transportation

Amid the turmoil of early 1918, the Council of National Defense turned to America's highways as a lifeline for wartime supply. With railroads choked by munitions, coal shortages, and embargoes, the agency urged states to unleash motor trucks for short‑haul freight, promising faster door‑to‑door deliveries. The opening pages trace how a simple idea—matching empty trucks with waiting cargo—could double efficiency and free rail capacity for the front lines.

Local chambers of commerce became the bridge, creating Return‑Loads Bureaus that acted as clearing houses for shippers and independent haulers. By posting available loads and seeking return freight, a single clerk could coordinate a network that kept trucks rolling and merchants supplied. Early pilots in Connecticut show how the system cut delays, lowered costs, and offered citizens a tangible way to contribute to the national war effort.