may have been a non-officer PD dept chauffeur (see gloves w/ gauntlets).

If you grew up in the '80s like me you'd also know about REO Speedwagon, the band, which was extremely successful in that decade. The band took the name after one of its founding members studied these trucks in transportation history class at the University of Illinois. However, the band pronounced it R-E-O, pronouncing each individual letter, but supposedly the motor company pronounced it as a word, as in Rio de Janiero.

[The letters are the initials of company founder Ransom Eli Olds, who also lent his name to the Oldsmobile. - Dave]

It's interesting to note how tire technology has changed - especially in terms of durability. While most people today have never had a flat tire it appears that at least one of these virtually new trucks has already had to have a tire replaced. The front truck has a mis-matched right front tire and no spare in the brackets, so my guess is a flat on the way to the station.

"Fixin' a flat, Sarge."

Only three months old, and already #594 is running on the spare. They didn't make 'em like they used to, even in 1921-1922. Or else, that was the tire used to get dogs to run after the vehicle, what with the doggie-bone pattern and all.

With those solid front axles and leaf springs I'll bet those Speed Wagons rode like a truck.

It looks like the "missing" spare tire is already in use. #594 is sporting odd socks in that the form of two front tires that don't match.

Not sure what the fellow next to wagon 595 does that is different from his three other colleagues, but they get two rows of buttons while he gets one. He also gets a different insignia on his hat.

If anyone can Guess the number on the license plate of the third REO, he or she may choose any prize from the lower shelf.

One of the interesting features of the REO truck was the gas tank mounted in front of the driver inside the cab. The round tank can be seen in the second and third trucks.

The Trew Motor Company started out as Smith-Trew in 1913, by 1920 the name had changed and was incorporated with this name in 1927. President was Joseph Billingsly Trew (1888 - 1965), VP was Wilmont Washington Trew (1880 - 1936), and James Thomas Trew (1890 - 1922) was secretary. The company became a REO distributor in 1913, and it also sold Oakland and Peerless cars.

The company started erecting the building behind the trucks in 1919 at 14th and P Streets NW, and it cost $150,000 to build. Completed in 1920, it is now occupied by The Studio Theatre on the first floor and offices and classrooms on the other two floors. The building is part of the Greater 14th Street Historical District.

The city accepted the higher bid. That's unheard of today.

Wonder what the braces on the side of the car were for.

[Tire holder. -Dave]

Trew Motors was located at 14th and P Sts. NW in a building erected in 1919/1920. The building remains and is now part of The Studio Theater.

---

Washington Post, November 4, 1921.

Three New Patrol Wagons

Bids Received and Purchase Will Be Made by City Soon.

Three new patrol wagons for the police department will be bought by the city government within a few days. Marion Hargrove, purchasing officer for the District, yesterday received bids from the Commercial Garage and the Trew Motor Company. The Commercial Garage bid was $4,747.50 for three wagons of Republic make, and the Trew Motor Company’s bid was $4,998 for three REOs.

Did the Trew Motor Co. order a cross over their doorway or did they occupy a building originally built for a Christian organization?

[That's a T, not a cross. -Dave]

Car 594 looks to have had a blowout on the front right tire. Tread pattern is different from all the others we can see in photo.

It also looks much cleaner on sidewalls so it must have been very recent considering driving conditions.

The other tread patterns looks better for street use in my opinion.

I am a retired LEO and my last question is how in the world did these officers EVER get their weapons out with a button down jacket to have to "unbutton" first.

And one more question please, wonder why the badge difference and button difference in the coats/hats of these fine officers ?