330 



manufacture will be in the line of further and greater encroach- 

 ment. 



Let's afield with fancy and picture its progress : 

 The orowth that will come in automobile and motor truck tires 

 has already been forecasted, but the impetus to be given to other 

 established lines does not seem to be appreciated. All will grow 

 greatly. The only obstacles are the increasing cost of labor — 

 which is the most serious — and high prices for fabrics, solvents 

 and ingredients. 



INDIA RUBBER LEATHER. 



In footwear of leather, rubber has already made itself a factor. 



Aside from the cements used in channeling and filling, the 

 rubber heel and sole have displaced quite a percentage of those 

 made of leather. With low^-priced, high-grade rubber, leather in 

 soles for footwear, material for trunks, straps and a score of other 

 uses, including machine belting and harnesses, is sure to give way 

 to its more adaptable rival. As for shoe uppers, leather is used 

 theoretically because of its porosity that allows heated air to 

 escape and absorbs perspiration — this in spite of the fact that the 

 leather is filled with oil and blacked and varnished. It is quite 

 possible that a mixture of fiber and rubber will appear that will 

 be cool, odorless and blackable. 



As for patent leather, it is sure to be sup|)lanted by a smooth, 

 glossy-surfaced rubber product on a cloth backing that will not 

 crack and will be far cheaper than the high-priced leather prod- 

 ucts. This will open a field in footwear, shopping bags, ladies' 

 belts, etc., etc. 



Indeed, wherever leather is used today rubber will soon prove 

 a formidable rival. 



INDIA RUBBER LUMBER. 



Mats, matting and tiling of india rubl)cr are already extensive 

 factors in home, office and factory furnisliing. I'.ut why not fioor- 

 ing of hard or semi-hard rubber? As has been proved in tests 

 of tiling wear, it will outlast stone or wood. It can be made in 

 any color. Certainly at the present price of hardwood flooring, 

 with rubber at 25 cents a pound, it could coni])ete. Nor would 

 it need varnishing, waxing or oiling — simply pt)lishing. It could 

 easily be molded with a semi-hard lower side for nailing and be 

 matched and furnished in stri])s of any length or width. It 

 would be ])ractically fire])roof. and not inllanimable as is varnish- 

 covered wood, and would neither swrll nor shrink, as it would be 

 moisture-proof and vernn'n-])roof. I'Or a white-ant country it 

 would be invalualjle. In cabinet work, hard rubber veneers to 

 imitate ebony, mahogan}-, l)og oak or jiny of the darker woods 



