262 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[May 



1902. 



A BELGIAN VIEW OF RUBBER PRICES. 



NEW TRADE PUBLICATIONS. 



FROM " LA GAZETTE COLONIALk" (BRUSSELS.) 



IT is a generally accepted opinion that a growing increase in 

 the production o( Caoutchouc necessarily means a con- 

 stant decrease in the market value of the product. In a recent 

 article [February 23, 1902] we have shown that the Congo, 

 owing to its incalculable and inexhaustible natural riches, as 

 well as to the means taken to assure not only the preservation 

 but the extension of these riches, constitutes truly the last re- 

 serve stock of Caoutchouc from which, in the future, the world's 

 supply will come. 



The question may be raised whether a great increase in the 

 crop would not cause, in a short time, a depreciation in price, 

 considerable enough to seriously afTect the position of the nu- 

 merous enterprises which are engaged in this manufacture. 

 There is no ground for alarm in this, for the production, how- 

 ever great, will always be below the demand ; it is the ancient 

 law of demand and supply. Looking back on the era of high 

 prices obtained for Caoutchouc, it is interesting to note that, 

 during this exceptionally advantageous period for the pro- 

 ducers, not only did the existing manufacturers of Caoutchouc 

 maintain their degree of activity, but that new establishments 

 were created, while old ones made important extensions. 



Considering now how the industry will be affected by a period 

 of at least a year of prices less advantageous for the producers- 

 it is no less interesting to note that the belief in a continuation 

 of this prosperity of the Caoutchouc industry is not based upon 

 the diminution of the price attained for certain kinds of Caout, 

 chouc, and this is because the diminution is relatively small. 

 In fact, slight fluctuations in the way of advance and decline 

 have no influence on the situation of the industry taken as a 

 whole. 



These considerations, which are the substance of an article 

 published by that very competent review The India Rubber 

 World, of New York, establish the fact that if a sufficiently 

 important decline should take place, the demand for Caout- 

 chouc would increase immediately to a degree which the larger 

 production could not keep up with ; but, as the before men- 

 tioned review very justly remarks, products of such general use 

 and indispensable character as Caoutchouc are always high in 

 price, and the fluctuations which affect the market lor this ar- 

 ticle, and which are often the result of local circumstances, 

 should not cause any fear of a decline which could injure, even 

 at a distance, the standing of the capital involved in the gath- 

 ering of this precious gum. And, supposing that an important 

 decline were possible, an enormous recrudescence of the de- 

 mand, called forth by an immediate extension of the industrial 

 uses of the product, would not fail to reestablish the equilib- 

 rium, only momentarily affected. 



It may be remarked on the other hand, that a decline of the 

 price resulting from a depreciation of the quality of the Caout- 

 chouc need not be apprehended. All the working companies 

 make it a point to teach the black workmen rational processes 

 of harvesting, the practical application of which will gradually 

 have the effect of putting purer gum on the market, which will 

 be less pitchy, and of a texture constantly improving in tensile 

 strength and flexibility. The exploitation of Caoutchouc, far 

 from being on the decline, as some seem to think, is at its dawn, 

 and a vast future is in store for it. 



■\ T EW JERSEY Car Spring and Rubber Co. (Jersey 

 ^ ^ City) have issued a new illustrated price catalogue of 

 their Vulcanized Rubber Goods. This company was incorpo- 

 rated in 1858, since which time not only have the facilities of 

 the factory been extended continually, but the character of the 

 products has at all times been kept in conformity with the de- 

 mands of the most progressive elements of the trade. Not a 

 few of the items listed in this book are manufactured under 

 patents owned by the company, and each new issue of their 

 catalogue embraces something new. [4"X6^". 118 pages.] 



Thk Republic Rubber Co. (Youngstown, Ohio) present as 

 their first substantial trade publication an illustrated catalogue 

 of Mechanical Rubber Goods that, in size, variety of goods listed, 

 and in general interest of its contents, compares favorably with 

 the lists issued by any of the older and larger companies. 

 With regard to typographical effect, and particularly the char- 

 acter of the half tone illustrations, this catalogue is really in 

 advance of any other that has appeared in the mechanical 

 goods trade. It is in good taste, however, without resort to 

 color printing or striving after ornate effect. There are 202 

 items illustrated, under serial numbers. Prices are given, to- 

 gether with much information of assistance to customers in 

 placing orders, as well as in using and caring for the goods when 

 purchased. The list covers belting, packing, gaskets, hose, 

 mats, matting, tires, tiling, rolls, soling, valves, washers, stair 

 treads, jar rings, asbestos goods, grain drill tubes, and a long 

 list of specialties. The catalogue is distributed to the Eastern 

 trade from the New York branch, No. 47 Warren street. 

 6' X 9". 120 pages.] 



The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. (Akron, Ohio) have 

 issued, under the title " Tire Talk, "a neat pamphlet descriptive 

 of their " Wing " solid tires, cushion, and detachable and punc- 

 ture proof vehicle tires. [4^''X7X"- 8 pages.] 



Granby Rubber Co.— The Ames, Holden Co., Limited, sole 

 agents (Montreal, Quebec), send us their illustrated catalogue 

 of Rubber Boots and Shoes, with the prices which went into 

 effect April 10. [3'A"'X-SW- 64 pages.] 



The Berlin Rubber Manufacturing Co., Limited (Ber- 

 lin, Ontario), send us their illustrated catalogue and price list 

 of Berlin Rubbers, dated April 11. Their goods are offered at 

 30 per cent, discount until July 31, 1902, and at 2505 per cent, 

 from that date until February 28 next. [3>i"X5K^". 64 pages.] 



ALSO RECEIVED. 



Marinette Iron Works Manufacturing Co., Marinette, Wisconsin = 

 [Circular describing] Prescotl Hose Reel. 



Stroud Cushion Pad Co., Worcester, Massachusetts= Stroud Cushion 

 Pad [Horse] Shoe. S pp. 



Calumet Tire Rubber Co., Chicago=Calumet' Rubber Horseshoe 

 Pads. 6 pp. 



Wirt & Knox Manufacturing Co., Philadelphia=Wirts Patent Tubu- 

 lar All Metal Hose Reels. 12 pp. 



B. F. Sturtevant Co., Boston = Catalogue No. 119. The Sturtevant 

 Exhaust Heads and Steam Traps. 8 pages. 



The Mason Regulator Co., Boston. =The Mason Automobile Engine 

 ud Automobile Appliances. 37 pages. 



Among uses of Gutta-percha mentioned by Henry A. Reed 

 in the New York Times, is that in electrotyping, to get im- 

 pressions for duplicating, and by the United States government 

 for gun impressions in gun testing. 



The Tehuantepec Rubber Culture Co. have placed on the 

 river Trinidad, for facilitating their development work, a 

 naphtha launch which the Mexican Journal of Commerce At- 

 scribes as the finest on that river. It is 500 feet long, and is 

 finished In luxurious style. It has proved very serviceable, not 

 only for its original purposes, but in towing barges and canoes 

 to the plantation. 



