Fepruary 1, 1913.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



255 



in order to supply the needs of those who were affected by the 

 flood. This enterprise on the part of this company merited high 

 praise from those who were obliged to equip themselves with 

 necessary clothing to combat the flood to save their property. 



* * * 



The L. & M. Rubber Co., of Carrollton, Ohio, filed notice with 

 the Secretary of State that it had increased its capital stock 

 from $130,000 to $500,000. 



* * * 



R. J. Firestone, general manager of the Firestone Tire and 

 Rubber Co., recently spent several days in this city looking over 

 the new branch opened by the company in this city. M. E. 

 Palmer, traveling auditor of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Co., 

 is spending several weeks here assisting in the arrangement of 

 the ofiice of the new branch of the company which was opened 

 the first of the year. 



This company has selected generous quarters for a direct fac- 

 tory branch in this city. The new branch is located at Ninth 

 and Sycamore streets. It will look after the business of the 

 company in Southern Ohio, Southern Indiana, Kentucky, West 

 Virginia and Tennessee and is in charge of E. S. Firestone. 

 The company in its new branch has a floor space of 5,000 square 

 feet. A section of this space is given over to a modern-equipped 

 office, while another section is devoted to a fully equipped shop. 

 The balance of the space is used in carrying stock, which is said 

 to be the largest stock of rubber tires and rubber accessories 

 carried by any local branch house. The operation of a shop in 

 connection with tlie branch is a distinct feature in this city and 

 bids to be a popular move on the part of the company, as it is 

 arranged so that automobiles can be run into the shop and tires 

 and rims attached without the necessity of owners taking them 

 to repair shops. 



''The outlook for the automobile industry was never so bright 

 as it is right now,'' said Mr. E. S. Firestone. "Cincinnati is 

 one of the best cities in the country for a branch and we intend 

 carrying a $150,000 stock of tires with other accessories." 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN RHODE ISLAND. 



(By a Resident Conespoiident.) 



A NOTICEABLE slacking up in some branches of the rubber 

 ** trade in Rhode Island developed during the early part of 

 this month. The all-night force in the wire department of the 

 National India Rubber Co.'s plant was discontinued, and the Con- 

 sumers Rubber Co.'s plant was closed recently for a week to 

 permit the making of repairs anl numerous improvements. 



Manager Le Baron C. Colt, of the former plant, stated that 

 as soon as inventory-taking was finished work would be rushed 

 in the wire plant. He said he expected increased demands for 

 the product. "The fact that there are no wire working forces 

 in the open during the winter weather in the northern states 

 cuts ofT much of the business," he said. "Later the lack of or- 

 ders from northern business men will be counterbalanced by 

 the extension of wires in tropical countries." 



Although 300 men were let go from the night shift, the day 

 force was kept busy. 



* * * . 



Col. Samuel P. Colt was reelected chairman of the board of 

 directors of the Industrial Trust Co.,. one of the largest banking 

 institutions in Rhode Island, at the annual meeting of stock- 

 holders, held January 21. The meeting was the second anni- 

 versary of the fight which he had in 1911, in trying to regain 

 control of the institution. 



* * * 



L'nitcd States Circuit Court Judge LeBaron B. Colt was elected 

 United States Senator by the Rhode Island Legislature on Janu- 

 ary 21. His selection was a foregone conclusion several weeks 

 before. The vote in the Senate was 32 — 5 in his favor, and in 

 the House 56 — 37 — 7. In the Senate he had one opponent, and 



in the House two. His term will begin March 4. He succeeds 

 George Peabody Wetniore. Judge Colt is a brother of Samuel P. 

 Colt. He was born in Dedham, Massachusetts, June 25, 1846, 

 and has been a Federal judge for more than 30 years. 



* * * 



Agent LeBaron C. Colt, of the National India Rubber Co., 

 was the recipient of a handsome Davenport couch Christmas. It 

 was a present from the heads of the selling departments. 

 James W. Franklin, superintendent of the shoe and arctic depart- 

 ments, was given a book case by his foremen and clerks. 



* * * 



The Consumers' Rubber Co., at Bristol, has resumed the work 

 of manufacturing insulated wire. In November the work of 

 getting the old departments at the factory on Wood street ready 

 for use was begun. This was formerly an important part of 

 the product of this concern, and it is expected that it will be 

 made so again by the people who are now in control. This 

 company has also started to make its own cardboard packing 

 boxes, instead of letting contracts for the work. The industry 

 is being operated on a small scale at present, but plans are 

 under way for its enlargement. 



* * * 



After exhaustive examinations, conducted by experts, because 

 of complaints from people in West Barrington, the International 

 Rubber Co. in that town is making a vigorous effort to prevent 

 unpleasant odors from issuing from its plant. A filtration plant 

 for the dyeing waters is to be installed, and a drain pipe is to 

 be laid across Park avenue to connect with another drain pipe 

 which leads to the shores of Narragansett bay a quarter of a 

 mile to the westward. Other improvements are being installed 

 by this concern. A 350-horse power steam engine is being put 

 in as a substitute for a 75 horse power machine which has been 

 furnishing power for a part of the plant. 



* * * 



Arthur L. Kelley, president of the Mechanical Fabric Co., who 

 is also head of the Narragansett Electric Lighting Co., is making 

 a strong fight to retain the exclusive right of that company to 

 furnish power and light in Providence. A hydro-electric con- 

 cern is seeking a franchise in the city. Recently the following 

 rubber companies petitioned the City Council to accept an offer 

 of lower rates made by the Narragansett Co. : Mechanical Fabric 

 Co., Revere Rubber Co., Improved Seamless Wire Co., and Glen- 

 dale Elastic Fabrics Co. 



* * * 



Because of the rapid increase in its business the Davol Rub- 

 ber Co., has started the construction of a big addition to its 

 plant at the corner of Point and Eddy streets. Providence. The 

 new structure, which is to be 281 ft. x 50 ft., is to be of brick 

 and steel. It will cost $60,000, and will be located on the Eddy 

 street side of the plant, where a long row of cottages was razed 

 several months ago to make room for street-widening. The 

 building will be three stories high. Work has been started, and, 

 because of the open weather, much progress has been made in 

 putting in the concrete foundations. The building will prob- 

 ably be completed during the late spring. 



Charles J. Davol, president and treasurer of the Davol Rub- 

 ber Co., was elected to the directorate of the Homeopathic Hos- 

 pital at the annual meeting, held January IS. 



* * * 



Tlie Revere Rubber Co. closed the year 1912 doing a tre- 

 mendous business. In addition to a variety of lines this con- 

 cern is the Providence branch of the United States Tire Co. 

 For a long time it has been operating 24 hours a day and has 

 been increasing the number of employes as fast as capable men 

 could be obtained. Many additions and changes have been 

 made to the property, and at present the power plant is being 

 improved. A new boiler room is being put up. It is on the 

 Valley street side of the plant. 



