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THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[March 1, 1913. 



AN EXHIBIT OF MUD-GUARDS. 



Among the new applications of rubber to purposes connected 

 with the automobile, there is to be noted the mud-guard ; for 

 which, in my opinion, there is a certain prospect of development. 



On November 2 and 3 last, a mud-guard competition took 

 place at Versailles, on which occasion the indisputable efficiency 

 of circular rubber mud-guards was recognized. 



With the extraordinary development in the large cities of auto- 

 mobiles and heavy autobusscs, pedestrians to a distance of IS or 

 18 feet and more are liberally sprinkled with mud. It is, more- 

 over, nothing rare in narrow streets, to see it reach the first 

 floor of stores. Under these circumstances, it is to be anticipated 

 that police regulations will render compulsory the use of mud- 

 guards by all automobilists in large cities. 



Rubber manufacturers should not fail to give attention to this 

 movement. Mud-guards cannot be of metal; and rubber must 

 be used in order, to obtain a combination of flexibility with effi- 

 ciency. The researches of inventors have led to the introduction 

 of circular rubber mud-guards, w-hich form exhibits of interest; 

 two models, the "Menu" and the "L'Eclair" calling for special 

 notice. 



The "Menu" mud-guard is composed of a hoop of rubber or 

 of rubberized fabric, of a diameter corresponding with the wheel 

 and placed parallel to it, at a distance of an inch or two. The 

 mud-guard is fixed to the rim by means of catches; the rubber 

 hoop being kept in position by a sectioned false rim, which in- 

 sures the mud-guard preserving its rigidity in the event of its 

 striking against the pavement. This style of mud-guard forms 

 a screen in front of the wheel throughout its whole extent, by 

 which means the splashing of mud is prevented. 



The "L'Eclair" mud-guard is formed by a kind of rubberized 

 fabric, fixed on the outside of the tire; this shield being kept 

 in place by four elastic stretchers made of rubber, which pass 

 behind the spokes, and by reason of their elasticity, allow of the 

 displacement of the mud-guard in all directions. The stretchers 

 are covered with a figured fabric in shades which harmonize 

 with the color of the wheels. The metal hoop which holds the 

 rubber hoop, is round in the portion resting on the tire, in order 

 to prevent the rubber from wearing at the point of friction, while 

 it is fiat on the exterior side, so as to protect the rubber hoop 

 against collisions with the edge of the pavement. It is placed 

 against the side of the pneumatic tire; the shield being fixed in 

 its groove by means of a rod. Owing to the rubber attachments, 

 this mud-guard is ver>' flexible. It prevents lateral splashing, and 

 is easily fitted and unfitted ; while the automobiles to which it is 

 applied retain their ordinary aesthetic appearance, without being 

 made too heavy. 



As mud-guards appear on this occasion for the first time at an 

 automobile exposition, I have thought it advisable to deal with 

 them in detail. They will doubtless be used in the large cities in 

 a number of instances, and it is possible that their employment 

 may become compulsory with certain classes of vehicles. Rubber 

 manufacturers are interested in the question, for all the tests 

 hitherto made lead to the conclusion that circular rubber mud- 

 guards solve the problem of preventing lateral splashing. 



THE JAPANESE RUBBER INDUSTRY DURING 1912. 



NEW FRANCO-AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE FACTORY. 



Benjamin Briscoe, former president of the United States 

 Motor Co., is reported to have established an automobile factory 

 at Billancourt, France, with a staff of French and American en- 

 gineers and designers. Interest attaches to the fact that this is 

 the first American automobile plant to be established in France. 



In addition to manufacturing in France, the new company 

 will, it is understood, assemble in England parts made in De- 

 troit. Operations at the latter point will probably be under the 

 management of Mr. Briscoe, who is about to return to that city, 

 to supervise the erection of a factory, with a special view to the 

 American trade. 



pARLY in 1912, the Sugii Rubber Works of Tokio, the Tiger 

 •'—' Rubber Works of Osaka and the Osaka Rubber Works, 

 were established. 



Other works established in 1912 included : Kobe Rubber 

 Works, Kobe ; by English experts, for making tires and tubings. 

 Kumano Rubber Works, Osaka ; all lines of rubber manufac- 

 tures. Kusumoto Rubber Works, Honjo, Tokio; fibrous rubber 

 and waterproof silk fabrics. Setton Rubber Co., Ltd., Hyogo ; 

 capital, $50,000; for manufacturing tires. Saskane Leather Belt 

 & Rubber Co., Ltd., Osaka; capital, $500,000, one-fourth paid in; 

 the available funds to be used for purchasing the rights and 

 plant of the Sakane Belt Factory, and for establishing the manu- 

 facture of rubber tires and hose. Kanto Rubber Waterproof Co., 

 capital, $100,000; to manufacture waterproof goods. Kume 

 Rubber Manufactory, Tokio ; to produce all lines of rubber goods. 



\'arious small concerns were established at Tokio, principally 

 for the manufacture of "Tabi" soles. 



The Yokohama Electric Wire Works, Ltd., have rebuilt the 

 shops burnt in February, 1912, but the inside mechanical installa- 

 tion is not yet completed. The Osaka branch works have been 

 moved to Hyogo. 



A change was made during the year in the management of the 

 Asia Rubber Co., Ltd., Tokio, Mr. Masakuni Yamada becoming 

 general director in place of Mr. Masao Watanabe. The Tiger 

 Rubber Works. Osaka, changed its name to the Hosono Rubber 

 Works, Mr. G. Hosono having become proprietor. It manu- 

 factures all descriptions of tires, as well as heels and other rub- 

 ber goods. 



One-half of the plant of the Fujikura Electric Wire & Rubber 

 Co.. Ltd., burnt in May. 1911, has been rebuilt; while the Nippon 

 Rubber Co., Ltd., which likewise sufifered from fire at the same 

 time, has replaced all its buildings, removing its headquarters to 

 larger premises in Tokio. The plant of the Osaka Rubber Works, 

 established in January, 1912, was subsequently acquired by the 

 Kansai Rubber Works of Osaka.. 



Sumitomo Electric Wire Works, of Osaka, purchased an ex- 

 tensive site for the erection of their new additional factory 

 buildings. 



FIBROUS RUBBER. 

 This material, for the manufacture of which the Kusumoto 

 Rubber Works, of Tokio, was established, is composed of crude 

 rubber, powdered cork (for decreasing weight) and wool or some 

 fibrous compound. Fibrous rubber resembles any other rubber 

 in appearance, but on being handled its lightness becomes appar- 

 ent. It is specially advantageous for tires, being light, durable 

 and sustaining friction without heating. 



FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO A RUBBER FACTORY. 

 On May 15, 1912, Baron Makimo, Minister of Agriculture and 

 Commerce, paid an official visit to the Meiji Rubber Works, 

 Tokio, accompanied by several experts. This is the first recorded 

 instance of such a visit. 



JAPANESE CRUDE RUBBER IMPORTS. 

 Although it is known that Japanese imports of crude rubber 

 increased during 1912. the exact figures are not yet available. 

 Meanwhile, the following summarj* will give an idea of the prin- 

 cipal sources : 



Imported from Descriptions 



SiNG.APORE- Borneo ; India ; Plantation Para sheet, biscuit and 



crepe ; Jelutong. 

 Ceylon Plantation Para sheet, biscuit and crepe. 

 America Upriver fine Para; Islands fine Para; Bolivian fine; 



Guayule; Balata sheet. 

 Africa Gold Coast lump ; Mozambique. 



London Upriver fine Para ; Rubber paste. 



