Decemher 1, 1913.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



131 



that passers-by are tempted to purchase whether they are in imme- 

 diate need or not. On rainy days rain coats are well advertised in 

 the new.spapers, and some of the more enterprising merchants 

 have even gone to the extent of getting out attractive dodgers 

 which they hire small boys to distribute to the "loop" crowds 

 during the noon hour. One dealer recently startled the public 

 and sold out his stock on short notice by installing a shower bath 

 in his window and stationing beneath it his pretty daughter, clad 

 in nothing but one of his latest model raincoats. The police were 

 at last compelled to stop the spectacle, owing to the crowd, which 

 blockaded the street, but not until the dealer had disposed of a 

 stock which had been a white elephant on his hands for several 

 months. 



Thus it will be seen that there are still a few new things under 

 the sun, which thought should give pessimistic rubber men who 

 are trying to figure out new ways of stimulating business in- 

 creased courage and steadfastness of purpose. 



Tlic tire men ought to be interested in the better road system 

 which is in store for outl\ing Chicago districts. Thirteen States, 

 according to the compilation of Dr. E. S. Whitlin, assistant in 

 social legislation in Columbia University and cliairman of the 

 executive committee of the National Committee on Prison Labor, 

 have passed laws during the present year allowing the use o.' 

 convicts in the construction and repair of highways. Illinois is 

 one of the thirteen States. In addition, the Cook county board 

 contemplate the voting of a good round sum to road improve- 

 ment. 



* * * 



Tire men are well represented among the list of new members 

 taken into the Chicago Automobile Club during its recent suc- 

 cessful membership campaign. The object of the club has been 

 to product greater activity in the automobile trade. During the 

 last two years it has successfully promoted the Elgin road races 

 and the interclub reliability tours, and preparations are being 

 made for even a greater scope of activity for next summer. 



Several of the dealers interviewed said that they thouglit busi- 

 ness would improve as soon as some definite legislation was made 

 in the matter of currency reform. Under the present system of 

 procrastination in this regard, with the bankers of the West 

 playing safe until they see what is going to happen, money has 

 become tight at a time when it ought to be easy. This does not 

 affect the rubber dealers themselves directly, but the great con- 

 cerns which they sell are in a way to become embarrassed by this 

 condition, and for that reason are inclined to purchase at this 

 time only what they are compelled to have. There seems to be a 

 lack of confidence in the administration. The new tariff has had 

 but little effect on the local market, as imported goods cut liut a 

 small figure here. 



A. Romain, of the Quaker City Rubber Co., announced tliat his 

 concern had been experiencing a satisfactory trade, witli the 

 single exception of automobile tires. 



The Gutta Percha & Rubber Co. said that business for the past 

 few weeks had been better than usual at this time of the year. 

 The biggest order of the month which went out from the Chicago 

 branch was shipped to the Girard Point Elevator of the Pennsyl- 

 vania Railroad, located at Philadelphia. This order consisted of 

 rubber belting, and totaled more than 9,000 feet, whioli inoUidcd a 

 single belt 1400 feet in length. 



John Mills, manager of The New York Belting & Packing Co., 

 declared that he did not think there was as much mill building 

 this fall as last year, but said that prospects for the spring in this 

 line were shaping up in a most satisfactory manner. He reported 

 that the demand for most of the mechanical rubber lines was 

 good; better, in fact, than for several weeks past. 



F. B. Henderson, of the Mechanical Rublier Co., stopped dic- 

 tating a letter long enough to announce that he had been in the 



game twenty-five years, and had come to believe that the periods 

 of dullness in the rubber business were never of long duration. 



"For that reason," he said, "I predict that the present slack 

 period will soon end, possibly before and certainly after the first 

 of the year. In the rubber business it has been my experience 

 that there are never any periods of hilarious prosperity or dis- 

 astrous slackness. The trade has a pretty even tone, with few 

 fluctuations one way or the other. Of course, certain lines may 

 experience sudden heavy demand or sudden dearth, but I speak 

 of the rubber business in the aggregate." 



According to Mr. George G. Bryant, general manager of the 

 Chicago Rubber Clothing Co., the season is proving extraordinar- 

 ily good. 



The Reinsburg Auto Tire & Supply Co., dealers for years in 

 new and used tires, has opened up a new line. This is now the 

 only company in the United States, outside of the factories, that 

 repairs solid tires for electrics. Previously, all tires had to go 

 back to the factory for repair. Heretofore there has always 

 been a certain reluctance about establishing this as an inde- 

 pendent business. A full line of new machinery is demanded, 

 and it was felt that factory competition would be too strong. On 

 the contrary. Mr. Reinsburg reports many orders from the 

 branches of large tire manufactories, which find it a more profit- 

 able and time-saving process to have their repairing done in 

 Cliicago. 



For twelve years the W. F. Salisbury Co. has represented the 

 Electric Hose & Rubber Co. of Bloomington, Delaware; but 

 recently a radical change has been made. The Salisbury Co. is 

 now manufacturing a new line of hose of its own brand, an un- 

 dertaking which is proving a great success. 



Mr. J. E. Duffy, manager of the Thermoid Rubber Co., has 

 just returned from a business trip to Denver. 



Mr. R. B. Tracy, Western manager for the Michelin Tire Co., 

 is now on a business trip in Minneapolis in the interests of the 

 firm. 



The Empire Rubber & Tire Co., 1305 South Michigan avenue, 

 will occupy its new addition at 1627 South Michigan avenue, about 

 the middle of November. 



The .^uto Tire Brokerage Co. reports a rushing mail order 

 business. The first of December, the manager, Mr. F. W. Potts, 

 will leave for a two months' pleasure trip in California. 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN RHODE ISLAND. 



By a Resideiil Corrcslyoiident. 

 ■"PIIE rubber factories throughout this State continue to be 

 ■'■ operated at capacity, and at several of the plants new- 

 buildings or additions have recently been con.structed. From all 

 sections it is reported that present shipments are greatly in ex- 

 cess of all previous movements. Generally speaking, there has 

 been no diminution in the number and size of orders received, 

 and to meet the demand several of the plants have recently 

 started additional machinery on the night shifts. 



* * * 



Factories that produce boots, shoes and other footwear are 

 still enjoying the busiest season that they have experienced for 

 several years, according to the reports, and there is apparently no 

 prospect of immediate slacking. Factories that are making tires 

 and other rubber fittings and accessories for automobiles are 

 likewise running to their fullest capacity with accumulating 



orders ahead. 



* * * 



The close association between the affairs of the Walpole Tire 

 & Rubber Co., Consumers' Rubber Co., and the suspended At- 

 lantic National Bank of this city is responsible for the keen 

 interest that is manifested in business circles here in anything 

 that pertains to either of the three. The proceedings of the 

 Federal Grand Jury in indicting the former president of the 



