244 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[February 1, 1914. 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN AKRON. 



By a Resident Correspondent. 



THE Workmen's Compensation Act, as made compulsory by 

 the Legislature of Ohio in 1913, is followed strictly by all 

 the rubber companies in Akron, for the mutual benefit of the em- 

 ployer and the employe— especially the latter. Part of the em- 

 ployes' wages, a certain fund assessed upon the employer and 

 a certain amount given by the State— which comes chiefly out 

 of the amount collected by the State insurance department- 

 constitute the fund from which compensation is paid for injuries 

 and death. The maximum amount that will be paid in case of 

 death is about $3,000. The weekly benefits are one-half to two- 

 thirds of the employe's wages— in no case exceeding $12 per 

 week 



The commission that has the assessment in charge has made 

 some very peculiar findings, holding most employes in reclaimmg 

 plants at practically twice what the regular rubber worker is 

 charged, altho the amount of danger in the various cases may 

 be almost identical. This no doubt will be remedied after the 

 Commission has secured more information and can use the ex- 

 perience of similar departments in other States in making an 

 actuary's table which is fair, complete and based wholly upon 

 experience. The writer suggests that if this Commission would 

 nvestigate thoroughly the results as found by the German gov- 

 lernment under their compensation act it might be of much 

 help in ascertaining the rate of risk which should be collected 

 from each employer. The writer also suggests that the law 

 should be amended so that the employer would not be Hable in 

 certain cases under the compulsory law and also liable to a 

 separate suit instituted by the injured, and in other cases leav- 

 ing it to the injured workman's option whether he cares to take 

 under the State compensation law or sue separately, thus com- 

 pelling the manufacturer not only to carry in.surance for em- 

 ployes with the State, but also to carry a separate insurance in 



outside companies. 



* * * 



The first annual stockholders' meeting of the Mohawk Rub- 

 ber Co., incorporated in March, 1913, was held January 19 at 

 its office in East Akron, with about 35 present. The company 

 has made remarkable progress during its short career. It pur- 

 chased the plant and all holdings of the Stein Rubber Co., and 

 is now reported as having total assets of $448,891 ; $35,670 in 

 real estate and buildings, $67,228 in machinery and plant. $48,100 

 stock on hand, $20,198 bills receivable, $46,302 accounts receiv- 

 able and $4,890 cash on hand. 



Outside of the $350,000, capital stock there are very few lia- 

 bilities, and these consist of bills due for merchandise, machinerj\ 

 borrowed money, etc., amounting to $45,990. The surplus and 

 undivided profits amount to $52,899. This financial report is 

 for November 1 last. The company's sales to November 1 

 amounted to $184,877. 



The time of the annual meeting was changed to February. The 

 following directors were elected: R. M. Pillmore. C. D. Paxson 

 (who is general sales manager of the Crescent Motor Car Co. 

 of Cincinnati). M. E. Mason (former Morgan & Wright and 

 United States Tire Co. district manager). C. W. McLaughlin 

 (former assistant ca.shier of the Diamond Rubber Co.), J. K. 

 Williams, F. J. Mishler, S. S. Miller (general manager of the 

 company and former head of the Buckeye Rubber Co.) and 

 Homer L. Rose (cashier of the Commercial & Savings Bank of 

 Canton). 



Mr. Pillmore was re-elected president. M. E. Mason, secretary, 

 and C. W. McLaughlin, treasurer. The company will add a 

 story to two wings of the plant and increase its working force 



this year. 



* * * 



A test race to determine whether the speed possibilities of 

 the flying machine have equaled or surpassed those of the auto- 

 mobile was held January 21 at Los Angeles, California, between 



Barney Oldfield, who holds a mile record of :36 2-5, and Lincoln 

 Beachey, who skimmed through the air over that distance in :36 

 flat. This race resulted in victory for Oldfield. This is not the 

 first race of the kind ever held, but is the first between two 

 such speed masters, and is a severe test of air and land crafts. 

 * * * 



Alexander Chatelain, one of the pioneer mold and die sinkers 

 of the Akron rubber industry, has organized The Chatelain 

 Mfg. Co., located at the corner of South High and South streets, 

 Akron, for the manufacture of all lines of rubber molds and 

 dies. G. H. Stanton is vice-president and assistant manager, and 

 W. H, Morgan is secretary and treasurer. 



The State of Ohio has passed legislation by which in a few 

 years the highways will be paved connecting the 88 county 

 seats of the State. This will cost millions of dollars and will 

 be a great boon for the various rubber factories of the State. 

 It will add approximately 4,000 to 5,000 miles of improved paved 

 roads. This improvement comes under the control and direction 

 of the State Highway Commission. 



* * * 



With the exception of one or two rubber plants, the Akron 

 factories during the last two months have not been running full 

 force, but to protect and retain their help they have retained 

 most of their employes and have either cut down the number of 

 hours per day or the number of days per week for each. The 

 various companies expect to be running full time in the near 



future. 



* * * 



Mr. C. B. Myers has resigned as general manager of The 

 Swinehart Tire & Rubber Co. His successor will be chosen 



The plans of The Buckeye Rubber Co. for three new build- 

 ings are almost completed and work will be begun as soon as the 

 weather permits. 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN CHICAGO. 



By a Resident Correspondent. 



FOR the past month Chicago's interest has been centered in 

 the automobile trade. The annual Automobile Show, held 

 January 24-31, at the Coliseum and the First Regiment Armory, 

 excelled all its predecessors. The large attendance, was, without 

 doubt, due to the boom in the automobile industry during the 

 last year. Eighty-one gasolene cars, nine electric automobiles 

 and one hundred and sixty accessories were exhibited, in addi- 

 tion to a number of cyclecars. Among the exhibitions this year 

 were many striking and novel ideas in construction. According 

 to experts, a great advance has been made in body and motor 

 improvement, all tending toward comfort and protection. 



In addition to Chicago automobile owners, show visitors in- 

 cluded several thousand out-of-town dealers in motor cars and 

 accessories. Altho some of the large tire manufacturers were 

 finely represented, others w'ere conspicuous for their absence. 

 This withdrawal is a new experiment, and if it in no way affects 

 the trade, w'ill continue. 



In looking over the assets and liabilities of different branches 

 of the Chicago rubber industry for the year 1913. our attention 

 is drawn to the immense increase in the rubber mail order busi- 

 ness. Dealers have always regarded the mail order concern as 

 an outcast, but it has now become a competitor which cannot 

 be overlooked. Chicago is the ,best representative of this busi- 

 ness, for it is the home of the two largest mail order houses in 

 the world, viz. : Scars. Roebuck & Co. and Montgomery Ward 

 & Co. 



Five years ago the rubber business of the larger of the two, 



