216 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[February, 1, 1912 



Para rubber ; because there is r.o definition, no law, no stand- 

 ardisation of kinds, names, qualities, or really defined cus- 

 toms or descriptions. These hundred and fifty-seven varie- 

 ties of Para rubber from the various islands and rivers of 

 Brazil and countries of South America — not to mention the 

 numberless kinds of plantation rubber masquerading under 

 the name of Para, coagulated and adulterated in such in- 

 genious ignorance — should make us "stop, look, listen." and 

 consider if it is not possible in some way to standardize or 

 classify the varieties, if we only went so far as to prnpcrly name 

 them so as to enable the dealer to properly rciircsent, sell and 

 deliver, and the manufacturer to properly use. manufacture and 

 distribute his manufactured goods, so that gatherer, dealer, manu- 

 facturer and the public shall gain through the integrity of the 

 standardized crude. 



Let us consider four agents used for coagulating so-called 

 plantation Paras. Acetic acid has been very generally used. 

 An alum solution has been slightly used. A patented solu- 

 tion of hydrofluoric acid called "Purub'' has been used. An 

 agent called "Martinol" is also being used, this "Martinol" 

 being a wood product containing acetic acid, methyl alcohol 

 and phenol. 



Then, let us consider how these plantations are sorted in 

 London. Just think of receiving in a shipment of a single ton 

 of so-called biscuits and sheets, rubber that has been coagu- 

 lated by all four of these agents! And how can one e.xpect 

 uniform cures from such ununiform parts? 



I think an approach can be made for a basis of the solution 

 of the problem of classifying, or standardization, or naming 

 rubber, if we recognize and admit freely that manufacturers 

 do really sort and standardize rubbers used by them, and if 

 we reco,gnize that each manufacturer knows as much as his 

 competitors. An able manufacturer once said to me that he 

 had come to the conclusion that his Secret methods were 

 simply old-fashioned methods. 



The development of all manufacturing today is along the 

 lines of science, and the ascertaining of truth — which is 

 science. An industry, like a city, can increase its growth and 

 importance and integrity by the use of practical science. 



The dealer will profit by standardization or classification, 

 because he can deal in classified, standardized rubbers — as 

 well as unclassified — for we all know that values seek their 

 levels. 



The manufacturer will profit by his ability to reduce his 

 factor of safety for liis quality, for the whole is only the sum 

 of the parts, and if the parts are not uniform, the whole can- 

 not be uniform. His factor of quality safety is reduced by the 

 standardization of the parts. 



We are all interdependent. If you sympathize with these 

 thoughts on classification, the question arises as to the 

 method of procedure. President Grant's statement applies 

 here: "The way to resume is to resume." "But how?" one 

 might ask. There are so many ways it is difficult to choose 

 the best. First of all. I remember a saying of a well-known 

 lawyer. "Advice not paid for is worth what you pay for it." 

 Therefore, there must be an appropriation subscribed bv deal- 



ers and manufacturers; for sometimes work not paid for is 

 worth what you pay for it I With a modest appropriation to 

 start witli, there are many agencies to select from. There is, 

 for instance, the rubber section of the Society of Chemical 

 Engineers. There is the Produce E.xchange of New York. 

 There can be a special committee of practical men, including 

 chemists and dealers. There are so many ways to spend 

 money after one has it I But we must have it before we spend 

 it. .Vnd then, again, if all interested will subscribe to such a 

 fund, all will be interested in the solution. 



So the question is. "Is this a proper problem to be solved, 

 and who is interested in solving it?" 



It was the unanimous belief of your board of directors 

 that an attempt should be made to start the ball rolling, 

 but that the ball should not roll too fast ; that one kind of 

 rubber should be standardized, or classified, or named, first ; 

 and that the work of classification should not proceed too 

 swiftly. 



Your president was voted the power of appointing the com- 

 mittee, of which he should be one. But he has purposely not 

 appointed any associates to such a committee, preferring to 

 speak frankly in regard to this matter at this dinner, and then 

 await the comments that will surely follow. 



Another practical and important function that this club 

 could assume is in respect to the tariff. There are gathered 

 here many manufacturers who are competitors, but this is 

 one time when we can gather together and forget that we are 

 competitors. 



The rubber industry of the world can be logically divided 

 by countries, and while all manufacturers of all countries are 

 more or less interdependent, we are members of The Rubber 

 Club of America, and are here to foster the rubber trade of 

 this country. We certainly do not want to assume any func- 

 tions that will conflict with the interpretations of the Supreme 

 Court in regard to the "Restraint of Trade" clause. The old 

 adage. "All Frenchmen are Frenchmen when they leave the 

 shores of France" applies to us. We have a common interest 

 that so long as we are reasonably economical and industrious 

 we should have a reasonable tariff against foreign nations, to 

 protect ourselves against indiscriminate dumping of their ex- 

 cess stock or of their unbranded or misbranded "jobs." 



There is probably no industry approaching the volume of 

 business of the rubber industries which safeguards the public 

 as much as the rubber manufacturer does. Every manufac- 

 turer adopts his own trade marks and puts them on his prod- 

 ucts. As the theory of the trade mark law is the protection 

 of the consumer, a manufacturer's brand is the consumer's 

 best guarantee of quality. 



It is well known that during the discussions leading up to 

 the passing of the present tariff law. the individual rubber 

 manufacturers w'no appeared in Washington were asked if 

 they represented any organization. 



Working under the old by-laws, the directors decided that 

 they had no right under those by-laws to appoint committees 

 to represent the industry in Washington. It may prove useful 

 if this club could appoint representatives to clearly state the 



Frederic C. Hood. pKtsinENT. 



Hon. John W. Weeks. 



Francis H. Appleton^ Vice-President, 



