September 1, 1912.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



587 



before October 1 of that year and not less than $250,000 each 

 year ending October 31 thereafter, until the whole issue has been 

 retired. 



* * * 



The Republic solid staggard electric tire is creating consider- 

 able interest in Chicago. The studs on the tread are so ar- 

 ranged that the intervals between the studs in one row are ex- 

 actly opposite the studs of the adjoining row. According to 

 J. W. Maguire, manager of the Chicago branch, this gives a 

 smooth continuous cushion tread, and the deep depression be- 

 tween the rows gives added elasticity to the tire. Each of the 

 studs is said to take a distinct and individual grip on the pave- 

 ment, thereby making motoring on wet paving much safer. 



* * * 



General Manager F. D. Mayer, of the Essenkay Co., has an- 

 nounced that a long-time lease had been acquired on a location 

 in the central manufacturing district of Chicago, giving the con- 

 cern a very desirable establishment to keep pace with its rush of 

 orders. "Notwithstanding the fact that the equipment forces 

 have been doubled several times on account of the wonderful 

 development of our business," said Mr. Mayer, "we have been 

 obliged to maintam night forces for several weeks and are still 

 behind in our orders. We searched for a modern three-story 

 fireproof building to increase our manufacturing facilities, and 

 found it in the central district, and it is an ideal location." 



* * * 



The Department of Justice is investigating* a report that there 

 is a fire apparatus trust in defiance of the Sherman law, and fed- 

 eral sleuths in Chicago and elsewhere are at work on the matter. 

 United States Attorney James Wilkerson will institute dissolu- 

 tion suits in case the department bares any evidence upholding 

 the contention that a trust exists. Many complaints have been 

 received at Washington, it is said. Charles DeWoody, head of 

 the federal bureau in Chicago, will not confirm the report that 

 his men are investigating the fire apparatus makers and their 



methods. 



* * * 



Evanston — where Northwestern University is located — has a 

 "pussyfoot" police force. As a result of recent bold burglaries 

 in that exclusive suburb all officers have been instructed to don 

 brogans with rubber soles. The' aristocratic residence com- 

 munity is no longer awakened at night by the heavy thuds of 

 the patrolmen on their beats, nor the midnight prowlers apprised 

 of the policeman's proximity. Only the snoring of the corner 

 "cop" now disturbs the little city, and that is reduced to a min- 

 imum by frequent absences from the corner. 



SOME TRENTON NOTES. 

 The Ajax-Grieb Rubber Co. has awarded contracts, call- 

 ing for the erection of a three-story brick building addition 

 to the concern's plant on Olden avenue, at a cost of $21,000. 

 The building is to be 60 x 200 feet, according to plans pre- 

 pared by Architect W. W. Slack, of this city. Work of build- 

 mg will be started at once. The new building will be used 

 for a storehouse for tires and general rubber goods. 

 » * * 



C. Harry Baker, stockholder in the Empire Rubber Manu- 

 facturing Co., and General C. Edward Murray, treasurer of 

 the company, finished second and third respectively in the clay 

 target shootipg match at the recent outing and field day of 

 the employes of the Empire Rubber, Crescent Belting and 

 Packing Co., and Empire Tire Co., at the Inter-State Fair 

 grounds. The outing was one of the biggest events of the 

 kind conducted this year. A big program of athletic events 

 was a feature of the affair. General Murray, who is im- 

 mensely popular with his employes, presided at the dinner. 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN SAN FRANCISCO. 



(By a Resident Correspondent.) 

 ""PHE rubber merchants report, with some signs of satisfaction, 

 '■ that business has improved materially during the past 

 month, and they are now looking forward to a prosperous fall 

 business. Indeed, the long-looked-for era of prosperity seems 

 more certainly near at hand at the present time than at any time 

 during the past three years ; and business now is much better 

 than it was at this time last year or the year before. There 

 is more commercial activity in and about San Francisco ; and 

 all along the coast industries are enjoying a period of activity 

 which far exceeds the general business of last year. The re- 

 sult is that the merchants engaged in the rubber industry are 

 coming in for a fair amount of the general revival of pros- 

 perity, and if all goes well there will be no cessation from now 

 on until the gigantic activities in connection with the Panama- 

 Pacific Exposition cause things to boom in this and the other 

 cities of the San Francisco bay. 



* * * 



The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has taken up its permanent 

 quarters in its new home at Van Ness avenue and Sutter street, 

 and this is undoubtedly one of the best equipped buildings of 

 its kind in the state. The building is 125 by 176 feet, being two 

 stories in height, with basement. It is finished in "Mission" 

 style, and in a light buff effect. The first floor is devoted to 

 the offices, and these are finished in solid white oak, and all of 

 the color effect is based upon this setting. The general offices 

 are separated from the head offices by a simple counter of oak, 

 and are raised from the elevation of the floor some six or eight 

 inches. The prominent feature of the main floor is the big stair- 

 way to the right of the main entrance. It is made of solid 

 stone, finished in an attractive Venetian design, with stairs 15 

 feet wide. Along the balustrade, and at the landing, the severity 

 of the gray stone is relieved by the green of huge palms and 

 rubber plants. 



The second floor is occupied by the coast organization of the 

 Goodyear company, which has the supervision of all of the 

 branches tributary to San Francisco. The finish here is much as 

 the general plan of the main floor. The entire building is 

 equipped with the "Eye Comfort" lighting system, which 

 throws the light upward to the ceiling, where it is "so reflected 

 and diffused that no shadows are cast. The rear of the first 

 floor forms the service department, and is complete in every 

 detail, while the same space overhead gives 14,000 square feet 

 of storage room for equipment. The completion of the new 

 home was fittingly celebrated in a big house warming. Deco- 

 rators took charge of the building, and it had a true holiday 

 appearance, and all of the friends and patrons of the firm were 

 the guests. An excellent vaudeville programme was offered 

 for the occasion, together with moving picture scenes of some 

 recent thrilling automobile races. Dancing occupied the 

 remainder of the evening. 



* * * 



C. S. Richardson, manager of the Punctureless Tire Co., is a 

 firm believer in the efficacy of prepared tire filler. He has a 

 tire filler which he claims is easily molded and perfectly 

 pliable, with the tough consistency of rubber, yet not porous or 

 sponge-like; nor is it soft and gummy. Neither extreme heat 



nor cold affects it. 



* * * 



F. H. Hirsch, with the Pennsylvania Rubber Co., is now trav- 

 eling through the Northwest, in the interests of the company. 

 This firm is getting out a large number of attractive posters 

 on which they are featuring the Vacuum-Cup Girl, in praise of 

 their vacuum-cup tires. The company reports good business. 



* * * 



The Goodyear Rubber Co. states that its mechanical business 

 is improving, and going consistently ahead of last year. Condi- 



