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THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[March r, 1908. 



THE RUBBER TRADE IN AKRON. 



BY A RESIDENT CORRESPONDENT. 



AKRON rubber men, in interviews published in the February 

 issue of The India Rubber World, took an optimistic 

 view of the financial crisis. Judging from a statement made 

 recently by E. C. Shaw, general manager of B. F. Goodrich Co.'s 

 works, they were right in their opinions. Mr. Shaw says that 

 the Goodrich company at present are employing almost as many 

 men as they have at any time in recent years. "We have added 

 nearly 300 employes to our force since December,'' he said. 

 "Some of the departments are not running as full as is usual, but 

 the total number of people employed lacks only a few of the 

 usual force. The boot and shoe and specialty departments are 

 being kept busy, but the tire department is not being rushed very 

 hard." Most of the other rubber companies in Akron have taken 

 on employes in large numbers since the partial shutdown in 

 December and Januar.w 



The B. F. Goodrich Co.'s New Office Buildinc. 



The completion of the new administration building for The 

 B. F. Goodrich Co. (.^kron, Ohio) marks another step forward 

 in the growth and development of this great rubber manufactur- 

 ing plant. The building is an imposing five story structure 

 50 X 100 feet, and of the modern office building type, with large 

 glass areas on all sides. The exterior construction shows walls 

 of repressed brick capped with Indiana limestone. 



The interior — floors, partitions and also the roof — is fireproof, 

 and made in accordance with the Kahn system of reinforced 

 concrete construction. The first, third, fourth and fifth stories 

 show cement floors and selected birch wood work, while the 

 second story containing the executive offices is of quartered oak 

 finish and marbolithic floors. 



The directors' room, extending across the entire front of the 

 second floor, is a particularly spacious chamber, with lofty ceiling 

 in ornamental relief and sides panelled in oak with Alps green 

 marble base. The light fixtures are of antique silver finish 

 making a pleasing contrast with the rich brown tone of the 

 panelled oak. 



The building is equipped with an electric elevator, lighted by 

 electricity, largely from pendant fixtures of brushed brass, heated 

 by direct steam, with every room provided with thermostatic 

 apparatus for regulating the heat. Steel vaults are provided on 

 the second, third, and fourth floors for the safe keeping of all 

 valuable papers and records. Marble lavatories and toilet rooms 

 are found on each floor ; in fact, every modern convenience and 

 fixture that adds to the making of a complete up-to-date office 

 building has been supplied. 



Officials of the Diamond Rubber Co. are priding themselves 

 upon the showing made by the Thomas car in the big New York 

 to Paris automobile race. The Thomas, which is the only Amer- 

 ican machine entered, is equipped with Diamond tires. Tire 

 manufacturers will watch with no little interest the work of the 

 automobiles after they leave this country. Once in Siberia, it is 

 announced, the French car De Dion is to be equipped with solid 

 tires for the journey through the Russian country. The Thomas 

 machine will continue with pneumatic tires. 



Beyond the purchase of a site for an addition to the present 

 plant, the .\damson Machine Co. have done little since their 

 incorporation with a capital stock of $150,000. "Until times are 

 a little improved," says Alexander Adamson, "we will not go 

 ahead." The entire force of employes is being kept busy now in 

 the manufacture of rubber machinery, and as soon as the demand 

 justifies the company in building, the capacity of the plant will 

 be doubled and perhaps tripled. Mr. Adamson claims that his 

 company is the largest in the world engaged in the manufacture 

 of molds for use in the rubber industry and mechanical appa- 

 ratus of a like nature. 



Two new tires are added to the Diamond Rubber Co.'s 1908 

 offerings, both for bicycles. They are the "Diamond Thread" 

 tire and the "Diamond Oriental." The thread tire is especially 

 adapted for racing and other fast work. 



In celebration of the completion of the Diamond Rubber Co.'s 

 mammoth new factory building, intended to house the insulated 

 wire and Marsh rim departments, a grand ball was held on the 

 evening of February 21, on the second floor of the big structure, 

 under the auspices of the Diamond Rubber Workers' Relief 

 Association and the Diamond Rubber Band. The estimated at- 

 tendance was 2,500. The floor upon which the guests danced is 

 320 feet in length and 100 feet wide. Speeches were made by 

 several of Akron's prominent men and a special musical program 

 given. A buffet lunch was served in conclusion. 



W. M. Perrett, manager of the Diamond Rubber Co.'s Detroit 

 branch, has resigned, and will be succeeded by George J. Bradley, 

 present manager of the Cleveland branch. Another bit of infor- 

 mation regarding the 'Diamond branches is included in the 

 announcement that the company will open a branch tire house in 

 Kansas City in March. Tire goods will be handled exclusively, 

 and the branch operated apart from the Diamond's present me- 

 chanical goods branch in that city. 



The directors elected at the annual meeting of the Swinehart 

 Clincher Tire and Rubber Co., held last month, were J. .\. 

 Swinehart, B. C. Swinehart, W. J. Frank, J. W. Rock, C. O. 

 Baughman and W. H. Rudgers. The officers are : J. A. Swine- 

 hart, president; B. C. Swinehart, vice president; C. O. Baugh- 

 man, secretary and treasurer. In the annual report of the presi- 

 dent was mentioned the fact that in 1904 the company had manu- 

 factured only 2,527 tires. Prejudice against solid tires, he said, 

 has been overcome to a great extent since then, until now the 

 company have out and in use more than 20,000 tires. He at- 

 tributes the increased business to the more favorable attitude 

 of garage men. The Swinehart company will establish branch 

 houses in Philadelphia and St. Louis. 



The plant and property of the Superior Rubber Co., of Cuya- 

 hoga Falls, Ohio, have been appraised at $16,676.50 by court ap- 

 praisers appointed in the suit brought against the concern by 

 Calvin Vaughn. The plant has been standing idle for over a 

 year. It will probably be sold for benefit of the creditors. 



