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THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[September 1, 1916. 



vision than that of many who are so closely confinecl to their 

 own particular departments of it as to have lost their sense of 

 proportion. You have penned a vivid picture of what might 

 reasonably l)c expected to ensue should this country under pres- 

 ent conditions find itself besieged as Gerinany now is. The facts 

 •arc not overstated ; every word rings true, while the graphic 

 manner of portrayal you adopted, more certainly than common- 

 place direct statement, will attract the attention and stimulate 

 the thought of those conservative men whose first line of de- 

 fense in the face of proposed innovations invariably is that they 

 "must be shown." 



(jcrman industrial preparedness holds nuich to inspire ad- 

 miration and to teach us many wholesome lessons, particularly 

 in the field of chemistry. Not always have the fundamental 

 ideas been of native origin; England and America have pro- 

 vided untold inspiration. Indeed, German scientists in many 

 lines have borrowed generously from all available sources, but 

 by the application of that phlegmatic perseverance and pains- 

 taking thoroughness characteristic of the race, they have almost 

 without exception developed a state of higher efficiency. The 

 light of scientific research has been turned upon even the com- 

 monplaces 01 life, and under pressure of war necessity the re- 

 sourcefulness with which almost every by-product has been uti- 

 lized and the ingenuity with which many available, and in cer- 

 tain instances previously neglected, materials have been made 

 to serve new purposes, is little short of marvelous. 



Germany has developed her natural resources and economic 

 opportunities to the very limit, and by intelligent conservation 

 and clever scientific use has done the utmost with all. imported 

 commodities, yet she now finds herself greatly iii need of a 

 few vital things, notably such metals as copper and nickel and 

 also crude rubber. This serious shortage of raw materials in- 

 dicates indisputably the importance to every nation of becoming, 

 or paving the way to become, virtually independent in antici- 

 pation of a state of war covering a period of years. For many 

 small nations and because of geographical and attendant con- 

 ditions this is physically impossible, but their hazard is cor- 

 respondingly less. The United States, however, the richest and 

 most envied in the family of nations, may well take heed lest 

 at some future time jealous members of that family attempt to 

 crush her. While it would be difficult and probably impossible 

 for an enemy to maintain an effectual blockade of our entire 

 seacoast, our imports could be seriously interrupted and a large 

 percentage of cargoes seized or destroyed. 



Preparedness constitutes the best insurance against war. and 

 that mfers industrial, quite as much as military, preparedness, 

 for it is through the former that the latter is possible. We 

 must place ourselves in a position to be independent of imports 

 if necessary. We must look to our raw materials and develop 

 a source and supply of each and every one of them within our 

 borders, at least sufficient to meet military needs. With raw 

 materials m ample ciuanlity, the various processes of refinement 

 and manufacture will practically take care of themselves. Our 

 chemists, electricians, and machinists are as intelligent and in- 

 genious as any in the w-orld. Their weakness has been a natural 

 reluctance to enter certain fields which had become highly de- 

 veloped abroad. Not until the outbreak of the present war in 

 Europe did we realize fully our dependence upon Germany in 

 several branches of chemistry, notably the many ramifications 

 of the coal-tar industry. But in this particular instance we 

 have the raw material, our chemists are grappling with the in- 

 tricate niceties which had become so highly specialized along 

 the Rhine, substantial progress is being made, and while it will 

 take time, the day will come when we shall be able to manu- 

 facture any and all coal-tar derivatives if necessary. 



Our country is so vast in extent, so varied in soil and climate, 

 so rich in natural resources, especially minerals and metals, that 

 preparedness is not so much a problem as a matter of applica- 

 tion, a matter of setting to work with the knowledge we have 



and accomplishing the desired end. A bountiful Providence has 

 blessed us with most of the essentials of peaceful life and ol 

 defense. Most of the few we lack, among which crude rubber 

 stands first, are of an agricultural character and, thanks to the 

 variety of our soil and climate, may be grown at home. Step! 

 ought to be taken to supply these materials at once; it is our 

 patriotic duty, and in times of peace as in times of war untold 

 fortunes await the successful pioneers. Intensive methods 

 should be resorted to if necessary. They have been applied to 

 the production of table delicacies that we may have fruits and 

 vegetables out of season and in unfavorable latitudes, also thai 

 .staple crops may be grown on arid lands, so why not deal sim- 

 ilarly with these great problems of exigency r 



When you suggest the possibilities of the Picradema, the 

 Ekanda root and rubber producers of the guayule and grass 

 rubber sort, you point out the foundation of a great American 

 industry of the future. " Here is constructive work of superlative 

 importance for our botanists and rubber experts, offering a 

 financial reward in proportion to the task. In the manufactur- 

 uig end of the rubber industry America takes first place, and 

 what we need to make it secure should war ever become in- 

 evitable, is an increasingly productive source of crude rubber 

 grown at fiome. The project is feasible, laudable and should 

 and would receive the hearty support of the trade. 



Let me suggest that marked copies of this editorial be senf 

 to the leading agricultural periodicals in the hope that the 

 editors will reprint it and thereby give their more enterprising 

 readers a valuable suggestion for investigation and experiment 

 Both the feasibility and the opportunity to grow rubber produc- 

 ing plants in the United States deserves the widest publicity. 

 Very truly yours, 



PhII.. M. RlLEV. 



RUBBER TRADE INQUIRIES. 



T HE inquiries thai folloiv liave already been aiisniered; never- 

 * theless, they arc of interest, not only in sboitring the needs 

 if the trade, hut because of the possibility that additional infor- 

 mation may be furnished by those who read them. The editor 

 is therefore glad to have those interested comnumieatc itnth him 



[204.] A correspondent has inquired for the address of manu- 

 facturers oftthe "Jolly Spiral Balance" and "Xicholson Hydroni- 

 eter." 



[205.] Inquiry has been received for builders of machines for 

 turning and crimping the edge of rubber batliing caps. 



[206.] The name of a manufacturer of machinery for making 

 balata packing is requested. 



[207.] We have been asked for information concerning the 

 makers of a motor-driven mold cleaning device. 



[208.] The name of a manufacturer of carbon bisulphide is 

 requested. 



[209.] Information is sought regarding the process of making 

 a rubber cement which will retain its elasticity after application. 



[210.] We are requested to supply the names of manufac- 

 turers of inner tube mandrels. 



[211.] A correspondent desires names of manufacturers of a 

 Black Kraft or black pattern wrapping paper suitable for use 

 as wrapping for automobile tires. 



[212.] Inquiry has been received for names of manufacturers 

 of machinery for making rubber tiling. 



[213.] We are askad who can supply tools for tapping Castilloo 

 rubber trees. 



[214.] Names of manufacturers of transparent nipples are re- 

 quested. 



[215] An exporter of automobile tires and automobile outfits 

 lias requested names of manufacturers of these articles. 



[216.] Names and addresses of rubber tire machinery manu- 

 facturers have been requested. 



