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THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[September 1, 1917. 



The Rubber Association of America. 



MECHANICAL RUBBER GOODS MANL-FACTLRING DIVISION 

 MEETING. 



AN important meeting of the Mechanical Rubber Goods 

 Manufacturing Division of the Rubber Association was 

 held August 15 at 17 Battery place, New York City. There 

 were present 25 members representing 22 manufacturers. The 

 following communications from the Committee on Cotton Goods 

 of the Council of National Defense were read : 



The unusual requirements for tentage and other heavy duck 

 has necessitated the utilization of looms not ordinardy employed 

 on these fabrics to the extent that much of commercial business 

 has of necessity been curtailed and many looms adapted to_ hose 

 ducks have been put on numbered ducks and tent ducks. Know- 

 ing the vital necessity of railroad supplies, |iarticularly of air 

 brake hose, steam and signal hose, whicli is essential to the proper 

 maintenance of the railroad equipment, it was realized that unless 

 accurate figures were secured of the supplies now available of 

 these several fabrics, and the quantity likely to be required during 

 the next year, it might be possible that by employing machinery 

 usually engaged on these fabrics on other work, it would not be 

 available to supply the demand when needed. 



We have, therefore, to request that you furnish us with as 

 nearly accurate figures as is possible of the present visible supply 

 of air brake, steam and signal hose ducks in the possession of 

 the various rubber manufacturers as well as the stock of these 

 made up articles in the possession of the various supply houses, 

 that we may report to the Council of National Defense at Wash- 

 ington the available supply, as well as the probable requirements 

 for the ne.xt year, in order that proper provision may be made 

 with the cotton goods manufacturers for taking care of these re- 

 quirements. 



We acknowledge receipt of your favor of .\ugust 2 which was 

 taken up and discussed at the Committee meeting of yesterday. 

 The sense of the Committee was that it would be ill advised to 

 send our inquiries direct to the trade in general. Have to advise 

 that you secure by best means possible through your Committee 

 ■ the information desired on steam, air brake and signal hose ducks. 

 We would also request that you ascertain as soon as possible the 

 quantities of stocks of 30 and 32 ounce belting duck in 42 and 50- 

 inch widths. 



A general discussion of the duck situation followed, and every 

 member present gave his views on the question. From the re- 

 marks it was evident that a number of firms represented had 

 orders and contracts for manufactured goods running well into 

 next year, and in some instances they had contracted for a supply 

 of cotton duck, yarn, etc., to meet their requirements. There 

 seemed to be a general feeling, however, that the requirements of 

 the government would make it impossible for the cotton manu- 

 facturers to deliver to the rubber trade all the materials called 

 for. 



The question of preparing figures showing the amount of un- 

 finished and finished stock on hand and an estimate of the amount 

 of cotton goods necessary to meet the demands for the coming 

 year was also thoroughly considered at the meeting and it seemed 

 to be the general opinion of those present that before this was 

 done the members of the Division should have a clearer under- 

 standing of the cotton fabric situation and more definite informa- 

 tion as to the possible requirements of the government under the 

 present unusual conditions. All expressed their perfect willing- 

 ness, however, to give the Committee or representatives of the 

 government any information they might desire including the 

 amount of stock on hand, etc., if called upon to do so. 



From the discussion it was evident that there was a general 

 feeling that a Committee to represent the members of the Division 

 should be named to investigate the present situation and secure 

 all data possible, as to present and possible future conditions, for 

 the information of the members of the Division so that intelligent 

 action could be taken. 



The Chairman suggested that the proposed committee be made 

 a permanent committee to handle matters of this kind and stated 

 that it was his opinion the cotton situation was at all times of 

 sufficient importance to require a special committee to treat with 

 any situation which might arise. 



It was unanimously voted to appoint a committee of seven to 

 confer with the cotton duck, yarn and other manufacturers of 

 cotton fabrics and to investigate the entire situation, seeking any 

 necessary information at Washington, and reporting its findings 



to the members of the Division as promptly and fully as possible. 



The Chairman appointed Messrs. Ctjbb and Bailey as a com- 

 mittee to submit a list of nominations for the proposed commit- 

 tee. The following firm members were nominated and unanimous- 

 ly elected, their representatives to be designated by the compa- 

 nies named ; Rubber Goods Manufacturing Co., The (joodyear 

 Tire & Rubber Co., The B. F. Goodrich Co., Fabric Fire Hose 

 Co., Boston Woven Hose & Rubber Co., United & Globe Rubber 

 Manufacturing Cos., Republic Rubber Co. 



During the discussion, Mr. Beynon, of the Dunlop Tire & Rub- 

 ber Goods Co., Limited, stated that he was particularly interested 

 in whatever action was taken by the Division, and also what the 

 attitude of the U. S. Government might be in the matter, as he 

 thought it very likely that the Canadian Government would take 

 action along the same lines. 



Mr. Voorhees stated that at least 20 per cent of the available 

 looms for cotton goods had been taken over for government work 

 exclusively and that this percentage would undoubtedly be in- 

 creased to fully .SO per cent within a year. 



By special invitation, J. Spencer Turner, chairman, and C. S. 

 Green, secretary, of the Committee on Cotton Goods of the Coun- 

 cil of National Defense, were present to explain the difficulties 

 encountered by the cotton goods people. 



Mr. Turner stated that he thought if the manufacturers of 

 rubber goods could obtain from the government some definite 

 expression as to its requirements for the coming year, it would 

 facilitate the solution of the present day problem. On the other 

 hand, it should be brought to the attention of the government 

 that there were certain lines of goods, such as air brake hose, 

 steam hose, etc., which were being delivered to the railroads 

 and were of such vital necessity as to be classed as war material. 



Mr. Turner also referred to the fact that while the manufac- 

 turers throughout the country must make every effort to meet 

 the government demands, at the same time their regular domes- 

 tic trade should receive some consideration and it would seem 

 that a thorough understanding of tlie interests of all parties con- 

 cerned should be given just and fair consideration. 



In response to a question Mr. Turner assured those presetii 

 that a large percentage of the facilities of duck manufacturers 

 throughout the country had of necessity been given up to gov- 

 ernment work and he seemed to think that cooperation on the 

 part of the manufacturers of rubber goods with the duck manu- 

 facturers was the best solution of present difficulties. He stated 

 he was sure the cotton duck people would be very willing to 

 confer with representatives of the rubber goods trade at all 

 times to adjust the distribution of cotton goods as much as 

 possible. 



A committee of three was appointed to suggest topics to be 

 brought up and discussed at the monthly meetings. This com- 

 mittee consists of the following: A. Boyd Cornell (chairman), 

 J. J. Voorhees. Sr., George A. Wies. 



ANOTHER RUBBER SMUGGLING PLOT DISCOVERED. 



Charged with smuggling rubber medical goods and platinum 

 into Germany by way of Holland and Belgium, nine men, said 

 to be citizens of Belgium, six of them reported to be firemen on 

 a Belgian relief ship chartered to convey relief supplies from 

 the United States to their destitute countrymen, were arrested 

 in New York City August 10, culminating a long investigation 

 of the methods by which Germany has been able to get much 

 needed supplies from America. 



Agents connected with the Department of Justice believe that 

 merchandise valued in this country at from $25,000 to $30,000 

 has been smuggled weekly from Atlantic ports. The value of 

 these articles is said to be fivefold in Germany. 



According to the police, the six men were walking rubber 

 shops. Under their clothing, the detectives assert, they found 

 soft rubber medical articles, wrapped layer upon layer, about 

 their bodies, giving them a puffed-up appearance. One man 

 carried more than 100 bathing caps between his skin and under- 

 wear. 



The six men gave the police much information regarding the 

 underground smuggling system and several German agents from 

 whom these men obtained goods are also under arrest. 



