THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



Aircraft. 

 The Government Only. 

 Insul.med Wire. 

 This division commiltee of the War Service Committee of the 

 Rubber Industry is practically the same as the Wire and Cable 

 Committee of the Electrical Manufacturing Industry. It is sug- 

 gested that the Wire and Caljle Committee is better qualified to 

 Handle this branch of the rubber industry for the W'ar Industries 

 Board. Rubber manufacturers making insulated wire would then 

 come under whatever regulations were determined upon, if any. 

 Athletic Goods. 

 The Committee suggests that no curtailment be placed upon 

 ihe production of these goods. They form an unimportant part 

 of the industry, but contribute largely to national health and 

 physique. 



Solid Tires. 



Viewed broadly this branch of the industry is practically 100 



per cent essential, and at present the Government requirements 



are taxing the production facilities to such an extent that stocks 



•ire automatically being reduced. 



Rubber Footwear. 



(a) Boots and Shoes. — There are twelve manufacturers in 

 this division and all are working on government orders to such 

 an extent that civilian requirements cannot be supplied. Xext 

 winter will probably see a shortage of rubber footwear for 

 civilian use; so in this division there is even greater curtailment 

 than may be desirable. 



(b) Rubber and Fiber Heels and Soles.— These goods are 

 made from rubber and fiber compounds and replace leather. They 

 will outwear leather at least two to one. Many millions of peo- 

 ple are dependent upon them. 



(See Exhibit D.) 



Export. 



This is not included in the list of divisions of the industry, 

 but the Committee understands that it is the desire of the Gov- 

 ernment to conserve and promote, wherever consistent, foreign 

 trade— first, in order to maintain the foothold in foreign markets 

 secured at considerable expense ; second, to correct unfavorable 

 exchange rales and to liquidate, by means of trade, unfavorable 

 balances; and, third, to bring in gold. 



If the understanding of the Committee is correct, it would 

 appear desirable to continue uninterruptedly the export of rubber 

 products subject to the control of the War Trade Board. A rul- 

 ing is therefore requested with reference to export business. 

 Reclaimed Rubber. 



This branch of the industry is entirely dependent upon rub- 

 ber m.anufacturers for its existence. It is composed of several 

 independent units and reclaiming departments of rubber manu- 

 facturers. 



Any curtailment in production of rubber goods will automati- 

 cally curtail production of reclaimed rubber. 



The Comm.ittee desires to point out that the use of reclaimed 

 rubber in the manufacture of rubber goods is one of the most 

 important items of technique in the industry. Economy and 

 competition are sufficient incentives for its use, and any further 

 attempt to force its consumption would result in unsound prac- 

 tice. 



Rubber Clothing. 



A large percentage of the production of rubber clothing is 

 taken over for the needs of the Government, and plans for stand- 

 ardization of what is made for civilian use are now under way. 

 Waterproof clothing, being used as a protection from the ele- 

 ments, comes under relatively the same class as rubber footwear, 

 although the demand is not so great, nor are the stocks in the 

 country so small. 



Medical Rubber Goods. 



The principal articles produced under this classification in 

 volume of production are hot-water bottles, fountain syringes. 



and surgeons' gloves. The production of surgeons' gloves at 

 the present time is very largely for the use of the Medical De- 

 partments of the Army and Navy. 



There are numerous other articles under this general classifi- 

 cation, all of which are essential for the sick-room or necessary 

 10 the health and well-being of the people, but in no one item is 

 the production of unusual volume. The production of water bot- 

 tles and syringes has been along rather extravagant lines, owing 

 to the large variety of styles and types manufactured, but this 

 number has been greatly reduced, as per report filed with the 

 Conservation Division. 



Waterproof Cloth. 



Aside from hospital sheeting, which is used in all hospitals 

 and in many homes, the greater part of the production of water- 

 proof cloth goes into the various lines of industry, where it is cut 

 up and used in manufacturing articles of common use. Several 

 examples are as follows : 



Tobacco Trade. — Waterproof sheeting is used for covering, sweating, 

 curing and handling tobacco, and is also used in making aprons for the 

 production of machine-manufactured cigars and cigarettes. 



Piano and Organ Trade.— Various qualities of waterproof and air. light 

 cloth are manufactured for small and large bellows of player-pianos, 

 as well as for organs. 



Cameras. — Light-proof rubber-coated cloth is used for extension bellows 

 in cameras, also for focusing purposes. 



.\iitomobile ToiJS. — Automobile-top material is manufactured in large quan- 

 tities for the production of new tops for automobiles, and in small 

 quantities for repairs and replacements of old tops. 



Hat Trade. — A limited quantity of rubber-coated material is used by hat- 

 ters for the forming of straw and felt hats. 



Engraving and Printing. — Rubber-coated cloth is used in printing estab- 

 lishments wherever fine engraved printing is done, such as bank notes 

 and stock certificates, and a considerable quantity is used by the 



gov 



rks. 



ng Trade.— A limited quantity of light-weight, waterproof material is 

 used for the manufacture of small articles, such as nursery sheets, 

 diapers, dress-shields, acid sleeves, money-belts, etc. It is also used 

 for the manufacture of children's bath tubs. 

 Proofers. — A large quantity of cloth is waterproofed for the use of manu- 

 facturers of mackintosh clothing who have no rubber mills. 



Pneumatic Tires. 



This branch is the most important in the industry. It is sug- 

 gested that, for the purpose of allocation and priorities, casings 

 and tubes be considered as one article. Demand will automati- 

 cally regulate a balanced production, as one is useless without 

 the other. 



The War Service Committee understands that it is desired 

 'o curtail pneumatic lire production to the lowest point which 

 will still preserve the structure of the industry. In this connec- 

 tion it is to be noted that the production of tires in the present 

 volume is of recent origin and is represented by many units 

 varying from large to medium and small. Roughly classified it 

 may be stated that there are five large tire manufacturers, seven 

 medium-sized tire manufacturers, and about 100 small tire manu- 

 facturers. 



The daily production based on 265 working days for 1917 was, 

 for so-called large, from 9,800 to 21,600 tires per day; for the 

 so-called medium, from 1,300 to 3,600 per day; for the so-called 

 small, from 10 to 1,000 per day. 



Many of the so-called small manufacturers are not yet well- 

 established and are dependent upon maximum capacity to meet 

 obligations. Any drastic curtailment will threaten the existence of 

 some of these so-called small units and this is accentuated by the 

 possibility that they will be unable to compete for government 

 business. It is therefore apparent that it would not be ethical for 

 the War Service Committee to recommend a minimum point of 

 production which would still preserve the structure of the in- 

 dustry, inasmuch as this would actually provide for the ruin of 

 some of the units, and the Committee does not feel it should be 

 asked to take this responsibility. 



Now that a rubber section of the War Industries Board has 

 been established, the Committee feels it should no longer be 

 asked to make recommendations, but should confine its work to- 

 procuring and presenting information asked for, as well as keep- 

 ing the Board fully posted on current conditions of the industry. 



The War Industries Board is now in a more favorable positiori 

 than the Committee to form an intelligent opinion regarding the 



