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THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



[M/ 



GETTING CLOSER TO BRAZIL. 



IF American business men do not grasp the opportunities 

 that are now offered them for improving trade rela- 

 tions with the South American repubhcs it will be their 

 own fault. The Brazilian Association of Commerce has 

 set the example for similar organizations in other Latin 

 states by the adoption of an agreement which should 

 minimize the disputes over merchandise which have long 

 been a source of ill feeling between South American 

 firms and the United States exporters. The plan is for 

 permanent arbitration committees appointed jointly by the 

 Brazilian and American commercial organizations. It 

 includes a standard form of contract, and any disagree- 

 ment arising between the parties is to be settled impar- 

 tially, inexpensively and expeditiously without recourse 

 to the courts. The misunderstandings which have here- 

 tofore arisen over goods which do not match samples and 

 shipments under weight should be absolutely eliminated. 

 It is evident that the good feeling engendered by Brazil's 

 prompt support of the United States in its declaration of 

 war against Germany is already beginning to bear fruit. 



incoming Congress will have a most important duty 

 before it in determining whether it will not be better 

 to provide more moderate levies spread over a longer 

 period, which would probably yield better returns and 

 not act as a brake on legitimate enterprise. Established 

 business will continue despite the handicap of heavy 

 taxes, but the fear of such taxes will inevitably be a bar 

 to new developments. 



ABANDON TIRE MILEAGE GUARANTIES. 



BRITISH rubber tire manufacturers have practically 

 decided to abandon guaranteeing minimum mileage 

 for solid rubber tires, which dates back to the 

 infancy of the commercial vehicle. They present sound 

 reasons for so doing and point out that the perpetuation 

 of the mileage guaranties is marked by certain disad- 

 vantages. It is declared that the mileage guaranty in- 

 duces the user to expect that amount of mileage and no 

 more, and encourages carelessness on the part of the 

 driver who regards the responsibility of the tire as solely 

 that of the maker. The members of the British Rubber 

 Tire Manufacturers' Association have therefore decided 

 to abolish the standard mileage guaranty completely and 

 will be content to allow their products to be judged by 

 the service given in the future. They hereby pledge 

 themselves to see that their tires give the biggest mileage, 

 the best service and the fullest satisfaction to thir cus- 

 tomers. They further state that users can be assured 

 of prompt and generous treatment whenever unsatisfac- 

 torv results are shown. 



THE ENGLISH VIEWPOINT. 



BUrriSll dealers in rubber goods look fur the import 

 restrictions on rubber goods to be continued for 

 a further period, and the quantity to be imported fixed 

 at 15 per cent of the imports during the year 1916, which 

 is the year when imports attained their maximum. This 

 restriction, it is believed, will apply particularly to tires 

 and general rubber goods, but there may be slight modi- 

 fication as regards rubber boots and shoes. 



The situation was brought about during the war by the 

 government requiring the rubber manufacturers to turn 

 over most of their machinery for war purposes as well as 

 a large proportion of the stocks held at their works and 

 at warehouses, and the calling in of stocks held by motor 

 agents. This gave American manufacturers, who for 

 years had been struggling for a foothold in England, 

 an opportunity for the sale of their goods, which they 

 could not have attained in any other circumstances, the 

 English manufacturers believe. 



Imports of rubber boots and shoes, tires, waterproofed 

 apparel and belting rose to unprecedented figures, which 

 caused great misgivings to our cousins across the water. 

 The situation was modified when the United States en- 

 tered the war, and an agreement was entered into cut- 

 ting down imports to 15 per cent of the figures for 1916. 

 It is reasonable to suppose, however, that a considerable 

 demand has been created for American goods across the 

 water and it may take some time for British manufactur- 

 ers to recover. 



HEAVY TAXES AND NEW ENTERPRISES. 



GOVERNMENT officials are now especially active in 

 urging capital to take prompt advantage of trade 

 opportunities which the war has left open on every side. 

 Secretary of Labor Wilson especially is at the forefront 

 insisting that the wheels of industry turn and that the 

 spirit of unrest be quelled by providing employment for 

 the wage-earning population. Excellent advice, but the 

 outlook is that if the business succeeds, taxes may claim 

 50 to 80 per cent of the profits. That taxes must be heavy 

 is acknowledged, but should they be too heavy? The 



That the sale of non-skid tires is now far beyond 

 that of plain is due to the realization of the general 

 public that the non-skid type possesses far superior wear- 

 ing qualities, due to the additional rubber, and to the 

 greater utility of the non-skids as savers of gasoline be- 

 cause of the better traction they aiTord. Four years ago 

 one company reports it was selling as many plain treads 

 as non-skids, but to-day the latter sell in the proportion 

 of ten to one. The late C. J. Bailey in bringing out the 

 "Bailey Tread," the first all-rubber anti-skid, was both 

 pioneer and prophet in this development. 



Along the line of the editorial position taken 

 by this paper in its November issue, the United States 

 Chamber of Commerce favors an international conven- 

 tion of commercial organizations. Needless to say, 

 we think the suggestion very timely. 



