AucrsT 1. 1919.1 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



The Mid-West Rubber Manufacturers' Association. 



ARSHALL D. Wilbur. W. W. Todd, 



Assistant Secretary. 

 Officers and Directors of the Mid-West Rubber AIanuf.\cturers' Association. 



THE Mid-West Rubber Manufacturers' Asscciation, organ- 

 ized some months ago with headquarters at Chicago, has 

 already demonstrated the power and advantages of asso- 

 ciation effort when rightly directed. The monthly meetings are 

 well attended, and, judging from the earnest discussions, the 

 various members are striving to secure as much important infor- 

 mation as possible concerning the problems ihat relate to the 

 industry. 



That there are many problems to be solved in the near future 

 is a matter upon which all are agreed, and, as the industry is 

 comparatively new in the Middle and Western States, the organ- 

 ization of this new association was a commendable move on 

 the part of the manufacturers of that section. 



Locating the association headquarters at Chicago makes it 

 possible for the various members to attend the monthly meetings 

 without incurring a great deal of traveling expenses. Most of 

 the middle and Western manufacturers purchase much of their 

 supplies in Chicago and hence meetings of the association can 

 be attended and other business matters transacted on the same 

 trip. 



The idea of forming a Mid-Western association was evolved 

 by John W. Maguire, general manager of the rubber department 

 of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co. Mr. Maguire believed 

 such an organization was necessary to represent the rubber 

 manufacturers of that vast territory west of the Ohio river, 

 and he found no difficulty in gaining other enthusiasts to the 

 cause. Within the short space of three months the idea had 

 developed into an active organization, with offices in the Mc- 

 Cormick building and an efficient and enthusiastic management 

 in charge. 



It is probable that some manufacturers who have become 

 identified with the rubber industry during the past two years do 

 not fully appreciate the functions and importance of association 

 endeavors. The fact that in practically every line of manufacture 

 and in nearly every field of enterprise men have seen fit to form 

 associations to protect and advance their combined interests is, 

 in itself, conclusive evidence that the utility of associations is 

 generally recognized. When governed by enthusiastic officials, 

 and when energy and intelligence dominates, a manufacturers' 

 association can frequently lind means to bridge difficult chasms 



