Los Angeles herald., 1910-05-15
RUBBER SOARING;
WORLD IS AGAPE
British Speculation and Increased
Demand for Auto Tires
Influence Prices
FIND NO CRUDE GUM FAMINE
Situation Thought Stimulus to Ex'
pIoitation of New Brazilian
Rubber Fields


ing the high fight of crude rubber
prices and wondering whether the limit
has been reached. Since the day when
Charles Goodyear first discovered the
art of Vulcanization, the rubber milk
of the tropical forest has played a
part of increasing Importance in sup
plying articles of necessity to the COM
fort of mankind.
For fifty years the price of crude
rubber has averaged considerably less
than 81 per pound, two years ago it
stood at 65 cents per pound, and today
it is above $3-a level that takes 1t
out of many a field it has heretofore
occupied.
Are the causes artificial or natural
that have produced the present situa-
tion, and is the world to be deprived
of the great boon of cheap RUBBER
These are the questions that the peo-
pie are asking themselves and that
led F. A. Selberling, president of the
Goodyear Tire and Rubber company
of Akron, o., on tour of investigation
through South America that took two
months time and more than 1000 miles
of travel in feVer-laden districts OF the
Amazon river. Mr. Soldering being-so
far as known-the first American rub
ber manufacturer to make this perlious
trip, his views, which follow, are of
great interest:
1.-The high prices prevailing for crude
rubber are fairly attributable to two
primary causes: First. the abnormal
draft upon the worlds supply In pro-
viding tires for automobiles; Second
the wild speculation in rubber and rub
ber shares in England, which has taken
on the aspect of a South Sea Bubble
in a mad scramble of people of all
classes to get rich quick on rubber.
LONDON CENTER
London is the financial center of the
worlds rubber market, and the craze
now running its course there is hav-
ing a tremendous sentimental int1u-
ence toward lifting prices. This Will
correct itself in the collapse which, In
due time, is certain to come, and will
carry with it its trail of diaster and
ruin to the rubber gamblers in the
manner always attending the bursting
of financial bubbles.
"Stories are being circulated to the
effect that the rubber supply is be-
ing rapidly exhausted and that the
world is facing q famine, but a care
full view of the situation justifies an
opposite opinion.
"The past year more than 10000 tons
of crude rubber, having a value ap-
proximating 5000, 100000 were produced
| OF WllCn 4U,UUU IOnS CdIIle out Oh lHS
| Amazon river. This was wholly wild
rubber, gathered almost entirely from
a belt extending along the Amazon
| and its tributaries, and running less
! than three miles into the interior. The
vast forest beyond these borders is
substantially untouched, but with the
building of the railroad around the
falls of the Madeira, which will be
completed in 1911, and with the build
/ l.
Meeting up rivers, the introduction of
the automobile and the gasoline boat,
vast districts heretofore inaccessible
will be brought within reach of the
rubber gatherer, and while the gain in
| production each year has been ap-
proximately but 10 per cent over the
previous year, there is no question that
| this percentage will increase largely
from this time forward.
But very important factor toward
relieving the existing situation is found
in the plantation rubber in the East
Indies, which is now coming into the
market in large quantities, each years
| production being substantially double
that of the preceding year. Whereas
we had less than 1000 tons in 1909, we
shall receive approximately 5000 tons
in 1910. and well up to 10000 tons in
1911, and within five years a quantity
| larger than is now furnished by the
Amazon, which is a remarkable result
considering the fact that three years
ago the production of the entire East
Indian district represented but a few
| hundred tons.
WORLD NEEDS 1T
THAT product of nature which exists
in abundance, and which the world
needs, it will find a way to obtain.
| n a
quantities exist in Brazil, awaiting
the touch Of human energy to yield
up their latex, and the world will un-
doubtedly find means to obtain its re-
quired supply.
1.-The ruling classes in Brazil are an
| intelligent people, and though they
| have been slow to realize the advan-
I tage of planting rubber, they are now
| following the lead of the East Indies,
and within a few years the Amazon
valley will be furnishing plantation
rubber far in excess of the wild rubber
| now coming down the river.
"As an indication of the immensity
of its opportunities, one island in the
mouth Of the Amazon river-Isle Ma
rajO, which is larger than the state of
Maine-is capable of furnishing planta-
tion rubber in quantity more than the
entire world is now consuming. The
|
stimulate the planting of trees, and
while we shall temporarily be sub
jected to high prices on crude rubber
since it is known that plantation rub
ber can be produced for 25 cents a
pound as certain as night follows the
day, we will within a few years have
large oversupply that will bring the
cost lower than it has ever been here
tofore.
"Users Of rubber tires, on account of
the present high prices. will have
thought toward prolonging their life
and increasing their mileage, which
| can readily be done by carrying prop
er pressure of air, and particular with
clincher tires, which, semi-de1ated,
will rim cut and speedily disintegrate.
! Watching the adjustment Of brakes
will largely extend the life of the
| treads. Tread cuts that reach the
| fabric should be quickly repaired, to
| prevent moisture reaching the cotton
! thread"
MAY BE HUNT CLUB
The famous country lodge of the late
| r. H Hartman in klamath county,
! Oregon, has been transferred bv Col.
! w. II. Holabrd, in whose name the
| lodge has been sold to the Southern
! Pacific Railroad company. Mr. Har-
! riman sold the property to the railroad
| before his DEATH" sail Colonel Hola-
! bird yesterday, but the transfer was
not made Immediately. What the rail-
| road will do with the property do not
| know. 1t is believed by many it win
be converted into hunting club"