Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-06-08

ton has been heavily curtailed
which has already resulted in de-
creased production of tires and high
er prices. The demand of the gov
eminent for large part of the pro.
ductfon of pneumatic tires for, am
bulance and other fast service great
ly reduces the supply of tires for
general use. 1t is. extremely prob
able that still higher prices will OBJ
tain, as stocks are bound to suffer
rapid depletion under normal de-
mand. Therefore the wise, thrifty,
economical and patriotic owner
should be prompted to do all the
things necessary to get the utmost in
mileage from tire equipment. To
do SO. carry proper air pressure at
all times, keep the pressure up by
constant attention, daily gauging is
not too often. This watchfulness will
prevent many blowouts. by prevent
ing stone bruising. 1t is a, fact that
hard tire will rise and ride over
an obstruction while a soft tire may
be indented and the rupture of
single thread will spread until q
blowout will occur. Often the owner
is In doubt as to the cause, be-
cause the injury was not severe
enough to cause the blowout when
originally received. Soft tires waste
gasoline and cause abnormal wear
on the treads, as a greater portion
OF the tread is on the ground and
more power is necessary to propel
the car. Soft tires weaken the side
walls as the tire assumes an alb
normal shape and often cause the
tread to loosen from the carcass,
ana many authorities hold to the
opinion that the tread on a soft tire
cuts from contact with small stones
more readily than does the hard,
properly-inflated tire. If tire is
always run under proper imitation
pressure. and made of standard ma
terials, 1t is reasonable to presume
mat 1t can be economically given a
new tread; just as shoe may be
half soled. Why waste a valuable
cotton carcass when it can be con-
served, retreaded, and thus do dou-
pie service and practically cut down
TIRE cost by twenty-five per cent. In
shops properly equipped and with
skllled operators, retread of the
highest class approximates but one
half the cost of a new tire. But as
retreading is ain to manufacturing
the owner should exercise discretion
In selecting the shop to which he en-
trusts his now valuable tire carcas.
In the use of the tire of cord" con-
cost, now rapidly coming into gem
eral use, retreading is especially
economical and in line with thrifty,
Judlcious conservation.
There Is prevalent an alarming
disregard as to inner tube cost. The
inner tube is the burden bearer OF
the car and load in pneumatic tired
equipment. The owner talks of and
puys tires" the manufacturer more
frequently calls them Castings"
while our foreign users more COM
monty call them envelopes" This
quotation is used to impress on yoI
tne TACT that you really ride on the
air In the inner tube, thus one can
see al the more reason for proper
inhation so as to avoid tire trou
pies previously referred 10 as we'll as
lhe annoying tube "pinch' Spare
tubes should be carried In proper
pags or cases to prevent oil gctLine
on them and to prevent possible
chafing on the folded edges whicp
greatly weakens the tube in spots
In changing tubes do not neglect A
proper application of mica or SOAP
stone to allow the tube to properly
seat itself inside the tire as !: is
inflated. Always use the floating
strip to keep the tube from contact
with the steel rim of the wheel and
to prevent forcing the tube under
the bead of the tire and a conse-
quent annoying pinch" Tubes are
more often repaired than tires. The
puncture demands attention in the
tube, while it is often neglected or
unnecessary in the tire. If you are
not an expert on rubber, do not dis
card tube on age alone. Submit
1t to the inspection of a competent
specialist and be guided by his opin-
ion, and get the most you can from
1t. Keep the thought of conservation
uppermost in your everyday use of
your car, whether it be fuel, tires or
general wear and tear of the car as
who% "A stitch in time saves
nine" as the old saying goes, and
thrifty conservation in all the com
ponent parts of the motor car will
play an important part in the elmi-
nation of the Hun.