New-York tribune., 1918-05-15

Automobiing
Cutting Down Tire Sizes,
Economy Now and After
War, Says Gum
By c. E. T. Scharps

Inc recommendation of the pneu-
matte tire division of the war service
committee of the rubber industry to
tire sizes and to withdraw gradually
from trade certain sizes which are con-
sldered obsolete or unnecessary "is a
logical measure for the conservation
OF the stocks of raw and finished ma
terlals,' in the opinion Of j. N. Gum,
president of the United States Tire
Company, "and will prove of greatest
economy after the war because of the
saving it will make possible to the tire
companies and dealers.
This it will do by greatly reducing
the number of sizes and styles to be
manufactured and carried in the many
Dranch and warehouse stocks estab-
lished throughout the United States for
the distribution of the product to the
consuming public. The consumer will
also be greatly benchted.'
Relating to the initial equipment of
new cars, the plan has been presented
10 the directors of the National Auto
mobile Chamber of Commerce. which
las voted to ask all it's members 20
ADOPT the new standard Of tires as
or'glnaI equipment as rapidly as pos
slole, commencing this year.
AS stated in The Tribune some time
ago, manufacturers of passenger auto
mobiles are to be asked to fit their
future production with one Of the fol-
Loving hizcs Of rims: 30x3A, 32x3h
33x4 and 34X41s. These are to take
tires Of those sizes. with the following,
34x412 and 35x5.
For trucks there are to be three
STANDARD STA sizes Of pneumatics-3 3sxs,
39x1 and 40X8. The two sizes that fit
the smallest rims are designed to be
OF cilncher type; all others to be of
straight side type. Both plain and non
skid types are to be retained
No Hardship To Be Felt
IN classifying sizes for present or
future elimination from manufacturing
schedules. those which are to be
dropped at once contain only tires
which sales records of the principal
companies show are no longer in de-
mand anywhere. No hardship will be
worked by discontinuing these, and if
there still be an occasional car that
might require tire of one of these
odd sizes there is said to be a present
stock sufficient for all needs.
The next class embraces tires in
sizes which have not been furnished as
equipment for long time They are
practically obsolete, though sales rec
ords still show slight trace of demand
for them. To take care of this demand
during the coming summer-after which
1t is calculated these cars will prac-
ucally cease to be a factor in the mar
Eet--November has been set as date
Tor d1scontinung such odd sizes.
A still larger group of sizes no
longer furnished as standard eouiD-
ment with any car, but still in service
among many of those cars now running.
IS recognized in another ssification.
1t is felt that in setting a date in No
vember, 1919, to drop those sizes am
pie allowance has been made for cars
which use them to outlive their useful
ness.
Other provisions are made for still
further extensions of time on sizes that
are at present in active demand for
equipment requirements through regu-
lar trade channels. There is. too. a
sentiment in we'll informed quarters
that any OF the arrangements now con-
1empiated affecting care of current
models should be subject to such neces-
sary adjustment as needs of those cars
Two or three years from this time indi-
cate as advisable .
Plan Is Practicable
A guarantee that the plan is entirely
practicable is found in the fact that
this measure of economy has been pre-
pared under the watchful eye of prac-
tlcai tire men, whose recommendations
have been made after careful scrutiny
OF the records of their own companies.
The recommendation of the commit
tee mean that after the needs of all
cars running have been served through
cut the period of their existence and
automobile makers have brought their
own production into line to conform
with the new recommendations pneu-
matte tires will be made in but six
sizes for passenger cars and three for
trucks, with four sizes Of rims for pas
stead Of the present indefinite number
listed by the various manufacturers.