Arizona republican., 1918-07-28


 automobile materials, are now being used for the transport of foodstuffs and military supplies.
 'The steel market is typical of condi- tions that have resulted in the scarcity of automobile materials for the last five years. Before the outbreak of the world war three of the most important alloys used in the production of steel came from foreign countries-ferro- manganese and chromium from Aus tria and Germany and tungsten from the South American republics border ing the the Caribbean sea. Belgian steel also was extensively used in the building of highspeed motors.
 "The war however, stopped the ex- portation of ferro manganese and chro- mium from Europe and limited the shipments of tungsten from South America. Other sources of supply had to be found and new mines developed The titanic struggle across the Atlantic was still young when tungsten mining in this country experienced a boom Colorado fields, which once were con- sidered unworthy of exploitation be- cause of the low percentage of metal they would yield became veritable Fl Dorados within a year.
 Auto International Hash "The automobile, before it is assem- bled is sort of international hash Much of the fine wood that is used for trimming the car-Circassian and black walnut and mahogany-comes | from South American forests. France Russia and Argentine contribut thous- ands of hides annually for automobile upholstery. French clay is vital in gredient of the porcelain cores foi spark plugs. The tiremaker depends or Brazil and the Malay Peninsula for crude rubber and exports cotton from 1 the South Sea Islands to tougher the casing fabric. Holland and other flax raising countries supply the linseed oil that enters into the manufacture oi paint, and the Dutch East Indies pro- duce the gum that is the base of all varnishes.
 Even revolutions mad Mexico is rep resented in this international potpouuri of raw materials. The Tampico dis trict is prolific in a cactuslike weed the finely shredded leaves of which make an excellent substitute for na : tural hair. This is used for stuffine the cushions of low priced cars.
 'The war has had both a good and a bad effect on the top material market Some top materials and all artificial feathers are a by-product of guncotton known as pyroxoline and the supply of this is almost unlimited with our muni- tion plants working day and night. An [ other ingredient of top material, how ever, is castor oil, and there is scare ity of this. due to the fact that it is used for lubricating the airplanes of the allied army aviators.
 Are Not So Particular
 As a result of the war, the auto mobile trimmer is not as particular as he used to be. He once insisted that the purchasing agent buy only French and Russian hides. They were large 1T size and without the cattle owner: brand, and he believed that they were easier to cut and that little leather was wasted in that cutting.
 Soon after the invasion of Belgium however, French and Russian hide: were not to be had. and the automobile trimmer was forced to work with tho larger hides from South America ant this country. He was surprised to learr that the American leather was superior and better adapted to his needs.
 There is no reason for the presen aluminium shortage, despite the fac that the French aluminium fields arr temporarily unproductive and thu present demand for aluminium is un precedented for aluminium is the mos abundant metal on earth. There is n, clay that does not have some aluminium content, Arkansas and Georgia beinl especially rich in it. Aluminium, how ever, never is found in metal state but in a chemical composition as salt and must be refined and reduced be fore it has any commercial value. Ther are too few refining plants and reduc ing stations to supply the market
 There would be an even greate shortage of automobile material toda. were it not for the American scientis and metallurgist. They have more thai made good in the wartime crisis, com ing to the rescue with new formula for the making of color pigments an, new processes for the manufacture o steel among other things"