Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-05
DROP NOT EXPECTED
IN THE TIRE PRICES
Consumer Now Pays Only 81
Per Cent Above 1914
Cost, Is Claim.

manufacturing business does not in
dictate downward trend of tire
prices. according to expert business
analysts.
Their opinion is based upon the
comparative increase in price of prac-
| tically all commodities within the
past six years. and the fact that
automobile tires are today nearer
their pre-war level of prices than
nearly every other staple artircle
upon the American market. The
basic factor in drawing the conclu
sion that tire prices will remain sta
pie while prices Of many other ar
ticles may be expected to drop with
further defiation of currency rs the
fact that the consumer now is paying
only 81 per cent more for tires than
in 1914. whereas he is paying 253 per
cent more for wearing apparel than
in 1914. over 113 per cent more for
fuel and light, 261 per cent more for
sugar and 231 per cent more for
household furnishings. with com
mensurate percentages of increase
holding good in the prices of prac-
tically all other commodities. These
figures are compiled by the United
States Department of Labor.
Drop Not Anticipated.
The sudden curve back from the
peak of high prices, precipitated by
QelIdllOH IColIiStioh "
credit. unquestionably has led many
motorists to anticipate drop in tire
prices, and consequently has caused
many to delay contemplated pur-
chases until the drop could come.
But the already comparatively low
price of tires at this time precludes
such a downward trend. it is stated
Hence it is argued that while the
Anne rican public may be justified in
waiting for prices of certain com
modities which now are selling at
better than 100 per cent advance over
justify a similar decrease in prices OF
tires.
Question of Mileage.
Another important factor in the
tire situation is the added mileage
and greater durability of the highly
perfected tire today. Six years ago
a 4,0OO-miIe tire was unusual To-
day an S.000-mile tire performance
is very ordinary record. Figuring
conservatively upon TINS mileage
basis alone. a 1920 tire will deliver
at least 100 per cent more mileage
than a 1914 tire, and yet costs but
81 per cent more. The tire selling
for $50 in 1914 cost l cents per
mile. based on 1000 miles of service.
The same tire now gives at ieaSt
twice the mileage and costs only 81
making the cost per mile only seven
eighths of cent. This means that
the same mileage actually is being pur-
chased today foc 80 per cent less money.
This Improvement in the 1917 TIRE
over the 1914 tire. it is pointed out
even is more marked in comparison
Of the 1910 tire with that Of today
the average mileage today being fully
three times that of g 1910 tire. MO
torists in 1910 paid 1856 for 3ox5 1s
sized tire. and $11.90 for the same
sized tube. Today they pay only szs,So
for the same tire and $3.50 for the
tube-getting three times the mileage
for $685. less money. On the 34x4
size tire the 1910 price was $53.4O.
compared to $40.10 today, and $l4.SO
for a tube as compared to $3.50 today
per tire. or $3.50 for full tire equip
ment. with three times the 1910 mile
age.
Elements Considered.
There are several elements directly
responsible. for this condition. Princi-
pal among them is the improved
method of manufacturing automobile
tires. of raising and curing rubber and
of making cotton tire fabric, all made
possible through long experience,
careful research work and the inven-
ton of more modern machinery. Sec
ondly, quantity production has per-
mitted greater manufacturing econ
omy, overhead reduction and the mar
ketfng of the finished tire at lower
cost to the consumer. Were condi
tions normal and were the purchas-
tically in two, prevalent tire prices
might not be considered so unusual
But when it is taken into considera-
ton that wages, freight rates, food
prices. the cost of cotton and the
various compromising ingredients used
in the MAMMA cfnra nf tires hAvo r.
| ed and in nearly all cases more than
doubled, the fact that automobile
tires are of better quality and yet are
selling for less than they did ten
years ago constitutes a refreshing
| thought and a decided relief from the
incessant reminder of the high cost
of living. Since August, 1914, the
/ price of cotton has jumped from 20
cents a pound to $1.35 pound-an
| increase of 575 per cent. The manu-
automobile tires has increased 100
per cent, while the cost of compound
ing ingredie nts has increased APP
| proximately So per cent. The price of
crude rubber today is unusually low
| compared to other materials, but the
present low level in prices does not
affect tire prices, due to the fact that
| vast quantities of rubber were con-
! tracted for before the break.
Reason for Holding Back.
| The present hold back attitude of
the motoring public is believed due to
i misunderstanding of actual facts and
to lack of appreciation of. the avail
ability of automobile tires at prices
so near their pre-war level. In bust
ness circles it is felt confidently that
prices of practically all other COM
| modities will have to break and show
an appreciable decline, before the sit
uation will justify any reduction in
tire prices.