Evening star., 1924-09-25
TIRE PRODUCTION
NOW ON INCREASE
Consumption Also Indicates
Excellent Business for
Rest of Year.
BY j. c. ROYLE.

Special Dspstch 20 The Star.
AKRON, Ohio, September 25.-Pro-
duction of automobile tires is in
s;reasing in this great rubber section
but more tires are going into con-
sumption than are being turned out
Of the plants. In general, the attitude
of rubber men and tire manufacture
ers is most optimistic over the out
look for the remainder OF the year.
Some of the smaller manufacturers
who depend on replacement business
rather than on furnishing original
tire equipment for new cars, expect
Il slight letup about October Is. but
the larger manufacturers are adding
men to their payrollS and anticipate
10 reduction OF outturn.
Estimates as to the speed at which
tires are being produced in this dis
crict vary somewhat, but careful
check today, as comprehensive and
accurate as possible in view OF the
disinclination OF several companies
10 furnish their official figures,
showed a daily rate OF $1,000 tires.
Tire Plants Are Pushed.
The Goodyear Company is putting
out 1000 tires and about 10000 tubes
a day. The Goodrich daily total is
conservatively estimated at 10000 and
that of the Firestone plant at $4,000.
accounted for by the Miller. General
India. Mohawk. Star. Swinehart and
other factories.
Stocks of tires in the hands of deal
crs and manufacturers have declined
according to the last available figures
10 5000 600, a drop OF over 10000 600
castings in the last six months. De-
Inand has shown steady increase and
there probably, will be less of sea-
%onal slump than usual this Winter.
This is due to the growing popular
ity of the closed car, which insures
that more automobiles will be oper-
ated the coming Winter than ever
before.
Balloon Tires to Stay.
Balloon tires have come to stay,
rubber men say, and it is repeated
u stated that many factories are TAX
ing steps to make them stay longer
that is. these factories are changing
the type of their balloon tires from
four-ply To six-ply. This change is
not being broadcast as yet. 1t Is eSti-
mated that the manufacturers in
question now have on hand 100000
four-ply balloon tires. When these
are cleared from inventory il is pos
sjhle that the newer. heavier type
will be introduced with flourish.
the cost of materials in a balloon tire
and would tend to stabilize the price
during the remainder of the year.
Lower Prices Doubted.
The most prominent and influential
executives in the tire trade express
the firm belief that tire prices are not
due for drop. This applies especial
ly TO balloons and semi-bailoons
which are going on the higher-priced
ears Makers do not feel that owners
of such cars would be deferred from
buying by the maintenance OF prices
"a their present level.
In fact, they add, keeping the prices
1t their present figure is equivalent
TO a cut, so far they are concerned,
since the cost OF materials is rising.
Tire fabrics and the cotton used in
tire manufacture have given recent
evidence of price strength. Rubber
is in a stronger position today than
in months. The price has advanced |
from II cents in June to 2SI2, and
many dealers, importers and consum-
rrs look forward to 30-cent rubber
shortly.
Rubber Market Firm.
The reason is not far to seek There
are now about 10000 tons of rubber
in the hands of dealers and nanufac-
turers This is only about month
and a halfs supply for the tire ir-
dustry, which is consuming crude at
the rate OF some 10000 tons month.
This stock in storage is 4 reduction
&C - 900 IONS. as compared with three
Iaouths ago.
The English market is firm, and
there will be no change IN the amount
of crude permitted To be exported
under the Stevenson plan from the
Straits Settlements until November.
The importers in this country sold
moro rubber in August than in any
month this year, and the rate at
which Consumers have bought this
month promises that September will
beat even this record.
With prices stabilized by these
conditions. manufacturers of tires feel
that neither dealers nor car owners
will have any incentive to hold off in
the hone of bargain sales