Evening star., 1925-08-16
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

II is the car owners deal in the rub
Der tire situation.
That is the conclusion reached by
those who have studied the rubber sit
uation from the motorists angle and
who are endeavoring to offer some
thing by way of a partial remedy.
While the rubber situation is admit
redly complicated, there are many in
dications that it is not nearly as seri-
Gus as it is generally believed TO be.
But tire prices already have made
four jumps upward and the price of
crude rubber still is considerably
above normal. The American tire
manufacturers, just recovering from
the depression of 1920 and the compe-
tition from smaller companies which
had not loaded up with crude rubber
at high prices have an opportunity to
make little profit.
Economy Is In Order.
Translated into plainly understand
able terms. this means that the Amer
lean car owner will pay more for his
tires for some time to come, regard
less of which way the crude market
situation turns. Therefore il behooves
the car owner TO practice economy and
wisdom in the use of tires.
Several lines of SelfproteCtion Sug-
gest themselves. The forward-lo looking
motorist will purchase at prevailing
prices enough extra tires and tubes TO
see him through the year, but he will
not stock up beyond this point. Be
cause tire dealers are stocked up with
tires is no reason why the ear owner
should invest Il lot of money in rubber.
The trade loaded their shelves long
before the motorIst came to know
about the rubber situation.
AS a second and important precau-
tionary measure. some thought should
be given to protect the extra tires and
tubes that are bought. When one
buys in quantities there is tendency
to become wasteful. Tires should be
kept wrapped in the paper they come
in and should be stored in dry place,
not thrown into corner OF the CARA ge
or put in the cellar.
For the balance of 1925 and for
some time 10 come. it will be advis-
able, judging from present conditions.
for the motorist to carry two spare
tires. These spares, however, will not
necessarily he the new tires. Prudent
owners will put the new tires into
l operation. The old ones will he re
moved. painted with a preservative
and carried for SWagger, economy or
necessity. Motorists who are aCcus-
toned TO driving fast. and who do
not care to run the risk of a front
wisdom to put the new tires on the
front wheels,
NotOrisf Rebelling.
The motoTist gradually is rehelling
against being the pawn in the rubber
situation As d defensive move to
offset the tremendous increase in rub
Der consumption and resultant high
prices. he is beginning to exercise
economies in the use of tires. He is
getting better acquainted with the
peCuliaTities Of the balloon tire so as
to obtain the greatest amount of serv-
ice from it. He realizes the relation
between good roads and tire wear and
the advisa bility Of consulting the tire
specialist in time of trouble.
Opinion has been current within the
last few weeks that the skyrocketinG
of crude rubber prices has been more
a matter of speculation than anything
else. Under the terms of the Steven
son act it is expected that by Febru-
airy /, 1926, there will be released for
the market % per cent of the normal
production. (The production of 1920
is considered as the normal under the
British restrictionsD