Evening star., 1925-11-22
STANDARD SIZES
Of T|RESURGED
Fewer Variations Favored as
Means of Eliminating
Waste in Industry.

Existence Of great variety of
tire sizes is characterized AS zone of
the most striking examples of eco
nomic waste prevailing In industry
today by r. NJ. Hudson, chief of
the division of simplified practice of
the United States Department of
Commerce, in a report on proposals
to simplify variations in tire sizes.
Mr.. Hudson'S report covers q
canvass of nearly 200 companies, To-
Gated in 99 cities and % States. from
Massachusetts to California and from
Michigan to Texas. These compa MES
We're engaged in the manufacture of
passenger cars. motor trucks, tires.
tire chains, covers, carriers, wheels
and rims. spare tire locks. rim and
repair tools. repair patches and re-
pair molds, display racks and miscel-
laneous accessories.
Urge Cooperation.
Many Of these expressed the opinion
that the efforts now being made
toward simplification by committees
of the Rubber Association of Amer
lea, National Automobile Chamber of
Commerce. Society of Automotive
Engineers and others, could be eX
pedited by use OF the cooperative
service of the Department of Com
merCe. such Is given in SimplifiCation
work among other industries.
Mr.. Hudson points out that toward
the end of the war period a program
was worked out by the War In
dustries Board for greatly reducing
the number of types of automobile
tires 10 reduce the consumption of
rubber. the manufacturers agreeing
to a reduction from 2S7 sizes To 81.
In 1922 a prominent motor trade
ma saZine surveyed the Applicant ton
Of this effort and showed that l04
passenger cars, touring model, We're
using 10 sizes. while there We're l24
sedans using II tire sizes.
However, the need for fewer sizes
IS Of fully as great importance to
tho car owner as To :he manufac-
turere and distributors. for. as one
works manager of leading motor
car company expresses il. the con
sumner should benefit by having bet
ter service from the retail tire man.
He should benefit in the long run by
reduction in The price Of tires. both
because of the reduced cost of manu-
facture and the reduced cost of re-
failing. In the long run he would
buy his car cheaper because Of the
lower price Of the tires on IT,.
Standards Desired
Practically all of the "a manufac-
turers of passenger cars who discuss
cd the need of standard tire sizes
We're in favor of early action, al
though instances were found indi-
eating that more data is needed on
the performance of balloon tires be-
fore standards can be set for this
call.
Twenty-one truck manufa cturers
expressed an agreement that fewer
tire sizes would mean lower inven-
tories. smaller investment quicker
turnoveis and greater et ,nomy. and
that simplifcation Of tire sizes would
''he a big advantage reducing
costs of selling and facturinC,
as we'll as in simpl ~ designing
problems Some of u.weyer,
believe that the conoNti.eRS in the
trnck field are much bette than in
the passenger car Ua.d although
there is room for imp owe Fnt.
The tire manufacture iemselves.
47 of them. We're strongi II favor Of
simplifying tire sizes. I 0ev estimate
possible eliminations of 15 per cent of
present sizes I'm some ca s@e. and point
to the fact that conditiong are grow
ing worse. New sizes Il tires are
greed upon, in some ca ses, by motor
car designer and tire maker without
regard to those dealers who have to
service many different makes and
models of cars. and who have to tie
up huge sums in slow moving stocks.
Nearly all feel that the car manufac
turers and designers can solve this
situation.
Wheel Makers for Plan.
Nine wheel and rim manufa cturers
greed that they are under great
burden because of multiplicity Of sizes
of tires. and were willing to cooperate
to bring it about. They face the prob
lem of transitional period of design.
which necessitates some overla ppm 2
nd increase of varieties.
The tire accessory manufa ctlIrers.
chains. covers and other items We're
united in declaring that every change
in tire sizes adds to the compleXitv Of
their problems. They are hit by the
confusion existing. and by complaints
cf dealers and car owners about ar
ticles that ''dO not fit
These expressions of opinion from
the manufacturers are Ia cked ~ by
comments by the editors of some Of
the leading business papers who are
in sympathy with the simplifcation
movement, and who see many advan-
IA ges for the motorist as we'll as the
anufacturer and dealer Of cars tires
and supplies. These editors point to
the condition regards crude rubber
supplies a being possible Of remedy
through the simplification steps sug-
gested
Time Needed for Change.
As one of them SAYS. There are so
many sizes now that few. II any, deal
ers carry a complete line, the motor
ist being forced to shop around
naturalization will improve service
and do away with another of the un-
economic practices 1t is conceded
that some time must elaps while such
steps were being put into general use.
but the advantages. they feel. would
overshadow any handicaps.
Numerous organizations in the auto
motive field have gone on record as
favoring the principle of simplificatiou
and standardiza ton, including car
manufacturers, automotive equipment
groups, automobile dealers. taxicab as
soctations, tire dealers associations
and others.
hs enANHE ucy,;,.u ....