The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-01-28

precipitated particularly through
conditions existing at the end OF
September, when tire and rubber
manufacturers, importers and dear
ers had on hand a total OF 9O,S6l
long tons of rubber, the largest
inventory since the middle OF 1879.
This stock compares with S4,Sl1
long tons held at the end OF june
and with 1888 long tons at the
factories and warehouses in Sep
TENDER of 1926.
Crude Rubber Supply
Stocks Of crude rubber reported
afIoat and destined for American
ports on September 80 amounted to
sc, OO6 long tons, compared with
$3.50 long tons at the end OF the
second quarter and 39,815 long
tons at the end OF the third quar-
ter OF 1926. Crude rubber arrivals
in the United States according to
Government figures totaled during
the third quarter of last year, SS,7S1
long tons. This compares with
1882 long tons during the second
quarter and 10O,77S long tons IN
the third quarter of 1925.
CONSUMPTION of crude rubber by
the tire industry during the third
quarter was also less than the sec
ond quarter as well as the third
quarter Of 1926. In the three
months ending September 80, last,
the manufacture of tires and tire
sundries called for the use of So, 1853
long tons compared with 82,648 long
tons in the second quarter and TO-
142 long tons in the third quarter
Of 1926.
The rubber industry as g whole
likewise consumed less rubber in the
third quarter than In the previous
three months as well as in the
same period OF 1926, the respective
totals being 82,073 tons in the third
quarter OF 1897, 1888 tons in the
second quarter and 5000 tons in
the third quarter of 1926.
Tire manufacturers made money
last year due to the stable condition
OF the crude rubber market, the
range OF prices for this essential
raw material being from low 3Sc
a pound in September to a high
41Ac a pound in March, and also
because of the economies effected
in merchandising methods and the
adoption Of machines for the manu-
facture OF tires and tubes.
Tire Retailer Puzzled
Few tire dealers finished 1927 with
profits in lire with those scored IN
other years, due to the extremely
low prices at which tires and tubes
have been selling and the reduction
g. f1lrnoyer as 8 result OF the greater
now returned by the aver
age tire. Dealer sales in units were
greater, representing about $4,000, 900
castings in 1927 against 40,000,00O in
1925 aAd 81, O0O, 900 in 1925. But as
stated above the retailer had to work
on q very slim margin to profit.
The tire retailer also had a severe
merchandising problem to handle in
with balloon tire sizes
which played part In cutting down
his profit by adding to his invest.
ment in stocks. Since the advent OF
the balloon or low-pressure tire, new
sizes have been constantly making
their appearance because of the fire.
quent changes made by car manu-.
facturers in the original tire equip
ment on their products.
At the start balloon tires were
made to fit the 20. 81 and % inch
diameter rims and in Is different
cross section sizes. Now these tires
are made for 1S, 10, 20, 81 and %
inch diameter rims and in at least 81 |
cross sections for passenger cars and |
IL different cross sections for motor |
buses.
It was recently estimated that the