Evening star., 1942-07-15


to learn about it, but all the discus
sion of gas rationing and all the
predictions about cars being forced
off the road and tires being taken
off and requisitioned by the Govern
ment from present users were pred
icated on theoretical survey of
the problem that was not accom-
panied by any comprehensive sta
tistical analysis of the actual number
Of tires, their mileage possibilities
and what could be done by retreads.
The statisticians of the rubber in
dustry are at work now at the
request of the Government. They
have completed part of their job
and the outlook is much more IA
vorable than had been supposed
Without using single pound of raw
rubber to build new tire it has
been found that rs per cent of
normal mileage can be obtained for
about two years. This means con-
servation, Of course. 1t means
keeping below 40 miles an hour and
having frequent inspections and
maintaining proper imitation in the
tires.
Now in order to get enough re-
treads to carry out the balance of
the civilian needs it has been learned
that about 1855 900 tons of reclaimed
rubber will be needed as we'll as
about 5000 tons of new rubber.
Since the recent salvage drive
obtained 100000 tons of reclaimed
rubber that part OF the program is
easily taken care of. AS for 5000
tons of new rubber this is an insig-
nif1cant fraction Of the 800 900 tons
of new rubber in our accumulated
stockpile.
Conservation Necessary.
Once the program is put into op-
Grafton, much more rubber from
tires now in use would be reclaimed,
especially If retread tires were avail
able In exchange. Such tires need
not be issued except to persons who
have not abused their tires, and the
share -your-ride" plan and other
conservation measures would have
to be kept up.
A huge number of tires is in the
hands of dealers but prohibited from
sale. Carefully used under Gov
ernment distribution such new
tires would have substantial mile
age and would in turn be exchanged
for some tires now being used. The
latter need not be worn as thin as
otherwise would be the case If a
system of exchange Is worked out
that looks toward conservation of
used rubber.
All this, Of course, Is only in
directly related to the synthetic
rubber processes about which there
is 50 much dispute. Under the urge
of a vigilant Congress and with the
financial temptations that a tre-
mendous market for consumption
of rubber after the war might give
tire manufacturers. it may be ex-
pected that some process will prove
itself effective between now and the
end of 1914. Chairman Nelson of
the War Production Board has just
predicted that synthetic rubber pro-
duction will be equal to essential
civilian needs by 1914.
Report May Come Next Week.
So the question OF what can be
done between now and the time
synthetic rubber becomes available
is about to be answered by statisti-
cal studies that may be completed In
time for public announcement next
week. The conclusions will not
warrant anybody in wasting tire
mileage but it should allay many
fears that have been expressed as
to whether workers would be able
to get to the war plants every day
and whether deliveries of food and
other necessary items will be dis
rupted.
Perhaps the Presidents caution in
hesitating to apply Nationwide
gasoline rationing will be found
justified. Anyway, it may be found
that gas raIoning as a means of
forcing tire conservation will not
have to be applied in all parts of
the country or that, if it is applied,
the amounts of gasoline available
can be materially increased some
time between now and 1943.
Until the statisticians make their
report about the existing tire mile
age, the rationing problem canno.
be settled.
Reproduction RlEhts Reservedl