The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-06-05
RUBBER A must


MUST conserve,
Some officials go so far as 10 say
the outcome OF the war may de-
pend on rubber. Enormous quantities
are needed. The supply is curtailed.
Substitutes will be attempted. but
results are questionable.
Information on the subject has
been confusing. A wave OF indiffer-
ence seemed to spread over the ma
ton after President Roosevelt indi-
Gated a few days ago that rubber
would be plentiful. IF the President
says there will be plenty Of rubber,
il must be 50, We naturally reason.
But some OF the other men in
Washington say the President
conveyed a wrong impression. that
rubber is far from plentiful and
that substitutes will be slow in
coming through. Even II good quail
ity is made possible there will be
delay In construction OF factories
and installation OF equipment for
manufacture.
One thing we do know is that
there is a shortage OF the kind OF
rubber We have been accustomed
10. Everybody seems to be pretty
well convinced Of that fact. Con
servstion is imperative. Automo-
biles must be used to better advan-
tsge-less driving for pleasure, less
waste of mileage in business and
more people in every vehicle used
for transportation.
We may believe what the Presi-
dent says about finding way to
produce substitutes. He may be
right. but there can be no harm in
playing safe. 1t will be far better
10 conserve good rubber now than
10 depend upon uncertainties later
The President has asked coopera-
ton of all people, but voluntary re
spouse has not been sufficient. so
we get gasoline rationing. not be
cause there Is any shortage OF gaso-
line, but because II will force more
drivers off the road, thereby saving
wear on tires.
why bother?" you hear some
one ask, 81 have It all planned how
! can keep my car on the road as
long as the war lasts"
The man who figures that way
has disappointments ahead. The
government isn't worried about
tires lasting for the use Of the pres
ent owners. What the government
must look ahead TO Is conservation
OF tires now in order that there may
be good ones to collect when the
time comes for general seizure.
Soon after the fall elections, II
not before, there is likely to be a
letter in your mail, or man at
your door telling you that your car
Is needed by the government and
that you are selling 1t. just as resi-
dents in the vicinity Of the Bomber
plant are selling their homes to
make room for workers. II yours Is
not an essential" car you may have
70 bid It goodbye within the year.
=. II the car isn't particularly good.
you may be invited 10 sell the tires
keeping the car for whatever use
you choose. but without tires.
or course there will be contro-
versles as to what IS essential In
automobile classification and what
IL not. but as the need increases
there will be marked reduction In
the list OF uses essential. Business
services will slip close TO the vanish
ing point, horses will take up where
motors leave of and there will be
much more walking.
And when that time comes we
shall find many things pleasant In
the change. The walking we have
forgotten how to do will be good
and even enjoyable. The showdown
will give men more time 10 get ac-
quainted with their neighbors. We
might even get back TO spelling
contests and singing schools and
parlor games and picnics.
II looks uniHvfrtHg. bat ~heF- II
comes there will be compensations,
p-rticularly the satisfaction OF hay-
ing done something important IN
helping TO win the war.
--- O.
Tho pritfch EruDire before the