Evening star., 1943-10-31

military and heayy-tanspost -
nestle demands, too.
Demands on natural rubber sup
plies have been much greater than
expected because Of increased mill
tary requirements and the fact that
synthetics 80 far cannot be used in
as large proportions ~ had been
hoped in making heavy tires. For
example, 1t is still necessary to
make heavy airplane tires almost
entirely from natural rubber. Syn
thetic is used only for the treads
There are other types using nearly
AZ much natural rubber.
The public believed the rubber
crisis would be overcome when the
new plants began to pour out rub
Der. This il far from the truth.
Oficials say the second phase Of
the program, that Of making tires
and other rubber products from
the synthetic crude, presents an
even greater problem than the first.
The first phase is largely past, the
second just beginning.
Accent on War.
Although the number OF tires is
not quite as great, in actual pounds
of finished product, the Nations
factories now are producing far
more than in pre-war days, because
of the huge demand for large mill
tary sizes. The present job re-
quires much more in the way OF
rubber, manpower and manufac-
turing equipment. Next year the
output must be stepped up greatly.
About 80 per cent more time and
effort are required to make a tire
from synthetic than from natural
rubber.
Delays in approving programs for
increased production of high-tenac-
ity rayon and cotton cord. used in
the fabric of heavy and light tires,
and some delay in granting high
prlorities for expanding tire manu-
featuring facilities, have contributed
much to the present tire crisis.
Last April the rubber director S
Office placed the programs to in
crease rayon and cotton cord out
put before the War Production
Board. Plans to raise rayon pro-
ducticn to 206 ,00O,0 900 pounds a year
were approved only in late Sep
tember. Much of this is still only
on paper.
In early July the rubber Office
outlined to WPB plans to expand
tire industry facilities. Top priori-
ties were granted last week for the
last portion Of a s75 900 900 pro-
gram.
Shortage Of Equipment.
There is an acute shortage of
equipment used in making large size
tires, Molds of the same type are
used III making both military and
civilian bus and truck tires. The
shortage Of molds. vulcanizers and
other productive equipment is one
reason why II may not be possible
TO make enough big tires to 90
around.
The next nine months will be the
critical period for rubber If the
Nation is 10 avoid q transportation
breakdown in 1914, three major OBJ
StaCleS must be cleared away quick
y. These are:
/. Additional manpoWer must be
provided tire factories. Labor on
the job. working with management
must contribute from Is to 20 Del
cent more effort than now.
2. The program to expand tire
producing facilities and the program
TO convert facilities from manufac-
ture OF natural rubber tires to syn-
lhetlc must be completed speedily
s Rayon and cotton cord must be
made available in adequate qllanti-
Ties at the time needed.
Synthetic Tires Satisfactory.
Despite reports TO the contrary.
ot1Clals insist the ail-synthetlc tire
Is satisfactory Tor passenger cars
overall. Ii Is from So TO 80 per cent
IS efnclent as the -flrst-erade pre-
war tlre. Indications are. however.
that II damages more easily and
requires greater care. Improvements
are being made from day to dav. and
before too long II is believed the
Buna S tire viii be match for is
plantation prototype.
Indiana State police recently re-
ported they had tested synthetic
tires and found them wanting. It
was discovered these tires were
among the first produced, and were
improperly cemented by unframed
labor.
The manufacture Of satisfactory
bus and truck tires from synthetics
posses more ditficult problem. De-
spite the use Of rayon cord so that
the sidewalks will be thinner and
will generate less heat IN travel. and
the use OF up TO 80 per cent natural
rubber, the tires. 1t is admitted, still
crack and chip. This problem, Whicn
q few months ago seemed lnSur-
mountable gradually is being solved
however OtflcIalS are confident al
entirely SerVlceable heavy tire sool
Will be produced from SyntheticS.