Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-10-19

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them that they David Lawrence.
may expect no future in that
business.
Is it possible that while the Presi-
dent is opposed to a tariff he will
advocate subsidy and thus keep
perhaps 100000 tons a year of syn
thetic rubber production so as to
enable America to protect herself
against exorbitant prices which may
be charged by the British-Dutch
cartel? This question is suggested
as one key to the Presidents
declaration of purpose on the rubber
tariff.
Certainly the American people
will not feel happy at surrendering
their synthetic rubber plants and
returning to position of depend
ence on rubber supply 10000 miles
away in the Dutch East Indies. 1t
is understood, moreover, that the
actual expense for the cost of the
rubber itself is small part of the
total tire cost. 1t is said, for in
stance, that the cost of the syn
thetic rubber if protected by a tariff
would not be more than a few cents
per tire, whereas the cost of the
tire itself is many times that sum
because of the other materials and
labor involved.
Alien Source Disliked.
1t cannot be, therefore, that the
opposition to a rubber tariff is based
on a desire to save the American
tire purchaser any large sums of
money. 1t is more likely that the
American automobile owner would
rather have an American source of
supply for his rubber than to depend
on a foreign country which might
become involved in war.
The fact that Mr.. Roosevelt not
only discussed rubber when the
President of Haiti was here but per-
mitted his remarks to be quoted
the next day is looked upon as
significant. Did Mr.. Roosevelt feel
he had to reassure the British and
Dutch interests that they need have
no worry about the future of their
rubber market? Did Prime Minister
Churchill put the matter up to the
President as one means of finding
out whether the trade barriers
which Secretary Hull talks about
will be removed?
II 1t was in response to British
influence that the President has
taken his stand, then some counter
measure to assure a fixed price is
IN order. Will the British govern
ment agree to hold the price of
rubber down to an average of its
prewar prices if the United States
gives up its synthetic rubber plants
after the war? This is another
question that will have to be ans
Wered before the Congress disposes
OF the matter, for it is in the two
houses of Congress that it will
finally be settled.
Development Considered.
There is some talk about the
Presidents desire to stimulate rub
Der production in Central and South
America and that he is much more
deslrous Of seeing rubber industry
built up there than to resume pur-
chases in the Dutch East Indies.
Vice President Wallace has ex-
pressed opposition to rubber tariff
because he thinks production in
other parts of this hemisphere
should be encouraged.
The rubber problem has been
kicked around a good deal since
1899 and 1910 when American oil
and rubber companies begged the
American Government to help them
build synthetic rubber plants. But
even at that time-betore Singapore
Tell the Am erican companies
thought 1t unWise to risk their own
capital because the life Of the syn
thetic rubber industry was fell to
be precarious. 1t is said that all the
time that there was pressure for
synthetic rubber plants to be start
ed, the President was hesitant be-
cause he foresaw the emergence Of
a tariff controversy. This point of
view is believed to have been largely
responsible for the Presidents early
Discrimination to approve the ex-
penditure of government money for
rubber plants.
Synthetic rubber has some uses
for which it excels natural rubber
but the new American industry can
hardly be expected to be efficient
If its morale is to be depressed by
the announcement that all the time
and money already invested is to
be strapped the moment the war
is over.
(Reproduction Riehts Reserved