Evening Star Newspaper, February 3, 1926, Page 23

= | A Message and More B ODAY, every automobile owner in America faces the possibility of a substantial in- crease in the cost of tires, both for replacement and as original equip- ment on new cars. Crude rubber has advanced in price approximately 150% during the past twelve months. In a letter from the Secretary of Commerce, Herbert Hoover, to Senator Arthur Capper, written late in December, the reason for this condition is described as follows: “The control of rubber production in the British East Indies was organized under the Stevenson Plan in 1922. That area produces about 70% of the world’s rubber, and we consume about 70% of the world’s rubber. At the time the plan was put into effect by Colonial legis- lation the claim was made that its purpose was to assure a fair price to the growers. The Growers Committee stated that such a fair price would be from fifteen to eighteen pence (30 to 36¢) per pound. Exhaustive investigations of the Department of Commerce showed that at that price the capital invested in the industry would earn an annual average profit of from 15 to 25 per cent. “At the price declared by the price- fixing body as ‘fair’ to them, our next year’s supply would cost us about $324, 000,000, but at the present price of $#1.10 per pound, it will cost us $990,- 000,000 or $666,000,000 in excess of the ‘fair’ price. “These increased prices of rubber are a very real thing to every family in the United States. The price over and above THE EVENING tire. or worn. burning tires. ¥* the so-called ‘fair’ price means an in- creased charge of probably $20 or $30 for each set of tires on a light automobile, and $50 to $70 for each set on a heavy car. Buick Owners Use 5,000,000 Tires Buick considers it a plain duty to the million and more Buick own- ers now using 5,000,000 and more tires, to discuss this situation, and STAR, . WASHINGTON,, D. C, Save Tire Wear These simple rules, observed by every motorist will help: 1 Maintain the proper pressure of air in every Repair tires promptly when they are injured Turn corners gently, avoiding scraping or 4 3¢ Apply brakes gently and do not slide tires in coming to a stop. Buick mechanical four-wheel brakes automatically cut down tire wear by applying the pressure to all four tires instead of only two. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1926. to call attention to certain sugges- tions which 'Secretary Hoover has advanced to protect car owners against the threatened in- crease in the cost of motor car operation. Secretary Hoover Urges You To Save Rubber Foreseeing the hardship that an (&4 @ eMillion additional tire cost would work on the American public, Secretary Hoover, aided by the National Automobile Chamber of Com- merce, has undertaken to reduce the normal demand for crude rubber 25% during 1926. He feels certain this can be done by placing the facts squarely before you, and by asking you to observe a few fundamental tire saving rules, that most people neglect. With this aid from a nation of motorists, Mr. Hoover hopes to reduce considerably the consump- tion of new rubber, and perhaps bring rubber prices to a lower level. Buick Urges Your Aid Buick lends its unqualified sup- port to the Hoover program and urges every Buick owner to add his cooperation. You are not asked to drive less—only to drive with more consideration for your tires. In this way, the tire economy which Buick has de- signed into Buick motor cars may be realized to its fullest extent. On this page you will find the driving suggestions offered by Secretary Hoover. Observance of these rules will make us a nation of more thrifty tire users. And save our money, not only now, but for years to come. BUICK MOTOR COMPANY, FLINT, MICHIGAN Division of General Motors Corporation WHEN BETTER AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT, BUICK WILL BUILD THEM )