Evening Star Newspaper, November 6, 1928, Page 20

AMAZONIA VISIONS REVIVAL OF RUBBER South Americans, in Wake of Boom’s Collapse, Plan to _Re- trieve Former Prestige. A M. Smith, special correspondent for The Star and North American News- paper | Alliance, was sent to Brazil to report Henry 'Ford’s progress on his Jour-million-acre ~rubber concession in Amazonia. The following is the third of Mr. Smith’s articles: BY A. M. SMITH. Written exclusively for The Star and the North American Newspaper Alliance. PARA, Brazil, November 6.—All Ama- zonia, which includes the greater part of Brazil, portions of Venezuela, Co- lombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, is economically flat. Domestic capital cannot cope with the problem of re- viving the now dormant, but once flour- ishing chief industry, production of rubber. ‘The people of Brazil offer no welcome to the “extrangeiro” who comes to take unfair advantage. Nevertheless, devel- opment of the natural resources of Am- azonia to a point where the products of the land may be brought into advan- tageous competition in world markets must be undertaken by outside capital. Brazil realized this years ago. The federal government took steps, incor- porated in a 1912 decree, to aid foreign capital that could see the opportunity of rich returns, and at the same time aelp Brazil out of her economic difficul- es. ‘The economic condition of the states in the basin of the Amazon since 1912, ‘with the attitude of federal and states governments expressed in laws and de- crees aimed at rehabilitation and the labor and general social conditions re- sulting from this long period of dor- mant production, from the substantial economic, social and political basis on which the Ford Motor Co. or any other foreign concern must approach the problem of exploitation of the resources of Amazonia. Articles of Export. Rubber and Brazil nuts are the two great staples for export. Other exports, such as oil nuts, dried fish, deerskins, cocoa, cotton, rice, beans, corn, sugar, alcohol and rum, are all important staples, in their early infancy of possi- ble productivity. But Amazonia was once at high tide of prosperity because of rubber, and for the past 16 years has steadily slumped because of rubber. Rubber is the index of the economic health of Amazonia. the match in progress. that crisis in rubber production. Capital has not been forthcoming with the enterprise and nerve * which could undertake the production of rubber in the orderly manner pursued by the companies of the Orient. In the year 1880 the state of Para alone produced 7,793 metric tons of rubber. This rose steadily to 16,398 in 1899, but other parts of Amazonia had begun to produce, and Para’s quota was held down to 9,672 in 1907. Steadily came to market, and the market de- mand increased rapidly in those years with the development of the automobile industry in the United States. In spite of competition prices soared, and hopes and plans with them. Para, typical of all Amazonian rubber-pro- ducing areas, increased her output to 10,153 tons in 1909. Then came the smash, in April, 1910. Since that date there has been an almost steady annual decline in the production and export of rubber from all Amazonia. In the year 1925 Para shipped 5475 tons, which is approximately the amount this state will produce this year. Twenty- nine years ago Para shipped three times this amount, and during this 29 ‘The rubber industry of Brazil began i years the world’s demand for rubber 100 years ago. In 1827, the Province of Para exported 34!, tons. Greater demand soon resulted from the discov- ery of the vulcanizing process, and by 1853, the export of rubber from this area had risen to 2,607 tons. Other sections of the zon basin began to produce for export, as a re- sult of the increased demand, and in 1908 Amazonia’s output raised the total export of that year to 40,164 tons, Bra- zil, however, exporting more than three- sevenths of this total. This was the high tide of the industry. Prices con- tinued to rise. Money flowed freely. “Caboclos,” laborers, swamped through the areas near the great waterways, gltherlng the prized latex and curing it, y a smoking process, into balls, slabs or scrap for export. Country Prospered. Money was poured out in_ building and embellishment of cities. Para and Manaos, the latter 865 miles up the has increased by several hundred per cent. Government Aids Industry. In 1912, realizing that nothing but the introduction of great capital in the Brazilian_rubber industry could bring back to Brazil her lost position in the rubber market, the federal government promulgated a decree called “defesa borracha”—defense of rubber. This decree exempts tools and materials to be used in the rubber industry from duty; offers premiums for planting rub- ber trees, establishing factories for refining. rubber and manufacture of rubber goods; exempts vessels in river increased shipments from the Orient|* THE EVENING STAR,' WASHINGTON, D. ©, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER §, 1928 Miss Birdie Reeve, a 9-year-old Missouri caller at the White House, who | challenged and played to a draw J. Russel Young, The Evening Star’s representa- tive, and the acknowledged chess champion of the executive offices. Photo shows —Underwood Photo. navigation in the rubber-producing region from customs and other duties. Besides this, the government pro- posed to establish experimental stations, build railroads, immigrant hotels and hospitals, and for the relief of more than 1,300,000 people whose economic status was seriously affected by the rubber crisis the government proposed various measures to encourage the pro- duction of foodstuffs in Amazonia. But the plans of the government, nobly conceived, were very meagerly executed because of lack of funds and because big capital never responded to the invitation to take and use land until last_year the Ford Motor Co. closed a COATS A colorful array of beautiful coats in a variety of authentic styles for 1928-1929 —we are out of the high - rent district. Compare our prices! Repairing and Remodeling SHAFFER FUR CO. 1788 Columbia Rd. k contract for a 4,000,000-acre concession on the Tapajos. The loss of the former commanding position in rubber production and ex- port, the depleted state and federal income because of this loss and the bitter experience of seeing the world's use of rubber multiplied while Brazil's supply of it was annually divided and deci- mated has been the harder to bear, because Brazil now sees that Sir Henry Wickham should never have been allowed to take the seeds of the Bra- zilian rubber tree from the plateaus back of Boim, plant them in Kew Gar- dens and produce more seeds to be- come the foundation of the rubber industry of Malaysia, the competitive production which economically cut the throat of Amazonia. There is much bitterness in Amazonia because of that removal of rubber seeds for Oriental plantations. ) Recently there appeared the follow- ing in the Folha Do Norte, the north- ern press: “Died in England, at 83 years, Mr. Henry Wickham, founder of the culture of our rubber in the Orient.” Note “our rubber.” Since 1912 Brazil has had the burn- ing desire to find a friend who would help put Amazonia over and past the stone wall with which fate and the enius of the English, Dutch and American planters of the Orient have hedged her in. Ford Move Lauded. It is not surprising that there is re- joicing among the laboring people of this great area. And there is satisfac- tion in the voice of every Brazilian, who notes that the enterprise of Henry Ford is to be undertaken in the very area from which Henry Wickham took the seeds of the Hevea. Other factors in the economic and social condition of Brazil which will directly affect the Ford enterprise are health and sanitation, labor, politics and the factors of production costs, transportation, etc. ‘There are some people here in Para, some Americans, others attached to the few companies still nibbling in a_small way at the rubber business in Brazil, who predict that the Ford Motor Co. will not be able to produce rubber for its own use as cheaply as it could be bought from the plantations of the Orient. (Copyright, 1928, by North American News- paper Alliance.) CITIZENS CONTINUE "ENGINE HOUSE FIGHT Sixteenth Street Highlands Boly Protests Proposed Building Location. The Sixteenth Street Highlands Citi- zens’ Association reiterated its intention to continue its fight against the erec- tion of a fire engine house in the vicini- ty of Sixteenth street and Colorado avenue, following a report by Henry I. Quinm, chairman of a special commit- tee to prevent its erection there, at a meeting in the Sixth Presbyterian Church last night. Mr. Quinn declared emphatically that it is establishing a bad precedent for Congress to authorize the building of such an establishment “on a public park site.” He also told of the action of private citizens in the vicinity in filing an amended bill for an injunction to_prevent the erection of the engine e VENUS 146 Pa.Ave. ‘Washington’s Popular and Moderate Priced Chinese-American Restaurant OFFERS SPECIAL ELECTION NIGHT SERVICE TUESDAY, Nov. 6 From _l_.M P.M tolA M, McWILLIAMS VENUS ORCHESTRA HARVEY BRASSE, Conductor FOR YOUR DANCING NO COVER CHARGE Reservations—Frank, 7818 A SPORTS FROCK That enters the spo clusive manner . .. “FARLEY” HAND-KN an exclusive feature at wherever well dressed w equally often about town Two-piece frocks in Ita These frocks are most u they promise to appear at exclusive country clubs, to play on the leading golf links, to travel unusual beige tones, violet shades and other new Fall colors; all with smart border designs in harmonizing colors; square, round and V necks. being hand-knitted throughout, they are better shaped and more becoming to the figure. rts world in an ex- ITTED DRESSES are Pasternak’s . . . and omen go and to be seen lian blue, deep browns, nusual in their making, house at that location. The first bill for an injunction was dismissed, it was explained, but a hearing on the second one is to be granted Friday. The dssociation adopted a resolution indorsing the Kiwanis Club resolution seeking the establishment of a special school in the District for crippled chil- dren, also special facilities for trans- porting them 'to and from school and other means of caring for them. Mr. Quinn and George B. Bishop were elected delegates to the Federation of Citizens’ Associations. Dr. Lewis J. Battle, president of the association, an- nounced the appointment of a number of committees to carry on detailed and general routine work of the association. LIQUOR STILL SEIZED. 3,080 Gallons Mash Found, Alleged Owner Arrested. A 300-gallon copper still and 3,080 gallons of rye mash were seized by po- lice yesterday afternoon when they ar- rested John Aberson, 50 years old, of Solomons, Md., in a raid on a barn at the rear of a house in the 5800 block of Livingston place southeast. Suspicious of construction activity about the barn, including the laying of a 300-yard long pipe line, Sergt. George M. Little and the police liquor squad ap~ proached the barn just as the man who said he was Aberson fled. _Aberson was captured and charged with illegal pos- session of a still. Besides the still and the mash, which was contained in bar- rels, police found a 10-horse power iler and an electric pump and coil 0ld Fur Coats can be made as good as new if they are con- scientiously handled. You will be surprised it you have them remodeled here. FURRIER 1008 Eye Street NW. ANOTHER BIG DAY WEDNESDAY A SPECIAL PURCFASE 6OES ON'SARE 11 N.TWO 6ROUPS AT A A mighty effort to give you more for your money during this sale is carried out in these coat groups. More style—more beauty—more furs—more value in every one of Al;nmlwn on 1t{|§ !liltuuflex‘l;t‘)‘, é‘-.“;,;he confluence of e latter wi e 2~ Vi zon, flourished and glittered, put on these coats than you would hope pomp and gayety, their people living PR for at these prices. like princes and entertaining like kings. Artistic 7 / . ik Manaos, in this period, was known / 7 g &cg;mpgs"ox;::;emzve&y tul’othh:?,g =t 4 Every coat a new and attractive S p ec i al S ale @hr[fitmag model. In fine broadcloths and pile Wednesday Greeting Cardy to enjoy. The most costly operatic per- fabrics. With gorgeous trims of I i‘r O Ck S £ET your true sentiments of the sea- formances were staged in the richly adorned opera house of Manaos, the ~ world’s greatest actors and singers rich- the most wanted furs. son be carried to your friends this Christmas by Brewood Greeting Cards. $: !9 75 Individuality and exclusiveness is se- . For street and afternoon in the season's smartest ° materials and color tones. Iy paid for coming to the new city of Truly most extraordinary in cured by selecting your design from our THIRTEEN every manner—a complete selec- tion, all colors, all sizes. By 1910, Para, Manaos, Santarem, Tquitos, the cities and countryside up and down the Amazon and its hundreds of tributaries, were in the full swing of the great rubber “booms.” Then, with the startling suddenness of a tire blow- ing out, the boom col L Not only had prices been inflated, and, as a result of this. production over- done, but out of the East, 12,800 miles from the port of New York, there began to be delivered rubber, hevea brasilien- sis, Para rubber, from: the English and Dutch plantations of Malaysia. Amazonia has never been able to overcome this competition of the well ordered, well managed, cultivated and scientifically operated plantations of the Orient, for Amazonia has exhibited no thought along these lines of production. She had merely taken at random, and by the easiest forest paths, the bounty offered by nature in the wild. Boom Bubble Bursts. Many of the companies and individ- ual operators, to whom great credit had been extended in 1910, suddenly failed when the boom price bubble was pricked, and trading houses and banks went down in the general melee. Amazonia has never recovered from Ladies Fall Coats thoroushly cleaned and pressed—re- newed appearance—greater satisfaction Phone MISS GRAY—Atlantic 23 Personal Service Department GUE ety Amazonia. What Para, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires or any city of the conti- restricted assortment of examples of the engraver’s art. nent or of the world could have, Manaos could and would have. Why not? Here YOUR visiting card plate can be used on many of our exclusive designs. in the Amazon Basin was the onlv sup- ‘BREWED ly of a product which the world was gefimflng to demand in enormous quantity. Engravers and Stationers 611 12th St. N.W. TWELVE F Upholstered in Imitation and Genuine Leather, Tapestries, Mohair, Brocades and Velours Reupholstering ‘Also Chair Caneing and Porch Rockers Splinted by Our Experts at the Now Prevailing Low Prices TWO DAYS ONLY Write, Phone or Call Franklin 7483 Estimates and Samples Given Free % DALAILS ROYAL G STREET AT ELEVENTH Just Four days left to get your Community Plate Silverware under our liberal CLUB PLAN SALE d a small f”‘;;[t]lflz'o nowand a Ssum weekly MAGINE this lovely “Home and Hostess Set” of famous COMMUNITY PLATE on yout table for just $1.00 cash, with subsequent payments so small you'll never miss them! @ Six forks, 12 teaspoons, 3 tablespoons, sugar shell, butter knifeand the inimitable De Luxe Stainless knives [steel, sharp, stainless and silvery]—a well-rounded service for six-all for $31.00, the regular cash price. — Five charming designs, Choase individual pieces from this convenient list 5-Piece Parlor Suites—Antiques 3rd Eye World's Largest Dry Cleaning Plant Clay Armstrong Upholsterer 1235 10th ‘St. N.W. e 3-Piece Overstuffed e Suites - Dining Room Chairs :STABLISHED OVER 50 YEARS Hosiery Features Ladies’ Pure Silk Hose Sheer and fine—every thread perfect. Service or chiffon weight and all the wanted colors. $1.45 .. 1343 F Street Another big value feature are these captivating dresses specially bought for this sale. Two groups that present the very newest and smartest dresses for every need—velvets, georgettes, satins, crepes and combinations—stun- ning in style and far superior in quality to the usual dresses at this price. New shades, new Winter prints in all sizes, Choose during this sale and save. Impressive Values In Fine Furniture A visit to Henderson's is both a pleasure and revelation to admirers of distinctive home appointments. sidbsss Six 7.50 Six 7.50 Six 7.50 ‘Teaspoons Table Spoons Dinner Forks Salad Forks De Luxe Stainless Dinaer Knives, Hollow Handle Six14.00 D Luxe Stainless Dinner Knives, Modeled Handle Six 900 Butter Spreadess _Six 6.30 SugarSpoon Bach 1.23 BuuerKoifse Zach 1.33 1 Inspection of our stocks affords ready con- viction of the fact that individuality in Furni- ture is not incompatible with Reasonable We Specialize in Prices. JAMES B. HENDERSON Fine Furniture, Laces, Upholstery, Paperhanging, Painting 1108 G Street———Phones pain 767 Main 7676 FOUNDED 1894 1109 F Street N.W. Quality Findings—Moderate —cleaned, inside and out, New England Furriers FUR REMODELING Prices and glazed. 5 Benjamin Sherman, Prop. Expert Workmanship — Best Fur Coats Estimates Gladly Given 618 12th St. Franklin 6355