The Rubber Corner

The complaint of a British corner in rubber made in Congress produced diplomatic exchanges. The Brazilian ambassador announced the willingness of his country to cooperate' with the U. S. Department of Commerce in attracting American capital into the Brazilian rubber industry. Such proposed essays in business provide frequent topics of conversation beside the Potomac. It should be realized, however, that it takes many years to establish rubber plantations, and that in the light of the recent overproduction prospects for such a venture over the next decade are not promising. The great " rubber boom " in London in 1910 was followed by a spectacular list of failures. It would be a more sensible course for large American consumers of rubber to enter the pres-ent "Rubber Syndicate" and cooperate with it in a fair stabilization of prices. Brazil's own experience with the valorization of coffee is a sufficient indication of the danger of government meddling in international trade. The present hubbub over rubber is mainly a political rather than business issue. It proceeds more from a desire to "twist the lion's tail than from a tender sympathy for tire manufacturers.