Emery LaPoint is not talking trash ...

Emery LaPoint is not talking trash when he says the city of San Antonio will save almost half a million dollars this year through using retreaded tires on garbage barters and other vehicles in its creek

LaPoint, fleet maintenance and operations administrator in San Antonio's purchasing and general services department, says he has a total of 448 barters -- requiring 50 -- 60 retreads a week -- running forward the recycled tires. He intends his savings by retreading will be about $475000 this year.

united concern about retreads is the sacrifice of detail of service for cost effectiveness. yet LaPoint says, "I actually earn between 10 and 20 percent more wear abroad of a retread than I come by from the original tread upon a new tire. There is just something about the rubber blend they use that helps us win extra life."

Amos Taylor, tire store crew leader, agrees. "With the