Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-24
Driving Out Shoddy Shoes.

A marked feature of the shoe trade which
has been developed by the low prices and close
margins of profit, has been an increasing de-
mand for good goods This has been particu-
larly true of rubber goods. For few years past
there has been a very heavy trade in shoddy
rubber goods. which were utterly lacking in
wearing qualities. A decade ago pair of rub
ber shoes would last two OF three winters. OF
late years, by reason of sharp competition and
low prices, q low grade article has been
brought to the front, and two or three pairs Of
rubbers a season has become the rule.
The reaction has come, an6 as trade has been
very much overdone the past year, better
grades are again coming to the front.
A representative of one of our leading shoe
firms said: There is growing demand for a
better grade of rubber goods. While our trade
has been disappointment the past winter, SO
far as volume is concerned, we find that our
customers demand higher grades of goods than
for many years past. This Is not only true Of
rubber goods, but of everything in the shoe
line. The depression of trade has given a
black eye to all shoddy goods, and has brought
the genuine article to the front. Depressed
trade and close margins have, therefore their
beneficial uses. And not the least among these Is
the retirement of spurious products to the rear.
I'VE are having abundant illustrations of
Darwin's theory of the survival of the 6ttest'
in all trade lines the past few months. Moth
ing but the best passes muster these times"
The boot and shoe representative quoted
above said: 'Our fall orders begin to come in
from Ohio and Indiana, though the home spring
trade still fingers. We cannot say, IN truth,
that our business is up to last season. The
greatest decline has been in rubber goods
There is however, a good outlook for fall trade
Orders are earlier than usual. And, If we only
do as well as we did last fall. we will be con-
tent, for the years trade will in that event be
fair average in volume.
Cheese and License.
While fresh from the interview with the
iobber of boots and shoes the commercial
editor encountered cheese jobber, who talked
in rather different strain, concerning the in
luence of low prices, close margins and de-
pressed trade. Said he: 81 do not recall the
time when markets were so crowded with
poor stuff as during the past few months
Since so many saloons were knocked out bv
the License Court poor cheese goes begging for
customers This has led to not a little crook
edness on the part of those who are
loaded with the low grade article. Any amount
of cheese is offered these times for tull cream
which is really made OF skim-milk and cotton
seed oil. The temptation to the average drum
mer TO shade the truth in order to effect sales
is too strong for weak human nature" 1t is
estimated that one-half of the cheese sold in
this market for cream is entirely innocent of
cream.
Close margins and depressed trade may bring
the pest in most lines to the front, but so far it
has failed to raise cream to the top in cheese
lines However the consumer lives and learns
and the genuine in all lines is sure to win in the
lonp run. Even cheese must ultimately bow
to this inexorable law.