The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-10-06

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case have found an increase in prices
In all knit goods, such as vests, drawers,
combination suits and hosiery there has
been considerable reduction. Hosiery is
sold from to 10 per cent. cheaper than
it was two years ago, and the reduction
is particularly noticeable in the new
styles OF knit goods-the union under
garments and equestrian tights that have
come into vogue with other sensible
fashions that indicate an advance toward
artistic and hygienic dressing. Prices
have fallen so much on tights that any
woman can afford to wear them now.
Such garments as sold for seven and
eight dollars three years ago can now
be purchased for three dollars, and cor
responding reduction has been made in
all grades of goods. Within the past
two years the capacity of our factories
for manufacturing knit goods has in
creased by something over GO per cent.
The protective tariff has certainly been
a good thing for this industry.
There is no appreciable difference in
the cost of the American made corset.
The imported article is of course con-
siderably higher, but the great majority
of buyers patronize the American corset
manufacturer anyway.
Ready made undergarments of cotton
and muslin are selling about the same
as formerly, the slight reduction in the
cost of the material having only slight
effect ON the price of deliberately
trimmed garments. In the palmer goods,
however, made of coarser materials,
where minimum amount of labor is
expended, there is few cents difference.
In all grades Of cottons, calicoes and
prints, where the price has not remained
stationary, it has decreased from one
fourth to two cents per yard. For in
stance, cotton flannel quoted two years
ago from 81 to 91s is now selling for or
9, and cambrics formerly quoted at 1917
and 10 are selling for 1879 to 1919. Cor
responding reduction is made on colored
cambrics and cheviots.
found in no store that wooden dress
goods had advanced in price. On the
contrary, many Of the standards, as
serges and broadcloths, are cheaper. Two
years ago the regular storm serge cost
from S1.15 to $1.4O per yard. The price
today of this same quality of goods is
from fifty to eighty cents. Broadcloths
are about 10 per cent. cheaper, and the
French btoadcloth does not begin to
possess the wearing qualities of the
American. The finish of the latter is
better and does not trough up" when
worn.
AS far as silks and velvets are con-
cerned the price of the domestic article
is about the same as it was two years
ago. It is generally conceded that a
better quality of velvet is placed upon
the market now, whether imported or
domestic.
In millinery goods, except of course
imported models, there has been no in
crease in price. Trimmings are perhaps
little cheaper.
Expert glove buyers concede that the
American factories give US a better
grade Of gloves than the foreign.
The price of leather footgear is the
same in the cheaper grades, but in the
more expensive there is a reduction of
about 10 per cent. Rubbers that were
selling for sixty cents can now be had
for forty-five or fifty cents, and the fifty
cent goods of 1890 cost thirty-five OF
forty cents today.
The Mckinley bill has not affected
the prices of ready made suits and
cloaks. Within the past two years
however, manufacturers have found il
worth while to place upon the market
suits of cheviots and cheaper woolens
| so that today woman can get an mex
pensive tailor made suit. Formerly she
would have been forced to choose be-
tween an expensive cloth suit ready
made and dress pattern in the hands
of an uncertain dressmaker.
All fur goods made up in this country
are fully as cheap this season as they
have ever been.
Since the price of imported gowns has
gone up 30 per cent. the result is thai
more gowns are made every year after
imported models, utilizing American ma
terials, and that American dressmakers
are giving more attention to designing
The time is not far distant when the
American dressmaker will hold her OWL
with the French modiste. was shown
an imported dress Of crepon with sleeves
| of silk that sold for $165. The importer
| bright American woman, said she
could duplicate the garment out OF
American materials and make a big
profit for sixty-fve dollars. She as
sured me that she had only to put 9
foreign stamp on the waistband to en-.
able her to dispose of the dress for $12i
easily.
The sooner the women in this country
show preference for American goods
the better it will be not only for the
| manufacturer and for the home markets
but for the women individually. In
creased demand will be met by an in
creased supply, and cheaper prices viii
necessarily follow. It always pays tc
be patriotic. RAY MANLEY.