The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-07-29
PRICE is GOING UP.
The Movement to In
crease Cost of Shoes
Has Come East.
LEATHER HAS ALREADY GONE UP.
Worcester Manufacturers
Have Felt the
Movement.

Look out for raise in the price of
shoes. 1t is coming.
The movement started by the shoe
manufacturers of Cincinnati and other
western cities has reached the east.
There is no doubt that prices will adj
vance, although the new prices may
not be fixed before Aug. s, when a
convention of shoe manufacturers will
be held in Philadelphia.
Worcester manufacturers are discuss
ing the condition of things and agree
that one of two things must happen.
Cheaper the quality of goods or get
more money for the product
The opinions of Worcester shoe man
ufacturers are of interest.
S. r. Haywood president of the Hey-
wood Boot and Shoe Company, said
1T is an acknowledged fact that all
materials going into shoe have ad-
vanced In price, and unless quality is
reduced the price must be raised We
cannot speak for others. Our standard
of quality was fixed more than 80 years
ago, and it will not be lowered. A
sturdy oak is the growth of years. The
reputation for making good goods does
not, like Jonahs gourd, grow in a
night. We have stood guard over our
quality for more than a generation,
and we do not propose, like Esau, to
sell it for mess of pottage. Our ex-
perience convinces us that the public
appreciates a policy that is sure to fur
nish them with honest shoes under all
conditions, and at all times. Our sue
cess has been along this line, and we
shall steadfastly adhere to it,"
John Peacock, manager of the local
hp IN I'd
Leather Company, is of the opinion
that the price of shoes will have to 90
up or the price of leather down. in the
near future. During the past three
years leather has had a decided up
ward tendency, but there has been no
change in the price of shoes. In his
opinion, the man who has got a new
dollar back for an old one is a lucky
individual.
During the past three months the
price of sole leather has taken a de-
cided jump. Leather, which could be
bought three months ago for II or IS
cents a pound, costs from 10 to II cents
at present, according to the grade. Ow-
ing to the fact that the local plant is
but branch of the main company Mr..
Peacock is unable to say what steps
have been taken toward increasing the
price. He has heard, however, there
is to be an increase.
Charles S. Goddard of the firm of
c. S. Goddard & Sons, was acquainted
with the fact that there is considera-
BILE discussion over the matter of rails
ing prices. His firm has received no
notification of the convention to be held
Aug. 8, and in his opinion they will
not. His firm sells exclusively to the
jobbing trade, and, as Mr.. Goddard I'M
derstands, the convention will be made
up of manufacturers who sell largely
to the retail trade.
Mr.. Goddard confirms the report that
the recent advance in leather will
make it almost imperative to receive
more for shoes. He quotes these figures
as indicative of the increase. Sole
leather which formerly sold for Is or
16 cents a pound, costs 10 to 20: re-
iects have jumped from II IL to 70 10
and Is 1-2 to Is 1-2; damaged leather
has gone up from 10 IL to Is 1-2 per
pound
Another thing that tends to cheaper
shoes, in Mr. Goddard's opinion is the
fact that so many new manufacturers
have gone into the business, principal
ly in the west, who make a speciality
of cheaper grades. AT present, iobbers
are asking the best thing possible for
the money, but are not offering more
money.