Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-02-15
EPAREDNfSS IS
LEADING TOPIC OF
INTEREST IN EAST
Boise Man Declares Senti-
ment Is All One Way
G. o. Johnson Tells of
Business Conditions.

Preparedness is the great issue in
the east, according to c. o. Johnson, of
the firm of Mcleod g. Johnson, who
has returned from a five weeks pur-
chasing trip, during which he visited
New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Bos-
ton, Baltimore. Washington and a
number of smaller points.
Sentiment all through the east Is
strong for preparedness said Mr..
johnson today. You hear it talked in
hotels, restaurants, clubs, on street
cars and, in fact, everywhere. There
1t Is not regarded as a political issue
but grave national issue which
should be met on broad terms. From
the observatory on the Metropolitan
building in New York, the man in
charge of a party of sightseers told of
the millions and millions of dollars of
wealth tied up in factories and build
ings and then pointing to the ocean
called attention to the fact that all
that wealth could be demolished by
ships Is or 20 miles out at sea Smelling
the city and closing, stated that the
position of the other eastern coast
cities was much the same and that
was the reason the east stood so strong
for preparedness"
Baggage Searched In Canada.
Mr. Johnson made a brief trip into
Canada and underwent the ordeal of
being searched and having all his bag
gage searched before he was able to
cross the border. Soldiers, he states,
are guarding the bridges, and the Ca
nadians are taking no chances with
anyone since one or two attempts have
hean hlnU nf the
border bridges.
Speaking of merchandising. Mr..
johnson states that it is difficult to
get many kinds of clothes. and, in
fact, they cannot be gotten unless a
sharp advance in price is paid. The
same condition, he states, applies to
ready made clothing, in which the
best dyes are put The dye situation
he states, is critical and he was ad-
vised that it was not because as good
dyes as those in Germany could not
be manufactured in this country, but
that the investment would be extreme
ly heavy and is not being undertaken
for the reason that capitalists fear
that should they establish dye plants
they would no sooner be ready to mar
ket their product than the war might
emu anu LiiGH MOuiu ut III d SllttlD tbHl
petition with German manufacturers
whose dyes have gained a reputation
and it would mean a long competitive
battle to win.
Attended Taiors' Convention.
At St. Louis, Mr. Johnson attend
ed the convention of the National
Merchant Tailors' association, at which
every state in the union was repre-
scented. He was the lone representa-
tive from Idaho. At this convention
he states, the fashions are really made
Those set in New York are approved
or disapproved he stated. and he gives
1t out that there are no radical changes
this season. In the fashion parade BY
the members, he stated, there were q
few green full dress suits and one OF
two red swallow tailed suits and while
limited number of such suits will be-
sold in certain localities. he stated
they will not get to the west.
in the eastern factories" said Mr.
johnson, there has been a notable
change in conditions under which The