The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-22
TRYING TO f|hO
WOOL SUBSTITUTES
Growing Scarcity and High Cost OF
the Animal PrOsiuct Make 1t
AdviSa bic

With wool at a record price level
and all signs pointing to "a continuance
OF high II not higher quotations, tex
tile men are quite convinced that
steps must be taken to deal with
situation that may already be de-
scribed as critical. The campaign for
mere sheep has reached quite re-
spectabl dimensions, but there are
obstacles in this way OF solving the
wool shortage that may prevent re-
lief through such a measure. With
the worlds supply OF free or cheap
grazing land rapidly diminishing. adj
ditional sheep grown at higher cost
on farm instead of range land may
not bring down the price OF wool.
a great deal of sentiment has de-
veioped in the wooden industry for
conference OF all factors not only in
that business but those connected
with other textile branches, such as
the cotton, linen and jute grades. the
makers of textile machinery. the
ctothiers and. garment makers, and
all those employed in the handling
and distribution OF wearing apparel.
Preferab bly,. the textile men would
like 10 have such a meeting called by
and held under the auspices OF the
g0Xecnment-1,h department
commerce, the department of agri-
culture and the bureau of standards
should have representatives on hand
to lend the cooperation of these
branches OF the federal government.
Not only is il felt that much could
be accomplished for the people at
large by such conference. but. in
the war crisis that the nation faces
the resources OF the country could be
materially strengthened.
The proposed textile conference
would discuss ways and means of ef-
fecting some ideal combinations of
textile materials that will give proper
service as clothing, and that can be
made at low cost from products
which are in large supply. Authori-
ties in the textile trade realize that
only a beginning has been made IN
the combination OF materials, and
that most If not all Of these COM
bnations have come about hap
hazardly and not through scientific
experimentation. The reason for this
is that. while wooden manufacturer
may know everything worth while
knowing about wool and its uses, he
Is usually quite in the dark concern
ing cotton or linen. The same holds
good for the cotton manufacturer and
two materials in certain proportions
might produce a cloth of unquestion-
able quality. and yet the machinery
for it's manufacture be lacking. This
Is where the textile machinery man
would have his suggestions to make,
The cooperation. of the department
of agriculture is desired because that
organization of government experts
could furnish the best data available
on fibre products that might be con-
verted to use in making textiles and
could give most valuable information
regarding methods of planting. the
best growing land. and where ii might
be found. The department Of COM
merce would be equally useful in sup
plying manufacturing facts and
figures. Investigation and analysis of
possible materials would he the work
the bureau of standards would be
called upon to perform.
In pointing out the many advan-
tages which should follow from such
"a meeting. James Chittick. a con-
sulting textile specialists in New ork
said that no hope can be held out for
wool at the price buyers have been
accustomed to pay in former years.
Continued ON Second pa4el