Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-12-18
Clothes CHEAP
S(O]1 IN britain
Wool Control Board Devises
Plan of Standard Cloth
at $l.50 a Yard
ARMY OFFICERS TO
GET SOME BENEFIT

LONDON, Dec. is.-The Government
dealings with the wool industry have
been successful and the scheme pro-
viding all military officers with stand
ard cloth and uniforms at controlled
price has cut the expenses OF the
junior officers we'll within the allow
g made for them. The system OF
q trolled cloth and clothing now is
{ 20 a step further and the needs OF
the civilian are TO be dealt with by the
Wool Control Board.
Stocks Of wool suitable for the
manufacture Of military clothing have
been controlled since the early days
Of the war and in consequence the
prices OF civilian clothing have been
steadily on the increase.
A suit now costing 1881 is no better
than the pre-war $40 suit, II as good,
and TO set a really good suit that will
stand a fair amount Of wear one has
10 pay between 5000 and SD.
A recent conference Of manufacturers,
cloihiers and labor representatives held
under the direction OF the Wool Control
Board resulted in an agreement on the
part Of the cloth manufacturers to de-
vote part Of their plants to the pro-
duction o IA standard cloth that would
enable the retailer TO supply the pub
lie with suits for men at Si2, youths at
50 30 and boys suits at prices ranging
from S. to 81. according to size.
The price Of standard cloth 10 the
clothing manufacture Is 10 be $3.50 a
yard. The clothing manufacturer will
supply the necessary Innings and trim
mngs and make up the suits, after
which the retailer will sell them to
the public at fixed prices.
There will be a reasonable rate Of
profit, and no more, for the manu-
lacturer, inakerUp and retailer alike,
md a point insisted upon Is that in
all details Of manufacture or distribu-
ion standard rates Of wages must be
paid.
No shoddy will be used in the manu-
facturc Of the standard cloths. They
are 10 be made Of wool Of a quality de-
scribed In the trade as of sorts and
will be blended with noils Short pieces
and knots Of WOOL. Quality and not
choapness Is TO be the standard Of the
manufacturers.
The control board will establish GER
tain safeguards in the public interest.
A travelling inspector will visit the
mills where the stndsrd cloth is being
produced with a view of seeing that
the material conforms 20 the standard.
With the assistance Of advisory COM
mlttees from the trade it is proposed
10 set up sample Specifications, cover
Ing weight, strength, widths. &c. But
N order not to hamper the manufac-
lurer In the production Of varieties Of
cloths only essential points will be in
GUIDED In the specification.
The wide advertisement Of the fixed
retail prices. will. It Is thought be
adequate 10 prevent any infringement
IF the regulations as TO the selling
price
The Wool Control Board also is con-
sidering the question Of supplies OF
flannel for civilian use next winter.
Supplies in hand viii be sufficient for
the present season, but the board has
decided 10 issue standard specifications
Tor this class Of goods
The manufacturers will be asked TO
submit patterns conforming 10 the
standard, and when the next wood
prices are settled the board will fix a
price for standard flannel
Manufacturers will be allowed two