The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-29
GOVERNMENT MAY
SEIZE SHOE PLANTS
Action Predicted if Manufac-
turers Fail to Produce Stand
ardized Liberty Shoe.

Shoe factories througho@ the coun-
try are likely to be taken over by the
Government as a first step in making a
standardized shoe. This is said to be
tho plan of the Government in case man.
ufacturers fail to devise a satisfactory
plan of their own for meeting the Gov
ernment's demand for a Liberty shoe.
according to statement which the Shoe
aud Leather Reporter of Boston will
make editorially to-day.
This is supposed~to be a secret, but
every one in the trade is talking about
1t and almost all the manufacturers
have expressed their opinions more or
less vigorously" the Shoe and Leather
Reporter will say.
''lf the time comes when the United
States approaches the limit of its re-
sources 1t would be expedient to abolish
all fads and styles in articles of cloth
ing for men and women. In that event
Liberty shoes would be accepted patriot
ically by the people. The idea of orig
mating war shoes while permitting man
ufacturers to continue making stylish
footgear for those who are willing to
pay the prices is illogical and pedestined
to failure.
THE difficulty OF originating and
carrying into successful effect a sys-
TEN OF war time shoes at fixed
prices and fixed margins of profit for
manufacturer. jobber and retailer will
prove so great that before the problem
is half worked out the war will be over.
IF 1t should turn out that the Liberty
shoe Is not in accord with the psychol-
ogy of the American people our industry
would be in the position of having cut
l,r Mt tiaa Of Lon m ~
salable shoes. AS a matter of fact re-
tail dealers are even now carrying
stocks of goods which they wilrbe forced
to close out at loss because the style
note in them is not in accord with the
latest ideas Of fashion"
Wool Rations Probable.
The Government is seeking informa-
ton from the mills concerning their
wool requirements for other than Gov
eminent purposes. From this 1t Is gath
cred that the Government Is to, adopt a
policy of rationing wool for civilian
needs along the lines 1t has laid down
for distributing wool for its own require
ments.
This rationing, however. Is not to in
terfere with Government wants and is
to be put into effect only in instances
where an amount of wool Is more than
enough. to fill the needs of the Govern
ment itself. A QUESTIONABLE is being
sent by the War Industries Board to all
mills to secure accurate information re-
garding their requirements.
Manufacturers who had sought to have
some such system OF rationing installed,
had explained to the Government that II
the mills were to run only on Govern
ment work it would be necessary for
such work to carry the total overhead
charge of the entire producing capacity
of the mill The present plans is ex-
pected to mitigate this condition.
For example If a mill is operating 80
per cent. of its machinery on Govern
ment goods and has in stock In its ware
houses enough wool to make part of the
balance of 20 per cent. for the civilian
trade. thus dividing the cost of produc-
ton between the Government and civil
ian trade, 1t is the object of the question
naire to discover what is required and
If possible the requirements may be sup
piled