Evening journal., 1919-08-04
SHOE PRICES TO DO
some MORE SOARING.
Trade Situation. Says Manu-.
facturer Needs Probe to
Check Profitcering
LARGE STOCKS ARE
READY FOR EXPORT

While the American public IS Delns
Informed that II will have 10 pay s25
a pair Of shoes this winter, a corpora
lion which made millions OF dollars
during the war period in the manufac-
h,re of explosives is advertising in
trade Journals that. through its control
nf six factories manufacturing foot
wear IL is able TO offer unusual
values" in shoes for export. The com
ospv is not the duPonts. however.
In view Of the statement made several
iavs ago BY senator Ball. OF Delaware,
chairman OF the Senate subcommittee
investigating the high cost OF living IN
Nhshfneton, that hides which furnish
shoe leather have advanced more than
60 per cent. although cattle arc more
plentiful today than ever. il is pointed
out. that the entire shoe situation is
me that calls for prompt action.
Local manufacturers, who have shown
great uneasiness over the condition OF
the hide and leather market stated
several weeks ago in most emphatic
terms that the only way 10 curb ilie
mounting prices Of shoes was for the
government TO forbid expectation or
feather and shoes.
There was no reason. they stated.
why the American public should be
compelled TO pay S25 per pair for shoes
because supplies were being diverted
10 England That country. IL was said,
taking a sudden fancy TO the shoes worn
by Americans whom the war brought
10 their shores, has had Sir Percy Daniel
mere for some time. buying American
tanned leather at ANY old price.
Shoemakers in England, local manu-
facturers say, are paid about one-third
of the wages earned bF American max
ers OF shoes, so that IL would be guile
possible for England. after outbiddins
American shoe manufacturers on lcath-
er 10 sell the made-up shoes In this
country for less than Amerlcan-made
shoes
throughout the country are aroused 70
he fact that higher prices on shoes VIII
Ause discomfort to spread with almost
4 much rapidity as the high price OF
bodstuffs has done. as shown by cir
hllar. marked confidential" p" received In
Wilmington today.
Prices Of leather and shoes are both
excessive, far beyond any past expert
snce." according te the circular and
will continue 10 exist so long as the
unusual export demand persists. The
usual spectacle is thereupon presented
20 the national board Of representative
shoe manufacturers. urging its mem
bers 10 do as little business as possible
IN order to keep down demand.
"All purchases FAR in advance OF ac-
fual needs. or buying in excess OF
quantities actually needed for season.
able demand must stop. While this, or
any other policy. may not reduce the
cost Of shoes FOR the 1ext six months
there is no ground for the assumption
that tho tide now 50 rapidly rising will
not ebb. or that relief in some form
will not come during the latter part
or te year 1920"
The true meaning Of the situation. a
local manufacturer stated this morning.
vas that the American public will have
10 make its old shoes do. while for
eign countries will he wearing shoes
made by their workmen Of leather
taken away from the American manu-
facturer.
In the opinion Of this manufacturer
the general investigation into the high
cost Of living must he made to include