The Redwood gazette., 1919-10-08

placed upon the export of leather b.
this country, it would mean that the
nations of the old world, who are i
dire need of it, would go into the maj
ket of the world and secure thei
needed supply of hides, thus prevent
ing their being shipped here.
In other words, il our own impor
ton of raw hides was shut off, our own
American tanrieries would be obliged
to close down, thousands upon thou
sands of American Workmen would b
thrown out of work, and what is still
more important, our domestic supply
of hides would be totally inadequate
to take care of our own domestic de
mand, as a result of which, In all like
lihood, shoes would go to new high
price levels heretofore unthought of.
It would seem that, if Congress
to attempt to regulate an economic
condition by legislation, it should b
after long and careful thought and
study, and it is very questionable
whether even the most carefully pre-
pared legislation could effect any sat
isfactory results.
There seems, also, to be no end tc
the enormous demand for shoes in our
own country. In the main, stocks
the shelves Of merchants arc vers
much smaller than for many year
past, and this is unquestionably tru
of the stocks in the hands of the nlanl
facturers as well.
On the other hand, there is appar-
emily no cessation whatsoever IN the
demand Of the consumer for good
footwear. Men and women alike are
buying shoes as they need them, and,
regardless of price, are demanding
equality Despite the high prices,
cheap shoes and shoes that are some
what unreasonable or out of style, are,
in the main, unstable.
This statement is based upon inter-
views we have had with dozens upon
dozens Of merchants from all sections
of our territory. Your familiarity
with your own locality will enable you
to know whethm it applies to your
trade as well.
The demand for shoes is limited,
in reality, only by the purchasing
power of the public.
Labor is earning money easier
and in a larger measure than ever be-
| fore in its history. The $4,000 a week
of q year or so ago has grown into
Ia $4,000 pay envelope today. The
| farmer. who constitutes another great
portion OF the consuming public, has,
except in certain sections, where I'M
| fortunate drouth has prevailed, 0 Tar
larger purchasing power than ever
before.
/ And while the cost OF living has IN
creased in about the same proportion
as have the increased earnings OF the
public, still the fact remains that the
consumer, speaking generally, has II
his possession the Wherewithal to pur-
chase what he and his family require
Despite all that may be said to the
contrary, it would seem then that the
age old law Of supply and demand
still rules the economic world, and
i that there could be no very material
recession IN the price Of commodities
until there was either, on the on
hand, tremendous increase In the
! production" Of commodities; or, on
| the other hand, until there was very
marked impairment Of the purchasing
power Of the public, or, some combi-
nation of both.
There Is q good, well paying job for
every man IN this country today who
wants to work. From practically ev-
cry factory il the land, there is con-
tinuous CRY for more Workmen" The
/ labor market Is inadequate to supply
/ the demand that industry makes up
lon It, and IN addition, remember that