davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
Business Men Hold That There
Is Every Reason Why Prices
Should Remain at New Level
n HEN of business Throughout
WI the country are fast per
- - Aln& a

NTEN Of business throughout
MI the country are fast per-
ceiving that the coming of
peace will not mark return to pre-
war prices.
The naive notion that the old
threads Of the world as it was prior
to August, 1914, would be picked
up again in 1919 no longer deludes
the minds of leaders in barter and
production. A feeling that a new
price level has been attained is driv-
ing hitherto hesitant buyers into
the market for goods, and the para
lying assumption that prices
would drop is being supplanted by
a deeper understanding of the basis
of present prices.
A. W. Douglas, chairman Of the
committee on statistics and stand
ards of the Chamber of Commerce
Of the United States, gave the set
ting for sharp lineup of authori-
tative opinion on the future of
prices, when he said at the recent
convention of that body at st. Louis
that the high prices continue with
out the slightest reason under the
sun" and that ''if the law of supply
and demand were given freedom
Of operation the decline would con-
tinue until a normal level was
reached
A dramatically opposed view was
short time ago expressed by Pro-
fessor Irving Fisher, of Yale Uni
versity. He asserted that those who
speak of pre-war which pre-
sumably is what Mr.. Douglas means
by normal" -"speak dead lam
guage.'
The Tribune brought these two
opposite poles Of opinion to the at
tention of leading business men of
many lines, wholesale and retail,
and asked them whether Mr.. Doug
las or Professor Fisher had inter
preted the price situation more ac-
curately.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
How Embargoes Effected
The Supply of Goods

another cause which was potent
IN emphasizing the present short
age of raw material and finished
leather was the fact that in June,
1913, an import embargo was placed
upon practically all such hides and
SKINS as were not required for army
purposes. Although some conces-
slons were made by way of modify
ing this embargo, the net result
was a very much diminished inl-'
portation of hides and skins and a
consequent small stock on hand at
the end of last year.
while judging from certain
statistical data it appears that, due
to the stimulus of war conditions,
the production Of livestock and OF
hides and skins in this country dur
ing the last year was increased, live
stock and the production of hides
and skins practically all over the
world, and especially in European
countries, has been greatly dimln-
ished, with the net result that the
world supply now, and probably for
some time to come, will actually
show considerable reduction.
''As to the future, all that | can
say is that in view of the aforesaid
the demand for finished leather IS
likely to continue undated, and 10
seems reasonable to suppose thas
when the European countries, soma
of which have been swept practicalss
ly bare of leather and OF Leather
goods, are opened up to trade again
present conditions and the price
tendency are apt TO continue toa
some time to come" -
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
Douglas View Right
IT We Cease Buying

prices cannot decline materially
without a substantial reduction in
the wage rate. Even though the
wage rates of the shoemakers de-
cline 20 per cent, it would not effect
materially the price of the shoe, but
every one from the time the animal
is slaughtered and the hide removed
to the time that the shoe is handed
to the customer by the salesman has
had wages practically doubled, and
each step along the line must reduces
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
Factors That Keep
Up Al Prices

|
advancing instead Of declining, as
was anticipated, and this in spite Of
the fact that there is in the world,
chiefly in Australia, an adequate
supply Of WOOL Lack of transporter
ton facilities, coupled with the ire
mendous shortage of wool in Europe,
however, is the factor in maintain
ing the price, and these conditions
cannot be rectified in time to bring
about any chance of lower prices for
clothing for at least one and half
years, and perhaps two years.
"All Of the foregoing is without
taking thought of the permanent in
creased cost of production and the
higher normal level that must OBJ
tain, certainly through the next
decade, if not for longer period"
Mr.. Heilbroner said:
81 am convinced that the present
prices are due entirely to the law
OF supply and demand
"The retail business has never been
so large and stocks of the whole
salers have never been so low;
therefore, a tremendous demand
has been created for merchandise,
and owing to the very high cost of
raw materials and the large in
crease in the price of labor, to-
gether with the shortened hours
which restrict the production, there
must necessarily be a very high
price for commodities.
81 feel that this condition will
continue for some time, in view of
the fact that it will take the man
ufacturers long time to fill their
outstanding orders, and with a con-
tinuance of good retail business
these orders VIII be duplicated
more rapidly than in the past. I
do not believe it will be possible
to produce goods any cheaper un-
less labor prices are correspond
ingly reduced"
According to Mr.. Brill, business
in the seven chain stores which his
firm operates in the city was never
nearly so good as at present since
its establishment thirty-one years
ago. He said that business men of
wide vision were already recognize
ing that great fall in prices is
not coming, and that the smaller
merchants who have been holding
off in their fall buying in anticipa-
ton of decline are pursuing a
fallacious path and may be caught
without goods.
1.-THE shelves in the mems stores
of the country" he said, "are only
half stocked. And, with the de-
mand from returning soldiers and
civilians so tremendous as it is it
10 unlikely that they will be fully
filled for two years, and until that
time no drop in prices can be an
ticipated.
I'VE are on d. new price basis.
Costs from the bottom up are high
er, and labor, constituting large
proportion of the total cost, will not
accept radical reductions in wages.
In our industry we already face a
serious shortage of labor"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18
american Business Nosc
On Netc Price Level

Without exception those who re-
piled sided with Professor Fishers
view. A summary of the points in
which there was extremely striking
agreement follows:
We are on a new price level.
with no chance of a return to
the pre-war level in the near fu-
ture, if at any time.
, Manufactured articles in which
the cost of labor is an impor-
tant factor are never likely to sell
again at pre-war prices, as wages
will not swing back. There NAV be
labor famine in this country in a
year.
> In many industries the demand
for goods far exceeds the sup
ply. Deferred buying during the
war period is now finding an out
let and swelling the volume of bust
ness.
1 The facts that retail business
is unprecedentedly large and
stocks of wholesalers are unusually
low stand as bulwark against the
possibility of break in prices.
In some industries, G. e., silk
and leather, prices have been
rising instead of falling since the
armistice was signed.
4 Infant industries, born during
the war face price problems
different in kind from other indus
tries.
The arguments of the business
men who participated in this sympo-
SUM were predicated on the as
sumption that prices will hold their
own under the free working Of the
law of supply and demand. The
ambitious attempt of the Secretary
OF Commerce, through the Indus
trial Board, of which George N.
Peek was chairman, failed artificial
ly to stabilize prices. And-ironical
iy enough-after Director General
OF Railroads Hines had killed
the plan because he believed the
prices arranged with the steel COM
panies were too high, prices rose,
steel plates have been quoted 50 a
ton higher by one company since the
market was set free, and eleven steel
companies submitted to the navv
virtually identical bids to those it re-
jected on April 4.
In presenting the Douglas and
Fisher views to business leaders te
dramatize the price question The
Tribune asked them to base their re.
plies on intimate knowledge Of thei,
own trade, to be specific and definite
These inquiries were stressed:
Which Of these two statement.
the Douglas and the Fisher is the
more accurate as applied to the in
dustry in which you are engaged?
DO you think prices can decline
materially from the present level
without a substantial reduction in
wage rates?
What, briefly, Is your view Of the
Price outlook in your industry?
For the mems clothing industry
William Goldman expressed the
viewpoint Of the wholesaler. and
Maurice Brill, Of Brill Brothers. and
Louis Heilbroner, of Weber g. He'll
broner. Of the retailers.
Mr.. Goldman said,
Where Mr.. Douglas errs is that
IN does not take intS account thai
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18

John Slater, shoe retailer, said.
Mr.. A. w. Douglass remarks.
High prices continue withon,
the slightest reason under ,hs
sum- and that, If the law of SIM
ply and demand were given fres
dom of operation the decl;n.
would continue until normo,
level was reached
possibly may be correct. prov;d;,.
all of US do without eating s,oaa
ing and without using the necessitis,
of life until labor will be glad -
work for nothing, the merchant II
sell his goods for nothing, and in
fact, play happy lines without er.
pense and go back to the DAYS q,
Adam and Eve.
in our business there seems IN
be every reason why prices should
be abnormal and not come down
Labor claims they cannot live q,
cheaply, therefore they must oct
more for their services. And tb;.
applies to every article used in opr
productions, and not until the nrics,
Of food and raw materials fall ran
we hope for redress.
conditions in other countries az.
all abnormal, and the United States
is being called upon to fill up a his
gap produced by waste of war and
where we have greater demand than
a supply so surely will high prices
be maintained. This compels the
tanner of all kinds of leather and
the manufacturer of all kinds of
shoes to exact prices for their ar.
tlcles that We're never even con.
sldered before. This does not all
represent profit, but his production
costs have advanced 90 to 20 per
cent.
1.-The retailer has necessarily .
higher cost for doing business than
formerly, and his profits must be
proportionately larger"
NJ. Rossbach, of ]. H. Rossbach 4
Bros, dealers in hides and skins
said:
"since the signing of the arms.
tlce there has been steady and
practically uninterrupted advance in
the prices Of raw hides and skins
and i'll all grades of leather. The
reasons for this are not far to seek.
The tremendous demand for leather.
occasloned by the requirements of
many millions of men under arms.
had stimulated the production of
hides and skins and in MANY IN
stances at the expense of herds. The
demand during the war period for
hides and skins, as we'll as for meat.
was so great that IN a good manv
producing countries cattle, goats
and sheep were killed off to a great.
er extent than was warranted bv
Shelr reproduction ability. The shoe
and leather producing power of this
country during the war was largely
diverted from the making of civil.
ian shoes to that of articles for army
use, so that the stocks of civilian
shoes were greatly depleted when
the armistice was signed, w;.ile on
the other hand a great deal of the
leather for military purposes had
been continuously destroyed and
had to be replaced. All these fac.
tors would have tended to drive up
the price of raw material consid.
erably during the last year of the
war, but this result was artifcialy
prevented by the establishment Of !.
governmental fixed maximum prices
Consequently, when the armistice
was signed and the maximum prices
abrogated some six weeks there.
after, the law of demand and sup
ply reasserted itself, with the re.
suit indicated above, namely,
Stpo div -ici,,~
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18

upon imports during the war was a
large accumulation of stocks Of crude
rubber at the ports of origin. These
stocks have now been forwarded to
the consuming markets and have
been fairly well absorbed. Enough,
however, remains to keep the spot
market at lower level of prices
than those for shipment.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-05-18

self has declined and will probably reflected in the finishes
continue to decline for equal product" "'a
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

bis collection as his fee. No one be-
grudged him the fee But now the coun-
ly can collect The school taxes for
about two per cent
Taking the responsibility Of fixing
The local school tax rate from The local
district boards is another great step
forward. Under the old system school
district commissioners who wanted to
make their schools progressive fire.
quenlly had 90 conduct a continuous
fight with a few odd fogies' in their
district who bitterly opposed any in
crease in taxes. This made their work
so distasleful that I'm many instances
they somply let their schools stand slll
rather than lead a fight 90 raise the
tax rate. Then I'm some local school
districts men opposed 10 paying taxes
got control Of the boards, not for the
purpose OF helping The free schools
and educntlng The children Of Sussex
county but for the purpose of keeping
taxes down, regardless Of the effect OF
such a policy upon the schools"
MIR. Cullen called attention 20 the fact
lidb SUMMARY hl tilt hNdutldt TtpuItN
of Sussex county school districts shows
an accumulation OF over $4,000 unpaid
school bills, exclusive OF the ouisland.
Ing bonded indebtedness Of the various
districts. I'm one district be mentioned.
teachers haven't been paid for two
years. According 10 Mr.. Cullen this con-
iition is due to The old system. school |
postponed paying the |
Districts honest debts because they l
lldnt want to make a raise in the tax
ate sufficient TO meet the current OK
1enses In many districts the school
themselves probably /
NoVld have raised the rate had they
lad the sole power TO do so. but as
hey had TO call a district election and
conduct a vigorous lght which might
become very bitter and personal, they
worked along The lines Of last resist
lncc
In pursuing this policy. they Were
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

Bros, duPint Building. camera: Thomas
Fennessey, 9l1 Market street pair Of
shoes; George /. Winter. $40 Orange
street, sweater; Samson Stern. AZ Mar
ket street, Mlnhatton silk shirt James
G.. Tuck, 4i9 Market street, hat; Ben
WOlfman, SOB Market street, silk neck
tie; Selak & Hoffman, 500 Shipley street,
box OF cigars; Grady's. Eighth and Or
ange streets. box OF cigars Daniel Wig
nola, Central Barber Shop. l0S Shipley
street. shave and haircut for one
month.
In addition there will be the Ger
main Cup, the CREASED pig, five dollars
TO the team bringing in the most
prizes, and five dollars to the man sell
ing the most tickets.
The pies which will be used in the
pie-eating contest will he donated by
the Freebooter Baking Company.
Plans are being made for q big auto
mobile parade next Friday night head
cd by The Harlan Band.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

merely doing what most men in public
affairs do, what II is human nature to
do.-namely. avoid making personal
enemies FOR the sake Of public good.
Nevertheless the schools suffered and
finances in some districts got into a
bad tangle. This was due TO the old
system II cannot happen under the
new code
And So from Mr. Cullen's viewpoint
the people Of Sussex county are not go
ing to have less government Of their
schools under the new code. on the
other hand, they are going TO have BET
ter school government and better
schools; they are going 10 be kept in
formed every minute under the new
code Of how their money is being spent,
and why; Of what their schools are
doing and why. They will vote for
their local school district officials. rs
before; and for their special district
and for their County Board OF
Education. All these school officials
are elective, like other public officials.
and answerable TO the people which
system is the essence Of self-goyern-
ment.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

Keen yet friendly rivalry increases
beawcen the iurious departments Of
the Harlan plant as each day brings the
first annual monster Harlan Novelty
Track and Field Meet, which viii DE
held at Harlan Field, next saturday,
October 4. closer. Another meeting Of
the large committee which Is handling
The affair was held yesterday and the
marked enthusiasm shown indicates a
decided success. The entry blanks are
IN great demand and each department
las signed up a full quota with which
they expect TO turn in winners.
The one big event that is causing
more inler-deparlment rivalry than any
other is the tug o. war OF course all
Df the entries are claiming victory. and
several are backing their confidence
NTH substantial wagers General Man
igcr r. b. German has purchased a
arge handsome silver loving cup which
be will award o the winning tug
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

o. warsmen
The big feature Of the meet is the
fact that every event with the excep-
tion Of the I0O-yard-dash and the broad
jump are novelty events, the kind that
create fun with the competition. The
ple-eatng contest, the chase Of the
creased pig and the barrel boxing be-
tween gentlemen OF color are sure TO
bring their share of laughs.
Wilmington merchants have respond
ed handsomely to thelrequests Of mer-
chandise prizes and already i6 have
come forward with suitable donations
Among those who have provided prizes
are the Mullin Clothing Store, n. Smell
lenburg d Company, NJ d. Pollard, III
Market street. Manhattan silk shirt:
American Cloth Shop. 200 Market street.
pair OF trousers; CandylRnd, S32 Mar
ket street, flve-pound box OF candy;
Boston Sample Shoe Shop POP Market
street. pair Of shoes; Variety shop, 5il
King street, J0-piece China set Frost
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
FOOTBALL TO-DAY

The football menu for the day con-
sisis OF:
Harvard VS. Bates, at Cambridge.
Pennsylvania VS.. Bucknell, at Phil
adelphia
Army vs.. Middlebury, at West Polns
Dartmouth vs.. Springfield, at Han
over.
Rutgers VS.. Ursinus, at New Bruns-
wick
Brown vs.. Rhode Islapd State, at
Providence.
West Virginia VS.. Marietta, at Nor
gantOwn.
Washington and Jefferson VS.. Gen
eva, at Washington.
Wabash vs.. Indiana, at BLOOMINGTON.
Georgia Tech vs.. Furman. at Atlanta.
Vanderbilt VS.. Murfreesboro, at Nash
vile.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
PLAN FISHING TRIP

Members OF the X l. Laundry Fish
ing Club met last night at the home Of
Edward Myers. No. 900 Pine street. The
evening was devoted to making plans
for fishing trip to be taken to
down-State stream in the near future.
Following refreshments the members
were entertained by Harry Farrow,
with songs.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
LAPS TO SETTLE IN PERU.

LIMA. sept. 26.-Purchase OF s00O00
acres near Humieucof suitable for cof-
fee sugar and cotton. is forerunner Of
a japanese colonization movement in
Peru.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
FOR SALE

FOR SALE
e2G y. Harrison ST., 6 Il. b, r; excellent
condition. possession.
1911 W. Third St. o X & f.
l20s W. Fourth St. X. y. & H.
523-.J W Second St. 6 rooms
G2T s. Connell ST. rooms.
1907 Poplar 81. Z K n g.
7lS Poplar ST. r. Il. T., H.
20NN Rodney ST., 9 Il. Il. p. IL
1i2 $. Broome ST, G r. r, L, II. garage
6ii Poplar St. X y r.
300 W Fifth ST: well built corner
storc aud dwelling.
S2i Bennett St. r q B
306 W. Front St. 10 Il 4 T..
421 $ Jackson St. > X; bargain.
Sll W. Fourth ST., Il. y. II; possession.
1918 Lancaster Ave. Il 4 r.
80 s. Van Buren, St. g X. & b.
1902 Maryland Ave. II Il. r. = & H.
S0i ". Tenth ST.. II. b. =. II.
d06-0Sl0 5. Van Buren ST., X. Il, p.
jOl-O5 W. Front St, store properties
john j. HamIey
'Ga3 West Fourth ST.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

In Copenhagen the police convey any
person found intoxicated in the street
to his home in a cab. the fare being
charged TO The establishment where Ia,
liquor was served.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

The Want Ads give reliable informa-
lion on good bargains in real estate and
farms.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

Lightning struck the barn of Herbert
Starbird o: Litchileld, Me-. where four
COWS were standing in a row, and killed
the two cows on the ends Of the row,
while those in between We're uninjured
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
WANTED
Experienced Truck Salesman

415 W. I'D ST.
Desirable. modern home with rooms
and tiled BATH electric lights. hot water
heat, two p0rches. stationary tubs screens
awnings and linOleum 20 with bDuse. Mort
gage of $1,000 can remain. Possession al
once. Price S7.7JO
Complete listings OF city. suburban and
farm properties.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
SHOOT STRAIGHT FOR THIS H

IUU 10 III n. UUF OIL 81.
Five rooms, porch, bath. gas cement cellar
POSSESSION 30 DAYS
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
I'VE Have FURNISHED LISTS no


hundreds of clients within the last days. In order
to save unnecessary time and trouble would respectfully
request that you the following properties as we have
sold them since the lists given out
9i3 Washington Street.
30S King Street
2O0i Street.
iiS East Forty-second Street
1925 Tatnal
1905 Street
26O5 Market Street
220 West Fourteenth Street
1880 Lancaster
IL East Second
1921 Adams Street
Washington Street
Miller property at Ashley
2305 IIarrisOp Street
ii3O-ii32 East Twelfth Street
223S Pine Street.
2ii Sixteenth Street
40 North Franklin Street.
6iO East Fifth Street.
Street
for you.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
ISN'T THIS A SOLUTION OF YOUR HOUSING
PROBLEM

832 and 83F dupont Stree
Six rooms, porch, BATH gas cement cellar.
POSSESSION 30 DAYS.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
700 LATE no CLAssIFY.

DOR RENT-NEwLN UNFINISHED
[ front room, in private family SO7 JEFF
ersOn St sept262t.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

nor SALE MILK BUSINESS WITH
truck included Apply S-39. Evening
Journal Office sept27 st.
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
TRADE COUNTRY HOME FOR CITY HOME
A GARDEN OF ROSES,
ASH EY

Six hath heat and electric yeranda large p
OF every description
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
STARTLING,
1924 Market Street
CONTINUALLY EARNING IMMENSE PROFITS

Four beautiful apartments front and back veranda large
water heat and electric large plot rental si99 per m,
the pink of condition
Evening journal., 1919-09-27

Everybody knows that you referring to the fine
Wilmington. That's its reputation That name on your
a mark Of respectabillty
Eleven large. light, airy and cheerful rooms. hot wa
ana electric. hardwood floors and trimmed spacious
stairway handsome lyngroom beam ceiling, etc. Plot y
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
ON A WOODED POINT.
GORDON HEIGHTS-BEAUTl RIlNI

seven rooms danny heang plant, eas, cellar ba
water. Plot 53XlJ0. Shrubs trees, garage 3,
POSSESSION 30 DAYS
Evening journal., 1919-09-27
\. B.-ARE YOu HOOKING EOR

Six yeranda bath, gas and electric cement ce
for garage.
POSSESSION 30 DAYS
Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1919-09-19

There will only be enough books printed fill orders and
will all copy should be every Stevens county home
it's worthy.