Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-12-19
TRADE MEET
FOR PURPOSE.
SANCTIONED
Illinois Defense Council
Revived for Part In
Price War.

Washington. Dec. 1s.-Steps TO-
check the rising prices Of clothing
will be discussed At . conference
here early in January Of persons
interested in the production Of
wearing apparel. from the producer
OF raw materials to the consumer
OF the finished product. I
Tho calling Of the conference
was announced today by Assistant
Attorney General Figg. who said
that In addition to affecting econ {
om!es in operation. it was planned
to provide for the production OF
standard quality cloth and gar
ments for sale at q reasonable price,
az an inducement to the public TO-
check extrayagance in purchasing.
Suggestions TO rthe. conference.
came from producers Of wearing |
apparel and . committee Of II Is
being chosen. the personnel OF
which will be announced after the
Christmas holidays.
The Amalgamated Clothing un-
ions will be represented In the con-
ference.
Mr.. Figg said It was agreed
among producers that ono essential
for reducing the cost Of clothing
was to have manufacturer devotel
their plants to necessities, meaning
the type Of clothing purchasable by
the average man.
Cut Over Hall.
Some clothing manufacturers
were said to believe that mems
suits now selling for $500 retail
could be sold 1t . profit for $3.50,
II an arrangement COLI D. w0rksd
fuut be.wssn mfiS. manufacturers
and retailers whereby . certain
percentage Of business could be de-
voted to goods Of standard quality
to be turned out in quantity.
There is no intention to design q
uniform" for the public, Mr.. Ffgg'
said, and the standard goods under
consideration would be standard IN
quality rather than in pattern.
Economy DepartnentA :.
Mr.. Figg also has suggested to-
the National Retail Drygoods asso-'
citation that economy" departments
be established by the associations
members, which would call the at.
tention Of customers to the fact
that goods Of excellent quality but
medium in price are still to be had.
Revive State Counc1.
Chicago, Dec. determination
of the 10000 Illinoisans who during
the war were allied with the state
council of defense to combat the
high cost of living, under plans out
lined by the attorney general, A
Mitchell Palmer, was begun today
by Mrs. Joseph T. Bowen.
Letters were sent to the chair
man Of every woman's county and
city committee in the state direct
ing her to Immediately organize the
women OF her community into .
body Of judicious buyers and de-
termined price reducers.
win Be Given Cards.
Housewives will be provided
with cards on which they are to
keep a record Of all purchases. in
cluding the name Of the merchant,
the date and the prices paid, 20
that formal complaints may be
filed with the district chairman for
investigation. II the case warrants
prosecution Of the merchant the
complaint will be referred to the
states attorney Of the county or
federal authorities for action. Co
operation Of the farmers wives will
be enlisted through the extension
department Of the state depart
ment of agriculture Of which Pro-
fessor W. F. Hanschif Of the UNI
versity Of Illinois Is the head.
John B Newman. superintendent
of the division Of foods and dairies
of the state department OF agri-
culture, has offered the services Of
his 80 inspectors to assist in the
campaign.
No Fancy Prices.
Mrs. Bowen said: I'VE want to
educate the women Of Illinois to
buy only articles that are deemed
absolutely necessary and not to
pay fancy prices for anything.
"They must 60 from store to
store in buying and purchasing
from the dealer who makes the
lowest prices.
Boycott Of a high priced article
is much more effective than . boy
colt against q particular mer-
chant. Do away with the practice
of buying by telephone. Buy In
bulk where possible 20 ~ to take
every possible advantage Of . Gov
price. This ID practical economy
and women must follow the plan
outlined in the campaign agains,
the high cost Of living in Illinnta
in order % succeed" :"
| Clothiers Act. &,
| Retail clothiers today announced
| 900 members OF their national
association will come to Chicago
next month to adopt plans tc
stabilize the clothing prices.
PROPERTY LEVY BILL PASSES
! Berlin, Dec. 1.-THE propert,
J levy bill has been passed b. the
nASinAa1 ~~nn~aAN~