Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-08-12
PRICES SLASHED
NFOOTWEARF FOR
EXPORT ONLY"
High Grade Shoes Quoted at
From $3.50 to $4.35
Pair

Harrisburg shoe wearers have
been showing considerable interest
in the newspaper stories from Phila-
delphia to the effect that prices of
shoes intended for export only" arc
quoted at n figure considerably be-
low the rates of those intended for
home wear. With much talk of S1o
and $40 shoes. in this country, they
are curious as TO the reason why
shoes for export should be quoted at
from $3.50 to S4.35 per pair.
The Philadelphia story says in
part:
I'm the New York Commercial. of
yesterday morning, appeared an ad-
vertisement Offering for export
only women's high grade dress
shoes in patent feathers and dull
feathers at $3.50 a pair. The same
ad offered mems Goodyear welt
dress shoes. in vici kid, gunmetal
and tans. at S4.35 a pair, and smoked
horse solid leather, good shoes, at
$3.50 a pair.
Philadelphia hide and leather
dealers. when shown copies of the
advertisement were much perturbed
that the news should have gotten
out. They attempted no explanation
as to why shoes could be sold to
Europe so much cheaper than to
American consumers. Some of them
admitted that a great deal of profit
teering is being done and pointed to
an article in Hide and Leather"
leading shoe and leather trade
paper. as proof OF their statements.
The article. which was headed
Editorial Comment" appeared in
the issue OF Hide and Leather for
August 2. Discussing profiteering.
it said:
Profitccring
This week hide merchant in the
central west stated he had been
carrying $1,000 hides on which he
expected to win a small fortune, but
experienced traders seriously doubt
if there are many accumulations of
hides or skins. as the rapid and sue
cessive advance in values have put
tremendous stimulus on the most
hardened spectators to reap rich
harvest Meanwhile. Congress is be-
ing stirred to investigate the ques-
ton of shoe prices. At the same time
some New York newspapers are ad-
vertising shoes for export trade at
mysteriously low prices. 1t is puzz-
ling situation.
TO make matters worse" it says
anOIneE place, lneTe is d
tendency in retail shoe stores for
statesmen to solemnly warn custom
ers to buy all the shoes they can af-
ford. before they reach extreme
figures This artificial booming is
dangerous and unwise. Taking the
world over. it is generally agreed
there is no real shortage of hides,
skins, leather, shoes or other leather
goods"
Hide and leather market con-
ditions continue strong and buoyant,
and the markets for shoes, gloves
and other leather merchandise are
in the same position, but manufac-
turers and merchants are thinking
more of the future than of the pres
ent. Leather men are busy deliver
ing goods purchased, but are slow
to accept new contracts for future
delivery Buyers and sellers of hides
leather and shoes can say with cer-
tainy that future prices are a prob
lem. Some trade members seem to
take it for granted that prices of
raw and finished materials are bound
to continue rising. Others who are
keenly watching developments are
more conservative in their views.
They feel that the upward rush in
values has undoubtedly stimulated
speculation; that IT has been easy
for some months to sell right along
at good profits; but that it is also
probable that some leather is be-
ing held out Of the market, thus in
tensifying the prevailing appearance
of shortage. Then, again, ii is con-
sidered likely that leather purchased
some time ago by foreigners, but
stored in America, awaiting favor
able opportunity for shipment, may
be sold in America, owing to de-
probation in foreign exchange.
NO wonder buyers and sellers are
uneasy about the future. They per-
ceive elements of danger. Congress
is being stirred to investigate the
question Of shoe prices. At the
same time some New York news
papers are advertising shoes for ex-
port at mysteriously low prices. 1t
is a puzzling situation. Shoe job
bers and buyers for big mail-order
and department stores are studying
whether to place orders to-day on
best terms possible, or to hold back
on the chance of the market CALM