Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-02-26
What's Ahead


r Asst November, when the sign
ing of the Armistice brought
the hostilities in Europe to a
sudden end, the people of this
country were brought face to face with
the necessity of adjusting themselves
from Wartime to Peace basis.
Every business organization had
had gradually been merged into the
great task Of helping to win the war,
and had unselfishly bent every effort
to that great single aim.
While some thought had been CIV
en- in vague way to the problems
which might arise after the war, yet
none of us were really prepared for the
end when it finally came.
The big question in the minds Of ev-
cry one was. What is going to happen
to prices?" and while it is impossible
for any person to prophesy what the
future will bring, there are certain
facts upon the business horizon, which
point to period of unusual prosperity
in the days to come. We pass them
along to you, with the hope that they
will give you some encouragement in
the days of REIMBURSEMENT.
At the beginning of the War, the
shoe industry was among the first of
the great branches of business in the
country to get behind the Government,
and 1t was largely due to the intelli-
gent planning and close cooperation
Of the shoe manufacturers that the
price Of shoes were held down to 2
low level as compared to the other
lines of merchandise.
Shoe prices have advanced since
1914 from so to 70 per cent, whereas
other lines of merchandise, such as cot
ton, wool, iron and steel, have advanc-
ed from 200 to 800 per cent. mas
much as the percentage of price in
crease on footwear has been lower
than on other lines of merchandise
Tin spite Of newspaper reports to the
contrary. it is therefore clear that
the readtustment Of shoe prices will
come more slowly and that no mark
ed reduction may be expected for
some months. In fact our new 1919
fall line will, in many instances, show
increased prices.
Europe has started to supply her
pressing needs, and is at the present
time paying from 10 to rs per cent.
more for hides than the maximum
prices permitted by our government
Labor is receiving exceptionally
high wages and will undoubtedly con-
tinue to do so, and even though raw
should decline in price, the
increased cost of labor will tend to
keep costs up to at least their present
high level
Most shoe factories in the country
are sold ahead for from four to five
and 1t will take some time
before the supply of shoes manufac-
tured in this country can catch up to
the demand.
Never have our financial condi-
tons appeared to be so sound. The
farmers are receiving top prices for
their products and with the coming
of peace we shall see revival OF
building, road construction an. busi-
ness improvements, that will keep la
Dor employed and business prosper
ous.
1t is generally felt that in view of
the increased demand, which is bound
to follow in the wake of peace, any
thought of the cancellation of shoe
orders for future delivery will not be
INDUCED in by the far-sighted mer
chant.
Even though the embargo should
be lifted on leather, it is impossible
to obtain the ships to bring it to our
shores and even after its arrival, it
would take not less than six or seven
months to tan it and make it up into
footwear.
Shipping facilities OF every coun-
try will be taxed to the utmost for
several years in returning the soldiers
10 the various countries from which
hey came and it will take a long |
Tine ID TeSlOTe the supply u Ia" ha-
,erials to normal channels.
1t took many years for prices to
lrop after our own Civil War, which |
was more or less local in its charac-
.er, and it will take long time to
readjust conditions after this great
war, which has touched every nation
IN the globe.
Within the past few years our coun-
,ry has become the financial center
If the world, and with our abundant
supply of raw materials, which the
world so sorely needs, we have every
.eason to expect a period OF unpar-
llleled prosperity for many years to
,ome.
American business men have shown
heir ability to adapt themselves to
he gigantic task of winning the war,
md we know that our ability to take
I'D the slack" and guide the Ship OF
Industry into normal channels is I'M
Questioned.
y;o%ory Doooo oud prnSDerity