The sun., 1919-08-18
CLOTHING FOR FALL
MADE AT LOSS
Stein Says Wage Increases
Have Eaten Up Profits
1920 Prices Higher.

Clothing manufacturers not only are
producing goods for fall and winter. for
which orders were taken in April and
May. at such an increased cost that 1t
will make II impossible for them to
get any profit, but in most cases they
will deliver the goods at an absolute
loss. according to Ludwig Stein. presi-
dent OF the National Association OF
Clothiers.
Since July 'the heaviest advance In
labor costs has come to the manufac-
turers. Mr.. Stein points out. These ad-
vances could In no way be foreseen and
were made retroactive TO June !. prac-
tically covering the entire fall product
since its inception.
"As a matter Of fact" says Mr.. Stein.
the prices of ready made clothing for
this fall are bound to be very much
lower than they will be for the year
1920, because the full influence OF m
creased prices for raw materials and
conversion costs will not be felt until
the spring season OF 1920"
At the instance of the National Asso-
citation of Retail Clothiers Mr.. Stein has
issued a statement in respect to the
clothing situation as follows:
During the period of the war the
mills were largely engaged in the pro-
of fabrics for the Government.
In consequence of this the production
OF ready made clothing was greatly cur
tailed. With the coming Of the armis-
tice and the return OF the troops, an UNI
precedented demand developed for ready
made clothing and stocks were rapidly
depleted in the hands of retailers and
an insistent demand came to the man
ufacttirNra for merchandise.
The mills on the other hand could
not begin to manufacture fabrics until
a supply Of raw wool was available
and the Government had all OF the wool
OF the country and had determined upon
the policy of very gradual release
through a series OF auction sales which
continued UP to the month of June. This
situation resulted in the mills turn
ing out only a small fraction of the
normal output for the six months Of
this year.
The Government temporarily with
drew Its wool from the market June 1
in order to permit the marketing Of the
present American clip. which is now
reaching the mills. The production,
therefore. of fabrics In the early months
OF this year was so small as to be negli-
gible In comparison with the require
ments
THE foreign demand too for woollens
and clothing has been very great, as
many of the European countries are
absolutely bare OF supplies.
This situation has very naturally
created a steady advancing market
and woollens have advanced approx
irsateiy from so per cent to go per cent.
since the early months of this year.
"On top of this has come an abnormal
advance In the cost OF labor all along
the line. both in the making OF the cloth.
Innings and other materials that go into
the garments and in the manufacture of
the clothing. This has been accom-
plished by a shortening OF hours and
curtailment of production. These labor
advances in the tailoring branch have
been as much in percentage as the ad-
vance in the cost OF the materials-now
totalling approximately $50 per cent
over pre-war wages.
THE clothing manufacturers OF the
country began about April is to sell
their production for the coming fall and
by the LIST OF June the bulk of the
clothing that will be sold at retail next
fall was under order by the retailers.
$50 far as the National Association OF
Clothiers Is concerned. It has voluntarily
invited Aforementioned Palmer to in
vestigate the conditions underlying the
production, distribution and prevailing
prices OF ready made clothing for men
and boys, and II wants nothing more
than an opportunity to acquaint the
public generally with the facts as out
lined to you above"