New-York tribune., 1919-11-29
Clothing Price List
illustrates Saving
By Perusal of Ads
Compiler Advises the Public
Economy Can Be Effect
ed by Scanning Papers
Before Making Purchases

A wearing apparel price list, COM
newspapers, was forwarded yesterday
by Colonel Michael M. Friedsam. chair
man of the Fair Price Committee's s
sub bcommittee on clothing, shoes and
drygoods, to Arthur Williams, Federal
Food Administrator.
The list, the first covering wearing
apparel made public in this city, was
made up by Colonel Fricdsam from the
advertisements in one morning and one
evening newspaper from November II
to November %. Brands and firms are
not mentioned The list merely gives
prices and asks consumers to go shop
ping with these in mind. Mr.. Williams
explained the list was not to regulate
prices here as much as to point out
to the public some reputable goods
sold at reasonable prices.
Mr. Williams said that, although
hats were not included in the list, they
will be mentioned in future compila-
tions of the kind. He said the people,
by watching advertisements closely
could be kept informed of substantial
goods, offered by reputable houses at
reasonable prices. The lists probably
will be issued from time to time, he
said.
Public Advised to Scan "Ads"
In his letter to Mr. Williams, Colonel
Friedsam pointed out that. although he
was against the issuance Of fair price
list on wearing apparel. he thought
economy could be effected if the public
would heed newspaper advertising be-
fore making purchases.
II am in agreement with what
think is your theory" Colonel Fried
sam wrote, chat if the public would
only shop in the public press first and
then go to the stores provided with
the knowledge which they derive from
ments much good would be accom-
plishcd. l think a great many buyers
would be surpr sed at the economy
they might effect if they used more
discrimination in their purchases.
you may be interested in a COM
pilation which ] have made of mer-
chandlsc in the nature of wearing ap-
parel advertised from November II to
23. The data are takeA from the adver-
tisements in one morning and one eve
ming paper, and there fore, while not en-
tlrcly comprehensive, is accurate and
fairly complete. There are three di-
visions-men's, women's and boys =
and | send you a summary, which
shows the item and the range of price
from the lowest to the highest during
this period. 1t shows in compact
fashion the merchandise adver rtised by
tho New York stores this week.
Wide Range in Prices
"These prices represent, of course. ir
great part, sales, but they show that if
shoppers will read their newspapers
carefully and study the advertisements
they can buy merchandise at a compar-
atively reasonable rate, and supplied
by houses of good repute.
~ simply give in this list, of course
items advertised in the papers. There
is very wide range, for instance, ir
mems suits, which we're advertised al
seven prices, beginning at $24.50; over
coats at seven prices, beginning al
S19.75; women's suits at eight prices
beginning at $25; women's shoes al
seven prices, beginning at $3.45, anC
mems shoes at five prices, beginning al
S5.95. The quality, of course, varies
somewhat in accordance with the
price"