New-York tribune., 1919-07-18
Shoes Cost Less
Relatively Than
Hides in the Raw
Producers and Retailers of
Footwear, Senator Capper
IsTold, Are Not Profteer-
ing, Despite High Prices

Shoes are SSllluS az Ic+tilFciy lower
,rices than leather, and the latter is
not selling Oil parity with the cost of
hides and skins, is the conclusion
,eached in an analysis of the general
isather situation made by THE Shoe
and Leather Reporter" The analysis
ras the result of an inquiry received
by tAia publication from Senator Cap
ner. who declared that he is receiving
many complaints in regard to the in
creas:ns cost Of clothing and shoes and
that It La believed by consumers that
manu,srturers, jobbers and dealers are
nrofteee ting as never before. The SEN
htor Also stated that the constantly
soaring crices of foodstuffs, clothing
and necessities of life is the biggest
problem l-efore the country to-day.
In reply to Senator Capper, "Thc
Shoe and Leather Reporter" states that
the sitSsrion would be better under
stood oy The public if it knew that the
begins with hides and skins, which are
the beslo raw materials of the leather
industries and influence all the depart
merts Of tanning and shoe manufacture
ing until the shoes are sold to the
people
Cattle hides produced by the big
Western packers, the paper says, which
were in over-supply years ago and sold
as low as 8 cents q pound, are now
scarce and keyed up 70 50 cents a
pound The advance had been gradual
but persistent prior TO the breaking
out of the war in Europe Hides are
by-product OF the packing houses, it
is pointed out, and do not follow the
ordinary operation Of the law OF sup
DIV and demand. The trade paper pro-
duces statistics prepared BY the gov
eminent which show that in 1890 there
WAS nearly one animal for each inhabi-
tant of the country, but later there was
not much better than half beef for
each person. While the per capita con-
sumption of beef has decreased, the
Dor capita consumption of leather has
increased.
Although tho slaughter of cattle was
greatly stimulated by the war and the
supply af hides automatically in
creased, the war also developed enor-
nous new demands for leather, which,
the trade paper says, is one of the most
important munitions of war. Tables
are presented to show that the cattle
receipts at twelve cities for four years
before the war totalled 40,797, ,473 head
and during the four years OF the war
52,596,lS9, an increase of 1892 per
cent.
War Demands Heavy
The war demand for shoes, harness
and straps, great revival in the do
mestic shoe trade and an astonishing
increase in the exports Of leather and
leather merchandise are held account
able for the consumption of the l2,0o0,-
900 additional hides that we're avail
able during the four years of the war.
Il c,yir, n n
second four-year period referred to
increased S6S,674,014 pounds and $685.
373,1Sl, or 1902 per cent increase IN
weight and 51-27 per cent increase IN
value But, according to The Shoe
and Leather Reporter" the exports OF
leather and manufactures from l9ll 10
1914, inclusive, amounted to S25o,oo9,-
4A0, while from 1915 to 1918 they to-
tailed 1922, ,o21 1897, an increase OF
1929 per cent
at should be evident from these fig
uyes that the war demand at nome
and abroad, added to the general do
mestic CONSUMPTION, accounted for any
surplus OF hides and leather which
could have resulted from the increase
in the XIII OF cattle and imports OF
hides" the publication states.
In a comparison OF the prices or
hides in December last and the current
month it is shown that some classes
Of hides have increased over 100 per
cent. Spready native steers, when IN
December were listed at 80 cents, are
now quoted at 81 cents; heavy native
steers were 20 cents in December and
81 cents in July; other comparatlUUe, W,
prices include heavy Texas steers, ~
cents and IS cents; light native COWS,
27 cents and so cents; Chicago call
akinx 40 ranIs and 80 cents.
Other Countries Short on Supplies
None of the industrial nations has
ANYTHING like an adequate hlde ano
skin supply, it is claimed.
although the United States has
larger number of cattle than any other
country prominent in leather making
we are compelled to import fully 90 pei
cent Of the raw material tanned annu-
ally" Senator Capper is Informed
Hides and skins are thus world com
modities which except for war restrlc-
tions flow automatically to the country
where the highest prices can be oo-
tanned"
Perhaps the chief obstacle in the
way Of return to lower prices fol
shoes, the trade paper says, is the
fact that the most extreme prlce!
quoted in our domestic markets lool
cheap to European buyera. Shoes have
been selling for s25 and $50 for man.
months in both the warning and neutra
countries of continental Europe, 1t II
said.
The equalizing process following
peace and the resumption Of free trad
Ing should have the effect Of Lowering
shoe prices abroad while correspond
ingly raising them in the Onte'
States" the paper continues. "Forelg'
buyers are willing to pay the hlghes
prices asked by tanners, there benz
no complaints except from domestl
purchasers, who do not realize tn
critical world situation"
Az to Proflteering
On the question of profiteering 9Th
Shoe and Leather Reporter" says
"Unquestionably the packers, afte
early sensing international condi
tions. raised the prices of thel
hides and skins rapidly. but the.
did not 70 TO the extreme Of holdlni
their stocks at prohibitive rates. Tn
tanners and shoe manufacturers hav
not kept pace with the advance IN rae
material. Leather and shoes hav
been soid in the majority Of instance
st lower prices than would be justl!ie'
by the latest news from the hide mar
kets. As matter Of fact all depart
naents in our industry from the tame
70 the shoe dealer have fought agains
The abnormal advances which have beel
iorced upon the trade by extraneou
Conditions.
We believc retail shoe merchant
"a r-.Ii x,xk Ln,