The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-10-29
GARMENT Market
LOADED? PRICES
MAY Be LOWERED
BY WILLIAM r. SANBORN.

Ey WILLIAM r. SANBORN.
In an advertisement in the New
York Sunday papers an uptown de-
partment store states that: Despite
a general impression to the contrary,
there is great amount Of over-pro-
duction in the garment Industries.
Manufacturers are in many instances
glad to unload. One manufacturer,
for example. offered US over a thous-
and dresSes-at q price"
This information may be classed
as important, If true" 1t must at
least be true in part, as to certain
lines, or the statement would not be
so boldly made. 1t is further backed
by large offering of handsomely IL
Illustrated coats, frocks and suits
Every garment a wonder at its mod
further, that they are offering world
of really good coats. suits and dresses
at prices that would have seemed i'm
possible a few weeks ago"
In contrast with the statements Of
this advertiser, we may quote the
New York Sunday Times, as follows:
AN increased spirit of disquiet, due
to the numberless strikes and other
labor disturbances, is manifesting it
self in many lines Of business at pres
ent. The tying up of imports and ex-
ports is of itself a serious drawback
to trade, and the hundreds Of thous-
ands Of idle workers are another ele-
ment which BODIES no good to future
merchandising. AS against this is the
feeling that labor troubles have about
passed their peak, and that more
stable conditions are in sight, with,
however, one notable obstacle yet
ahead Here the editor refers to
the threatened miners strike.
Prices Tending Upward.
The following editorial quotation is
apparently in line with the statements
of the advertiser, but mark the fol-
lowing, which is in a different vein:
But despite what has taken place and
what may possibly be in store, prices
show no signs Of recession. In
number Of instances, in fact, the trend
is still upward. Now that legislation
against profiteering in articles of wear
has been enacted, a show OF activity
in this direction may be expected. A
little slowness in retail merchandls-
ng in certain lines has been attributed
to the weather, rather than to prices
asked But it is noticeable that when
price concessions are made, or bar
gain sales gotten up, the response OF
the public is quite marked. What sig
nificance there is in this can only
be determined later on
Of Interest to Women.
It Is understood that the government
has obtained figures as to the cost Of
manufacture and expense Of distribu-
ton in the ready-to-wear trades and
this offers a partial explanation OF the
unloading" here and there OF cloakS
and suits. Further than this move
ment has begun under the auspices
of the Attorney Generals committee
against extravaganza in the cost OF
dress, and an organized effort. with
the aid of speakers and the co-opera-
ton Of women's clubs, will be made
to inculcate thrift in this direction. II
a really serious effort is made to this
end, the outcome will be watched with
broad interest.
In recalling the compulsory saving
In apparel during war days we remem-
Der that the government set llmlta-
lions as to the manufacture or fabric,
and even as to the styles, height and
the colors Of the leather in women's
shoes With removal Of restrictions
came the natural rebound, and with
the plethora Of money in circulation
many erstwhile thrifty home-makers
began a riot of comparative extrava-
gance, previously unknown in our ma
tional experience. There was, in con-
sequence, an unnatural Initiation Of
prices, much beyond all reasonable ex-
pectancy after allowing for added cost
of material and labor. This was the
one great incentive to adding extraor-
binary profits and to a fever Of retail
buying, finally regardless Of price, it
would now appear.
Who is Responsible?
The charge Of undue extravaganza
Middle Glass" homes. The highly
paid mechanic, the steel worker, the
coal miner, the railway engineer and
many others in the transportation
service, have been making more mon
ey than ever before Admittedly, too,
they have needed more money than
heretofore We all have for that mat
tr. But it is evident that people of
limited fixed incomes, already have
every incentive to economic, while
many who are we'll to do must be eco
nomical because Of the high tax on in
comes. Briefly, the idea Of the gov
eminent seems to be that the prosper
Gus mass of our citizens have been
careless Of their coin, and that there
has been much waste Of money and
endless profiteering, because OF that
attitude.
its still rule in mill and factory and