New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Higher Prices FOR
Shoes if Britain
Lifts Embargo
Manufacturer, Back From
London, Says Niue h
Depends on What Ac-
ton Great Britain Takes

If Great Britain relaxes it's embargo
against the importation of leather to
the exclusion of shoes American con-
sumers will have to pay moro for their
footwear, according to W. II. McClos-
key, who returned yesterday on the
Aquitania after an investigation of the
shoe trade situation in Great Britain
for the w. II. McElwain Company, of
Boston. What the possibilities are of
such action being taken by the British
government Mr.. McCloskey did not say,
but he declared that while the embargo
was needed as "A means of stabilizinc
the disrupted industries of the country
1t would become unfair in it's applica-
tion if it was used to prevent com
petition from other countries.
The lifting of the embargo is Of
great Importance to the shoe manu-
facturers of this country, he said, for
it would open up a big market for
their product. But the chances of
Great Britain continuing its free trade
policy are not very promising and it
is likely that some form of tariff will
and markets. The labor situation is
still unsettled, with more generous
concessions being granted to workers
every day and more favorable atti-
tude being held toward their demands
by the general public Mr.. McCloskey
said that just before he sailed the gov
ernment had granted the mine workers
an increase of two shillings in pay and
had made an agreement to reduce the
working hours to seven q day in 1921.
This shortening of hours, he declared,
would be reflected in other trades and
indicated shorter working day for all
industries not only in Great Britain
but in this country as we'll.
''Shoe workers of the skilled labor
class" said MIR. McCloskey yesterday,
'are now receiving living wages in
England. Before the war this class of
labor was paid about the equivalent Of
80 a week, compared with S14 paid to
workers in this country. Their 50 had
n greater purchasing power in England
than it would have here, but it was not
good wage. Since the war these
wages have been increased about 100
per cent.
"Therc is shortage of leather and
tanning materials in Great Britain and
shoes of medium and good grades arc
from 20 to 25 per cent higher in cost to
the consumer than they are in the
United States. Since 1914 the price of
shoes In England has increased about
$50 per cent; that Is, on what are known
~ free shoes, those not made under the
governmc restrictions. During the
war British shoe manufacturers were
required to produce their footwear at
fixed prices. These shoes were crude in
materials and workmanship and were
not popular.
England, and. in fact. tho entire
world, is n good market for American
shoes. Because of tho climatic condi-
tions the English manufacturers pro-
ducc thick-soled and heavy shoe,
which lacks tho neatness and shapcli-
ness in which the footwear Of this coun-
try excels. AS to the comparative SER
vice of the thin-soled and attractive
American shoe, it will prove just as
good, grade for grade and price for
price, as those made in England. If the
demand warrant it, American manufact-
urers will make shoes of a heavier
character for sale in England.
Business in England, France and Bel
eium is waiting the signing of the
peace treaty, just the same as it is
here. Until the political situation is
cleared up commerce cannot get into it's
stride"