Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-18
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Two things are the matter with th7
World now, according to Paul Findlay
merchandise expert, who delivered a
Lecture at the Y. Nj. c, A. last night
honor by the Business Men. associa-
tion, towit; The cost of high living
ana the world demand for goods of ali
kinds. There is no such thing as the
high cost of living, the speaker said,
and the world war wrought such
heavy destruction abroad that it will
be several years before the European
countries win be able to start their
factories, revive their agriculture and
recuperate their herds of cattle and
other livestock. In the meantime they
must depend largely upon America TO
supply their wants. Even now buyers
for European firms are in this coun-
Try willing to pay most any price Tor
articles needed overseas. and this
has naturally had the effect Of In
ereasing prices at home, Millions o.
men, he said did not even think f0t
themselves for four years or more,
while they were in the army or na,
and 1t ~ going to require some time
Tor them to become adjusted to civil
life,
The speaker pointed out that dur
ing the war Americans were taught to
save, but since the armistice wa
signed many of them have forgotJe4,
the lessons learned during those try
ing days. He said Liberty bonds to
the amount of $1,000 600 were being
and that Ien who know their value
are buying them. In a few YEA
from now you will be hearing the
people say the rich men own al lig
bends, he SAID, and the poor people
their bonds because they are going TO
Men buy Silk shirts at $3.50
apiece. What the hell does any man
need with a silk shirt costing thai
much ? Working girls are not salts
fled to wear silk stockings made OF
silk as far up as one can see, but in
sist on them being silk clear up. What
we need in this country is pledge on
the part OF everybody not to buy any
thing not absolutely needed"
Mr.. Findlay's lecture was along the
lines of the proper way to figure prof
its or margins. He showed by sta
listics which have been collected bv
reputable concerns that in the gro
Gerry business, for Instance, profits
are not excessive, as the average ex-
pense of grocer is 16 2-3 per cent
before he can make a cent of profit,
He made the startling statement that
fortyeInc GET cent of the ErJcefte
go over the counter ON a margin les
than it costs to do business. This list
Includes the necessities of life. such
as bread, side meat, salt PORK, lard,
butter and eggs, and that the profits
must be made off of the other fifty
five per cent, which are classed as
luXuries and semi-luxuries.
Mr.. Finday dwelt at some length
on the handling of oranges and lem
ons by grocers, and urged dealers TO
raise and lower their prices as the
market fluctuates 1t has been de.
monstrated time and again, he said,
that If lenlpns are sold a5 odd prices
. Il nttG
t6m 6mers will buy in dozen lots, whereas
if they are priced at three for ten
cents which is often the. case, only
three will be bought at time
There We're about seventy present
at the banquet, and to hear Mr..
Findlay's speech. He was given close
attention and was warmly greeted at
its conclusion.