El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-06-23
WOMEN BEGIN
FIGHT ON COSTS

Women Of FL Paso have organized
into a local branch Of the state cam
paign committee for the purpose Of
joining the fight against the high
cost of living being conducted under
the direction Of the federal depart
was completed yesterday at mass
meeting at the Y. W. c. A. with Miss
Marguerite LeBarOn, head OF the
home economic department at the
high school, as temporary chairman
AS many Of FL PasO's club women
and workers are out Of the city for
the summer, the work viii be re-
tarded until about September when
various civic activities viii be re-
sumed and the economy drive begun
in earnest
Mrs. 8Iyron A. Kesner Of Dallas,
state chairman Of the WOmanis diVis-
ion, department Of justice d; e. L
drive, organized the FL Paso branch
She gave a spirited talk on the pur-
pose of the campaign and explained
present day prices.
United Action Needed.
Unified action is necessary If we
are to accomplish our aim" she said.
our campaign Is an intensive drive
to stop prices from rising, to reduce
the prices Of today and to enforce
profiteeriuE laws. There are SIX rea-
sons for high costs-the increase in
volume OF money, decrease IN produc-
tion, high cost Of labor, high cost Of
transportation, high cost Of luxuries
and profiteering-
in various Texas cities by Mrs kes-
ner and the 'emberships number
many thousands. Dallas having 10000,
Waco 5000 and other cities 1000 to
5000 The state chairman viii return
to Ell Paso in the fall TO assist in
the work
Miss Mary Stewart. a special
speaker representing the government
at Washington, spoke at the meet
ing. She is in Texas to assist in the
organization work.
America must not die Of internal
troubles after successfully combating
her external ones" she said The
world Is hungry today for the things
America wastes"
She told Of her wartime work in
Syria and other parts Of Europe, Civ
ing some pitifLl Instances Of the need
of those countries for material things.
She said the world was looking to
America for supplies and that on its
action depended its future position
among the powers
Vast sum for Luxuries-
I want to stress the elimination
OF Injuries said Miss Stewart.
Don't think me a fanatic who wants
you 10 give up all picture shows and
ice cream sodas and other little pleas
ures. But when I tell you that the
population Of this country has IN
creased IS percent in the last 50 years
and that the consumption OF mtlli-
merry has increased 500 percent and
Of women's clothing 1000 percent in
the same time, you can see what ]
mean when I say that America must
stop in her mad. selfish rush for nom
essentials IL she is to avert national
catastrophe
I'VE spent $500. 0O0. 900 last year for
candy, $3.50. 100000 for picture shows
and our expenditures for soda water,
tobacco, patent medicines and 1eWelry
are Just as startling. We have been
our nerves are be
ing wrecked Individual gain must
give way 70 common good"
Household economy Is to be the
particular point OF the drive here.
Women are TO be taught the need Of
home production Of clothes and
edibles-
FL Paso retailers unanimously en-
dorsed the governments efforts 70
reduce the high cost OF living Tues !
day afternoon at 4 meeting OF the l
-etailers' department OF the chamber !
Of commerce with Miss Stewart She /
outlined the governments plans and ]
was promised the support and en- /
Of Ell Paso merchants. /
Miss Stewart conferred with James /
A. Dick. chairman Of the fair price /
committee OF FL Paso; Myrtn Co /
1lentz. Maurice Schwartz. H g. 1
B. F. Dubinslxi and II Il /