Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1920-05-07
DO OVERAHS CLUBS
EFFECTIVELY REDUCE
COST OF CLOTHES?

There appears to b. q misunder-
standing in our city regarding the
"overalls club movement. One
hears remarks on the street to the
effect that these clubs ara backed
by overall manufacturers and that
1t Is propaganda to boost the prices
of these commodities. But accord
ing to the Literary Digest for May 4,
this Ia not the case. That puhlica-
ton devotes nearly three pages 10
discussions both for and against this
movement and 1t will pay any ono
who is interested to know something
authoritative about II, to read that
articles.
TO quote In part: ssIn defense or
the family purse and in emphatic
protest against the high cost OF
clothing, scores of 'overalls clubs
were formed during the past two
weeks In cities, smaller towns, naval
bases, colleges. Industrial plants;
and overalls have been worn even In
the sacred confines OF the nations
capitol. The people have rome on
strike against ~profiteering I'm clothes.
Overalls are now correct for all oc-
casions; ministers dressed In them
perform the marriage ceremony and
deliver their m on Sunday;
mayors parade In them; judges pre-
side In them; senators serve tho
country In blue denims instead OF the
traditional frock coat and gray trou-
sers: students do their profoundest
thinking In the garb formerly
thought suitable for the h~orny-hand-
ed son of toll and even the younger
Rockefeller and other milIionaires
have declared that they will don blue
jeans IL need be-"
There are always those who object
to any movement Of reform. They
cannot stand the thought Of getting
out Of the "rut." Some think 1t is
only q passing fad that will do moth
ing but boost the price OF overalls."
Can they suggest anything better?
Will the price Of clothing come down
II everyone Is willing TO buy 1t at
the high price2 Wearing ~overalls
is simply using q substitute to obyi-
ate the necessity OF buying the high
priced article. One hears the simple
minded person say, II can't afford to
wear o%veralls." Such a person can
easily afford to wear q suit Of cloth
ing at $50 whereas O suit OF oyeraIls
would cost him less than So, Others
cannot wear them because OF their
dignity" Perhaps these people
NEED a certain kind Of clothing In
order to GIVE them dignity.
Can we as ordinary citizens refuse
to join this nation wide movement to
lower the cos of clothing when every
one of our own state officials includ-
ing the governor himself, has seen
the wisdom Of 1t and are wearing
them? Are we so much better than
they that we are ashamed TO be
seen in o~Veralls?
This movement Is not intended to
work q hardship on any retailer who
Is making d legitimate profit on his
goods. but 1t is intended as d blow
TO the clothing manufacturer who
gives the wool grower $3.50 for the
wool found in d suit OF clothing and
then charges the $50 for
1t. Who gets the $500 The over
ails manufacturers have agreed not
TO raise the cost OF oyeralls due to
this movement. II the price ID
raised 1t Is done by those who handle
the goods after they leave the fac
tory. Who then becomes the profit
teer?
Citizens, let Us show the world we
are on the map and Join this nation
wide movement. Let us prove that
we are not IN favor of this %profiteer-
ing game. Let us also show our
working friends that we are human
the same as they. and that we are
not ashamed to wear the same kind
of clothing. This will help remove
the barrier Of caste and make ua feel
more like brothers.
j. III. CUMMINGS.