The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1920-05-22
CREST OF ABNORMAL
CONDITIONS PASSED
Department of Justice Urges
Strict Economy in Use of
NOn-EssentiaIs.

improvement in price conditions over
the country is predicted by high
government officials. The increasing
tendency toward price cutting now
seen in every part of the nation is
viewed as fairly positive indication
that the crest of abnormal conditions
has been passed and that further re-
cessions will follow.
Officials are now looking around
for the cause of the reductions.
Among the principal returns for
the. recession advanced by Secretary
Houston are the failure of many mer-
chants to obtain accommodations, due
to a Tightening of conditions through
out the country and the psychologi-
cal effect following the organization
of large numbers of citizens into
groups hostile to proflteers. The late
arrival Of spring in many sections
also is given as cause for the fail
ure of merchants to dispose of their
goods.
The Department of Justice has
urged that prompt advantage be TAX
en- from the general trend toward
price reductions. An appeal has been
declared to the state chairman of the
woman's division activities asking
that efforts be made to bring about
voluntary reductions by merchants.
1t reads:-
Efforts of women's division acti-
vities being felt throughout the eoun-
try. Now is the time to intensity
past splendid efforts. Wannamaker,
Philadelphia and New York, has re-
duced all stock 20 per cent. Other
merchants following suit. Wire all
local chairmen to see If voluntary
reductions cannot be obtained from
local merchants, thereby cooperating
in reducing the high cost of living"
The Department also urged strict
intensive economy in the use of non
essential articles and advocated an
intensive campaign to curtail the use
of candy, soft drinks, chewing gum,
ice cream, etc.
IMPROVEMENT GENERAL.
Secretary Houston said today that
the general improvement throughout
the country is not to be considered
locally, but rather as an indication
of better world conditions. What is
calculated to help the domestic situa-
tion TO some extent is the falling off
of exports, which for the month of
April, 1920, amounted to value of
$135, 100000. This falling off is
attributed directly to congested rail-
road and port conditions, but other
wise decrease in exports would be
viewed as sign of more healthy
world conditions. 1t would indicate
that European nations had returned
to work on larger scale.
The exports for April were valued
at $684,000,000, against $500, ,000.-
0oe in March Of this year and $715,-
100000 in April of last year.
A vigorous arraignment of the
statement that the price of women's
garments will be higher next fall was
contained in an additional telegram
to all state chairmen of women's di-
vision activities of the Department
Of Justice, made public by the de-
partment today. The message read:
IN. Printz, of Cleyeland, Ohio,
chairman of the National Cloak, Suit
and Skirt Manufacturers Association
says that the price of women's gar
ments next fall will be much higher.
The meeting of the National Cloak,
Suit and Skirt Manufacturers Asso-
citation of Cleveland adopted the re-
port of its style committee that long
er skirts and coats cut to- give long,
straight lines, but SO giving a great
deal of latitude to the wearer, were
recommended
"Thesefwo statements are intend
ed to nullify the efforts of you and
the women of your state to bring
down the cost of women's garments.
That is an apparent effort to bring
about an increased price by radical
changing of the present styles. Urge
women of your state to lay aside win
ter clothing with a determination to
wear them next fall and winter, un-
less there is radical drop in the cost
in women's garments. The women
of the country can prevent this in
crease in prices by their continued
sane and conservative buying. They
should wear old clothes until prices
are reduced. Preach this doctrine in
your state"