Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-21
HIGHER CLOTHING
|PR|CES UNJUST|F|ED
| SAYS j. S. OFFICIAL
Leader of Flying Squadrons
Declares Manufacturers Are
Quoting Lower Figures.

There is no justification for any in
crease in the price of fall and winter
wearing apparel in Washington, ac-
ant TO the Attorney General. who is
instituting and conducting federal
prosecution against violators of the
Lever law.
Mr.. Riley is in Washington today
after several weeks absence in New
York. Philadelphia and other cities,
where he has been directing activities
of the departments flying squadrons'
Of special agents against profiteer-
ing.
Retail dealers who advance prices
Tor clothing and shoes. while not prof
lteer1ng In all cases, are showing that
they are poor buyers, Mr.. Riley stat
ed. and lack the knowledge of where
10 purchase their goods. Manufac-
turers are quoting prices which fail
TO show any advance over recent quo
tatlons and which in many instances
indicate drop in price. Mr.. Riley
declared.
These decreases in the price of
clothing and shoes are due. Mr. Riley
explained. to three things-cheaper
wool or leather. greater efficiency in
iaoor at the same cost and the de-
creased demand due to the public s
prices which Mr.. Riley says have been
exorbitant.
Same Difficulties Here.
While unfamiliar with the general
local condition, Mr.. Riley claims that
retail dealers in Washington are up
against the same proposition facing
those elsewhere. One of the large de-
partment stores in New York, Mr.
Riley stated. has to his knowledge
given orders that no article shall be
bought from the manufacturer at an
increased price. This order can well
be followed by other establishments
he stated, because there is always a
supply at cheaper price.
Those who buy goods from retailers
at advanced prices this fall have nc
one but themselves to blame, Mr.
Riley said today. 1t will be a question
for the shopper of going somewhere
else" Mr.. Riley said. if the price at
any store is too high.
Prices charged at WASHINGTON
hotels are beyond those charged in
New York, where the cost of living
is said to be particularly high, Mr.
Riley charged. He cited as an instance
price of Is cents more for a plate
of berries at a local hotel than that
charged at a 5th avenue hotel in New
York.
While not charging that there was
profteering in Washington, Mr.. Riley
said there were prices which on the
surface appeared unjustified. Dealers
in Washington perhaps pay higher
rent or have heavier overhead ex.
penSeS than those in New York, he
said. but he did not attempt to go into
explanatory details.
Indicting Merchants.
1 r icc two =
| of indicting and prosecuting mer-
chants evading the Lever law indie
pendently of the campaign carried or
in various cities by the fair price com
| mittees of the Department of Justice
The fair price advisory board here
headed by Howard Figg, special as.
sistant to the Attorney General, has
been handling the local situation, an6
no Washington merchants have beer
indicted or arrested for charging ex
cesSiye prices.
Mr.. Riley said today there was nc
truth in the report that the "fyine
squadrons" of the Department of Jus
ttice have found food prices here lower
than in most cities. While the "iyine
squadron" SO called, has not beer
working in Washington. Mr.. Rile,
said he knew positively that prices il
washington were not lower, but as ;
matter of fact were higher than thos,
in many other cities in the east of tn,
4
| The price of beef in washington
| wholesale and retail, is now unde
investigation by the Department O
Justice. The investigation has bee,
| under way for more than a week anf
a decision is expected within the near
future concerning the justification TO
high prices in June and since tina
| time.
A mass of data has been take,
lunder consideration by those conduct
ing the examination The packer
have declared that increased price
primarily are due to shortage O
livestock in the past month and i,
May at the slaughtering centers. Thi
partially is offset by the claim. o,
the part of farmers. that because of ;
| shortage and high price for feet
many cattle heretofore used for dair,
products production have been sol,
for meat.
Whether this would contradict tn,
statement of the packers is no
known. The department has -hinte,
at no prosecutions of local dealer
for charging excessive prices.