New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-25
Priice-Cuttttiingg
ave to Hit
Wholesalers and Retail
Men Hope to Stimulate
Buying by Public, Re-
ports to Tribune Show
Chicago Grain Falls
AS Movement Grows
Cleveland Worsted Co.
Announces 80 PC. Re-
duction; Labor a Factor

Reports received by The Tribune
yesterday indicate that the cutting of
prices is gaining Roadway. Dealers re-
port that reductions in the retail prices
of mems ard women's clothing might
be soon looked for, as "a result of the
desire of both wholesalers and retail
ers to stimulate renewed buying by a
public which has become weary of high
prices.
John W. Hahn, executive secretary
Of the National Garment Retailers As
ISOLATION, referring to the reductions
OIL ~ to 25 per cent recently made by
the wooden manufacturers, announced
that the retailers "are preparing to
meet the drop in prices" Heads of
some of the big department stores as
serted that the action of the Ford
Motor Company and the H. H. Franklin
Manufacturing Company in reducing
the prices Of their automobiles was
merely anticipating drop in prices of
commodities in general
Chicago Grain Prices Fall
Prices of wheat on the Chicago grain
market took drop as a result of the
agitation for a lower cost of living.
wheat fell off as much as 1873. cents a
bushel. Other grain fell in sympa-
thy. Food prices in New York, how
ever, showed no tendency to drop,
markets and restaurants reporting that
prices are going up, if anything"
IN the Middle West signs of active
price cutting were noted. The Cleve-
land Worsted Mills announced reduc-
tions from Is to 80 per cent on goods
MANUFACTURED for spring. Toledo an
nounced that prices of lumber there
mad fallen off 20 per cent. Chicago,
winch has been conducting an official
inquiry, into the prices of foods
anti -profteering campaign.
One obstacle 70 greatly reduced
prices, it was. pointed out yesterday,
is the determination of labor unions
not to agree to lower wage scales, but
to insist on higher ones. George B.
Sanford. president Of the American
Association Of Wooden and Worsted
Manufacturers, said that, although
wooden prices have dro pped from 20 to
~ per cent, clothing manufacturers
still have to contend with high prices
~ 'hiiiNu lhbOI, WHlCIl ulRnL nave a
tendency to check the drop before the
manufactured product reaches the con-
sumner.
Price-Slashing Sales Predicted
lntlmation that many retailers are
planning drastic price cuts, with a
series OF sales such es were witnessed
during the 20 per cent reduction wave
that swept the country last spring.
n)oIa b,y M uob
II find already" he said. chat mer-
chants are preparing to meet the drop
in prices. Some of them are planning
intensive sales. .Ihey realize that the
PUBLIC is tired Of paying high prices
ard that big volume of business can
be gained only on lower price basis.
Sale after sale will be held by some
retailers. 1t is possible that the ac-
ton of a few will be followed by the
majority.
ers realized they could not "5 ' sel rt ther
merchandise at the high prices de-
manded by wholesale costs and ac-
cordingls cut them. Then thew re-
solved not to be caught again by the
rebellion of the consumer against ton
prices. Accordingly. they have stocked
up on fall goods in a most limited
manner. Our association, despite the
many CRITICISMS leVeled at it by manu-
facturcrs of women's garments, has
SSteadtastly advised our members to
buy as little as possible"
Simon Forecast Reductions
Franklin Simon, head of Franklin
Simon e. Co., and president of the Ma
tional Garment Retailers Association.
some months ago predicted a LOWERING
of prices and said in his newspaper
advertising that, prices were coming
down.
Several retailers venturcd the opin-
ion that the widespread publicity
given the price drops within the last
few days will unsettle the confidence
or the ultimate consumer and cause
him to defer his purchases until he is
convinced that prices have reached the
lowest possible level for the time
being.