The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-31
U. S. REJECTED PLAN
OF PUBLIC SILK SALE.
Letter to 'The New York Her
AID Reveals Disposition of
100000 Yards.
SOLD ONLY TO DEALERS
Business Stability Pleaded as
Reason for Refusal to Bene-
fit Consumers.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD-Sir:
can let little light IN on the Govern
ment silk surplus and the problems of
its sale referred to in news article In
THE NEW York HERALD on Monday
In the summer Of 1919 happened to
be one Of those in Washington seeking to
promote legitimate outlets for various
surplus stocks accumulated in expecta-
ton Of a moro protracted war.
The early war time theory had been
that powder bags for insertion back of
the projectile in large guns must be of
silk because silk would not fame at the
mouth Of the gun and expose the loca-
ton OF the cannon. But before Govern
ment shell production had reached the
export stage it was proved that cotton
bags would serve equally well at con-
siderable financial saving. SO the 49,
100000 or more yards Of raw silk al
ready purchased and known as cartridge
cloth. was stored to await eventualities.
This silk was of five grades as to
thickness or weight. 1t ranged from
heavy ribbed material. very desirable for
mems suits, down to a thin fabric. such
as women prefer for lighter outer gar
ments. All Of It was Impressed raw
silk Of the natural ashen gray-white
color and unwashed. 1t was that silk
spun from nearest the worm In the heart
Of the cocoon. and so was slightly sticky
and less soft than II would become after
proper washing with good soap.
Samples early shown to the trade in
New York created rather a significant
consensus Of opinion to the effect that it
was poor stuff. not worth more than
around fifty cents a yard, although all
of it was double width goods fifty-sx
inches wide. They knew that all It
needed was washing and dyeing, If de-
sired, but they seemed to assume that
the officers in charge of the supply did
not know.
1t became evident that the original
wholesale purveyors of this silk opposed
It's being sold at retail to the public. So
rules were formed whereby no one was
to see any samples except a set to be
put on view in one small room in
building In Washington. there to be in
spected only by buyers invited from the
big distributing concerns. AS much of
the talk was of letting the material go
In this way at prices ranging around
sixty cents a yard and only to big deal
ers. I submitted a sales plan whereby
the entire quantity. excepting only that
thickest grade which the Government
was reservng for future use In making
tropical uniforms, might be Offered the
general public.
Briefly the plan was to supply small
samples both in the natural state and
properly washed and variously dyed, to
each of the 100 Chambers of Commerce
affiliated with the United States Cham
Der of Commerce. and coincidentally to
supply news matter for publication in
each city to which samples were as
signed. explaining the nature of the
cloth. It's adaptability for mems clothes,
women's and children's dresses and
cloaks, automobile dust coats. uphol-
stored furniture, curtains and tapestries;
how II could be properly washed in thou
sand yard lots and dyed any color or
pattern at The rate of ten cents a yard
Each Chamber of Commerce would an
nounce the yardage apportlonment for
It's district and the public might buy in
1000 yard lots for use TO individuals
grouped for lot purchases. but In no
larger quantities. The silk should be
sold at 81 yard, which would be great
advance over what the trade was hoping
to get 1t at. The plain people. whose $50
Liberty bonds had helped buy just such
Government goods. would have fair
chance to subscribe for silk which other
wise few of them would feel they could
afford.
My suggested plan was treated with
mild contempt: 1t was utterly "imprac-
ticable"! Furthermore, 1t would Of
fend the wholesale silk dealers, who al
ready had taken profit IN originally
making the sale to the Government
Also IL would cause injurious ccmpeti-
ON and be mischievously disturbing
for the cotton goods trade But. al
lowed to- go out through the customary
channels, the silk would filter into the
market without embarrassing any one
A little later very small part OF
my plan was adopted as originating
where II was issued: samples would be
shown In eight OF ten different cities,
but for large purchasing only.
One had to be but superficially ac-
uuanted with the surplus goods system
to note that great respect and consid
Grafton were being shown the big orig
inal dealers. the people who had law
yers or other representatives to say
significant things to the office men in
Uniform. ARCHIE RICE
Nan, ynpy nrfnhar DC