Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-15
Richmond in Biuc denim,

D ICHMoND is proverbially slow to start.
IN It's Unborn conservatism does not per-
nit it to run off haphazartllv after .ny-by-
hlght fancies. But. once started along lines
that are good. there is no stopping il unii
its objective has been obtained. Richmond
has considered the overals idea /, has
studied it from every angle. and ii finds
1t economically sound and desirable. That
being true. Richmond before many days will
ne seen garbed in overalls and unashamed.
II is many years since any popular move
ment has met with such nstnyit.and wide
spread approval as that OF dominic. tile. blue
DENIM but then il has not been in wears
that the need of lighting high prices has
been so urgent. Costs have scared 10 such
dizzy heights that articles once considered
necessary to those in humblest circrm-
stances have entered the class Of luxuries,
and the wage Garner. The salared man, and
the man OF average means can follow them
no longer. The overalls as Il weapon TO
beat down the high cost Of clothing. one
Of the most fearsomc items in the family
budget. had its origin in birmingham.
Thousands Hooked TO The denim standard.
Other cities followed and the movement is
spreading over tue country Ike wiltiire on
prairie, SO that the blue in Americas
colors seems about To take an added
significance as symholiCal OF its overals-
Commentator is due 10 The Renters and
Consumers Protective Association for TAX
ing the lead in this constructive movement
II is Il campaign which can hurt no one
except the prOiitcer. and il promises 20
bring about important reductions in the
heavily overloaded family expense account.
TO the thousands OF names already enrolled
in the local organization. other thousands
should be added until every citizen OF Rich
mod has given his name ana influence and
avowed his intention 10 do his share IN
driving home TO the prCiiteers his con
crete lesson that the American. ,people are
patient only mp to Il certain point and he
yond that they may be depended on TO strike
blow in their own defense
Ii there IS one weak point in the Rich
mond plan il is the inclusion OF the words
"old clothes i'll the name OF tie organi-
2ation. Right OF the members 20 wear
old clothes leaves too biz oophole for
evasion, Clothes may be old, hut still i'm
macuiG,e and the wearer Will. Receive no
CT edit for his support Of the campaign,
while his weli-dressei appearance will dis
courage his less fortunate neghb0r i.om
DOMINIC the ovcralls. which always badge
OF honest labor, now become the symbol OF
popular Independence. Let's jstick 10 the
overalls and il one is so fortunate as 10
possess Nrcsentable old. clothes, lay them
away for q bet'er gay. ND let not the
women. he left ouk, For what iAlii it
profit man 10 save 500 on his business
suit if it goes III the purchase OF an cvsn-
ing gown Ginghams are selling AT the for
mer price OF silks, but tho servicoabie and
attractive bungalow aprons can be made of
cheaper material, and Richmond women
Will be glad 10 don them ana do their full
share in-tlcfcndinG the family purse,
Reputable clothing dealers, who haze
been as hard hit By the reign OF high prices
81 any other class Of citizens, viii not feel
that this movement is hostile to them. In
the end il will work out TO their advantage.
Il is merely step in the Inevitable post
war rcadjustmcnt downward to normal
price levels from which lao business, in
which labor and proiitcering manufacturers
have Joined to cXtor; their pound OF flesh
can hope to escape. Many Of them will
be found on the roster OF the oyeralis cinb
for their commercial salvation depends on
= speedy denation OF present inflated prices