The New York herald., 1920-01-29
WOOL CONFERENCE
PLEASES WILLIAMS
Food Administrator Says Man
ufacturerS' Demands Soon
Will Be Met.

| Following the conference of the repre-
sentatves of the woollen manufacturers
at the office of the American Woollen AS
sociation, No. 45 East Seventeenth street
yesterday, Arthur Williams. Federal Fooc
administrator, reported the conference had
been of a highly satisfactory nature. Ger
tain persons engaged in the business, Mr
Williams said, had been pointed out to hin
as profiteers, and for this reason he had
been called upon to make an investigation
1t had been told him that purchasers had
obtained small orders Of woollens from
time to time and were holding out fo1
higher prices.
zone of the most encouraging features
Of the conference" said Mr.. Williams
was the statement that the supply of
raw wool is now nearing the normal and
that the time Is rapidly approaching when
the requirements Of the manufacturers OF
clothing will be fully met. One condition
| in the manufacture of cloth was brought
cut which may not be generally known
Fully sixty per cent OF the cloth making
capacity of the mills of the country was
diverted to making cloth for the army and
navy during the war.
mo additional manufacturing equip
ment was provided. the time being too
short and consequently many lines OF
cloth at the lower prices. yet of good quail
ity, were taken from the market. More
expensive materials were necessarily sub
stituted, which in themselves. cause an
increase in the cost of clothing. The re-
turn of this large percentage OF manufac-
turing equipment to the normal clothing
demand insures an almost immediate sup
ply of cloth formerly available at lower
prices. which should have a most bene-
ficial effect on the cost of clothing in gen.
leral.
THE opinion prevails that any specula-
tive jobber who might be holding back
their stocks In the hope of higher prices
will be disappointed, for the normal re-
quirements of the trade will soon be met
directly from the manufacturer. The gen.
erai application of the Lever act to the
clothing industry was under discussion
d; ring the conference, and IL was empha-
sized that the price at which cloth was
sold must bear a fair relationship to their
cost. and not to the prevailing market con-
lditions.
"Cloth is now being delivered which was
purchased under contract made when the
prevailing prices were much lower. They
should be disposed of at a fair profit and
not necessarily at the higher market level
OF today. Following any other course
would subject the jobber to the charge OF
iprofiteering.
THE general tendency toward buying
more expensive articles of clothing, indi-
Gated few days ago by Mr.. Wood, presi-
dent of the American Woollen Association,
was fully indorsed by those present. They
were of the opinion that an important re-
suit would be secured toward lowering the
cost of living If the people generally would
confine their purchases to standard style
and plain and serviceable materials. Fur
ther consideration Is to be given plans for
the most effective cooperation between
the association and the Food Administra-
ton"
Among those present at the conference
were Herbert G. Peabody. George B. San
ford Frederick K. Nixon, A. NJ. Plyer and
]. j. Nevins.