The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-16

theless, this effort to teach women
how to buy, as long as it is not offered
cry husband and father will appre-
Eciate.
The merchants, claim that women
will not buy cheap or reasonable
things, but demand high priced arti-
cles. This charge is preferred against
being the main shoppers are saddled
with the bulk of the responsibility.
Women do 90 per cent of the retail
buying, and are, therefore, the element
to which the producer and vender OF
goods must cater. Merchants report
cles reasonably priced failed to sell,
whereas others of similar value,
marked higher were quickly disposed
of. Just what Advertising accom-
panied these sales is not clearly
brought out. Still, extravaganza and
recklessness have characterized buy
ing ever since the close of the war.
To swing the pendulum back to the
side of economy is the aim of the de-
partment of Justice. This, the depart
ment believes, is the first step toward
lowered prices.
When the department of justice
came to its conclusion about the
women OF America, IL sent for Miss
Edith Strauss, economic expert, ana
appointed her to teach women how
they can best use their influence over
trade and finance SO as to benefit So
ciety and themselves.
Miss Strauss has outlined an organ
ization plan for each state so that In
time the economy campaign may
reach all the women of the country
Each city or other community unit is
to have a chairman and committees,
These officers inform the women of
the locality about fair prices of nee
essities, and urge them to refuse ex-
brilliantly priced goods. The women
are reached thru clubs, parent-teach-
ers' associations of the schools,
churches and other organizations.
Over 100000 women members or
some 20, 900 clubs are already well or
ganized. These women are studying
their local price situation. Their at
tention is attracted to the necessity for
conservative buying, so that produc-
ton may catch up with consumption.
They are reminded that if they will
dispense with Injuries and demand
palmer goods, the manufacturers Will
produce cheaper articles. Palmer
goods usually require less labor and
time in the making, and therefore
production can speed up.
The consumers whims are the pro-
ducers barometer. He complains that
he must turn out fur trimmed coats,
because coats not trimmed remain
>
the club women are told, to show the
retailer what you want-a coat ex-
travagantly priced because of freak
ish style, a new fabric, and fur col
lar, or a conservative garment of
substantial material.
Besides studying economy, buyers
are urged to report to the state or
local fair price commissioner all cases
of obvious profiteering. so far reports
have resulted in over 800 profiteers
-HzA 10
been brought to trial and all eight
were convicted. The sentence is one
year of Imprisonment or $1,000 fine.
Miss Strauss has obtained the CO.
operation of the merchants in her eff
meeting of retail dealers of the United
States she urged the merchants to try
out the economy sale plan. The econ
omy sale, as conceived by Miss Strauss,
is not an deliberately staged and adver-
tised bargain sale. The department OF
Justice does not want to stimulate buy
ing at present. The idea is to divert
shoppers from the alluring expensive
bargains to really economical pur-
chases. ~
The merchant sets apart % section
of his store, the basement. perhaps.
for economy sale goods priced as low
as possible, and certainly lower than
his nigh grade stock. These goods
are to be plain goods for everyday use,
of good quality, seasonable, and in
good condition.
The shoppers attention Is brought
to the sale, or rather department, by
the stores advertising being centered
upon it. Miss Strauss suggested to
the merchants that the cheaper goods
might be advertised by window dis
play of a complete outfit for man
and one for a. woman each priced at
IL r.. = nx4ff q
to be tagged with its price, so that
passersby could get an idea OF rates
at the economy sale.
The merchants signified their will
ingness to try Miss Strauss's plan in
token of their desire to meet the pub
that they were already selling plain
stock, and as cheaply as possible, but
all agreed to turn the spotlight OF
publicity away from fancy goods
The retailer is extremely sensitive
about being though pofiteer. It
was with the hope Of changing public
opinion, which merchants feel Is
against them, that the retailers adopted
resolution to cooperate with the
department of justice in the various
ways requested of them.
Even with the dealers. professed
eagerness to guide the public toward
economy. the outlook is that prices
will continue to rise. Merchants lay
ing in stock now complain that they
are charged more than ever for their
goods. A retailers chart of prospec-
tive prices for 1920 shows possible in
creases of women,s coats, 80 per cent;
mems felt hats. 40 per cent; shoes.
1914 per cent; and other things in
proportion from 10 to SO per cent in
advance.
Obviously economy is our only hope
of making our shrunken dollars go
round. DIR. Henry van Dyke, in let
ter to Miss Strauss, says that the peo-
pie of the limited States are partly re-
sponsible for the high cost of living,
because so many of us eat more than
is necessary. spend our money I'M
wisely. and do not-put in an honest
days work. In conclusion DR.. van
| Dyke saws: