The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-04-20
Barometer of Public Opinion

Editor world; have Just finished reading
your editorial In this mornings paper, In which
you comment Mr. Connclys statement to
tho effect that II 10 other men presidents Of
other concerns would follow his lead. he would
refrain from buying new clothes for period
OF two years. Apparently, Mr.. Connolly has been
criticised on technically; that H. on setting
limit of two years in which To buy no clothes.
The point made In your editorial is true but
perhaps the real significance OF the overall
movement had not reached you at tho time Of
your writing. Relieve IT safe to say that Mr..
Connolly is In full accord with the procedure
agreed upon at tho meeting Friday evening at
which time u was decided that no time limit
should he set, but that tho movement should
continue Just as long necessary to give pro-
ductlon chance to catch up, and prices n
chance to come down.
on account OF the customary Ievcl-h headed at
ttude taken In your editorial. 1t was rather sur
prising to note that you seem to regard the
overall movement" radicalisn, and entirely
unwarranted
That there is something wrong with clothing
prices in general, few people deny, and as to
Tulsa In particular, most of us feel, that part OF
the time at least, we do not get a square deaf
For example in January. 1919, the writer's sole
possession OF shoes totaled two pair--thc KIND
distributed by our loving Uncle samuel While
IN Gushing, "A pair OF shoes marked with the
name OF u well-known manufacture. we're pur-
chased, at what seemed an cNtortionHtc price
OF $l2.6O on coming to Tulsa the following
week the Identical type and brand Of shoes
were seen reposing in the window Of one Of
Tulsa's leading stores, under price tag reading
$1,000" some people might think that IN"
change In priced had not reached Gushing ON
account OF the great distance from Tulsa, and
it's isolation from Tulsn and the outside world
however, be that as it may the store at Gushing
was stir selling SO shoes for $3.50 six weeks
after the incident related, and for how much
longer the writer does not know
only the first OF the perscnt month. a lady
Tulsa 10 the metropolis OF the eastern part OF
the state, she thought she would buy a pair of
shoes in real store in real town, where prices
were advantageous She was shown good pair
of shoes and was practically sold" until the
price was mentioned well" she exclaimed
Il saw shoes identical To these in Nugkogec ycs-
terday and for 81 less" Result: She bought
In Muskogee.
Enough about shoes And now suits for men
very good friend OF mine had occasion TO go
to Sapulpa last week and took advantage Of
the opportunity to look over merchandise Of
some OF our suburban cothicrs TO make "A
long story short, he came away with a suit
bought IN Sapupa. Tho price was high, II is
true, but on his return to Tulsa he Looked up
the merchant handling the same limo Of cloth
ing and In Tulsa, the same suit was $40 higher
In price.
These specific instances arc typical or "a num-
her that have come To attention, but cNccp, as
a matter OF interest, they get us now here.
As to charges Of prottoering, We have no
notice the kind OF car driven. and the types ~
homes lived In by Tulsa merchants. That most
"f them Ht" prosperous, aud have right to be,
We do not deny, hut the question in our minds
still rcmains-Aro We getting a square deal, We
who make their prosperity?
Through advertisements I'm your papers and
through our national periodicals. We have re-.
cciNed the warning that clothing is scarce and
will be still more scarce, and one merchant b.
oven ihoughtful enough TO toll his patrons that
mems suits-thc average kind win hC SlO0 by
fan, and urges ms to buysuow, or else pay down
SO as security and the suit will bc held until
fan and sold at tho price prevailing when the
deposit was made Considering that the intcn-
lions are those OF a friend this s really very
commcndable
However viewing tho question from an eco
nomic standpoint, We have the following factors:
First. shortage Of clothing and materials, sec
nnd rising market due 60 the law ~ supply
and demand; third, demand that continues un-
abated. Since We the wcarers Of this clothing,
not in position to increase production, there
is but one thing We can do to help. and that is
decrease consumption. That The public is Just
commencing d. realize this f3c' has been dem
onstrated hy Increased depth OF feeling sh".'u
bN people I'm Tulsa and n other cities thruuEh-
out the United states, resulting iu the formation
OF the overall movement
We Tulsans cannot increase production ot
clothing but We can, and will decrease consump-
ton. Your very truly,
Itt1g NY,rt