New-York tribune., 1920-01-11
Promise
Not to Raise Shoe
Price in 6 Months
Pledge of New York Makers
to Williams Applies Only
to Standard Kinds and
Not to Luxury Output

The price of shoes of standard makes
will not be advanced by New York City
manufacturers this winter, and prob
ably not until next year. according to
assurances given yesterday to Federal
Food Administrator Arthur Williams.
Leading manufacturers and dealers met
Mr.. Williams at his Office, 1870 East
Fifteenth Street, having been invited
by him to discuss current reports of
80 per cent advance in the shoe price
The Food Administrator explained
TO the shoe men that to raise the price
without explanation or obvious justin
cation would arouse the enmity OF the
public against the shoe trade.
Raymond P. Morse, president Of the
Brooklyn Shoe Manufacturers Assocla-
ton. declared that any price advance
would be deferred until late summer or
the following spring. He said that costs
we're advancing slightly because man
ofacturers were making their snoes
along pre-war lines, discarding the
substitutes for tips and lining.
Hides Not Current Factor
The EXPERTS told Mr.. Williams that
he cost of hides was not reflected in
the shoe price until six months or more
had elapsed. They were Wiling, they
announced, to base their prices for the
next six months on the hide costs at
the time of manufacture and not the
current quotations.
At the suggestion of Mr. Williams,
they agreed not to advance their prices
next summer or at any time, until
their reasons were placed before a
commission or an arbitrator.
The shoe industry, if advanced prices
are asked, would be subject to an in
vestigation similar to that made by
OSCAR Straus on the local packing in
dustry. Mr.. Strauss report will be
The promise of stable shoe price
for six months does not cover the So
called luxury Shoes" the conferees
agreed. 1t was explained to Mr.. Will
Jams that there is staggering demand
for fancy, expensive shoes and that the
costs of manufacturing them are
mounting rapidly.
'olhe public does not have to buy
these costly Shoes" Mr.. Williams said.
eff people with small incomes insist
on the best in footwear they must ac'
the other hand, those people who are
satisfied to wear substantial but not
luxurious shoes are assured of a steady
price for at least six months.
is1f any purchaser of standard make
s!ioss finds the price advanced, l would
like to hear of it."
!, Investigates Sugar Offer
Mr.. Williams telegraphed Yesterday
to the M. P. Leavitt Company, of 113
State Street, Boston, asking for par
tiSrlars on an offer Of 1O0pound bags
off; sugar to New York consumers ar
$3.50. Mr.. Williams inquired in his
naseage concerning the cost of this
surar to the Leavitt company and the
e.lspective profit.
He declared that he did not want to
rr5vent New Workers from getting
srgar, but that if each family availed
. 5elf OF the Boston company's offer the
sugar supply would quickly disappear.
Tne Leavitt company promised, in its
advertisement. to make deliveries di.
rsrt,v to consumers.
The average price of sugar has
d-soored below 20 cents pound, Mr..
Williams said. He told Of one firm
VIII ch had reported to him concerning
is. inability to unload sugar here at
fe cents.