Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-05-05
Mr., WANAMAKER GIVES
REASON FOR HIGH COSTS
Philadelphia Merchant Lays the
Blame on Manufacturers; Says
Distributors Must Come
to Rescue.

In an interview given to the New
Work Evening World john Nanamaker
YESTERDAY entered into Il discussion of
his amazing plan to sell merchandise TO
the amount of S20,000,000 n n rcduc-
fion Of 20 per cent IN an effort 70 start
a movement hooking TO a reduction III
The high cost of living, 10 which Is due
much rf the existing industrial unrest.
His offer 10 take Sl,000.OOO worth of
merchandise from manufacturers each
week aid pay cash for il was also
touched upon and il IS evident that the
psvchological effect Of his startling move
has already been far-rcaching. u.
Insisting that the onus oi 2hc present
high prices must be laid upone I nc manu-
facturers the veteran merchant SAID
matters had reached 4 point whore the
distribution must do something to save
the situation and continued.
This is an opportune time, indeed, tor
any man who has influence to loosen the
screws that have wound up the machinery
oi distribution and manufacture To the
high point of the present hour. Inc
manufacturers having had the benefits oI
good times. should help in satisfying the
prople that they are disposed to share
With them the high cost Of living, and
this can only lie done hy lcsscninc
prices. But the distributors. the mcr-
chants. must, IL seems, make the begin
ning. And the small MERCHANT can do
It as easily MS the larger ones Tie VIII
10 wisc'y 10 turn into money the goods
he has accumu ated during the past siX
months
OF course, sll those who should he at
work are not there vet They are still
ENJOYING the honors II war. still on pa-
- . l..st, i.
They are out soldering and >alloriug.
making speeches and visits oi courtesy
when they're wanted Ill The work bench
Its a great satisfaction to shik, hands
With them but they'll du more good
for every one themselves included, il they
Will help increase Jht, output 81 manu-
factllrc> wanted. ~carcIlN Is What puts
prices M and that i ,nr ~ the first
things that should he overcome. hut more
people will have 70 cn u work itiuro 4
can BE- accomplished
Speculation X II the root 81 aIl ihc
present troubles, but not speculation IN
the distributors It has been among hc
owners uf the hag~ of wool thu 6aE.~ ut
cotton and tie httndlc~ Il lnlc~ prte,
arc increased again and again before thc
r.an who owns loom hcGu> - weave.
.eiorc the shoemaker ever touthc~ hn
leather with his knife
But rh, tIntr h:-. ernr It, show the
people of the country that he distributors
,rc willing IL SHIRE tho huricn> with
hem. ami that i. uhai tic tvn stores
that hear my name ar1 trNing ~ show
II our stores can 10 il and nmhe fair
profit other stores can do It
BIT the plan We have inaugruaic'i ha~
not met with favor everywhere Strangely
enough, | have received letters tnd telc-
grams and visits from manufacturers nr
their representatives protesting against
WHIST my stores are doing today Fhcv
have asked me not "a soil thc goods
which | have bought and paid hr II tie
reduction | have announced 4iai the
Wsnamaker stores will continue io 10 this
for the period We have alrcadN dccldcd
upon.
believe This a. tc a wedge aud j
sharp ono. driven INTO the high fo~t ol
Irving. which hopa will IL time split it
open and let in both hight and rcaeaa