El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-11-15
Ell PASO PRICES ARE FAVORABLE
As COMPARED WITH OTHER CITIES

THOSE FL Pssoans who have lately Travelled in other
states have spent some time in the east north,
in position compare Fl Paso prices with prices rul
ing elsewhere Also. comparative examination Of the sd-
versemens published in the daily papers Of other cities
gives fair notion Of how things going.
e Paso prices are generally lower than prices in other
places Of equal greater population irrespective Of what
part Of the country may be taken for comparisons the only
possible exception in some parts Of the old SOUTH the
cotton country where exceptional conditions have PIE
vailed which are reflected IN lover range Of prices IN
commodities Of commerce, particularly in things not
q Paso merchants do not as a rule add freight differ
entails their retail prices. They have done at
be TINE when some merchants used TO tax freight rates
in excusng excessive prices but merchants Of good stand
ing longer do that for they intelligent enough to
that their customers almost intelligent as
they themselves are and the public has been fairly well
educated on the subject Of what proportion Of average
tail Price Of all but the most bulky and heavy eoodi-
ties freight rates account for Freight rates affect coal
and stoves, and furniture and plate glass and lion safes
and lumber, and printing paper, and machinery; but they
do not greatly affect the price level Of the unit IN the ordi
nary retail rade-olothng food drugs and notions for
example
Persons who have ept house, IN eastern northern OF
western cities and in Fl Paso find that ordinary prices
here Of household necesaIs including food domestic sev
ice, and the public utilities below the average for cities
Of FL Paso's size.
Persons who have had occasion to price clothing for
and women, household Furnishings such carpets
rugs hangngs and special furniture and utensils know
from their experience that they could not buy these
things Of equal grade in other cities at retail and pay the
freight to q Psso without spending good deal than
the same things cost mere.
labor In the building trades and IN other trades about
line with other cities there Is great bulge" here IN
any line Of skilled employment Workingmen know that
they I've cheay here than they could in other
places where the money wage may be higher at the moment
Restaurants, hotels and movies IN FL Paso not
above the average OF city prices.
Prices On lot Of things Of common use such as plumb
ing fixtures, interior hardware, automobile accessories
tools and musical instruments pretty well standard
lied these days and FL Paso shows tendency to charge
excessively for these things.
As to clothing for men and women, that may be had
here at any Price cares TO pay; might outfit
himself for So he might pay $500; It largely ques
ton Of taste, habit PRIDE and thrift In shopping
Take city ike New York Paris, can pay SIS for
nsckte the boueTards and the avenues, and step
around the block away to its dupcate priced
at $50.
Clothing, for women especially is priced largely the
basis Of novelty and ezcasivsness When fresh stock
arrives the first choice naturally costs When It
picked over down 90 the prices to the stock There
remedy for hgh cost Of living" in this department Of
expenditure within reach OF every womzn, and that
to wait Until the novelty is off until the "excu-
siTe' becomes If woman pays 500 for ahat7
it is not head covering che is after but something over
Of her rivals at best she IS paying for work Of art
unique and original creation The paint IN a Raphael
masterpiece would not cost $50 today perhaps but that
does not prevent the picture from being worth half md
lion. Funny arithmetic in womsn's hats: One hat is
worth $780, hut two hats just alike worth only ss7S
Men are not immune. suit Of clothes be bought