New-York tribune., 1920-04-29
Baruch Would
Cut Prices by
i. S. Control
Advises Re-establishment
of Wartime Agencies to
Regulate Cost and Dis
tribution of Goods
Approves Overall Move
People Frightened Into
Buying by Propaganda
That Is Untrue, He Saws

From The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April 28.-War time
government agencies for the control of
distribution and prices should be re-
established as the best method of fight
ing the high cost of living, Bernard M.
Baruch formerly chairman of the War
Industries Board recommended in a
letter received to-day by Senator Nc
Nary, of Oregon.
Senator McNary, who is chairman Of
the Senate committee investigating the
nigh cost of boots, shoes and leather
goods. had written Mr. Baruch asking
him for his views regarding the price
of shoes
Mr.. Baruch recommended that the
agreement entered into by the War In
dustries Board and the shoe manufac-
turers and dealers late in 1918 be car
rled out now, and that steps be taken
to standardize production, eliminate
waste, stimulate efficiency and reduce
costs in all industries.
The Boards Program
The War Industries Board program
with respect to shoes was to have been
carried out in 1919, had the war con-
tnued. The program provided for three
classes of shoes: Glass A, to retail at
50 to $12 for high and $11 for low
shoes; Glass B, from S6 to $3.50; Glass
c. from So to IS.
II have no doubt that the cost of
manufacturing, handling and sale of
shoes could be very substantially re-
duced," said Mr.; Baruch, IF the manu-
lacturcrs, wholesalers and retailers
would pursue substantially the course
which was being pursued in 1918 and
standardize and limit shape, styles and
colors, rather than unnecessarily multi
plying them to appeal to the fads and
fancies of a consuming public prodigal
in their expenditures.
"This might be accomplished by
creating a government agency, under
whose supervision and regulation not
only this industry. but all industry,
could cooperate to standardize produc-
ton, eliminate waste, stimulate eff
cheney and reduce costs. Such course
is not paternalistic.
II do not see how normality in pro-
duction or distribution can come un-
thousands of men are still in arms in
Europe, facing one another across
boundaries that should have been de-
tcrmined long ago. They dare not
drop their arms and return to pro-
duction for fear they will be overrun
by their neighbors.
People Needlessly Alarmed
"The only thing legal l know of that
can be helpful is to remove any illegal
barriers which make for a restricted
distribution Of food and clothing and
the prevention of propaganda and ad-
vertisements which falsely state the
scarcity of, or imposs of, OBJ
tanning these things The people have
become so alarmed by what l think
are unreliable statements, that they
have been willing to pay any price.
Another helpful thing would be to
get our people to conserve and wear
for longer time their shoes and
clothes. The overall movement would
be valuable. 1t will teach people not
to be afraid of wearing clothes and
shoes that are somewhat worn. frayed
or patched. Old, patched clothes are
evidences Of courage and sclf-esteem.
If people would use their shoes and
clothes for ten, or twenty, per cent
more time, it would practically in
crease the production by ten. OF
twenty, per cent.
CAS- it appears to me now, the only
thing that can be done is to remove
restrictions on manufacturing and dis-
tribution, check illegal profteerng
wherever it exists, do what we car