Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-13
! Ta|gEs BEGIN TO T0PPLE,
SAYS NORMAN JOHNSON
Efl.cvcs Elimination Of Artificial
Values Has Set In With Break
in Cost OF LuNuricS.
SANITY OF PEOPLE RETURNS
There Never Were Bigger Opp0r,u-
mites in Country, He Declares.
After Extended Trip md Survey
g. of Business Conditions.

DEMONSTRATION Of prices and climi-
a5tion OF artificial values has at last
Z set In with ~ decided break in the
: prices of luNmries. caused by a weak
market for them. is the opinion OF
Norman II. Johnson. editor OF the
Merchants Journal OF Commerce and
Y secretary of the Southern Dry Goods
( Associat ion.
from trip through the Southern
S States after having been rc-elcct ed
I secretary of the Southern Retail Dry
J. Goods Association for the ninth time.
l3{tln n statement Mr.. Johnson dis
Ccssed the condition of the country
3 III regard to its effect or the urinary
4 and secondary markets for dry goods.
3 Gradual reconstruction OF prices
nave set in, he believes beginning
With the Injuries.
Country is Prosperous.
Iie counseled optimism.
stop following the fadist aud cc,
down TO concrete facts" he advises.
The facts are that there was never a
oigEer opportunity in this country.
than ever before. there is as much
money in the local banks and produc-
lion never sold at better prices There
we're never fewer failures. Farms
md factories never yielded better.
nc people were never better clothed
md there was never 4 time when We
;iad so much 10 be thankful Tor and
go little to condemn.
business with the members Of the
southern Retail Dry Goods Associa-
ton is good. There IS a san.ness
which is taking the place OF the spr..
OF eStravaGance and the morning
1iter the night before has certainly
are being made Ivy those who we're
intoxicated with extravaganza
I've been through the Carolinas.
alabama Arkansas ana Texas" Mr.
Johnson continues Rains have
played havoc with the cultivation OF
sne crops. They are from seven TO
heht weeks late already and country
soiks have acknow lodged that in
Eahy instances they have drspaircd
ot planting anything near a normal
acreage
Speaking OF the breaking in priccs
~ i,s, some commodities ana the posai-
h;iity of prices coming down TO a pre-
wSr OASIS, Mr.. johnson said:
LuxurieS Decline I'm Price.
u, is worthy of note that the frs.
iuHur!"s. II il clear indica ton that
People are coming to their senses ana
gre gong TO buy materials that will
give service and long wear staple
we primary or secondary markets. II
VIII be some time before there Will
re weakness or reduction of
p"itcs believe the process OF
$500 81 t'oIi !ldS DeSGn. ] don't be-
ii-ve the jobbers. retailers or con-
suners are going TO stand for arti-
neal prices and factory values any
4 referring 10 campaign year he
-'campAgn years always ar. dan.
gr!cus for business. Politicians
I5ointse SO much and perform so little
Ina, they keep business in the air AL
t"osi all Of the Time
further Mr.. johnson blamed .ha
politicians Tor The present conditions
no matter what may be the poteu-
tiai possibilities. production cannot
rise above the psychological condition
OF Inc human mind. II the people are
oista isfed and IN ! state of unrest
IS bound 10 tell me same in tn.
h1ilon as in private business"
Overall Prices 90 In.
Ia commenting on the overall, fad
he said: -"
Few think clothing has only in.
creased from 100 TO $50 pnr cen.
~hIic ovsra!!s and work shirts h,va
Increased IN price abot: 400 rcr cent
Prlpr 70 The overall movement tho un-
approximation In overalls and ;ror,,
hn!rts was about $500 800 iair. Over
ais and work shirts are III. scarces,
articles OF !ne-cha n,!!Se in the world
TO-DAY and are sold at the hirhcst
prices. The fad had no other curct
except TO make even higher an all
ready high priced garment"