Evening journal., 1920-10-01
GENERAL PRICE
CUT COMING
CONTINUED from First Page,l

kAuuluutu from flIsi fdEt.l
just how powerful the consumer has
become and how relentlessly he has
begun to assert that power. Summar-
lied, these reports show:
Clothing Wools-Price reductions
are reported by some mills and it is
said buying has been resumed, but
the buying appears 10 be only for i'm
mediate consumption. Although there
appears 90 be an assurfd demand for
goods, the public refuses to be budged
from its demand for greatly reduced
prices. The reductions OF from 70 to
% per cent have not caused a rush
Of buyers
COttOn-Prices remain hieh, but
there is no demand, consumers re-
fusing to buy. and orders are being
Cancelled and curtailment in produc-
tion is threatened
Shoes-M0vement toward lower
prices has been gradual, but while the
manufacturers "see no prospect OF an
early decrease in prices" the con-
sumers are refusing to buy.
FOod-lmprOvement In crops or
previous months not sustained. but an
ample surplus assured, with the corn
crop a recOrd-breaker. Great improve
ment in livestock conditions shown.
Building Materials-Ne. decline i'm
costs Of from 10 TO % per cent during
the month and building at prevail
ing prices has reached and passed its
peak"
Iron and Sieel-New business has
fallen off, consumers are showing
caution; there is small future buying;
the automobile demand has declined
and railroad demand picked up some.
Coal-Bituminous prices have de
clined, anthracite production is back
TO normal, while bituminOus produc-
ti0n maintains "a high daily aver
age" Car distribution has improved.
Oil-PrOductlOn increased during
the month, as did also consumption.
In the wholesale trade the dullness
Of August was forgotten somewhat
in the September Improvement in all
lines other than groceries, auton.O-
bile supplies and drugs. but never
| theless caution generally is reported
by buyers because Of the unsettled
conditions.
Despite that this review might in
dicate an unsatisfactory condition,
! the board also shows that the large
crop production has brought in its
/ wake a buying power among The
I farmers Added 20 this factor in the
prevention Of any depression Of mag
nitude is the assurance everywhere
| that there is a shortage Of the nces-
stiles. and that once the prices have
become satisfactory this demand viii
assert itself IN a great business re-
! Vival
The board reports show "an inn
provement in the efficiency OF labor"
/ greater production by the workers.
/ little idleness except here and there
in the factory districts. less specula-
! tion and a greatly improved financial
condition with the merchants. through
] the liquidation" OF frozen credits
getting into better position to finance
their own openltions.
The tendency for lower values was
further demonstrated today when
wheat tumbled 7 cents i'm Chicago,
bringing that essential down 10 the
/ lowest price in four years. Reduc-
tlons already have been announced
in flour. but more drastic cuts are
| expected.
Sugar was sold in New York at i3
cents a pound. representing a t0-cent
reduction from the extreme price in
that market.
The announcement was made by a
| Boston collar and shirt factory that
| the wholesale price for shirts mas
been sliced from $3.50 TO S2i per
dozen. The price OF collars also was
! lowered