The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-12-17

! ing machines, and the like. Il thiaii
| it is largely a matter of public edu-
cation, however" Gilberg says. "C;
must be remembered that from two
| to five times as much sales effort
is required to move goods now, as
in the good times"
Decrease During Summer.
| Frank c. Gibbs, of the Gibbs Cloth
| ing company. declared that conditions
in his stores here and in Salina had
| closely conformed to the general rule
! "a slight decrease during the sum-
mer. and a revival which began Ill
| September and has now increased the
volume of business above the volume
| of last year at the same time.
E H Crosby, of Crosby brothers,
while admitting that in dollars and
cents the income of the store would
be less than that of last year, as
serted that measured in dozens and
yardage"-in the volume of goods
which have been purchased, the entire
year has been better than last year.
Crosby did not commit himself as to
the reported revival of business in
recent months. 1t has been better,
comparatively, than the retail bust
ness during June, and possibly May,
of this year.
Value of Dollar Greater.
Crosby pointed out that the amount
of merchandise which can now be pur-
chased for a dollar. is greater, by
about 80 per cent. than it was last
year at the same time. The percentage
of drop in valuation is widely differ
ent on different commodities. he
pointed out The general average for
all lines, is about 80 per cent. There
fore, the merchant who takes in 80
per cent less money than he took in
during the peak prices. is still
handling the same volume of goods.
Whitney Is Optimistic.
w. w. Whitney, manager of Warren
NJ. Crosby company's store, was also
inclined to be optimistic. He agree
in fewer dollars, on the whole. than
they took in last year. But a greater
volume of goods will be Sold" Whit
ney said. He emphasized the varia-
ton in different lines and departments
in the store. There are departments
which are selling more goods at the
same price, than last year. There are
departments which are selling far
more goods at a lower price. These
departments are helping along the
ones in which the slump has occurred.
Whitney declared that ready-to-
wear clothing, both for men and wom-
en-, has been the slowest moving line
on the market recently. Il believe
it is because men and women are not
buying the amount of clothes they
bought a year ago." he says. 'PricCs
have remained up in those lines, and
the people are not buying them"
On the other hand, staple dry goods,
at a lower price than last years, are
moving rapidly, Whitney says. Whit
ney inclines to the idea that there has
been an increase in retail buying since
September 1.
A. E. Scott. of the Scott company,
denies that there has been any par
ticular revival of buying, this fall.
I'VE have kept our business up above
the standards set last year, but we
have fought for every bit of it," Scott
says. There was a reduction in bust
ness during July and August, but that
is always the dull season in the d a
partment store trade. I do not be-
lieve that there will be any great re-
vival until the adjustment reaches tbs
farmer. and the things he has to sell
bring more nearly their relative va
ues.'
Maurice n. Schlegel. manager of the
retail department of the Thompson
Bauer-Austin hardware company. is
frankly pessinlistic about the buying
condition now as compared to that OF
last year at the same time. Persons
are not buying hardware in as large
quantities. even tho the price has been
lowered, SchiegeI declares.