South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-01-16
MORE COHORTS FOR PEOPLE

The people twice "a many clothes twice az
many comforts twice many means Of warmth
and enjoyment now they had a year ago.
The fact is brought out strikingly in a report
issued today by the National Retail Dry Goods
citation which has completed survey OF the busi-
ress In which SIS members are engaged and which
show that PEOPLE are buying more Of their goods
Tt is true says the report that measured by dol
lars there was falling off OF about a percent in
tho amount Of money which people paid TO its mem
bers IN November. 1921. from that which they paid
in November. 1920.
But prices on thei- goods had fallen to such an
extent that the people obtained for their money
twice the volume Of goods
The part OF the report which shows the percen-
tages and the means by which they obtained,
-eads
During November. 1921, retail trade fell off
1917 percent i'm gross value compared with
November. 1920 but prices declined 70 far
greater extent, typical dry goods staples.
more than one-third and in many other I'M
stances as much 80 percent The 1871 per-
cent reduction in gross value Of sales. taken in
connection with the very much greater reduc-
ton i'm merchandise prices, represents almost
double volume goods purchased by the
consumer for November, 1921. compared
with November. 1920.
aThis very great increase in consumption
progressed further during December. when
reported sales value well sales volume in
excess OF December. 1920, and few stores any
where I'm the United States experienced de-
mand smaller than that December, 1920.
Figures of exceptional interest have been
assembled in connection with the distribution
OF the gross value Of retail trade for November
1921 as compared with that OF November. 1919
when public extravagane I'm expenditure
at its height The decline in gross value OF
sales for November 1921, compared with
November. 1919, for 145 selected department.
stores throughout the United States was Is
percent. Increases recorded for several
other classes Of retail enterprise 10 chains OF
grocery stores gaining 1915 percent; five drug
store chains gaining 1911 percenti four > and
1O-cent chains. ~ percent and three cigar store
chains 231 percent"
Iuasmuch as the entire purpose of obtaining dol
lars to to transform them into things that
may be used. there should be general rejoicing at
the better-fed and better-clothed condition of men
and
These things were bought for use and were used
and a well fed and well clothed people is a happy
and contented peorle.
It brings too. the lesson of what every man and
every woman connected with industry must do to
Increase this condition.
T. means. If it means anything. that men must
labor and produce more goods and that the road
mack 70 general prosperity lies In more work and
better work
Tt may mean, in some industries longer hours
than were necessary TO supply the demands when
the people were unable TO buy.
Il does mean I'm every industry better work and
Stacking I'm order that people may obtain the
things necessary for life
The dollar IS not always an accurate measure.
One year the people, with dollars, had less
TO and less 90 ear.
Real wealth must finally be measured in terms
OF sufficient goods to meet every demand OF the
country for fits comfort and when viewed in that
Hight. the figures put forth by these merchants in
dry goods are glad and glorious news.
The people have money to spend. They are buy
ing. And they are getting twice the volume for
their dollars that they received a year ago.