Evening star., 1922-09-02
Attacks Statements of W. N.
Freeny Co., Inc, as "wiil-
full Perversion of Facts"
SAYS OLD RATES QUOTED
Company Statement Says English
Mills Urged Importation
Before New Law.

doubteuly with the sinister desire 10
obtain money under false pretenses.
Representative Nicholas Longworth,
| one of the conferees on the admin
| istration tariff bill. called the atten-
tion Of the House yesterday to the
fGll-page display advertisements OF
the W. NJ. Freeny Company. Inc. 611
l4th street northwest, which have
appeared in Washington newspapers
within the last few days.
He quoted from the advertisement.
which he said urges the public to
buy (woolens) now at present prices
because as soon as the new tarin
goes into effect the prices will neces-
sarily be very greatly raised" He
also quoted the statement: I'VE
woolens for the rise. but we are
tailors. not spectators" and another
line in the advertisement regarding
suits and overcoats read: Many
we could not duplicate now for dou-
bic the price"
Says Old Law Quoted.
Representative Longworth explained
that the rates quoted in the Freeney
advertisement are in the Underwood
Simmons tariff law. while the emer-
gency tariff bill is the one now in
effect. He quoted the rates to show
that the duties in the existing law
are IL cents per pound higher than
the highest rate in the the Senate bin
said. ''if the tariff would have any ef-
feet on the price of woolens. as this
man says it will. its effect will be to
greatly decrease the price of cloth
ing"
. Representative Longworth denied
that the prices of woolen goods are
increased fail0rg
ing:
Il am reliably informed that the
American Woolen Company has re-
Gently issued its list of prices for
the coming year on all grades or
woolenS. and that those prices arc in
every case. at least as low and in
many cases. much lower than the
wholesale existing prices of woolen
goods"
Emergency Rates in Eject.
Then he pointed out that Mr..
Freeny in his advertisement, says:
Fortunately We have bought heavily
this season and have a good stock
on record as having bought his
woolens this season and then ex-
plains that the emergency tariff rates
were in effect before this seasons
purchases were made. Representative
LOngworIh said:
passed on woolens? 1t was passed
on May 25. 1921, and therefore Freeny
bought mis- stock this season. as he
states. when the rates on wool were
IL cents a pound higher than the
highest rate in the tariff bill now
under consideration
Issuing warning to would-be
profiteers, who ARE seeking to prey
upon the public by imposing upon
their credulity," Representative
Longworth said:
Il am going to make point. gen.
prices that this man advertises. and
if he shall later on charge higher
prices than he is charging now, when
lower tariffs on woods and woolens
come into effect. he is just a plain.
constituencies profiteer, and nothing
else. Applause on the republican
side.)
Il felt it my duty to bring this mat
ter to the attention of the House. be-
cause this is a sample of the kind of
advertising that is and will be preva-
lent throughout the country by men
who are seeking to prey upon the
public by imposing upon their credul-
ity.'
Urged by English Mills.
In reply to this attack in the House,
W. NJ. Freeny. the senior member of
| the firm which had the advertisement
inserted. explained today that he is
being urged by English mills to get
the goods into this country to save
the extra cost under the proposed
new tariff law. He claims also that
| the mills have increased their prices
from 25 cents to dallar a yard in
| anticipation of the tariff, SO that wool
| ems be bought eight months ago for de-
! livery this fall would cost him rs
cents to 81 yard more il ordered
, today.
Explaining the line in his advertise
ment which said. Many we could not
duplicate now for double the price
Mr.: Freeny said: we have remarked
goods which formerly sold as high as
sos. reduced to $3.50, notwithstand-
| ing the fact that to duplicate the
same material at the increased price
from the mills in order to make a
/ fair, legitimate percentage profit, the
Freeny company would be compelled
to sell suits and overcoats even higher
! than double the price"
| Sees Increased Cost.
| The Freeney company further
| states: "On account of information
| which we have from the mills direct
| our firm is investing every dollar at
| their command in woolens from Eng
lish mills to land them in this coun-
try before the new tariff goes into
effect"
| Mr.. Freeney said that he.h had re-
Gently had an interview with the
buyer of one of the largest woolen
! houses in the world and this buyer
made the statement that in his opinion
after the new tariff went into effect
woolens would advance anywhere
! from 10 to 20 per cent, and that in an
ticipation of the tariff woolens made
| in this country have advanced from
! their opening mill price for this fall
, from rs cents to s1.S7 yard from the
| mills.
with the jobber and the tailor add
| ing their percentage of profit" Mr..
Freeney said, this would pile up the
| Increased cost to the ultimate con-
sumner probably several times over"