Evening star., 1947-04-29
Caution Delay; 1;
Price-Cut Plans
In D. {. Area
Flat 109o Reduction
Opposed by Retailers
In Silver Spring

The drive to reduce retail prices
Q fiat 10 per cent slowed to a walk
today as increased numbers OF
merchants adopted a wait-and-see
attitude, both here and in nearby
areas.
These developments pointed to a
conclusion that the Newburyport
(Mass.) plan for cutting prices was
experiencing tough going In this
area:
l. BY vote of IS to 10, members
OF the retail division of the Silver
Spring Board of Trade decided
against a fat cut on all but nation
ally advertised commodities. A
committee was named for further
study of the problem.
2. A spokesman for the George
town Trade Guild, sponsors of the
Georgetown plan for reducing prices,
revised downward his estimate of
the number of merchants partici-
pating when the plan goes into ef-
feet Thursday. He said there prob
ably would be no more than 100 par
Elephants at the outset.
Results Inconclusive.
3. Hyattsville's first day of 10 per
cent slash had an inconclusiye be-
ginning, with an estimated so per
cent of the community's merchants
joining in the drive. Supporters
We're counting on others to join,
however, as the plan began to show
fesults-increased sales.
4. The Alexandria Retail Mer-
chants Association met yesterday
to discuss the plan, but did not
bring the issue to formal vote. A
committee was named to report back
today on some type of price cutting
plan. AS at Silver Spring, the ques-
tion of what to do about goods
coming under fair trade laws arose.
James P. Fitch of the Georgetown
group said meeting of the rs mer-
chants who have agreed to partici-
pate would be held tonight at Christ
Church, Thirty-first and o streets
NV. to iron out details.
Information Compiled.
The Washington Board of Trade
is compiling information on price
cutting plans in other communities
and may shortly make a report.
Some businessmen here have ex-
pressed doubts that community
wide effort could be achieved be-
cause of the size of the city.
Two Hyattsville merchants re-
ported an upsurge of business for
the first day of the plan there.
Bernard Floam, proprietor of a
clothing store, said his business in
creased 20 per cent over the same
day last week. He said customers
reactions were very, very good"
Edward w. Kibby, owner of an
electrical appliance store, reported
Is per cent increase in sales.
Mr.. Kibby, who also operates a
store in the Queens Chapel Manor
shopping center said merchants
there Joined the drive today.
Groceries, hardware stores. wom-
ems clothing stores, jewellers and
bakeries agreed that business was no
different than usual.
Good Will Increases.
Those merchants who were COM
plying with the plan agreed, how
ever, that they were at least bene-
fitting from a lot of customer good
will"
A number of stores reduced prices
In proportion to the mark-up per-
centage. On bread and sugar and
milk there was no effort to cut
prices at all.
Drugstores did not join in the plan
because of fair trade agreements
governing the prices of drugs.
Sylvan V. Dietz, spokesman for
the merchants. said late yesterday
that merchants who signed up for
the plan in the afternoon probably
would bring the total number up to
well over so per cent" of all the
stores in the area.
He said there will be a meeting
OF the merchants today at the
Hyattsville Recreation Center to dis
Nf