Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 155, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 July 1917 — BACK TO OLD PRICE AGAIN [ARTICLE]

BACK TO OLD PRICE AGAIN

BARBERS REDUCE PRICE OF HAIRCUTS TO 25c AGAIN TO COMBAT OTHER SHOPS. The price of haircuts in Rensseaer slipped back to the old price again this Wednesday morning, of 25c per head, the same price that has prevailed for time immemorial. Some time ago, following a meeting of the tonsorial artists, it was decided to advance the price of haircuts to 35c, which price existed for a period of five weeks. Almost immediately following the raise in price, Charles Jacks started up a shop in one of the Makeever hotel rooms, cutting the price from 35c to 25c for haircutting. The saving of ten cents appealed to a great many patrons of the barbershops ahd patrons of other shops began to patronize the shop operated -by Jacks. In some instances the effect of lower prices made such inroads into the patronage of other shops, that two of them found themselves forced to reduce their prices. This left four shops cutting hair for 35c and three for 25c. Another meeting was called and the proprietors of the four shops found that the best thing for them to do was to also reduce their price to the level of the other three. The raising of the price aroused quite general discussion at the time, but there wre very few who made a kick against the raise. It would seem that the barbers are justified in making a raise, for no one works longer hours than they and get smaller returns on their investment. Tonires, face lotions, soaps, towels and other articles used have increased from 100 to 200 per cent, so it is only fair that the barbers raise their prices, as many other lines of business have done to combat the high cost of living.