Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 305, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 December 1917 — URGED TO USE RED CROSS YARN [ARTICLE]

URGED TO USE RED CROSS YARN

RETAIL PRICE WILL STAY UP, WARNING OF BIG BUYERS. That there is not much chance of a decrease in the price of woolen yarn before March is the news for Chicago’s army of knitters. “It would be much better for the women if they would trust the Red Cross and get their wool by borrowing it from their local auxiliaries and then returning the knitted articles, instead of purchasing it elsewhere,” said Frank Hibbard, purchasing agent for the central (five states) division of the Red Cross. “In this way the goods cannot only be purchased for much less but the women may be assured that every soldier and sailor will be fitted out. Of course it is impossible sot us with the thousands we have to care for to accept any articles for individuals, but in the way we work it every individual will be cared for and we are spared the sight of one man with ten sweaters and another with none.” “But what about the personal touch?” Mr. Hibbard was asked. “What about the mother who must send a sweater to her own boy and be assured that the one she has worked and perhaps prayed over reaches her son. Can nothing be done for her.” “I’m afraid that there’s not, much chance of a reduction in price at present,” was the reply. “It is true that in the east several large firms which formerly manufactured carpets are now manufacturing woolen yarn exclusively, and this will increase the output considerably and should tend to reduce the price, but the truth is the woment are simply eating up the yarn at such a rate that it is impossible to get enough and when there is a great scarcity of an article the price is bound to

be high.” Mr. A. A. Carpenter of the Chiccago chapter of the Red Cross said that he did not look for much of a decrease in price until March. At the present time gray and khaki colored wool such as is used for army and navy garments sells on State street retail for $3.80 and $4.20 per pound. The Red Cross agents declare that they are able to purchase it for $2.50. Such is also the price made to the war relief units such as that working for the One Hundred and Thirty-first United States infantry, although the workers for the latter state that their next consignment of wool will cost them $2.75 per pound. “It’s just because the women are doing so much knitting,” is the word everywhere to account for the high prices. Mrs. William P. Nelson, chairman of the department of comforts and knitting of the Chicago chapter of the Red Cross, yesterday sent out an appeal for more knitters, lowever, and the chapter guarantees that there will be on hand a sufficient supply of wool to keep everybody busy.”