Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 44, Number 262, 16 August 1919 — Page 3

PAGE THREE BRINGING UP FATHER By McManus An Ohio lnrentor's plow Is featured by a wooden ptn that breaks and releases the share when It strikes Immovable objects. A 1TXJ THOUGHT TOO HAD MEDIDN'T VOOtE.' Chautauqua Now is the time, while you are attending this delightful occasion, to rest to, recuperate; so that when you return to your rearular routine of strenuous 5 "i'.V? 'V I work you may be more produci mat . . IBS' lire, mure eiiicieui.

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-TELEGRAM SATURDAY, AUG. 16, 1919.

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rV&. IfW TOO HAD ME- )

OTHER Wf L, fc&Sftfo ' C LOOK THE f I 45 J DOfHT. ; 1 11 IIP 7 BW

DROP IN PRICES FOR SHOES TO BE FAR IN FUTURE

No Prospect of Cheaper Footwear for Some Time Spring Model Unquoted.

Washington Theatre This Week

By WILLIAM R. SANBORN. Fifth- Chapter. The fact that shoe manufacturers and leather dealers are predicting a considerable drop la prices, would be more comforting, were they to set the date, and set it early. But they are fencing for time; the drop is to come "some time" but it is likely to be deferred for at least another year. This is the concensus of opinion of the men who have been quizsed by a Boston grand Jury, which was anxious to know why the publio is paying $9 for $4 shoes, said shoes being headed for $10 to $12 by next spring, some dealers tell us. Well, we shall see as to that later. The largest manufacturers and the best known tanners Bat in at that quiz. Were they profiteering? Horrors, no; not now nor never. Their hands were clean and their commercial characters whiter -than snow. Therefore let us . wear such shoes as we have and await that better day. Time was when shoes were not only half-soled but retipped and patched like farmers' overalls. But the oldfashioned cobbler, like the old-fashioned repair prices, is now in the discard.

Prices and Costs. A. M. Legg, shoo manufacturer of Pontiac, Illinois, enlightens us: "Here is a leather of which I use a great deal. It formerly went into a pair of shoes that retailed at $4.50. Last November, after the armistice was signed, I paid 36 cents a square foot1 for it. In January this leather went to 39 cents; in February, 44 cents; in March, 55 cents, April, 74 cents; today, 98 cents. "I know that retailers are now Belling shoes for prices for which they will not be able to replace them, for the latest increase in leather has not yet been passed on to the public." We can readily see that this leather is no longer going into shoes to "retail at 4.50." Little wonder that manufacturers feel that an embargo on leather is the only way to save the situation until the commercial world comes to a balance. No Prices on Spring Shoes. Shoemakers are now showing samples of spring models but are not quoting prices, and retailers carrying these lines are placing orders on that basis. They feel that they can safely do this, as they know what the style and quality is to be, and that manufacturers will treat them fairly. Not all merchants are yet buying, in fact comparatively few have yet placed spring orders; nor are manufacturers at all anxious to contract at specified prices. All are advocating the cutting of orders to actual prospective needs. Some retailers, however, are "grabbers"; they are trying to buy recklessly to be insured supplies, regardless of price, believing they can get whatever they may ask for next spring end

summer footwear. Such buyers are, luckily, in the minority, or prices would tend to even higher levels. Shall Retailers Profiteer7 What has heretofore been the accepted methods of the retail shoe trade, will, if indulged in this fall and winter, amount to rank profiteering. Let us illustrate how this can be done. In normal times an advance of 60 cents to $1.50 per dozen pairs was "some advance." Supposing the retailer had a line of shoes to replace, of which he had 100 pairs on hand at date of placing his order, for either immediate or future delivery. The "replacement" cost or value was at once taken into account, and immediately added to the selling price of the stock on hand. At five to 15 cents per pair this amounted to but a trifling increase of profit to the seller, or in cost to the buyer. But in the present instance the situation should be viewed from an entirely different angle. Suppose, for instance, that the dealer bought shoes for fall delivery at $5 per pair, before ttao last three or four advances in leather took place. Let us premise that the present wholesale price of that same shoe is $7.50, which is not an extreme as to absolute range in price changes. Adding 35 percent gross profit to the $5 shoe would make the selling price $6.75. which, by the way is 75 cents per pair below replacement value. Has Chance to Profit. The question now is: Shall the retailer figure his $5 shoes on the new replacement level of costs, at once, when his fall shoes come in; or shall he sell at $6.75 as originally intended? Shall he await the receipt of his higher cost purchases, before advancing retail prices to their natural future level, or profiteer because custom gives him the opportunity? Here is an instance where the Golden Rule exactly applies. In fact that was the almost unanimous expression of the representative gathering of retall shoe men at St. Louis, during our visit there last week. In this our home merchants, were they present, would have doubtless agreed.

WASHINGTON. "Oh, Boy!" which Manager Gruenewald has booked for exhibition at the Washington Theatre on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, is said to represent the only really successful attempt ever made to translate to the. screen the complete story of a modern, up-to-date "girlie-girlie" musical comedy hit. For from start to finish, "Oh, Boy!" is Just one succession of laughter-provoking, ludicrous, farcial situations, yet maintaining the romantic story of the original musical comedy roduction. The film version of "Oh. Boy!" is the stage version picturized, the only variations made being those which were absolutely necessary and incident to the translation from stage to screen. All of the wit, humor and farce-comedy of the regular production has been retained in the film presentation, augmented by the fact that whereas the stage play was confined to two scenes only, the broader scope of the cinematograph has permitted a wealth of magnificent settings.

TRACTION SERVICE ON LOCAL LINE IS HALTED BY STRIKE

Car service on the Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Eastern traction line was halted Saturday afternoon by a local strike In the power house at Cumberland, near Indianapolis. The cause of the strike was not learned here. Orders were received by the Richmond station shortly before noon that no more cars were to be run, and that

HOR LICK'S ,, TH E ORIGINAL y MALTED MILK ofd Imitation 4b 8ubtitta

to be

all cars on the road were

stopped as soon as possible. A car which left here at 11:40 o'clock for Indianapolis was held up at the barns. Up to that time cars ran regularly In and out of Richmond. Service might be resumed before night, it was said here, if the difficulties at Cumberland were straightened out.

02 WtUklM

But how can you rest, recuperate or even enjoy yourself If your Health your Nerves are not In perfect condition? Why not plan to take those Chiropractic Adjustments which you need right now while attending the Chautauqua? In business for your Health.

Chiropractors Q. C WILCOXEN, D. C. C. H. GROCE, D. C., Assistant Phone 1603. Res. Phone 1810 35 South 11th Street Hours 1 to 4; 6 to 7 p. m. and by Appointment

June Caprice, who stars In the film "Oh, Boy," to be shown at the Washington Theatre Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

The most surprising statement made at the St. Louis meeting was to the effect that there should be very little advance in the price of fall shoes, over those now prevailing, where dealers were forehanded and bought early last spring, or in the late winter, for September and October delivery. The largest advances in leather have been made since purchasers of shoes for fall delivery were made, and some labor costs were also added since spring buying dates. Because of this effect many city retailers at the meeting Insisted that there should be but little advance on our shoes this fall, regardless of what shoes bought for spring delivery might cost later. Some of the largest retailers in St. Louis state that here will be no "replacement" values placed upon their present or incoming stocks, until the new shoes, since bought at higher levels, arrive, mostly months later on. Labor Costs Not Excessive Another surprising statement was tp the effect that the labor cost per pair on the average run of shoes does not figure greatly in the cost of manufacture. Note what the president of the St. Louis Shoe Retailers Association says: "The old story about labor costs is a thing that is tossed at us from every angle. High wages in the pocket of the laboring man means good business. I want to good on record as being in favor of high wages. In 1913 the average cost to produce a pair of shoes was 34 to 38 cents. The total labor cost per pair in 1918 was 54 to 58 cents. Don't let anyone tell you that labor costs is re

sponsible for the great advance in shoes prices today." Mr. Williams did not state whether his "cost" was on factory run, men, women and children's shoes, or simply on the ordinary run of women's shoe3, both oxfords and highs. What Manufacturers Say Seventy-five of the largest shoe manufacturers met in New York recently and adopted a series of resolutions, looking toward a reduction in the looking toward a reduction in and the stabilizing of shoe prices. They stated that they were "Not in sympathy with the unprecedented advances which have taken place in hides, leather and shoes, during the past six months." They agreed to "do their utmost to check the advancing market and TJo discourage all buying and selling of a speculative character, both among manufacturers and merchants." They stated that shoes sold in the spring of 1920 "must bring still higher prices, based on the present established prices of leather and labor."

Operatic Dolls" Feature Murray Bill Next Week

Whitneys Operatic Dolls, a novelty act new to vaudeville this season, will be the headline attraction opening at The Murray next Monday afternoon

for the first-half. Without a doubt

you have seen manikins perform on

a minature stage with their staccato movement of arms and legs. But did

you ever see a manikin with a human

face? There will be four of them at

at The Murray next week, and their

offering is a novelty in the real sense

of this overworked term. To make

you laugh, and laugh "right out in meetin" the management has secured also the services of Fitzgerald and

Carroll. "Tramp comedians" who re

ports Bay have one of the best comedy

acts offered to vaudeville this season.

These boys have played all the big

time houses, and no doubt will hit big

here in Richmond.

Mizpah Selbini and company who

bills herself as "The Wonder Woman"

will complete the vaudeville portion

of the show. The exact nature of this act is shrouded in mystery, but we

have gleaned enough to know it con

tains quite a few surprises and no

end of comedy.

Peggy Hyland, the popular Fox star.

in "Cheating Herself" will be the

screen attraction the first-half. One

of the featured acts the last-half will

be Fennell and Tyson, a man and woman comedy act whose offering is

hpfnir crprlitprl with cmei of the comedv

hits of the season. They Just closed!

that city were profuse in their praise of this act. Billy Noble and Miss Jeanne Brooks, a standard Keith act, will also be on the bill the last-half. This act has been absent from vaudeville for the lat two seasons owing to the illness of Miss Brooks, and according to a long article in a recent theatrical trades paper, she gives full credit of her return to the stage, and the restoration of her health, to a remarkable demonstration brought about by Christian Science. They have always had a wonderfully clever act, and it is safe to predict they will please the Murray patrons. The big feature act for this half will be announced later, as several are being considered. Billy Rhodes in her latest production "The Love Call" will be the pictorial attraction the last four days.

Dr. Rea Goes to I. U. as English Professor John Dougan Rea, Ph. D., until recently head of the department of English at Earlham college, has been appointed as professor of English in Indiana university, to succeed Professor C. M. Sembower. Rea recently resigned from Earlham to accept a professorship in Syracuse university, New York, but gakre that up in order to go to the state university.

REJECT GOLTZ DEMANDS.

(By Associated Press) BERLIN, Aug. 16. The German government has rejected the demand of the allies for the recall of General Von der Goltz, commander in chief of the German forces in the Baltic provinces.

For the protection of factory workers a new electric switch is inclosed in a box.

The Theatres

(Continued from Page Two) claim in the mountains near Roaring River, while Madge Nelson is a ooor girl in an Eastern City. In desperation she answers a matrimonial advertisement which seems sincere and is reassured by the answer which comes, signed Hugo Ennis. A correspondence ensues, which culminates in a letter from Madge announcing her departure for Roaring River. She does not dream that her letters have been opened by Sophy McGurn (Corinne Barker), piqued because Hugo Ennis does not respond to her advances and who, out of sheer mischief, has written to Madge in Hugo's name. The girl seeks the man's lonely cabin and in the quarrel which ensues

frnm thft surmise nt their first 7iinnn. !

ter, she shoots him. Then, at the peril of her life, she flings herself across the railroad track to summon hel for him. The villages are aroused to fury, thanks to the innuendoes of Sophy, and set out to wreak their fury on the woman they declare is an adventuress. From that moment events shape themselves toward a surprising, highly dramatic climax.

MURRAY Home of Keith Vaudeville, Big Pipe Organ and Concert Orchestra

Monday, Tuesday, Wed.

1 V&fffi 7

CHEATING R-BR8EL?

Last Times Today and Sunday SHIRLEY MASON In "The Rescuing Angel"

0 Vaudeville Bill

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

WHITNEY'S OPERATIC DOLLS Novelty and Comedy Inglng Revue, Four People FITZGERALD AND CARROLL Tramp Comedian "LAST OF THE 400"

MIZPAH SELBIN AND CO. The wonder woman. Great mystery act Thursday and Last Half NOBLE AND BROOKS "FUN AT THE BOX OFFICE"

FENNELL AND FEYSON

Feature Act to be Announced Later

Thurs., FrL, Sat, Sun.

He"

Vst.V2T? to t4i

WW1

MURRETTE

HOME of STARS

MURRETTE

SUNDAY, MONDAY and TUESDAY

Marguerite Clark

-in-

'Three Men and a GirV What's biting: those fellows, anyhow? Certainly the girl is pretty enough! Well you see, these three woman-haters have fled to the depths of the Maine Woods, just to escape the other sex, and ?? No use, men, no use! Also a Billy West Comedy, "ONE NIGHT ONLY"

'ThreeMen and a Girl' Short Synopsis r" ' Off by their lonesome in a backwoods camp, three handsome bachelors. Hiding from the "hated" fair sex ! All's fine till one night they discover the loveliest girl asleep on their divan. Come and see the fun ! r Price 15c and 25c

Vivian Martin in

YOU NEVER SAW SUCH A GIRL"

Vivian Martin is the kind of a girl that makes you want to stay for the second show.

Frank Keenan in

GATES OF BRASS

When "Jim Blake." "shell-game" expert, realized that "the bigger the game the easier," he forsook the county fairgrounda and trod the paths ot "high finance," but although his financial schemes succeeded beyond his wildest expecta-