Increase in Price of Clothing
Increase in Price of Clothing.—There has been in the general revival of business a much greater increase in the price of the necessaries of life than in wages. In fact, in many cases wages have not been raised at all. A recent Scientific American contains the following: “As matters are now situated, woolen clothing is to cost the people a pretty penny above what they have recently been accustomed to. The American Woolen Company or worsted combination announces the following prices for clay worsteds for the coming season: For 12-ounce goods, $1.25, against 90 cents a year ago; 14-ounce, $1.40, against $1.00; 16-ounce, $1.57½, against $1.10; 18-ounce, $1.72½, against $1.20. These increases amount to about 40 per cent. The advance in the prices of kerseys ranges from 15 to 33 per cent. The advance in other lines is about the same. Meantime wages in the mills have been advanced only 10 per cent. That will not enable consumption to keep pace with production at the higher prices noted.”