Leather operators generally deny
that a dollar goes to profiteers. They
point to the fact that in 1918 exports
on hides and leather fell oft 71 per
cent., but they admit that the same
on exports, which are set at 18 per
cent, of American production and
manufacture. If tho -exports of 1918
are taken as a basis for calculation,
then the total production and manu
facture in dollars was only $238,014,
272. What the leather interests do not
seem able to explain is why, in the
face of this big drop, the production
was not stimulated. Every one
knows -that the prices of finished
material advanced sharply. As a
matter of fact the only year in history
tn which there was a greater increase
than 1918 is the current year. In 1918
the excuse was a shortage in supply.
Now the public is being prepared for
coming boosts by being told that,
even with a greater supply, the world
cannot be supplied and citizens of the
United States must dig deeper into
their pockets and help foot the bill.
Mr. McElwaine, in the statement
already referred to, adds some ex-evell-ent
literature to the volumes
which have already been written on
leather and prices. As head of the
greatest leather manufacturing asso
ciation, in the country it must be
conceded he knows whereof he
speaks. Among other things Mr. Mc
Elwaine said:
"The present prices of raw mate
rial are nearly double the prices cur
rent six months ago and wholly be
yond wartime or any other experi
ence, and. have now made necessary
prices for shoes far above any with
which the trade is yet acquainted.
