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Show oo LEATHER SCARCE IS THE REPORT SALT LAKE, Dec. 25 Leather and its products are extremely ' scarce throughout the world and a continuation continua-tion of the policy of conservation will bo necessary during the transition from war .to peace conditions. This statement is contained in the official prospectus issued at the conference of the allied shoo and leather Industry at tho convention of war service committees com-mittees of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States at Atlantic City. j The resumo of the situation was received re-ceived yesterday by J. W. Beck of 1 Salt Lake from T. P. Moody, chief of the war service committees of tho shoe manufacturing industry, the tanners' council of the United States, the shoe wholesalers and the shoe retailers. The statement says: "A careful survey of the situation develops the fact that the world is bare of leather and leather products, and that exports will be large as soon as shipping facilities and credit are available. Raw stock has been selling at maximum prices in this country and in foreign countries at a premium over our maximum prices. It is clear that shoe stocks are low throughout the world and there is no surplus of finished leather or raw materials for civilian needs. "Shoe factories are sold ahead from four to five mon'hs. Agrioulturists are prosperous. High prices for their products are practically assured for 1919. Labor is receiving high wages and will continue to do so until a reasonable readjustment of commodity prices and the cost of Jiving takes jjiuv-c. no n tu ui jjuauo enterprises and reconstruction on a large scale by the government and individuals will soon be realized. Our financial conditions are sound. "A continuation of conservation on the part of dealers and manufacturers manufactur-ers is essential, in order prevent higher high-er prices and to provide for tho urgent ur-gent needs of the European countries. The industry has wisely determined to use its efforts to continue the conservation con-servation program to retailers until June 1, 1919. It seems that higher prices can only be prevented by pur- I suing a sane, nonspeculatlve nierchan-1 dising and manufacturing polio ." I oo I |