[Consumer Demand and Purchases of 75 Clothing and Textile Items, Year 1943 and 1st Quarter 1944]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
keleaie,
e 2, 1945
FACTS FOR INDUSTRY
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15-1-1
CONSUMER DEMAND AND PURCHASES OF 75 CLOTHING AND TEXTILE ITEMS
îf oga 1943 and lit 2ua^i 1944
SECOND SURVEY OF CONSUMER REQUIREMENTS
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD Office of Civil an Requirements Civilian Relations Division
CONSUMER DEMAND AND PURCHASES OF 75 CLOTHING AND
TEXTILE ITWS — YEAR I9U3 AND 1ST QUARTER I9UU 2nd Edition - Published February 19^5'
The Second Survey of Consumer Requirements was conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the War Production Board In March, 19^« First edition of this report was Issued in August, 1944, and general findings were released to the press In July, 19^«
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD
OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS
A "FACTS FOR INDUSTRY" RELEASE
1
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and scope of the survey • • .............. •••••• 3
The demand and supply situation for clothing and textiles in first quarter 1944 ••••••••••• 4
Shortage in yards of cotton fabric» ••••• ................ 6
The public reaction to shortages» ••••••••••.« 8
Price-quality complaints. .............................. 10
Demand and supply in the year 1943« ••••••••••• 13
Effect of income on the demand for clothing ••••••• 14
Effect of shortages on rural and urban families.......... 16
Effect of shortages on families with decreased income • • 17
Estimated consumer expenditures and average prices • • • 19
Interpretation of estimates derived from the survey • • • 22
Tables - Summary of 1944 and 1943 buying experience, with
Highlights and consumers* comments
Estimates of consumer demand and purchases during 1st quarter 1944 and year 1943, in total number of units and in units per person
Shortage in percent
Public Reaction
Regional differences
Overalls, work pants and separate trousers for men
and boys, age 7 and over - Group I»»»»»»» 24
Wool suits, mackinaws and other jackets for men and
boys, age 7 and over - Group 2»»»»»»»»» 26
Shirts (outerwear) and shorts (underwear) woven
fabric, for men and boys, age 7 and over- Group 3 28
Knit cotton garments for all age-sex groups - Group 4 30
Knit rayon underwear for all age-sex groups - Group 5 32
(Continued)
Page
Tables - Summary of I9U1 and 19h3 buying experience (continued)
Comparison of demand for various types of underwear for all age-sex groups. .................. 35
Woven fabric underwear for women and girls, age 7
and over - Group 6 • ••••••••••••• 36
Dresses and blouses for women and girls, age 7 and over - Group 7 ........................... 38
Woven fabric cotton garments for infants and children up to 6 - Group 8 • 1*0
Snow suits and pants for children up to 15 - Group 9 h2
Sweaters for all age-sex groups - Group 10. . . • • hU
Yard Goods - Group 11.................... I16
Sheets, towels and blankets - Group 12..... h8
Map - Regions used in geographic analysis ••••••• 51
Estimates of production compared with estimates of consumption . . .......... • ••••••••••. 52
Table - Items ranked on the basis of shortage, 1st quarter
I9M1 (listing all items). • •••••..••••• 56
Table - Items ranked on the basis of price complaints
- from those who bought (listing all items) . . . . . 58
Importance of gifts as a paru of consumer purchases of
clothing ••••••.•••••••••••••• 60
Appendix - Purchasing habits at different income levels. 61
Number of persons interviewed, •«•••.••••••• 67
Sample page from questionnaire 68
Index to individual items ....... . • • • • • . ♦ 70
3
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE
SECOND SURVEY OF CONSUMER REQUIREMENTS
The Second Survey of Consumer Requirements was made to determine the supply situation and degree of shortage of textiles and clothing* The public reaction to shortages was also investigated, as well as satisfaction with price and quality.
Field workers of the U. S^ Bureau of the Census interviewed U>732 families in the last week in March, 19hh. The families interviewed were asked to report the quantity purchased of each of 75 items, in the first quarter of 19bb and during the whole year 19h3* People who made an unsuccessful attempt to buy something were asked what quantity they wanted. A sample page from the questionnaire is 'included in ihis report.
After tabulation of the reports, the Civilian Relations Division made estimates of the to'tal purchases and demand in the United States for each of the 75 items. The estimates were made by projecting the data for the people interviewed, to the Ü. S. population of the appropriate age-sex grodp for each item.
This report includes the following information: The estimated quantity purchased and wanted for each of 75 items in 19b3 and first quarter of 1944 in the United States, the public reaction to shortages; reasons why people did not buy; and satisfaction with the last purchase; as well as a report on regional differences in degree of shortage of each item. The regions used in analysis were: the Northeast, the North Central, the South and the West. A map of the states included in each region will be found in the report.
Estimates of consumer expenditures during first ‘quarter I9U1 for the 75 items included in the survey have also been made, and these estimates, together with estimates of average prices paid by consumers for each item, .are included in the report.
2ha ßgaaad and Supply Situation fax Clothing
and Textile ¿a fie^ asartsi 1944
One out of four of the families interviewed stated that they
had been unable to purchase at least one of the articles of clothing, linens or yard goods which were included in the survey, during the three months between January 1 and April 1, 1944«
In terms of merchandise, there was an average shortage of 15% of
the total demand. The degree of shortage varied from a high of 49% on wide sheeting to a low of 2% on crib blankets* The table lists the 15 tbp-rank-ing shortage items*
¿Utssa lûB-iasUûg tosztoa ¿¿sas
Shortage,
to percent
Average - 75 itama
Wide sheeting, over 40 inch width 49
House dresses up to $1.59 42
Denim overalls, boys 7-15 36
Sheets 35
Infants1 full length stockings 32
Infants1 training pants 30
Girls1 knit cotton panties 29
Boys* knit cotton shorts 27
Cotton overalls, children up to 6 .26
Diapers and diaper doth 26
Girls* snow suits and snow pants 26
Corduroy trousers, boys 7-15 25
Knit cotton union suits, children 2-15 25
Corduroy overalls, children up to 6 25
Knit cotton panties, children 2 to 6 24
The degree of shortage was highest on children’s clothing, lowest on clothing for men and boys over 16*
Shortage kz Ais-âs SE2UQI
Shortage,
in percent
Infants under two 22k
Children 2 to 6 19
Boys 7 to 15 19
Girls 7 to 15 13
Women and girls, 16 and oyer 11
Men and boys, 16 and over 9
4
5
The Demand and Supply S^t.uation (Continue^
The shortages are greatest in the Western region (Mountain and Pacific states), average in the South (South Atlantic, East South Central and Southwest), slightly less in the North Central region (East and West North Central), and least in the Northeast (Middle Atlantic and New England)
ghç>rta«a hx fisMtosa
Shortage, i2 J2grcgat
National Averne
West 20
South 15
North Central 14
Northeast 10
When only the items in the top-ranking shortage group are considered, the degree of difference between the Northeast ¿nd the West is oven more marked. On all but two of the 15 top-ranking items, the West has the greatest degree of shortage of any region«
Sfcâ Northeast and the West Compared For
iha 12 Top-ranking Shortage ltgaa_
Shortage, to pegged Difference In Percent
Northeast West
Wide sheeting, over 40 inch width ♦ *
House dresses up to 11.59 44 46 2
Denin overalls, boys 7-15 23 45 22
Sheets 12 41 29
Infants1 full length stockings 22 59 37
Infants' training pants 30 42 12
Girls1 knit cotton panties 16 40 24
noys’ knit cotton shorts 16 45 29
Cotton overalls, children up to 6 13 21 8
Diapers and diaper cloth 18 30 12
Girls’ snow suits and pants 22 * ♦
Corduroy trousers, boys 7-15 20 29 9
Knit cotton union suits, children 2-15 16 49 33
Corduroy overalls, children up to 6 18 27 9
Knit cotton panties, children 2 to 6 13 43 30
»less than 20 replies
Regional comparison in detail for each item is included in the jables, "Sueeary of 1944 and 1943 Buying Experience". A nap showing the states in each region is included at the end of this report.
6
Shortage in Yarda of Cotton Fabric 1st Quarter, 1944
Thirty-five of the 75 items included in the survey are made of woven cotton fabrics. It is estimated that 638,020,000 yards of cotton fabrics were used in the manufacture of the items Included in the survey which were bought in the first quarter. An additional 128,986,000 yards would have been required if all demand for these items had been filled.
The estimated quantity of 638,020,000' yards used for the items included in the survey, during one quarter of a year would, if there were no seasonal factors, represent consumption of survey items at the rate of approximately 2.5 billion yards annually. Comparison with reports from converters of cotton fabrics snows that thia yardage represents a substantial part of the U. S. production of cotton fabrics on unrated orders.
Industrial items were not included in the survey. Ticking, shoe linings, coating, bags and similar fabrics were omitted. Among consumers* fabrics which were not included are those used for draperies and curtains; table linens; women’s corsets; women’s, men’s and boys’ pajamas; men’s and boys’ woven fabric union suits; handkerchiefs; cotton street dresses for women (although cotton house dresses were included); oilcloth and other small items such as pocketbooks and novelties.
At the beginning, of each interview respondents were asked a general question about shortages which had been bothering them. An analysis of the replies to this question in both the Second and Third Surveys of Consumer Requirements showed that the only textile items mentioned by many families which were not included in the survey were curtains, oilcloth and women’s elastic girdles, as well as elastic tape.
The table bAlow shows the percent of shortage and demand of cotton fabric for each age-sex group or type of item.
SilREtage and Demand as a Percent of the Total Cotten Fabric Yardage
L__________________________________ - Shortage Demand
Total cotton fabric yardage for textile and
clothing items in Second Survey 128,986,000 767,006tOQQ
Total yardage - percent iqq< ioo£
Clothing for children up to age 15 ~*
(except diapers) 15
Diapers " "
Clothing for men and boys, age 16 and over 16 31
Clothing for women and girls, age 16 and over 18 14
Cotton dress fabrics and flannelette 14 17
Sheets and dish towels 30 jg
1
Shortage in Tarda of Coiton Fab rig - let Quarter, 1944 (Continued)
The total shortage of cotton fabrics to meet the demand for items included in the survey was 128,936,000 yards, and 16% of this shortage was for children’s clothing up to age 15» Of the total demand of 767,006,000 yards of cotton fabrics, 16% was for children’s clothing« The shortage of children’s clothing, therefore, was in proportion to the demand«
The shortage of cotton fabrics for men’s clothing was 16% of the total shortage of sotton fabrics for items in the survey, while the cotton fabrics needed to fulfill demand represent 31% of* the total demand» This indicates that the shortage of cotton fabrics for men’s clothing was not so severe as that for children’s clothing«
Shortage of women’s clothing, diapers and cotton dress fabrics was approximately in proportion to the demand; Shortage of sheets and dish towels was 30% of the total shortage, while the demand was 18% of the total demand» indicating that the proportion of shortage to total demand on this grouo.is far greater than on any other group«
Shortage and Demand in Tarda of Cotton Fabric
Age-Sex Group or Type of Item Tards of Cotton Fabric
Shortage Used in Manufacture (ooo) Total Demand _ (000) “
(000)
Total cotton fabric yardage for textile and
clothing items in Second Survey 128,986 638,020 767,006
Clothing for children up to age 15
(except diapers) »•743 193.60? 128<357
Infants and children up to age 6 7,214 41,943 49,157
Boys of 7 to 15 9,744 38,291 48,035
Girls of 7 to 15 2,790 28,375 31,165
Diapers 7,350 21,119 28,469
Clothing for men and boys, age 16 and over ísüi 21K1^ 231,708
Overalls, work pants and work shirts 126,945 142,507
Business shirts, shorts, flannel shirts 4,991 84,210 89,201
Clothing for women and girls, age 16 and over 20,418 91,449 111,867
Cotten dress fabri.es and flannelette 18,051 111,380 129,431
Sheets and dish towels 42.866 94,308 137,174
Source* ¿econd Survey of Caasumor BequirBaenta. Conversion factors for yardage wore furnished by Apparel, Textile and* Leather Products Division, Office of Civilian Requirements« For individual items, see page 63«
%
The Public Reaction to Shortages
The first question asked in the field interviews allowed respondents to give free vent to any complaints they may have had* It was, "What are some of the shortages that have bothered you most — with the exception of food and gasoline?” One third of those interviewed said that no shortages were bothering them« Some typical answers were:-
"We really haven’t been bothered by shortages to the extent that I would feel right about complaining, or calling it a bother, when you think of what our boys are facing in the war«”
"There isn’t any shortage that’s bothering me except my boy being in the army«"
Typical of the opposite point of view were these:
"Good street and house dresses are difficult to find at a fair price* I cannot sew and this is certainly a hardship* ”
"I just can't find beys’ clothes at all that are worth what I have to pay for them. When I do find anything they are poorly made."
"We have very little money so can’t do much buying* If you don’t work and can go to a store a couple of times a week you see things like paper napkins» It is the people who go only Saturday nights who have trouble getting what they want*"
The respondents didn’t make much distinction between actual shortages, and shortages of low-priced merchandise or of better quality merchandise* When the answers to this first question were analyzed, it was apparent that 65% of complaints were about true shortages, and 35% were complaints about price dr quality of merchandise*
Later on, during the course of the formal interviews, everyone who reported inability to buy an item was asked to tell how he felt about it* For the average item in the survey, 44% of the responses were that "it was a real inconvenience or hardship to be unable to buy, or the substitute bought was unsatisfactory*" And 56% of the responses, or more than half, indicated that the would-be buyer "got along with what he had, or with none at alii or bought a satisfactory substitute*"
J 8008 items, however, the degree of concern was higher* Replies from disappointed buyers of boys’ shorts indicated that 75% found it a real in
9
The Public Reaction to Shortage» (Continued)
convenience or hardship, and in general the highest degree of concern was reported for underwear items. Inability to buy work clothes or boys* overalls and trousers, too, caused real inconvenience or hardship« Disappointed buyers of women's dresses and girls* dresses and blouses reported least Inconvenience or hardship« The results for groups of items are shown in the table«
Type of clothing or Percent of disappointed buyers
textile item who found inability to buy caused
real inconvenience or hardship
Knit cotton underwear for all ages 54$
Work clothes and separate trousers for men and boys 53
Knit rayon underwear for all ages 53
Woven fabric garments for infants and children up to 6 46
Shirts (outerwear) and shorts (underwear) for men and boys 45
Woven fabric underwear for women and girls 42
Wool suits and mackinaws and other jackets for men and boys 41
Snow suits for children of all ages 39
lard goods 38
Sheets, towels, and blankets 38
Sweaters 37
Dresses for women and dresses and blouses for girls *31
Interpretation of Reports of Inconvenience or Hardship
Through Use of a Scale Indicating Degree of Concern
There were ten single items, out of the 75 included in the survey, for which from 57% to 75% of disappointed buyers reported that inability to buy caused real inconvenience or hardship« These ten top-ranking items were classed as causing a "very high" degree of concern, in the summary tables of buying experience«
For the next group of 19 items, from 45% to 56% of disappointed buyers found inability to buy a real inconvenience or hardship, and these items were graded as causing a "high" degree of concern*
For the third group of 21 items, from 35% to 44% of disappointed buyers found it a real inconvenience or hardship, and these items were graded as causing "moderate" concern« On the last group of 12 items, from 17% to 34% of disappointed buyers reported real inconvenience or hardship, and those items were graded as causing "slight" concern« One item was not graded because of the small number of people reporting*
10
Price - Quality Complaints
The second question asked in the field interviews allowed people to discuss freely their opinion of quality of merchandise: "Have you been bothered by poor quality of things you have shopped fort” On the average, there was one 'quality complaint for every 1.3 families interviewed. However, there was some acceptance of wartime price and quality deterioration as indicated by such comments as those:
"I find the prices have gone up terribly for the quality you get but guess it is that way when there is a war on.”
"It seems to me things are more reasonable and quality better than in the last war.*
Others felt the pinch of price-quality deterioration more.
"Our only comment is that in regards to clothes the price is twice as much as it used to be and the quality is only half what it used to be.*
"My husband is a letter carrier and our income has not gone up. We have four children and quality is so bad, especially in shoes, that I have to buy twice as much for them. But I have to do without to buy for them."
Among the items which were not included in the survey, the largest number of complaints were received on shoes and women's hosiery. Six percent of families mentioned shoes and seven percent mentioned mentioned women's hosiery, in comments such as these:
"Stockings’are what ruin you. Every week my daughter buys Stockings because they are such poor quality."
"Just look at these cotton stockings! And I paid 49$ a pair and used to get them for 17$. "
"Children's shoes is the worst thing. They are not good quality. They are not worth repairing and the Bation Board don't want to give you any extra* stamps."
"I paid $4*00 for my daughter's shoes and they split down the toe. She wears sise 7."
"The boys* shoes I bought did not last more than a month."
"I paid $15.00 for a pair of calfskin oxfords which went to pieces after wearing them about twice. The uppers pulled apart like paper."
lì
?
Price-Quality Complainte (Continued)
In addition to the “free answer” comments on quality, every purchaser of any item listed in the survey was asked whether it was satisfactory* If unsatisfactory, the interviewer asked why, and noted whether the complaint was due to dissatisfaction with price, quality, kind or style available or other reasons« People who were unable to buy an item, too, were asked why, and the reasons were classified in similar fashion«
For the average item included in the survey, 23% of purchasers expressed dissatisfaction with either price or quality* (A complaint was called a "price” complaint if the buyer said either that the price was too high, or too high for the quality«) No item in the survey escaped criti-cism of either price or quality« There were 21 items for which 26% or more of buyers complained of either price or quality«
Complaints on Price and Quality From those Who Bought Items Included in the Questionnaire
Total Price too Quality
Price- high (or poor
Quality too high (without
Complaints for quality) mention of price) (Percent of all Buyers)
Snow suits (girls 7 to 15) Panties, cotton or rayon woven fabric 50% 30% 28%
(girls 7 to 15) 37 15 22
Panties, knit cotton (children 2-6) 35 14 21
Training pants (infants under 2) Snow suits (infants and children 35 10 25
up to 6) 35 19 16
‘Boys’ wool suits (age 7 to 15) 32 “ 21 11
Bouse dresses, 11«60 and over 32 15 17
Girls’ dresses (age 2 to 6) 30 17 13
Infants* dresses (under 2«) 29 24 5
Creepers, sunsuits (infants under 2) Trousers, other than corduroy or 29 20 9
denim (boys 7 to 15) 29 15 14
Trousers, corduroy (boys 7 to 15) 28 15 13
Cotton dress fabrics up to 40< a yd« 28 9 19
Knit rayon panties, (girls 7 to 15) 28 9 19
Sheets 27 14 13
Knit rayon panties, (children 2 to 6) 27 12 15
Flannelette yard goods Lightweight cotton overalls (infants 26 10 16
and children up to 6) 26 13 13
Infants’ sweaters Boys’ denim overalls and trousers 26 13 13
_ (7 to 15) 26 11 15
lode sheeting, over 40-lnch width 26 7 19
12
Price - Quality Complaints (Continued)
A complete list of all items in the survey, showing the percent of price and quality complaints on each item, will be found on page 58«
On children's underwear, a favorite item for complaint, many of the complaints of poor quality were due to lack of elastic« Typical comments were, "My little girl says the children in kindergarten are always losing their panties, without elastic•"....."The tie panties do not fit and
are of poor quality"«•••«"The quality of rayon in the panties for my four-year old does not hold up at all«"
On cotton fabrics and children's clothes, work clothes and house dresses made of cotton fabrics, as well as sheets and sheeting, complaints were of poor wearing quality of the cotton materials« "The material is so poor the house dresses are not worth the money"•«••• "The material nowadays is very poor and hardly worth putting work into."««».«"The sheets I paid $2.25 for would have cost $1.25 before the war."»««««"The sheets were full of sizing and when I washed them the material was so thin I could have strained my soup through it".••••"I wanted denim overalls but found only cheap cotton and they wore out too quick«"««•••"Cotton slips are too high and sleazy and thin«"
The largest percent of complaints on price from those who bought was received on clothing for children 2 to 6 and infants up to 2« The smallest percent of complaints on price was received on clothing for men« There is an interesting comparison between complaints on price of articles bought, and reasons for not buying wanted articles« Children's clothing is more apt to bo bought even if the price is too high« Adults' clothing and household items such as shoots and towels are more likely to be rejected if the buyer finds the price too high.
People who thought price People who rejected the
the Age-Sox Group y paid was too high item because of price
(As a percent of all who bought the item) (As a percent of all who wanted to buy and did not)
Children 2 to 6 7.«
Infants under 2 12.U 8«1
Beys 7 to 15 11.9 8.9
Girls 7 to 15 11.1 17*8
Women and girls 16 and over 10.9 23.2
Men and boys, 16 and over 9.5 15*2
Household linens 11.3 19*7
lard goods 10.9
Another report, Part II of the Second Survey of Consumer Requirements, will be issued shortly and will show the distribution of prices for each item and the percent of buyers at each price who thought the price was too high«
13
Demand and Supply in the Year 1943
Considering the year 1943 as a whole, it would appear that there was a shortage of 5% or sore for only 15 of the listed items»
Top-rtnkinx »horUw it«“ Is 1242
Shortage jn percent
Wide sheeting, over 40 inch width 17%
Infants* training pants 12
Infants* full length stockings 11
Knit cotton panties, children 2 to 6 10
Boys* denim overalls 9
Sheets 9
House dresses up to $1»59 7
Flannelette yard goods 6
Boys’ knit shorts 6
Snow suits, children up to 6 6
Girls* snow suits and pants 6
Boys* corduroy trousers 6
Girls* woven fabric panties 5
Knit rayon panties, children 2 to 6 5
Sleepers, pajamas and gowns, children 2 to 6 5
Five of the top six ranking items for the year 1943 Were still , among the top six in the first quarter of 1944, but the degree of shortage had increased* Five items were in the 15 top-ranking items for 1st quarter, 1944$ and five have moved down in rank, but increased in percent of shortage*
Questions asked in the First Survey of Consumer Acquirements, made in November 1943, were different, so it is not possible to make direct comparisons with that survey* Sheets, boys1 overalls and snow suits, however, were top-ranking shortages in November, 1943» The other items included in the list above were not asked about in the November survey* .
14
Effect of Income on the Demand for Clothing
The chart opposite shows the striking difference between the demands for clothing of low and high income families. Among non-farm families, the lowest income group, with income under $20 a week, bought or tried to buy only 2.7 gannents (of the 62 garment items in the survey) per family member during the first three months of 1944« The top income group, with incomes of $80 and over, bought or tried to buy nearly twice as many garments per family member -5.3 garments.
The median income of non-farm families as found in this survey was $2,340 /l. The median demand for the garments included in the^study was 4.3 per family member in first quarter 1944« This median demand is about 40 percent greater than it would have been if median family income had remained at $1,220, as found in a study made in 1935-36, and about 10 percent larger than it would have been if the* median income had remained at $1,875, as found in a 1941 study* The effect on demand for garments resulting from the rise in median family income which has taken place in the last ten years is indicated in the table below.
Number of Garments in demand today per family member at
Median family income each income level (of 62
of non-farm families garment items in the survey)
1935-1936 $1,220 /2 3.0
1941 $1,875 2 3.9
1944 $2,340 5 4.3
2 Second Survey of Consumer Requirements. (This median income figure, like others derived from sample surveys, is lower than the actual median derived from other sources.)
/2 Study of Consumer Purchases, as cited in Reference No. 3 2 Spending and Saving in Wartime, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1942
Income, however, is not the only determinant of clothing buying habits. Earlier studies showed differences between rural and urban habits even among the same income groups. According to this study, rural farm families bought or tried to buy 3.3 of the garments included in the survey, per family member in the first quarter of 1944, while families in cities of 100,000 and over bought or tried to buy 5.5 garments per family member.
Between April 1, 1940 and November 1, 1943, metropolitan counties gained 2% in civilian population due to wartime migration, and non-metropolitan counties lost 9$, according to estimates of the U. S. Bureau of the Census. Migration from farm to city has probably increased the demand for clothing.
Changes in distribution of age of the population also result in increased demand for children’s clothing. In 1935 there were 2,100,000
15
Purchases 1st quarter 1944
Additional Quantity Wanted 1st quarter 1944
16
Effect of Income on the Demand for Clothing (Continued)
births; in 1940 there were 2,3009000} in 1942« 2,800,000 and in 1943» 2,950,000 (preliminary estimate)« This sharp upswing has increased the demand for children’s clothing and is one cause of the more severe shortage of young children’s clothing« Male civilian population, on the other hand, has declined« Shortage of men’s clothing is least severe«
An increase in younger age groups results in increased average demand per person, because children use more clothing than adults« In this survey the demand, per child of age 2 to 6, was 6«1 garments of the 12 included in the survey; the demand per man was 3«4 garments, of the 12 men’s garments included«
Survey data thus tend to show that decrease in proportion of low income families, migration from country to city, and changes in population ago levels have undoubtedly caused demands for clothing to increase far above earlier levels
17
Effect of Shortages on Rural and Urban Families
Although farm families were in the market for fewer garments per family member than urban families, shortages affected farm families somewhat more* The shortage for farm families was 16% of their total demand, compared with a 12% shortage among families in cities of 100,000 and over« This difference is illustrated graphically in the chart opposite« For the top-ranking shortage items, the difference is somewhat more marked«
Experience of Farm and Non-Farm Families Compared for 11 Top Ranking Shortage Items *
People Unsuccessful Percent by which in Buying (% of unsuccessful those in the market) farm purchasers
Farm Non-Farm exceed non-farm
Wide sheeting, over 40-inch width 54% 47% 7%
House Ureases up to $1«59 18 44 -26
Denim overalls, boys 7-15 31 36 - 5
Sheets 49 34 15
Infants’ full length stockings 40 33 7
Girls’ knit cotton panties 28 27 1
Cotton overalls, children up to 6 38 20 18
Diapers and diaper cloth 33 33 0
Corduroy trousers, boys 7-15 32 24 8
Knit cotton union suits,children 2-15 30 25 5
Corduroy overalls, children up to 6 39 23 16
* Does not include four top-ranking shortage items for which less than 20 replies were received from farm families«
Effect of Shortages on Families with Decreased Incomes
In spite of the rise in median income during the last ten years, 20% of the families interviewed said they had "less money coming in now than before the war«" 42% have more money coming in and 38% had the same amount« Families with "less money now" include those with service members as well as others with decreased income due to aging of family members, deaths and so on«
As shown in the chart on the next page, families with decreased income reported a shortage of 16% of their total demand, while those with more money or the same amount reported a 13% shortage« It is probable that this difference is due to shortages of low-priced merchandise, because "shortage" includes rejections on account of price as well as
18
Effect of Shortages on Families with Decreased Incomes~fContinued)
failure to find an item at all* Seventeen percent of »11 people who reported that they did not buy, but wanted merchandise, gave as a reason, "the price was too high"«
Low income families, too, experienced slightly more difficulty in securing merchandise than families with incomes above the median, and their difficulties, too, are probably due to shortages of low-priced merchandise. A total of of non—farm families interviewed had Incomes under $40 a week, with 16% reporting incomes under $20 weekly and 28% reporting incomes of $20 to $39 weekly. Non^farm families in the lowest income group, under $20 a week, were in the market for only 2.7 garments per family meatioex^ but shortages they reported were 14% of their total demand.
Shortages reported by those with incomes of $20 to $39 a week were 13s% of their demand. For families with income over $40, shortages were 13% of their demand, and for farm families, 16% of their demand.
19
Hoir Price Data Were Collected
The pages following list estimates of the average prices that
consumers paid during the first three months of 19UU for 75 items of 'dothing and household linens* A group of U,732 rural and urban families with lh,777 members was interviewed by the Bureau of the Census between March 20 and April 1, 19Ui. These families were a representative crosssection of United States consumers. The sample of prices was collected in the course of obtaining information on wartime shortages and purchases. The question asked about price was:
"During the period from January 1, 19UU to the last week in March—how many new (name of item) did you purchase? What was the price of the last one you bought?"
Since families with a wide range of income were included in
the study individual prices paid for each item varied considerably. For-example, prices paid for men's wool suits by the families in the survey varied from under $15.00 to $97*00. The average price, however, was $37*57> while 55% of purchases irere made a£ a price lower than $37.57* Similarly, for other items from 50% to 60% of purchases were made at prices lower than the average price shown in this report.
Estimates of Consumer Expenditures for 75 Items
This survey did not Include all clothing purchases made by
the families interviewed. It included selected items of apparel for which information was needed in order to determine policies of the War Production Board.
The average prices were used, together with estimates of
total garments purchased, to compute estimated consumer expenditures for each of the 75 clothing and textile items included in this report. Their importance can be judged by the following comparison:
Estimated Value January-March 19Ui
Consumer expenditures for 75 clothing and
textile items included in this report £ 1-5 billion dollars
Retail sales of 5 kinds of stores selling
clothing and household textiles /2 2.8 billion dollars
/1 Estimates on pages 1U to 16
/2 Ue S. Dept, of Commerce, Survey of Current Business, Sept., 19UU. Sales of apparel stores (except shoes), department, mail order, general merchandise, dry goods and general stores. (Includes durable goods and housewares sold in department and nail order stores, but does not include clothing sold in variety stores).
ESTIMATED CONSUMER EXPENDITURES
JANUARY-MARCH 1944
SELECTED ITEMS
Source: Estimates based on Second Survey of Consumer Requirements.
estimated consumer expenditures and average prices
75 Clothing and Textilt Items «» First Quarter 191*1*
Item and Age-Sex Group /I Estimated Quantity Purchased Average Price Estimated Consumer Expenditures
(Thousands) (Thousands)
75 items included in survey - TOTAL ♦1,1*50,100
GROUP 1 - OVERALLS, WORK PANTS AND SEPARATE
TROUSERS for men and boys, age 7 and over ♦m.zoo
Bib overalls and coveralls (men's). 13,186 $ 2.38 31,1*00
Denim overalls.and trousers (boys')................. 1*,921 1.73 8,500
Work pants and waistband overalls (men's) 17,388 3.06 53,200
Corduroy trousers and overalls (boys'). 2,181 3.31* 7,300
Trousers and overalls, other than denim or corduroy, U,526 3.05 13,800
(boys')••••• ••••••
®OUP 2 - WOOL SUITS, MACKINAWS, AND OTHER JACKETS ♦21*0,000
for men and boys, age 7 and over
Suits, wool or part wool (men's) ••••••• h,U66 ♦37.57 167,800
Suits, wool or part wool (boys') 1,228 15.63 19,200
Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets,, etc. 17,500
2,21*2 7.82
Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc^ 1,967 7*67 15,100
(boys').
Leather jackets (men's). •••••••••• 8U 11.91* 10,100
Jackets, outdoor, other than leather or wool
1,837 5.63 10,300
GROUP 3 - SHIRTS (OUTERWEAR) AND SHORTS (UNDERWEAR) *»7.600
WOVEN FABRIC, for men and boys, age 7 and over
Shirts, business type, woven fabric (men's) 21*,525 ♦ 2.1*7 60,600
Shirts, work, woven fabric (men's) 20,596 1.76 36,300
Shirts, work, dress and sport, woven fabric 11,500
7,720 1.1*9
Shirts, flannel (men's)..............»....*......... 3,973 2.91 11,600
Shirts, flannel (boys') ••••• 1,537 1.56 2,1*00
Shorts, underwear, woven fabric (men's). 18,267 .75 13,700
Shorts, underwear, woven fabric (boys')....... 2,9H .53 1,500
GROUP 1* - KNIT COTTON GARMENTS ♦ 63,200
for all age-sex groups
Shirts and bands (infants')•• 6,698 ♦ .53 3,500
Training pants and panties (infants').•••••••••••••• 7,303 .1*3 3,100
Full length stockings (infants') •••• 3,51*9 .31 1,100
Union and waist suits (children's 23.900
Snow suits and pants (children's 0-6) 1,647 $ 9.91 16,300
Snow suits and pants (boys').. 163 12.81 2,100
Snow suits and pants (girls 540 10.26 5,500
GROUP 10 - SWEATERS for all age-sex groups $ 75,300
Sweaters (infants')...... •••••••• 3,509 $ 2.19 7,700
Sweaters (children's 2-6).... 3,723 2.23 8,300
Sweaters (boys') 2,559 3.07 7,900
Sweaters (pHrls’)........•••••••••..••••••••••••••• 4,577 3.25 14,900
Sweaters (women's)• • • • .............. 8,895 4.10 36'500
GROUP 11 - YARD GOODS $ 91,300
92334 $ .46 * 42,600
25378 .96 * 24^,100
7'361 2.59 * 19'100
Flannelette yard goods, except diaper cloth 18,846 .29 * 5,500
GROUP 12 - SHEETS, TOWELS AND BLANKETS >96,700
20,009 $ 1.94 38,800
9'720 .39 * 3^800
Blankets up to and including $5.00............... r. 5329 3.21 17,700
3,103 2.46 7,600
Turkish towels 38^521 .49 18,900
Dish towels ¿3/246 .31 7^200
Dish toweling 8'900 .30 # 2,700
Source of Estimates: Second Survey of Consumer Requirements, conducted March 20-31, 1944 among^.732 families who reported on purchases made during the first quarter of 1944. Method of estimating as follows: Quantity purchased - Average number purchased per person of a specified age-sex group, as found 141 the survey, multiplied by U.S. population of that age and sex. Average price - Arithmetic mean of prices reported for the item in the survey. Consumer Expenditures - Estimated quantity purchased, multiplied by average price.
A Afi®-Sex Groups:
Men - Men and boys, 16 and over Women - Women and girls, 16 and over
Boys - Boys, age 7 to 15 Girls - Girls, age 7 to 15
Infants - Both sexes, age through 23 months Children - Both sexes, age as specified
* Price per yard
I-4ÌH1 P1B bu
22
INTERPRETATION OF ESTIMATES DERIVED FROM THE SECOND
SURVEY OF CONSUMER REQUIREMENTS
Data contained in the tables, HSummary of 1944 and 1943 Buying Experience” should be construed in the light of the following important qualifications»
ESTIMATES OF 1943 CONSUMPTION MAY BE LOWER THAN ACTUAL PURCHASES BECAUSE OF MEMORY DIFFICULTIES........................................... -
A pretest of the questionnaire, as well as field reports from interviewers, indicates that there was under-reporting of 1943 purchases by consumers due to memory factors» The estimates contained in this report have not been adjusted to compensate for the urjder-reporting» Hence, it will be found that the survey data tends to represent 1st quarter, 1944, purchases as approximately 33% of the year’s purchases for 1943, varying for seascnal items» The Federal Reserve Board Index of Department Store Sales shows the ratio between first quarter of 1944 and the year 1943 was about 20% to 25%, varying by store departments»
It is possible, therefore, that actual consumption in 1943 may have been as much as J20%to 30^ higher than the unadjusted estimates made from Second Survey Data»
FOURTEEN OUT OF 19 ESTIMATES OF 1943 CONSUMER PURCHASES MADE FROM SECOND SURVEY DATA ARE WITHIN 25 PERCENT OF ESTIMATES OF PRODUCTION MADE FROM INDUSTRY DATA______________________________________________________
The Textile, Clothing and Leather Bureau of the War Production Board has furnished estimates of 1943 production of 19 items or groups of items» They are shown in detail on page 52» These estimates are based upon reports of production made to the Bureau of the Census, with an allowance for production of non-reporting firms»
Although estimates of production made from industry data are dose to the unadjusted estimates of consumption made from the Second Survey, in general they tend to be lower than the unadjusted consumption estimates even though these may themselves be low»
Two possible reasons may account for the fact that production estimates are lower than consumption estimates» On most items it is believed that there were higher inventories at the beginning of 1943 than there were at the end, so that consumption actually was higher than production» A second possibility is that non-reporting firms account for a greater part of civilian wartime production than they do in normal times, so that the esti-^ Mated allowances for non-reporting firms may not be great enough*
23
INTERPRETATION 2£ ESTIMATES OiSHl TOMI THE SECOND
SWEY Qg CONSUMER REJOTBEMENTS (Continued)
DEFINITION OF TERMS IN MAKING COMPARISONS WITH INDUSTRY DATA
Consumer names for garments are different in many cases from trade terms* Consumers do not always distinguish accurately between knitwear and woven fabrics, between such items as bib overalls and waistband overalls, between “pinafores” and house dresses; and do not always remember the exact price paid* Every effort was made to set up items which would correspond to trade reports, and interviewing instructions carried detailed definitions of types of clothing, but some allowances must be made for differences in consumer and trade names»
USE OF AGE-SEX GROUPS TO APPROXIMATE GARMENT SIZES
With different size ranges for almost every one of the 75 items, interviewing had to be done on the basis of age-sex groups, which roughly correspond to established industry size groups» But sometimes women take girls1 sizes, and vice versa» Some adolescent boys take men's sizes» Therefore it is recommended that estimates for any size group be studied in conjunction with estimates of purchases of the age-sex group Above and below the size range being examined»
RELIABILITY OF THE SAMPLE
the sample of 4,732 families interviewed is a representative cross-section of United States households developed by the U»S» Bureau of the Census and used, for studies such as the Monthly Report on the Labor Force, the Wartime Food Diary, and other special government studies» Interviews are conducted in 68 areas throughout the United States, each selected to represent a certain stratum of the nation» Within each area certain districts or blocks are selected at random to represent the area, and within the smallest subdivision, every 10th home (or 15th or 20th home, as the sample may call for) is visited» This method has produced a sample which, by many independent checks, corresponds to the distribution of population, wealth and community living habits» L.____ - -
Some examples of the correspondence of the sample with known data include the following: Home ownership - U.S. Census, 1940 44%; Second Survey of Consumer Requirements, 48%.Residence Telephone Listings: Compiled from reports of telephone companies - 45% with phones; Second Survey of Consumer Requirements, 45%» Water in the house - U.S. Census, 1940, 74%; Second Survey of Consumer requirements 79%» (Migration from farms to wartime industrial cities has increased the percent of families with water in the house). Electricitv is the hSMSSL* U.S. Census, 1940, supplemented by additions since 1940 as reported from Edison Electric Institute by Electrical Merchandl sing, January 1944 - 84%; Second Survey of Consumer Requirements 87%.
¿k
GROUP 1_ - OVERALLS, WORK PANTS AND SEPARATE TROUSERS FOR MEN AND BOYS, AGE 7 AND OVER
HIGHLIGHTS and COMMENTS
Bib overalls, coveralls, work pants and waistband overalls for men and boys, age 16 and over - In the questionnaire bib overalls dnd coverall's were grouped as one category, and work pants and waistband overalls were grouped as a second category. The estimated total demand for all four items in first quarter, 1944, was 34,889,000 garments, and estimated purchases were 30,574,000 garments. It is important to note that, to a consumer, "overalls are overalls," and that the estimated demand for bib overalls, the first category on the questionnaire, may include some waistband overalls erroneously reported as bib.
Bib overalls and coveralls were among the top third of items when ranked according to degree of shortage, with 17% of demand not met. Shortage id the Northeast was only 6%, compared with 23% in the North Central states, 18% in the South and 13% in the West. Degree of concern was high, with 58% of those who did not buy reporting it as real inconvenience or hardship.
Supply of work pants,and waistband overalls more nearly met the demand. There was a shortage of 8% nationally, with little regional variation. Degree of concern over inability to buy was hi^i, with 48% of those unable to buy finding it inconvenient or a real hardship. Comments from those interviewed indicate that work pants are being substituted for overalls to some extent but do not take rough wear as well and do not launder easily.
Comments from those interviewed - "I could only get one at a time and on the irriga-tion project worked in water so much I really needed some"."I hope the war will soon be over so I can get some."....."It’s a bad thing for him to do without as that’s all the clothes he wears. I just scuffles and scrapes around trying to keep him mended up"....."I have to go in.and out of mines in all kinds of weather and one pair won’t take care of ne."•••••"I bought work pants instead. They shrank and the price was too high"....."I bought work pants but the quality wasn’t in them and I had to buy twice as much as if I’d gotten overalls."....."Pants aren’t so good for work because the seams rip."
*******
Denim overalls and trousers for boys 7 to 15 - Of all textile and clothing items in tKe "survey, boys’ denim overalls ranked-FhTrd in percent of shortage. Supply was 36% less than demand nationally. The West and North Central states were in the worst position, with 45% and 42% shortage. Degree of concern was high, with 54% of those unable to buy finding it inconvenient or a hardship. Among those who did buy, 15% found the quality poor. This was in the top third of all items when ranked on the basis of complaints on quality.
Comments from those interviewed - "I just washed and ironed all the time."."I have to wash his pants almost every nigiht"....."Had to get pants instead of overalls. They look slouchy unless you keep them dry cleaned and I can’t afford that."."I patched and mended, but by the time he wore them an hour they were tom again."..... "Wool pants are not satisfactory for farm work."He had to wear school pants to do farm work in"....."He is ashamed to go to school in patched pants."
******
Corduroy trousers and overalls, and trousers other than denim or corduroy, for boys of 7 to “15 - There was a shortage of 25% on corduroy trousers,“and of 11% on-Trousers other than denim or corduroy. In the West, the shortage was 29% on corduroys and 19% on other fabrics. Corduroys were hard to get in the North Central states also, where there was a shortage of 30%. Both items were in the top third of all items, when ranked according to complaints of high price and poor quality among those who bought.
Total demand for boys’ trousers of various kinds. In 1943, the total demand was for 34,0^7,606 pairs of boys1 separate trousers and overalls divided, thus: 48% of demand was for denim overalls and trousers, 20% for corduroy, and 32% for other fabrics.
GROUP 1 - OVERALLS, WORK PARTS ATO SEPARATE TROUSERS TOR MEM ABD BOTS, AGE J AMD OVER SUXMART QT iq44 and iq4j BUT IMG EXPERXMCB.
VAR PRODUCTXOM BOARD, OPTICS 01 CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Surrey report from Civilian Relations Dlrision Second Surrey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20 to 27. 19*4 Overalls, work pants and separate trousers
/ ? A / / W / th* ¡l& f *® 15 • *e 15
B«timated number of garment« purchased and wanted by u, 8. civilian« 1944, 1st quarter ... Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter ...Purchases ...(add 000) 1943, year Total demand (add 000) 1943, year Purchases ...(add 000) Shortage, in percent 1944, let quarter I943, year 15.937 7.694 18.952 13,186 4,921 17.388 40,929 16,198 54,320 39.592 14,739 53.6*7 17# 36* St 3 9 1 2.903 5.101 2,181 4,526 6,944 10,885 6,502 10,625 20 10 6 2
QaaatllX purchased and wanted per person of indicated age-»ex group 1944, 1st quarter.... Total demand (units).... 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases .. (units).... I9U3, year..... Total demand (units).... 1943, year Purchases .. (units).... 0.40 0.77 0.48 0.33 0.49 o.U 1.01 1.62 1.33 .97 1.47 1.32 0.29 0.51 0.22 0.45 O.69 1.09 O.65 1.0
People who reported Inconvenience or hardship. l«t quarter 19*4 Percent of those id» did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship High High High 54)1 54)1 40 Very High High 50 94
Reason« why people did not buy, let quarter 1944 Reason moat frequently mentioned AH those who did not buy Could not find any or also Price too high, or too high for quality ... Quality without mention of price Kind,style, fabric, other'.... Shortage Shortage Shortage 100 100 100 n 90 34 5 3 19 5 1 11 19 6 16 Shortage Shortage 100 100 82 o5 7 11 4 5 7 19
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 19*4 Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought Satisfied Dissatisfied: < Price too high, or too high for quality •• ' Quality poor, with no mention of price.... Sise, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction Price. Quality, Price. Quality Price Quality 100 100 100 “76 72 75 10 11 11 10 15 11 4 2 3 Price, Price, Quality Quality 100g 100^ 72 68 15 15 13 14 • 3
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 19*4 Region with greatest shortage ‘ Shortage, in percent - Rational Northeast Sorth Central South Vest Vest, Bo. Central Bo. Central — J0 162 8i 6 23 8 23 *2; 7 18 31 8 . 13 *5 10 Vest, Bo. Central Meet 20 10 2F Si- 30 7 21 10 29 19
Inability to obtain »lie. 1st quarter 19*4 Sise for which greatest difficulty is experienced, and shortage, In percent Stout — “ 26% _ Si«e 9 *4d under 10
SOURCE: Second Survey of Consumer Requirement«. Estimated number of garment« based on survey data, projected by Mans of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June JO, 19*3. Population fro« V. S. Bureau of the Census.
* Les« than 1/0
26
GROUP 3 - WOOL SUITS, MACKINAWS AND OTHER JACKETS FOR MEN AND BOYS AGE 7 AND OVER HIGHLIGHTS AND COMMENTS
yool j2£ aact yogi suits - There was a 9$ shortage of wool suits for men and boys over 16, and 11$ for boys of 7 to 15. There was a moderate degree of concern expressed over inability to buy. 36$ of those who did not buy men's suits gave "high price" as a reason and price was also the chief reason given for not buying boys' wool suits. 21$ of those who bought boys' suits thought the price was too high, as did 10$ of those who bought men's suits.
Comments from the people interviewed - "Prices are high and quality poor but X guess we should expect that"....."Anything I could find was so high I couldn't afford it." ..........................."He tried to buy a suit but the price was so hi^i for the quality that he bought a pair of trousers and used his old suit."....."I could only get a suit with one pair of knickers for my little boy. It was poor material and wasn't warm though the price was about the same as usual."
Mackinaws. lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc. There was not much shortage of these items except in Western states. Shortage was 6$ nationally on both men's and boys' sizes, 3$ in the Northeast, and 13$ and 21$ in the West for men's and boys' sizes* Shortage was the chief reason given for not buying; price was complained of by 13$ of those who bought boys' sizes and 9$ of those buying men's sizes.
Comments from the pequip Interviewed - "His body did not stay warm because he couldn't afford to pay the higher price."
Leather jackets« Other outdoor jackets - There was a shortage on leather jackets of 14$ and on other outdoor Jackets (windproof and water-repellent cotton, corduroy, blanket-lined cfenim, etc.) of 8$. 12$ of those who bought leather Jackets thought
the price was too high. Shortage on both types was greater among tall men.
Comments from people interviewed - "I can't find size 46 anywhere."......"We couldn't find a water repellent and wind resistant one.".........................."He takes size 42 and couldn't find a warm one to fit."
V!
GROUP 2 - WOOL SUITS, MACKINAWS AND OTHER JACKETS FOR MEN AND SOTS, AGE 7 AND OVER SUMMARY OF 1944 and 1948 BUYING EXPERIENCE “
Wool Suits, M-wHnew and Other Jackets
WAR jTAWWAAVri VT UAVADAAII A£»XCU AO Survey report from Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944. o, , 40 ° roc* , . /h.. ¡Hu / / 4 / 4 A# / , w 0 /^9 5 / «w* 29 S 9 /
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by U. S. civilians 1944, 1st quarter.... Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases... (add 000) 1943, year.......•••• Total demand (add 000) 1943, year.Purchasee... (add 000) Shortage, in percent............1944, 1st quarter ............1943, year....... 4 4 18 17 ,923 1,383 ,466 1,228 ,166 3,828 ,963 3,776 9% 11% 1 1 2,391 2,096 2,242 1,967 7,714 6,625 7,613 6,599 6% 6% 1 * A 976 1,995 844 1,837 3,991 7,391 3,908 7,207 14% 8% 2 4
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of indicated age-sex group 1944, let quarter.... Total demand (units).. 1944, 1st quarter••*• Purchases.•• (units)•• 1943, year........... Total demand (units)•• 1943, year........... Purchases... (units).. 0,126 0.139 0.113 0.123 0.446 0.382 0.441 0.377 0,061. 0.210 0.057 0.197 0.189 0.562 0.187 0.559 0.024 0.051 0.021 0.047 0.098 0.182 0.096 0.177
People who reported inconvenience or hardship, 1st quarter 1944 Degree of concern... Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship... Moderate /a 44% 28%/a ¿1 Zi 29%/a 43%/a Z* Z* 50%/a 47%/a
Reasons why people did not buy, let quarter 1944 Reason most frequently mentioned All those who did not buy................... Could not find any or size.......••••••• Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of price.. Kind,style, fabric, other..,.••••••••.•• Price Price/a 100% 100% IF T R i Shortage/a Shortage/a 100% 100% I f Price/a Shortage/a 100% 100% I I
Satisfaction with last purchase, let quarter 1944 Chief reaeon for dissatisfaction............ All those who bought ••••••..» Satisfied » •••••••• Dissatisfied» Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of price.» Size, kind, style, fabric, other reason Price Price 100% 100% 10 21 6 11 3 2 — Price 100% 100% . 9 13 8 9 2 0 Price Price 100%* 100% 12 7 5 5 0 3
Regional Differences, let quarter 1944 Region with greatest shortage.. Shortage, in percent - National North-ast •••••... ...... Nur Ji ueiitre1 South... West. North — Central St Hi 11 7 10 15 8 7 7 /a West West 6% 6% 3 3 4 7 7 3 18 21 1
Inability to obtain size, 1st quarter 1944 Size for which greatest difficulty is experienced, and shortage, in percent....... — — Size .9 Stout or under 16% 9% Over 6 ft. 13%
SOURCE» Second Survey of Consumer Requirements* Estimated number of garments based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1,-1944 and June 30, 1943, Population from U» 8« Bureau of the Census. /a Less -than 20 replies /F Includes windproof and water-repellent cotton, corduroy, short cotton raincoats, blanket-lined denim, cotton lined with flannel, sheepskin, etc. of half or three-quarter length.
/o Difference not significant by statistical criteria.
* Less than 1/2%.
28
GROUP 3 - SHIRTS (OUTERWEAR) ¿ND SHORTS (UNDERWEAR) , WOVEN FABRIC,
FOR MEN AND BOYS AGE 7 AND OVER - HIGHLIGHTS AND COMMENTS
Shjrtv» men* a and bpys* - There was a shortage of 5$ for men's business shirts* 7$ for men's and boys' work shirts* and 9$ for shirts of various kinds for boys under 15. The shortage of work shirts and boys' shirts was somewhat above the national average in the North Central and Western states. There was a high degree of concern over inability to buy men's work shirts* with 47$ finding it a real inconvenience or hardship, and a moderate degree of concern over other shirts. Over 11$ of all who bought each kind of shirt found the quality poor. "Stouts" and "tail's" found the greatest difficulty in buying work shirts.
Between 11$ and 14$ of buyers of all types of men's and boys' work and business shirts thought the quality was poor; between 8$ and 11$ thought the price was high.
It is important to note that consumers may have reported as "work shirts” any shirts that were bought to wear for work, and that some of the demand for work shirts rep- ’ resented in this report may be filled by what the industry calls "sport" shirts. 1
Comments from the people interviewed - "My son is short and stout and he cannot get shirts to fit"..."The price is too high"."He needs long sleeves and cannot get any".....................................“They just don't have size 17 or 18"."Couldn't find any in large size" ........................................."He needs thick shirts as he is a welder"."When it comes to wash day* I puts my waist on the boy, while I wash and iron his shirt."."The price is too high. I wanted some for $1.29 or $1.50."
******
Flannel shirts - Tho national shortage of flannel shirts for boys from 7 to 15 was 21$ as against 9% on flannel shirts for men and boys over 16. Men's and older boys' ¡shirts were shortest in the West} boys' flannel shirts were shortest in the West and in the North Central states. Over 10$ of those who bought flannel shirts found prices high, over 10% found quality poor. - Stout men found more difficulty than others in buying flannel shirts, since there was a 20% shortage in sizes to fit them.
Comments from the people interviewed - "He should have a heavy shirt because he gets colds otherwise“...*."! wear woql shirts all the time. In all the stores when I asked for them they just looked at me as if I were crazy."
******
woven - There was a shortage of 7$ of the demand for woven shorts for men and older boys. The North East and the West had slightly greater shortages than other regions.
On woven shorts for younger boys there was a national shortage of 20$, with the most pronounced shortage in the West — 54$. A high degree of concern was expressed over inability to buy woven shorts for all ages. Dissatisfied purchasers of men's and older boys' shorts complained about quality and price; quality was the major complaint about boys' shorts.
Comments from the people interviewed - "I had to pay 65/ and I used to get them for 25/"..."The shorts are too skimpy and are very uncomfortable. They ha** no elastic at the sides.".."The price was too high".“He had to wear some that were too small for him"........................."I bought a pattern and material and made some."
Note - For comparison of demand for woven and knit shorts see page 35
OBDOP 3 - SHIMS (OOTBHVBAB) AMD SHOHTS (OMnaVSAB), WOW TABBIO, /OB MM AMD BOTS AQB 7 AMD OVBH - 80MMABT CT 1944 and 1943 BOTIMO MPXHIMCB
VAB PBDDUCT10M BOABD, OPTICB OP CIT11IAM B8QLJIHSMS | ) ■ 1 Surrey report from Civilian Solations Division Second Surrey of Consuner Bequiremonts Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 1 | «m Shirts (outerwear) and shorts, (underwear) for men and boys
/ * 18 li ss^i £ /b / B S 2 S / p •fSlS» / • Ss / .'«• J*/« S*Z / A A J * J B 9I-S • A /» // A * bl £ bb h: •a* af W* all
Estimated number of gamonts purchased and wanted hy 0, S. civilians 1944, 1st quarter ... Total denand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter ... Purchases ...(add 000) 19^3. year Total demand (add 000) 1943. year Purchases... (add 000) Shortage, In percent 1944, l«t quarter 1943, year 25,686 22,240 8,519 24,525 20,996 7,720 92.769 73.710 26,779 91,84s 72,918 26,232 5* 7* 9* 112 4.351 1.941 .19.682 3.633 3.973 1.537 18.267 2.9H 12.359 5.052 76,807 12,534 12,221 4,809 75,867 12,222 9* 21* 7* 20* 1 5 1 2
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of Indicated age-sex group 1944, let quarter.... Total denand (unite)... 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases., (units)... 1943. year Total denand (units)... 1943. year Purchases .. (units)... O.65 0.56 0.86 0.62 0.52 0.78 2.28 1.81 2.67 2.25 1.79 2.62 0.11 0.20 0.50 O.36 0.10 0.15 0.46 0.29 0.30 .50 1.89 1.25 0.J0 .48 1.86 1.22
People who reported Inconvenience or hardship r 1st quarter 1944 Degree of concern Percent of those who did not buy who found It inconvenient or a hardship Moderate High Moderate 41* 47)6 4OJ6 High Moderate High High 45* 44* 48* 55*
Beasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Beason most frequently mentioned ah ibfttt jtba did not bur T. Could not find any or else Price too high, or too high for quality... Quality without mention of price Kind,style, fabric, other Shortage Shortage Shortage 122* igoi 100* 42 65 78 16 13 11 14 6 3 28 16 8 Shortage Shortage Shortage Shortage kind or stylo wo* met 100* WO* 44 88 4J 64 30 0 14 8 4 8 12 8 22 4 31 20
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought Satisfied Dissatisfied: Price too high, or too high for quality .. Quality poor, with no mention of price ... Sise, kind, style, fabric, other reason . for dissatisfaction Quality Quality Quality 100* 100* 100* 8 9 11 11 1J 14 4 2 1 Quality Quality Quality Price Price Price Quality 122* 120* 100* 100* 78 72 IT “75" 10 11 10 6 10 U 12 12 2676
Regional Differences, 1st j^uu^jr 1944 Bogion with greatest shortage Shortage, in percent - Mational Horthoast Morth Central South ... West Morth 1 Borqn Central Central, West Vest ? # # ? S’ 6 10 12 Morth Morth- Vest Central, oast, West Vest Vest Si Ji 10 7 9 12 7 30 4 15 15 3^4 10 5?
Inability £2 obtain site, 1st quarter 1944 Sise for which greatest difficulty is x experienced, and shortage, in percent • Tall 10* — Stout 13* Stout 20* — — —
SODBCB: Second Survey of Consumer Bequirements. Betinated number of gments based on surra/ data, projected Uy naans of population estimates for April 1, 1944 and Juno 30, 1943. Population fron U. s. Bureau of the Census XI loss than 20 replies 1
30
GROUP 4 - KNIT COTTON GARMENTS
HIGHLIGHTS and, COMMENTS
Infants' shirts and bands - There was a shortage of 13$ nationally and of 21$ In the Vest. Degree of concern was very high« with 63$ finding it inconvenient or a hardship to be unable to buy. Shortage was 20$ on sizes to fit infante age 1 to 2. 11$ of those who bou^xt thought the quality was poor.
Comments from those interviewed - "The ones X bought were so thin I had to buy extra summer vests for her to wear with them.*....."I couldn't find any with wool."..... "We used some we had, but they were too small for the baby."
Training cants and panties - This was among the ten top-ranking shortage items, with demand 30$ under supply. The situation was worse inthe West, with demand 42$ under supply. Mothers showed a high degree of concern, with 67$ of those unable to* buy considering it an inconvenience or hardship. Among those who bought, 26$ found the quality poor, with 15$ dissatisfied because of the kind, style or. lack of elastic. Very small sizes were in shortest supply, with a shortage of 39$ in sizes to fit infants less than a year old.
Comments from those interviewed - "It's hard to train a child without them and it makes more work tending to the child"."I wanted them with elastic."The baby can't manage tape ties and it's terribly inconvenient."."It took more time to use diapers and made a lot more washing."
******
Tull length stockings for infants under 2 - This was among the ten top-ranking shortage items, with demand 32$ under supply. Xn the West supply was 59$ under the demand. Degree of concern was high, with 48$ of those unable to buy finding it an inconvenience or hardship.
Comments from those interviewed - "Most of his colds come from not having stockings.".."Bought socks but they weren't warm enough. The baby took cold so bad we though we'd lose her"....."It is hard to keep stockings clean with just three paired
******
Heavyweight union suits and drawers and lightweight shorts, briefs and drawers for men and boys over 16 - There was a shortage of 14$ on both of these items, with not much variation regionally. Degree of concern was very high on heavyweight underwear, with 68$ of those unable to buy finding it inconvenient or a hardship. Only 38$ of those unable to buy lightweight shorts, briefs and drawers found it inconvenient or a hardship. 11$ of those who bought objected to the quality of lightweight items,) as didlO% of those who bought heavyweight items.
The estimated demand for men's underwear in 1943 was as follows: - 143,264,000 pairs of the three kinds included in the survey, made up of 76,807,000 pairs of woven fabric shorts, 38,680,000 pairs of lightweight knit briefs, shorts or drawers and 27,777,000 pairs of heavyweight..union suits and drawers. Shortage was least on the woven fabric item, with a 7$ shortage level. Not included in the survey were lightweight knit union suits, woven fabric union suits, and shirts.
Comments from those interviewed - (on heavyweight underwear)..........."A man who works out of doors needs heavy underwear. I think that's why he ha's so many colds"......... "He has such dirty work he needs more than two suits."................................."He has to wear mended ones and it is a hardship on his wife to keep them in one piece*.......................(on lightweight underwear)............................................................................."I bought knit shorts and they were terrific. They didn't fit, were thin and had no elastic"..............................................................."My old ones are mended so much they are uncomfortable."
(For other items in this group turn to page 32)
31
GROUP 4 - Oil COTTON GARMENTS - SUMMARY OF 1944 AND 1943 BUYING EXPERIENCE
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Survey report from Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 I Knit cotton garments, or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon
/ / _ / £ / h S / •» / #»4 / /■» / ¿si 3s 3 1 ^3 1 gg 1 gig 1 gg / / y Is» 1-8 / *o / a _ 1 S b / M /* * 1 .2 S 1 B 3 . 1 »' 1: / ;.•/ / gI gi: 1 sis 1
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by U.S, civilians 1944, 1st quarter... Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter..• Purchases... (add 000) 1943, year.......... Total demand (add 000) 1943, year..•••••••• Purchases..• (add 000) ......•••••1943, year....... A Z- Ze i 7,660 10,516 5,207 6,698 7,303 3,549 15,869 11,778/b 9,419' 15,552 10,38825 8,436 13% 30% • 32% 2 12 11 12,061 10,408 8,720 2,370 9,072 8,922 7,463 1,735 32,628 38,680 27,777 8,967 30,931 37,795 26,902 8,429 25% 14% 14% 27% 5 2 3 6
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of indicated age-sex group 1944, 1st quarter..•• Total demand (units).» 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases.•• (units).. 1943, year........... Total demand (units)•• 1943, year....••••••• Purchases... (units).. 1.01 1.82 0.80 0.89 1.27 0.54 2.40 2.00/b 1.55 2.35 1.76^ 1.38 0.38 0.26 0.22 0.24 0.29 0.23 0.19 0.17 1.03 0.95 0.68 0.90 0.98 0.93 0.66 0.84
People who reported inconvenience or hardship, first quarter, 1944 Degree of concern........................... Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship........... Very Very high high High 63% 67% 48% Very Very Very high Moderate high high 67% 36% 66% 74%
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Reason most frequently mentioned All those who did not bty................... Could not find any or sise........•••••• Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality without mention of price..•••... Kind,style, fabric, other,•••••••••••••• Shortage Shortage Shortage lOO^C 100% 100% 7 0 4 7 8 0 19 25 13 Shortage Shortage Shortage Shortage 100% 100% 100% 100% 3 4 17 4 8 7 8 4 15 25 2V 24
Satisfaction with last purchase, let quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction,,.,,.,.,.,. All those who bought,.,.,,,,,,,.,,,.,.,...,. Satisfied...?:. Dissatisfied* Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of priced, Sise, kind, style, fabric, other reason Quality, Lack of Quality Elastic — 100% 100% 100% 7 10 5 11 25 7 4 15 4 Quality Quality Quality Quality 100% 100% 100% ioo% "TST "76 "81 “75 7 6 8 8 10 11 10 10 4 7 17
Regional Differences , 1st quarter 1944 Region with greatest shortage.........•••••• Shortage, in percent - National North Central,,,,,.•••.••••••• West..... ••••••••••••• West West West 13% 30% 32% TJ" W TBS’ 11 27 30 7 29 29 21 42 59 West — — 25% 14% 14% 27% T5" To“ 15 IB 28 16 17 29 19 14 9 18 49 18 20 45
Inability to obtain sise , 1st quarter 1944 Sise for which greatest difficulty Is experienced, and shortage, in percent....... , Age 1 Under to 2 1 year 20% 39% Stout Sise 9 or — _ under 24% 38%
SOURCE* Second Survey of Consumer Requirement.. Estimated number of garments basedonsurvey date. P^«^ X^^eu^ preliminary population estimate, for April 1, 1944 and June 30, 1943. Population fromU.S. Bureau of the Cen«" /a Quantity purchased per person excludes quantity purchased for expected infants, but estimated number »
purchased includes purchases made for this group. See supplement, •Purchase of clothing for
/b Estimate believed unreliable. Buying is concentrated at age fran 18 to 24 months and 1943 data are unrelia for this age group.
32
GROUP 4 - KNIT COTTON GARMENTS — GROUP £ - KNIT RAYON UNDERWEAR HIGHLIGHTS and COMMENTS (Continued)
Union and waist suits, knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon, for children 2 to 1£ r There was a national shortage of 25%.The shortage in the West reached 49%. The degree of concern expressed by mothers unable to buy was very high, with 67% reporting it a real inconvenience or hardship. Of those who bought, 10% found the quality poor.
Comments from those interviewed - "Never found any in his size, I used what we had from last year. What are we going to do this fall?n.....nThe youngster wore shorts and shirts all winter which were hardly warm enough"...,."Two pairs aren't enough when you are working and going to school. Washing wears them out and they are real thin"....."I had to keep her home from school on bad days”......"The boy is not well and he really needs heavy underwear."
******
Shorts, briefs, and drawers, knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon, for boye 2 to 1£ - There was a national shortage of 27& The shortage in the West was most marked with a deficiency of 45%. Small sizes were harder to find, since there was a shortage of 38% in size 9 and under. The degree of concern expressed over Inability to buy was very high, with 74% finding it an inconvenience or hardship. This article jras eighth among the ten top ranking items on the basis of shortage. Of those who did not buy, 24% could not find the kind, style, or fabric. Of those who bought, 10% complained of poor quality.
Comments from those interviewed — "I had to buy the smallest size in men's undeiv wear and then take them in to fit my son, size 14."••••• "He had to wear some that were too small for him and that's not good for a growing boy."
******
Polo shirts, knit cotton, for children 2 to 6 - The shortage was 11% nationally and 25% in the West. Degree of concern was“slight, with 24% of mothers finding it a real inconvenience or hardship to be unable to buy. Among those who bought, 16% found the price too high and 14% found quality poor. This item was among the top 15 items when ranked according to complaints on quality.
Comments from those interviewed - "I don't like to change from long sleeves to short" •••••"I have two boys, 4 and 6, and like the knit shirts because it saves ironing. But I guess I can manage"....."The weave wasn't so good".,..."They ran the first time they were washed"....."After I bought them I found they were too «mall in the neck. I had to cut them and that ruined them.”
******
Panties, bloomers and shorts, knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon; and knit rayon - for children 2 to 6 - There was a national shortage of 24%of knit, cotton panties, bloomers and shorts, and 22% of knit rayon. Shortage of both kinds was greatest in the West, with 43% shortage of knit cotton style and 36% of knit rayon. Degree of concern was high for the rayon style, with 51% of mothers finding it a real inconvenience or hardship, and moderate for the cotton style, with 41% expressing concern. There were complaints from those who bought on either price or quality or both combined, totaling 35% of buyers of the knit cotton style and 27% of the knit rayon style. 21% of buyers of the knit cotton style complained of poor quality and this made the item fourth-ranking when rated according to quality complaints. (continued on page 34)
' S3
GROUP 4 (Continued) - KNIT COTTOS GARMENTS.GROUP 5 - KNIT RAYON UNDERWEAR
--" ——grmiWcE-------------
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Knit Cotton Garments, or Knit Cotton Combined with Wool or Rayon Knit Rayon Underwear
Survey report from Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements / Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 / / ’ / * 9 // * / / //4 / £ I £ / 3* 3^ / /?/; / / it 3 s ¿18 1 ¿s lih 1 g /. // L 3 3 / 3 3 / 3^ 7 3a / 3* / 3§S ■» I 07 O /
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by t). S. civilians 7,137 8,046 6,149 17,270 6,343 6,087 4,380 14,793 16,927 17,696 15,343 40,814 16,469 15,989 14,450 39,543 11% 24% 29% 14% 3 10 6 3 8,116 9,547 41,944 6,352 8,351 36,869 18,362 25,897 114,613 17,392' 25,227 112,398 22% 13% 12% 5 3 2
1944, let quarter««. Total demand (add 000} 1944, 1st quarter... Purchases... (add 000) 1943, year..•••••••• Total demand (add 000) 1943, year.......... Purchases..• (add 000) Shortage, in percent...........1944, 1st quarter ••••••.••••1943, year.......
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of 0.59 0.67 0.64 0.34 0.53 0.51 0.45 0.29 1.36 1.51 1.58 0.81 1.32 1.36 1.49 0.79 0.67 0.99 0.83 0.53 0.86 0.73 1.57 2.66 2.28 1.48 2.59 2.24
indicated age-sex group
1144, 1st quarter*»«« Total demand (units)«« 1944, 1st quarter«..« Purchases... (units).. 1943, year.. Total demand (units).. 1943, year.•••..••••• Purchases... (units)..
People who reported inconvenience or hardship, 1st quarter 1944 Slight Moderate High High 24% 41% 50% 48% Very High High High 51% 63% 51%
Degree of concern. Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship.••••••••••
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Shortage, Lack of Shortage Shortage Shortage Elastic 100% 100% 100% 100% 51 57 66 45 11 5 5 12 11 5 3 7 27 33 28 36 Lack of Shortage Shortage Elastic 100% 100% 100% 56 50 31 4 7 8 8 7 14 32 36 47
Reason most frequently mentioned All those who did not buy................... Could not find any or else.............. Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality without mention of price..••••.« Kind,stylo, fabric, other. ..•••«•••
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 1944 Price, Quality, Quality, Quality Price Quality Price 100% 100% 100% 100% 69 58 67 69 16 14 8 10 14 21 18 13 17 7 8 Various Reasons Quality Quality 100% 100% 100% 60 64 65 12 9 9 15 19 18 13 8 8
Chief reason for dissatisfaction...•«...•••• ‘ All those who bought........................ Satisfied...««..... Dissatisfied« Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of price.• Site, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 1944 kegion with greatest shortage............... Shortage, in percent - National Northeast• North Central South.. West........ No «Central West West West South 11% 24% 29% 14% 2 13 16 12 8 27- 43 16 14 24 22 18 25 43 40 7 West West West 23% 13% 12% 34 10 11 22 13 11 16 11 12 36 22 17
Inability to obtain site, 1st quarter 1944 Site for which greatest difficulty is Site 9 A Site 42 A Under Larger — — 36% 20% Sine 9 or Site 42 or Under Larger 17% 21%
SOURCEt Second Surrey of Consumer Requirement«* Estimated number of garments based on surrey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June 30, 1943« Population from U* S* Bureau of the Census*
GROUP 4 - KNIT COTTON GARMENTS-— GROUP £ - KNIT RATON UNDEWAR HIGHLIGHTS and COMMENTS (Continued)
Panties, bloomers and shorts, knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon; and knit rayon - for children 2 to "6 ‘(Continuedy - Approximately 1/3 of those who did not buy gave as a reason inability to find the right kind or style, and most of these
mentioned lack of elastic«
Comments from those interviewed - M^y little girl says the children in kindergarten are always losing their panties, without elastic"...«."He had to wear his sisters1 panties« I couldn’t find shorts for him"..,.."The old ones are worn out and we don’t have enough to change« She has to miss school sometimes while the ones we washed dry out"....."I would have made some but I couldn’t get elastic to put in them"..«.."I had to let her wear diapers because I couldn't find any underwear« She cries because that makes her think she’s still a baby"The quality of rayon in the panties for my four-year old does not hold up at all."
Panties and bloomers« knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon; and knit rayon - for girls 2 to 15 - The national shortage of the knit cotton type was'2^, compared with* 13% for the knit rayon type« Shortage was greater in North Central
and Western states, on the knit cotton type, with over 40% deficiency; and higher than the national average for knit rayon type in Western states, with a deficiency of 22%. Degree of concern was very high on knit rayon type, with 63% reporting it a real inconvenience or hardship, and high on the knit cotton type, witn 50% expressing concern«
Both items were in the top ten when ranked on the basis of quality complaints, since 19% i>f buyers complained of poor quality« Lack of elastic was* also complained of« Shortage was greatest in small sizes, since there was a deficiency of 36% of knit cotton style in size 9 and under; and of 17% of knit rayon type in size 9 and under«
Comments from those interviewed - "The tie panties do not fit and are of poor quality".... ."I found a silk knit that had only a tiny strip of elastic« It soon gave out and she had to pin them upN.««««nI can’t get panties in size 14 and have to wash her old ones oftener and keep changing the elastic from one pair to another« Th'at’s too much work"....."A child should have a clean pair for school every day"......"She had 'to miss a day from school on account of having no underwear«"
Panties and bloomers, knit cotton or cotton combined with wool or rayon; and knit rayon - for women and girls 16 "and over - The shortage of cotton type was 14% and of rayon, 12%. Sizes for large women wearing over size 42 were harder to get with a 2C% shortage of knit cotton type and 21% of knit rayon« Shortage of the knit cotton type was slightly greater in the South and North Central States, with over 16% deficiency, and was greater in the West on the knit rayon type, with a deficiency of 17%« Of those who did not buy, 47% gave as *a reason "kind or style wanted not avail- * able" for knit rayon type, and 36% gave this reason for not buying knit cotton« Some of these women wanted elastic in the waistband, others wanted heavier weight than they got. Degree of concern was high, with over 48% finding it a real inconvenience or hardship to be unable to buy.
Comments free those interviewed -"I had to get buttoned style but I don't like them" ...."The panties without elastic at the knee are not wann enough for winter".••."I bought one pair of rayon but they practically melted when I washed them"...."They don't make size 44 any more"...."I wanted part wool because cotton isn't warm enough"
• •••"I've really been cold because the old ones pre worn out and when I get to town they are always sold out"...."I had to use lightweight cotton and they were not warm."
ss
COMPARISON OF CEMAND FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF. UNDERWEAR
BY AGE-SEX GROUPS - 1943 and 1st QUARTER, 1944
Estimated Demand by Type of Underwear Shortage
Age-Sex Group and Type of Underwear Percent of all types Number of each type included in survey (add QQo) 1st quarter Year 1st quarter Year 1944 1943 1944 1943 in Percent, ' 1st Quarter 1944
CHILDREN, AGE 2 to 6 All type« included in survey Panties, bloomers and shorts, knit cotton or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon Panties and bloomers, knit rayon Union and waist suits, knit cotton or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon (Not included in survey - Woven fabric cotton or rayon panties, and woven fabric union suits) 100% 100% 22,735 52,817 85 S3 8,046 17,695 36 35 8,116 18,362 29 32 6,573 16,760 25% 24 22 27
BOYS, AGE 7 to 16 All types included in survey Union and waist suits, knit cotton or knit cotton conibined with wool or rayon Shorts, woven fabric Shorts, briefs drawers, knit cotton or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon (Not included in survey - Woven fabric union suits) 100% 100% 9,936 32,638 40 34 3,933 11,137 36 38 3,633 12,534 24 28 2,370 8,967 22% 20 20 27
GIRLS, AGE 7 to IS All types included in survey Panties and bloomers, knit rayon Panties and bloomers, knit cotton or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon Panties and bloomers, woven fabric, cotton and rayon Union and waist suits, knit cotton or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon (Not included in survey - Woven fabric panty waists) 100% 100% 20,863 53,092 46 49 9,547 25,897 30 29 6,149 15,343 17 13 3,611 7,121 7 9 1,556 4,781 13 29 16 28
MEN AND BOYS, AGE 16.and OVER All types included in survey Shorts, woven fabric Shorts, briefs and drawers, lightweight knit cotton Heavyweight union suits end drawers, knit oottcn or knit cotton combined with wool or rayon (Not included in survey • Upweight knit cotton union suits, and woven fabric union suite) 100% 100% 88,810 143,264 51 54 19,682 76,807 27 27 10,408 36,680 22 19 8,720 27,777 11% 7 14 14
WOMEN AND GIRLS, AGE 16 and OVER All types included in survey Panties and bloomers, knit rayon Pm ties and bloomers, knit cotton or knit eottow combined with wool or rayon (Not included in survey • Woven fabric panties and bloomers, union suite and eheuiooe« Whit union suits) 10C% 100% 59,214 155,327 71 74 41,944 114,513 29 26 17,270 40,814 ■ i * K K
GROUP £ - WOVEN FABRIC UNDERWEAR FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS, AGE 7 and, OVER
HIGHLIGHTS and COMMENTS
Slip», rayon, for women, and for girls Z to 15 - There wae only a slight shortage. The national shortage was 4# on women's and misses' sizes and 5# on slips for girls 7 to 15. Of those who did not buy women's and misses' sizes, 32# gave style or fabric factors as the reason and 27# found prices too high.
Comments from the people interviewed - "I just can't find a thing in my size"...,. "I wouldn't pay the*price asked."........"I wanted a white one but couldn't find my size, so I just didn't buy one at all."
* * * * .♦ r
Slips, cotton, fpr women, and, for girls 7 io 15 - Cotton slips in women’s and. misses’ sizes were in much shorter supply than rayon slips. The shortage was 20# nationally, and in the South it was 29#. There was a moderate degree of concern expressed over inability to buy. This was among the. top-ranking items when rated according to quality complaints, with 23% of those who bought stating that quality was poor. It is important to note that shortage was greater in large sizes, with a shortage of 31# for size 42 and larger sizes.
The shortage of slips for girls of 7 to 15 was 9# nationally and, as was the case with women's cotton slips, greatest in the South, where there was a shortage of 17#.
Comments from the people interviewed - "It hasn’t been a hardship yet but it will be Rimmer __________."f used to wear cotton weekdays and had to take rayon."I've
always used cotton slips around the hbuse and find it inconvenient not to have them."
• * * *
Brassieres - The shortage of brassieres was 11# of the demand, with slight regional variations. There was a high degree of concern expressed over inability to buy, with 45# of those who did not buy finding it an inconvenience or hardship. 48# of those who did not buy gave style or kind as the major reason, with most complaints based on lack of elastic. 11# of those who bought thought the quality was poor and 10# thought the price too hi^i.
Comments from the people interviewed - "They were too narrow and I was uncomfortable.-¿...."They cost too much for the quality and the straps pulled out."......"They had no elastic and were very uncomfortable to work in all day"..................."I ’couldn’t find the kind I wanted at the price I wanted to pay."..................................."They are poor fitting."
Pajamas and nightgowns, woven and knit, for girls 7 .to ¿5 - The supply was 17# less than the demand nationally, and 27# less in the South. There was a high degree of concern over inability to buy, with 50# of those who did not buy finding it an Inconvenience or hardship. 20# of those who did not buy gave high price as the reason. 11# of those who bought thought the price was too high and 10# complained of quality. -
Panties and bloomers, woven fabric, cotton and rayon, for girls 7 to 15 - There was a shortage of 16#, with a very high degree of concern expressed over Inability to bu/. 62# of those who did not buy found it an inconvenience or hardship. Lack of elastic was mentioned by a large number of those who gave "kind or style" as a reason for not buying. 22# of those who bought thought the quality was poor. The shortage was more intense in smaller sizes, with 24# shortage for size 9 and smaller sizes..... (For comparison of demand on woven and knit panties, see page.JJ,
oboop e . novar iabbxc pmoewur bob mow amp auu. am j amp ovsb SUMMARY OF 1944 and 1948 BUY!MS EXPgiIBKCE
«AB PBODOCTXCM BOABP, OPTICS OP 0ITI1IAB BXQPIBJMKBI Surrey report iron Civilian halations Division Second Survey of Coastear Boqpireaents Conducted March 20 to 27. 19*4 «oven fabric underwear for women and girls
1 h!i II- /¿i Uh hl* hi hi* hi hi* litis / eg / gh / eg / //S a Sis ■
. ( I a f /
Betinatod numbsr of aaratets purchased jsbIM & JkJ« sliUlsai . . , 104, 1st quarter ... total demnd (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter ... Purchases ...(add 000) 1943, year Total demand (add 000) 103, year Purchases ...(add 000) Shortage, in percept 1944, Xst quarter 103, year 30,469 4,028 6,028 29,204 3,840 4,789 93.924 12,382 16,656 93.262 12.258 15.929 46 0 206 114 2,6o4 22.509 3.038 3.611 2,358 19.928 2,522 3.029 8,147 58.062 10,951 7.121 18,056 56.9T4 10.488 6.774 0 10 10 166 12 4 5
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of Indicated ace-sex group 1941», let quarter.... Total demand (units).. 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases ., (unite).. 103, year Total demand (units).. 103, year... Purchases... (units).. 0.60 0.42 0.12 0.58 0.40 0.10 i.g i.g 0.33 1.86 1.26 0.32 0.27 0.45 0.31 0.37 0.24 O.39 0.26 0.J1 0.84 1.16 1.13 0.73 0.83 X.14 1.08 0.70
People who reported inconvenience or hardshipr 1st quarter, 1^44 , Degree of concern Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship Slight /> Moderate 20 40/* 30 Very /> Sigh Mi0 High 0M£a 40 50 626
Masons why peja^e ¿i£ pgi 1st quarter ¿04 Beason most frequently mentioned 3*011 2±S Could not find any or else ............ Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality without mention of price ...... Kind .style, fabric, other Various Beacons Shortage Shortage 27 S X7 7 S 3 32 5 xj Shortage/a JQ0 JQ0 _1Q0 -100 /a 41 68 43 g I i g 48 9 44
Satisfaction win ¿«¡1 purchase, ¿st quarter J04 Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought Satisfied 2UlftillilS&> Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no neation of price.. Sine, kind* style, fabric, otter reason for dissatisfaction .................. Quality Quality Quality i < < < 9 10 8 13 19 X3 2 2 J Quality Price Price Price Qaality Quality 106 2^ 12 10 11 15 9 11 10 22 • 6 5 11
Begloaal Differences, ¿n quarter 104 j Begion with greatest shortage.. ShfiflMl. in percept - lailSMl Mortheast Morth Central South Vest — — South r t * 4 3 19 4 5 29 6 2 10 South 1 — South — 0 2^ 10 6 13 18 21 17 12 27 6 0 /£ 10 18 /a
Inability to obtain Oise, let quarter 1944 Sise for which greatest difficulty is experienced, and shortage, in percent Sine 40 Sice 9 Sice 48 or over or under or over 10 126 30 Sice 10 8ise 9 or over or under 126 , 246
SOURCSt Second Surrey of Consumer Befuiraunts. BatImated muster of garments based on surrey data, projected by Mans of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June JO, 103« Population from V. 8. Bureau of tte Census, /a Power than 20 replies
* Less than 0.0
38
GROUP 2 - DRESSES AND BLOUSES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS. AQE 7 AND OVER
HIGHLIGHTS and COMMENTS
nouse dresses for women, prices up to $1.59, and $1.60 and over - The estimated total“ demand for house dresses in both price ranges in first quarter 1944 was 28,971,000 garments« There was a shortage of 20% on all house dresses; of k2% on house dresses priced up to $1.59 and of 13% for those at $1.60 and over« It should be noted that? consumers may call garments house dresses which the trade would class as "pinafores" or "hoover aprons"«
21% of the demand in first quarter 1944 was for house dresses priced up to $1.59 but only 15% of the purchases were at this price range« 23% of the demand in 1943 was for the lower-price group, and 21% of the purchases were in this group«
20% of those who bought dresses up to $1.59 and 17% of those who bought dresses at $l«60 and over complained about quality« House dresses were among the top ten items when ranked on the basis of complaints on quality«
The shortage of lower-priced house dresses was greater in large sizes than in small« 51% of those wearing size 42 and larger did not buy, compared to 38% of those wearing size 40 and smaller«
Comments from Ifaaafi interviewed - ”1 had to pay $1.98 for dresses I used to get for $.98.",.,.. "There is no such thing as a $1.50 wash dress"They told me at the store that they only allowed 2 to a customer and I need a lot of them to keep clean around the house and yard"«••••"I had to get along with fewer which made more washing" «••««"The material is so poor they are not worth the money.".••••"The dresses are made of cheesy material and they will not wash or anything".... FThe material is of poor quality. Vihen washed there is no body to the material."
******
Street dresses for women, prices HE 12 $6.00, and $6.01 and over - The estimated total demand for street dresses at both ranges in first quarter 1944 was 30,278,000 garments« There was a shortage of 9% on all street dresses; Of 10% on those priced up to $6.00 and of 6% on those at $6.01 and over« High price was the chief reason given by people who wanted some but did not buy« 10% of those who bought dresses under $6.00 complained of the quality«
33% of the demand in first quarter 1944 was for dresses up to $6.00 and 32% of the purchases were in this price group« In 1943, 40% of the demand was for the lower priced group and 38% of the purchases were in this group« Comments indicate that the upgrading of demand is not due to desire for higher priced merchandise, but to dissatisfaction with quality of the lower price lines«
SflfflPbPtg teB those interviewed - "I couldn’t find one for less than $6.98"•««••"▲ $23.00 dress compaxes with the kind I used to buy for $16.95"««.»«"I couldn't find a dress in the lower price group that wasn't badly made, so I bought a higher priced one"».«.«"! had to buy a more expensive dress and it was poor quality for the price«
******
Dresses and blouses for gjjig 2 12 15 - There was a shortage of 7% on girls' dresses and jumper dresses, and of 14% on girls' blouses« High price was given as the reason by 38% of those who wanted but did not buy dresses, and by 32% of those who did not buy blouses« 10% of those who bought dresses thought the price was too high and 11% thought the quality poor« 15% of those who bought cotton blouses thought the price high. Girls' cotton blouses were among the top fifteen items when ranked on the basis of complaints on price.
GROUP 7 - DRESSES AND BLOUSES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS, AGE 7 AND OVER SUMMARY OF 1944 «nd 1943 BUYING EXICTIENCE ”
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Dresses and Blouses
Survey report from Civilian Relatione Division / Second Survey of Consumer Requirements / Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 / / • £ / I ^3». / « 5-0 Ji i is Si?? kW / * ä a 1 J IS Sal 'S / nJ; / «• It» ® / î s ns la?1 fetS S8SS I 40 is uh ST oq . „
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by U, S, civilians 1944, 1st quarter,.•• Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter,,,« Purchases,,, (add 000) 1943, year,,,,,,,,,,. Total demand (add 000) 1943, year,.••••••••• Purchases..• (add 000) Shortage, in percent............1944, 1st quarter ••...••••••*1943, year..,..•* 6,089 22,882 3,625 19,998 16,508 56,504 15,307 55,581 42% 13% 7 2 9,925 8*895 33,617 32,842 10% 2 20,353 19,132 54,816 54,407 6% 1 9,448 8,798 29,577 29,263 1* 1 4,225 3,652 10,843 10,579 14% 2
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of indicated age-sex group 1944, 1st quarter.... Total demand (units).. 1944, 1st quarter..,. Purchases... (units)«, 1943, year«,««.Total demand (units)., 1943, year.Purchases••• (units)«. 0.12 0.45 0.07 0.40 0.33 1.13 0.31 1.11 0.20 0.18 0.67 0.66 0*40 0.38 1.09 1.08 0.98 0.91 3.04 3.01 0.44 0.38 1.12 1.09
People who reported inconvenience or hardship, 1st quarter 1944 Degree of concern.•..••••••••••••••••••••••• Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship... Moderate Slight Slight 37% 32% 17% Slight 28% Moderate 37% Moderate 41%
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Reason most frequently mentioned All those who did not buy................... Could hot rin3”any or size......«••••••• Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality without mention of price........ Kind,style, fabric, other.«......,.,..*« Price, Shortage Price Shortage 100% 100% 100% 28 44 29 13 15 23 17 17 19 Price 100% 45 9 27 Price, Shortage 10Q% 38 5 19 Shortage, Price, Other 10Q% 32 3 29
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction.«,..«*....« All those who bought..*.,..........*.«.*.«.* Satisfied.......... Dissatisfied» Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of price•• Size, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction.••••••••••••**•••• Quality, Quality Price Quality 100% 100% 100% 74 66 80 3 15 6 20 17 10 3 2 4 Price 100% 77 16 6 1 Quality, Price 100% 78 10 11 1 Price 100% 78 15 6 1
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 1944 Region with greatest shortage.. Shortage, in percent - National Northeast. South..... — — No.Central 42% 13% 10% 44 14 8 42 12 15 38 12 8 46 13 11 e% 7 7 3 8 7% 10 6 5 10 North-east/b "14% 24/b 10 11 9
Inability to''obtain size, 1st quarter 1944 Size for which greatest difficulty is experienced, and shortage, in percent......* Size 42 or Larger /a — ... MS ■WW ——
SOURCEt Second Surrey of Consumer Requirements, Estimated number of garments based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June 30, 1943, Population from U. S. Bureau of the Census, /a Percent of people who could not find the item of thote who tried to buy» — 38% among those wearing sice 40 or under, 51% among those wearing sice 42 or larger,
/b Due to slightly greater demand per person and more rejections for quality, kind style and other reasons.
ho
croup g - wovai Fabric cotTON garments infants, and children 2 12 6
Presses for ^nfants upHay £ « There was a shortage of 9% in first quarter 1944, with a greater shortage • 15% • in both the South and the West. Of all items in the survey, infants* dresses had the second highest percent of complaints on price* 24% of those who bought thought the price was too high*
Comments toS &QM - "I had nothing to dress the baby in but his kimonos"
....«1 just couldn't afford to spend $2*50 or »3*00"."The prices they ask for a little tiny baby dress are ridiculous*"
******
fiESAfifil for girls 2 to £ - There was a shortage of only 4% of the demand for girls* dresses, and this shortage was almost entirely due to rejection of those offered, due to trice * 59% of those who did not buy but wanted dresses for girls 2 to 6 gave high price as the reason. Among those who bought, 17% thought the price was too high and 13% found the quality poor* Degree of concern was moderate, with 38% of those who did not buy finding it a real inconvenience or hardship*
******
Creepers. rompers afid sunsuits £2£ infants an& children 31E 12 & - There was a shortage of 15% nationally, with 25% shortage in the South. Degree of concern was moderate, with 36% of those who did not buy finding it a real inconvenience or hardship. Of all items in the survey, this had the fourth highest percent of complaints on price* 20% of those who bought thought the price was too high*
Comments from those interviewed »."He wore some of his sisters* old ones and I made some, but with three children under three I haven't much time"•••••"She outgrows her clothes and then gets what she has so dirty that I need lots to keep her going«"
* * «
Wash suits for bova tinder 2 and 2 to & - There was a national shortage of 12%, with 29% in the West. Degree of concern over inability to buy was slight, with 29% reporting it a real inconvenience or hardship« As on other items for young children, there were many complaints of high price« Of all items in the survey, this had the fifth highest percent of complaints on price« 19% of those who bought thought the price was too high«
*«««**
Overalls. lightweight £21122; aad overalls, corduroy, fafftnta and children W2 12 & There was a shortage of 26% of lightweight cotton type and 25% of the corduroy type« Both items are among the top ten when ranked on the basis of shortage« Shortage of the lightweight type was worse in the South, where it was 33%; and for the heavier, corduroy type, it was greater in the North Central states and the West, where shortages were 30% and 27%« Degree of concern over inability to buy was moderate, but somewhat higher than degree of concern on dresses, creepers rompers and sunsuits, or boys' wash suits« Over 43% of those who did not buy found it a real inconvenience or hardship* 13% of buyers complained of quality on each type, and more than 13% complained of high price.
Comments from those interviewed -"I had to keep him in short clothes. With him crawling around, I couldn't keep him clean or warm enough"....."! wanted regular blue denim but found only cheap cotton and they wore out too quick"....."It has gotten to the place where I'm patching the patches"....."The baby crawls and falls down a lot. He needs something to protect him"....."He has to wear his baby dresses and now that he's bigger I want to dress him like a boy."
41
GROOP 8 - WOVEN FABRIC COTTON GARMENTS' FOB INFANTS, AMD CHILDREN 8! to 6
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENT) Survey report from Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 Woven fabric 'ttoc garments for Infante, and children 2 to 6
/ / 7 & / / / t / ll / /• W / ¿s / /J /w / I / if / /¿S / £5 llto / $3* / ¿° / *S ¿1? ¿3 / X? 1 S m CO / / 1 1 ¿sg 1
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by U. S. civilians 1944, 1st quarter... Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter.«» Purchases... (add 000) 1943, year.Total demand (add 000) 1943, year.......... Purchases... (add 000) Shortage, in percent...........1944, 1st quarter 1943, year & 7,58? 7,719 4,018 6,908 7,884 3,898 19,894 21,610 18,614 19,453 21,893 18,300 9% 4% 15% t 12 4,520 10,037 7,157 3,974 7,405 5,396 16,831 18,095 13,042 16,632 16,624 11,975 12% 26% 25% 1 8 8
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of indicated age-sex group 1944, 1st quarter..•• Total demand (units).. 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases.• • (units).. 1948, year........... Total demand (units).. 1948, year........... Purchases... (units).. △ Z® △ l.ll 1.32 0.22 1.03 1.26 0.19 3.18 3.77 1.06 3.10 3.73 1.05 △ △ 0.49 0.56 0.40 0.43 0.41 0.30 1.89 1.03 0.75 1.86 0.94 0.68
People who reported inconvenience or hardship, 1st quarter 155?” Degree of concern. Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship.•••••••.•• /e Moderate Moderate 50%/e 38% 86% Slight Moderate Moderate 29% 44% 43%
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Reason most frequently mentioned1 All those who did not buy. Could not find any or size..••••• Price too high, or too high for quality. Quality without mention of price........ Kind,style, fabric, other..... Shortago/e Price Shortage 100% 100% loy 7e 59 17 7e 18 0 ¿e 14 1? Shortage Shortage Shortage 100% 100% 100% 12 4 7 8 2 6 4 12 12
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction............ All those who bought........................ Satisfied. ........ Dissatisfied: Price too high* or too high for quality. Quality poor, with no mention of price.. Size, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction.•••••••••••••••••• Price Price Price 100% 100% 100% “to “TO “39 24 17 20 5 13 9 1 0 2 Price, Price Quality Price 100% 100% 100% TO* 72 69 19 13 15 4 13 13 2 2 3
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 1944 Region with greatest ¡mortage... Shortage, in percent - National Northeast. North Central.... South. ............. West. South, West — South 9% 4% 15% 5 8 11 15 6 25 15 3 /e No .Central, West South West 12% 26% 25% 14 25 30 15 33 23 29 21 27
Inability to obtain size, 1st quarter 1944 Size for which greatest dirx'iculty is experienced, and shortage, in percent....... Children 2 to 6 — 30% —
SOURCE: Second Survey of Consumer Requirements. Estimated number of garments based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June 80, 1948. Population from U. S. Bureau of the Census, /a Quantity purchased per person excludes quantity purchased for expected infants, but estimated number of garments purchased includes purchases made for this group. See supplement, "Purchase of clothing for expected infants." (Demand for expected infants, first quarter 1944: 1,050,000 dresses)
/b Per child /c Per girl /d Per boy /e Lose than 20 replies.
52
GROUP 8 (Continued) WOVEN FABRIC COTTON GARMENTS FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN £ to 6
GROUP £ SNOW SUITS AND PANTS - HIGHLIGHTS and, COMMENTS
¡Diaper« and diaper cloth -Diapers were among the ten top-ranking shortage items, with a 26$ shortage reported nationally.' The South, with a shortage of 36$, had greatest difficulty; the West was next with 30$. The demand for diapers per infant under two, in first quarter 1944 (excluding those bought by hospitals and diaper services) was 7.28 in the South and 7.45 in the West as compared with 4.77 in the Northeast and 4.85 in the North Central region. The larger demand in the South and West may be die, in part, to the lack of diaper service in these regions. Out of a total demand for 39,725,000 diapers in first quarter 1944, it is estimated that 13,190,000 were wanted for expected infants, 21,630,000 for infants under 1, and 4,905,000 for infants agel to 2. A 30$ shortage of training pants caused an additional demand for diapers. There was a very high degree of concern among mothers who were unable to buy, with 57$ finding it a real inconvenience or hardship.
Comments frpm people Interviewed -“The substitute diaper cloth was rough and caused the baby's skin to chafe"...."I made some from outing.cloth and I made some from feed sacks"...."! had to take old sheets and tear them up for diapers"...."In rainy weather I couldn't keep enough washed and dried."
******
Flannelette slips, gowns, gertrudes, etc. -There was a national shortage of 14$ on flannelette slips, gowns, sacques and similar garments, with a greater shortage in the West (21$).' Garments for one- to two-year-old infants weic especially hard to find, 24$ of the demand not being met for children in this age group.
Comments from people interviewed -"It was a real hardship for the baby not to have sleepers of warm material."
******
Sleepers, padamag, and gowns, children, 2 to 6 -The national shortage was 18$, with the supply in the West deficient by 34$. A very high degree of concern was expressed by mothers unable to buy, with 67$ reporting Inconvenience or hardship.
Comments from people interviewed -"I cannot find knitted sleepers with feet"...."Boy is compelled to sleep in his underwear"...."The flannel was of poor quality and I had to pay double the price"...."I couldn't gee part wool sleepers and I am sure it caused my boy to have more colds as he throws his blankets off"...."I couldn't get pajamas with feet. My little girl is used to the warm ones and gets colds easily."
• •••*•
Snow suits and pants -There was a 21$ national shortage of snow suits and pants for Infants and children up to six years of age. The shortage was greatest in the North Central states with a deficiency of 28$. The South had a lower demand per child than ether regions but nevertheless had a shortage of 26$. Price was mentioned as being too «high by 19$ of those who bought snow suits for infants and children up to 6, while 16$ found fault with the quality. This item was one of the top 15 items, ranked on basis of price and quality complaints.
There was a national shortage of 32$ of sizes for boys of 7 to 15,■ and a 26$ shortage 'of sizes for girls of 7 to 15. 30$ of those who bought mentioned price as being too high for girls' snow suits and 28$ complained of quality. Of all items in the survey, girls' snow suits had the highest percent of complaints of high price and poor quality.
Comments frou people interviewed -"We used the old suit and it was too small and made the child uncomfortable."...."! bought a second hand one"...."! couldn't get a snow-suit so I bought a coat and legging set which didn't serve the purpose"...."The snow suits were very high and poor in quality so I made one out of my old coat"...."Just couldn't go nowhere when it was cold and had to stay home"...."He's cold most of the time. We live near a river and he has two miles to walk to school."
43
GROUP g (Continued) WOVEN* FABRIC COTTON GARMENTS FOR INFANTS, AND CHILDREN 2 to 6 GROUP 2 - SNOW SUITS AND PANTS - SUMMARY CF 1$UU nnd 19h3 BUYING EXPERIENCE
WaR PWDOCTION BOARD, OFFICE OP CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Snpvey report from Civilian Relatione Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirement« Conducted March 20 to 27, 19** Woven fabric cotton garments for 1 Snow BUi*g and pants infants, and children 2 to 6» 1 -
/ / 1 a / * Is pi. £ ¿-8 ~ / ««ré / 1 £ S 1 " / r / / I % 2$ *2 *3 J / 0^ « / oj ° S JI £ a. a / /
Be tinted Humber of garments purchased and wanted By U, S. Civilians igU4, let quarter... Total demand (add 000) 19*4, let quarter... Purchases....(add 000) 19*3, year Total demand (add 000) I9UJ, year Purchaeee....(add 000) Shortage, in percent 19**. let quarter 19*3» year 2a /a 39.725 6.3* 5.593 29.U69 5,*28 *,561 97,205 16,760 15.053 93.563 16.*97 1*.3*3 26% M 18* * 1 5 2,070 241 729 1,647 163 5*0 6,684 *3* 1869 6,314 425 175* 21* 32$ 26* 6 2 6
Quantity purchased and wanted per person ¿f indicated age-sex group . 19*4, let quarter... Total demand (unite).... 194k, let quarter... Purchaeee....(unite).... 19*3, year Total demand'(unite).... 1943, year.......... Purchaeee....(unite)..... 4.48 0.87 °.*6 3.37 0.75 °-3« 14.7 2.60 1.28 1U.J 2.60 1.22 0.12 0.024 0.08 0.09 0.016 0.06 0.36 0.0*3 0.19 0.3* 0.0*2 0.18
People who reported inconvenience or hardship. jet quarter. 19** Percent of thoee who did not buy who found it Very Very High /b Hi«h 57* 37*Zi 67* Moderate /b Moderate *0* 25*Zi Ul*
Reasons why people did not buy, let quarter 19**. Reaeon moat frequently mentioned All thoee who did not buy Could not find any or eice Price too high, or too high for quality Quality without mention of price Kind, etyle, fabric, other... Shortage Shortage Shortage 100* 100* 100* ”82? “51 8* 7 3 0 0 10 2 11 26 * Shortage /b Shortage 100* 100* 100* 63 7^ 50 23 S 32 o E 9 14 E 9
Satisfaction with last purchase. l*t quarter 19** Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought Satisfied Dissatisfied» Price too high, or too high for quality Quality poor, with no mention of price Size, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction Quality Price Quality 100* 100* 100* 77 72 70 7 12 11 13 10 * 3 6 5 Price, Price.Zi Price, Quality Quality Quality 100* 100* ioo* 60 e~ 35 19 Zi 30 16 E 28 5 Zi 7
Regional Differences.1st quarter 19** Region with greatest shortage Shortage, in percent - Rational Northeast North Central South. West Vest Vest 26* 1** 1g* 18 13 9 14 15 23 36 11 18 30 21 3* No. Centra^, . South a— 2i* 32* 2èè 16 K 22 28 7b 29 26 7b Zi o E E
Inability to obtain sice Sice for which greatest difficulty is...... experienced, and shortage in percent 1 to 2 •— years 24* Children 2 to 6 2**
SOURCN:
Second Survey of Consumer Requirements - Sstimted number of garments based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 19UU and Jun. JO, I9U3. Population from U. S Bureau of the Census. Quantity purchased per person exclude, quantity purchased for expected infants, but estimated number of£»»«> purchased includes purchases made for this group. See supplement. Purchase of clothing for e »acted infant . (Dymand for expect ed inf ants, 1st quarter xguU: Diapers, 1J,190,000. Flannelette slips, gown. etc.. 1,050,XO.)
/b Less than 20 replies.
UH
GROUP 10 . SWEATERS
HIGHLIGHTS COMMENTS
Sweaters for InfAnta yodS£ 2 • Shortage of infants* sweaters, though not great, was a little greater than in sizes for older children or women« Supply of infanta* sweaters was 11$ under demand in the first quarter of 1944« In the South the demand in the first quarter was for approximately £ garment per infant under two, compared with 8/10 of a garment in the Northeast« In spite of the lower demand in the South, shortage was 22%, which is above the national average« 13% of those who bought infants* sweaters thought the price was too high and 13% thought the quality was poor«
Comments from those interviewed - "My husband bought one for the baby but it was only rayon and lost its shape« For »1.49 a person should get a better garment.'* «««••"I bought some outing shirts but they weren't warm enough for this cold house"
• ••••"It was hard to keep the baby snug and warm with no close-fitting sweater to wear under his coat"«««««*!I expected one baby and got two and needed more sweaters and had to wash sweaters every night« It's hard to dry them enough to wear the next day." ।
Sweaters fax children 2 & & “ Shortage nationally was 8%, with a higher degree of shortage in the South, where 16% of demand was unfilled« Among those who bought, thought the price too high and an additional 12% thought quality was poor« Girls' sweaters, with a shortage of 12%, were harder to obtain than boys'•
Comments from those interviewed ~ "I had to buy wool and knit one, but I knit so slowly she needed them before I could finish them"««.««"She didn't have enough for me to wash every day and a child who plays gets dirty«"
«*«*««
Sweaters fax hsxa and girls, Z 12 ILr Shortage was 5% nationally in boys* sweaters with greater shortage of the small sizes under 9, for which it was 9%« In girls' sweaters, too, smaller sizes were harder to get, since there was an average shortage of 7% and a shortage of 11% for size 9 and under« The shortage in the West was higher than the national average, with supply 9% under demand for boys' sweaters and 11% under demand for girls' sweaters« Over 10% of those who bought gam plained of high price, and over 10% complained of quality«
Comments fxaa interviewed - "My daughter couldn't find a sweater at all and she needed it for school under her coat"««.«»"I had to buy a jacket for Mu» instead of a sweater and had to have it dry cleaned instead of washing it«"
*«**««
Sweaters fax 1QB9& girls af 16 and over - There was not much shortage of women's sweaters with supply 6% under demand« Only slight concern was expressed over inability to buy« 30% of those who did not buy stated they could not find the kind or style they wanted« Women's sweaters were among the top third of items ranked according to complaints of quality, with 14% of those who bought stating that quality was poor« Shortage of large sizes over 42 was 21%, almost double the average shortage
Comments fx23 ihogg interviewed - "I wanted a slip-over sweater but I could not get my size"..«««"They were so high In price that I just went without one"«.«««"I had the amount put away that I usually spend for a sweater but couldn't find one at that price«*.."Sweaters are too thin and too expensive."
7 w
GROUP 10 > SWEATERS - SUMMARY OF 1944 and 1948 BUYIKG EXPERIENCE
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD, OFFICE OF CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Survey Report from Civilian Relations Division / Second Survey of Consumer Requirements / Conducted March 20 to 27, 1944 / / Sweaters (wool, part wool or rayon)
^•nts •«xter » 1 / - •- '■ ■ • ' / 10 / 1X1 / &S / 7 + is ' 7 to IS Î Si 1 #
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted by U« 5» civiIlans 1944, 1st quarter.... Total demand., (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter.... Purchases...... (add 000) 1943, year........... Total demand., (add 000) 1943, year... Purchases..... (add 000) Shortage, in percent...... 1944, 1st quarter ...........1943, year........ 3,911 4,068 3,609 8,723 8,678 11,320 8,604 11,096 11» 8Jt 2 2 2,688 4,904 9,510 2,559 4,577 8,395 8,967 12,829 29,475 8,863 12,696 29,127 5% 7% 8% 111
Quantity purchased and wanted per person of 0.67 0.34 0.60 0.31 1.41 0.97 1.38 0.96 0.27 0.51 0.19 0.26 0.47 0.18 0.90 1.32 0.59 0.89 1.31 0.58
indicated age-sex group 1944, 1st quarter....Total demand., (units).* 1944, 1st quarter....'Purchases..... (units).* 1943, year........... Total demand., (units).* 1943, year........... Purchases..... (units)..
People who reported inconvenience or hardship High High 46% 50% /a High Slight 36%A 65% 18%
1st quarter, 1944 Degree of concern............................. Percent of those who’did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship..
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Shortage Shortage 100% 100% 3 7 3 4 19 16 Shortage, /a Shortage Kind or Style 100% 100% 100% -F 2 21 26 A 7 13 2 17 3°
Reason most frequently 'mentioned All those who did not buy.«,,.«,..,.,,*.,.,.*. Could not find any or sise* ••••••••» Price too high, or too high for quality.•« Quality without mention of price.••••«.... Kind, style, fabric, other.•••••••••••••••
Satisfaction with last purchase, let quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction.............* All those who bought«..«.......*.*..«***«.*.** Satisfied.. Dissatisfied« Srice too high, or too high for quality..« Quality poor, with no mention of price««.. Size, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction..••*••.••*.•*.••*•.. Price, Price, Quality Quality 100% 100% IS 12 IS 12 2 2 Price, Quality Quality Quality 100% 100% 100% 12 10 9 11 IS 14 Oil
Regional, Differences, 1st quarter 1944 Region with greatest shortage..... ....... Shortage, in percent - National Northsast. North Central«............................ South........•. West............... ................. South South 11% 8% 4 9 22 16 13 "2 West West — 5% 7% ^% 2 5 5 18 8 16 11 5
Inability to obtain size, 1st quarter 1944 Size for which greatest difficulty is experienced, and shortage, in percent......... 1 to 2 Girls years 2 to 6 20% 12% Size 9 Size 9 Size 42 and under and under and up 9% 11% 14%
SOURCE« Second Survey of Consumer Requirements• Estimated number of garments based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for April 1, 1944 and June 30, 1943. Population from U. S. Bureau of the Census. /a Less than 20 replies.
A per person excludes quantity purchased for expected Infants, but estimated number of garments
includes purchases made for this group. See supplement, "Purchase of clothing for expected infants."
asosz u - xasoMaa • • • suaxuszs a* £mazi
Cotton 4cm fsbrioa no to 40# a x*£d« mA M# A 7«rd and over - Th« estimated total demand for cotton drees fabrics in both price ranges during first quarter, 1944, was 107 »992,000 yards. There vac a shortage of 10 of dross fabrics up to 40# a yard, and 10 of those priced at 41# a yard and over.
Cotton yard goods up to 40# a yard were among the top ten items when ranked, on the basic of complaints about quality, 10 of those who bought thought the quality was poor. During first quarter 1944, 60 of the total demand for cotton drees fabrics was for the 40#-a-yard-and-under price range; in 1943 more of the demand was for lower-priced fabrics,* with 70 wanted in the 4O#-a»yard-and-undor group. Comments of those interviewed seem to indicate that the upgrading of demand io duo not to desire for higher priced merchandise, but to unwillingness to put effort into sewing poor quality fabrics.
The quantity wanted per family in first quarter. 1944 varied in accordance with the amount of homo sowing done. The national average was 2-3/4 yards per family; in the Northeast the demand was 1-6/10 yards per family; in the North Central states, 2-1/2 yards; in the South 4 yards; in .the Vest 2-1/2 yards, la spite of higher demand in the South, the shortage in that region was below the national average. Greatest shortage was in North Central statoe, where supply of undor-4O#-a-yard goods was 20 under demand.
Comments frog those interviewed -*X wanted to make aprons but thought the price too high for the quality"....."X couldn't find any under 49#*..."X make my little girl's dresses but the material nowadays is very poor and hardly worth putting work into*.......................................................“The quality was so poor that X didn't buy any*.*X couldn't find a decent house dress, so X bought material and made one but it wae poor quality and faded in no tlM."._... ."It's hard to find materials for baby dresses“.....“I would । make overalls for my son, but there's no denim or any material strong enough for a {farm boy to wear.*
Rayon 4£U1 fabrics - Supply almost met demand, with a national shortage of only 4%. Most of this was due to inability to find the kind or type wanted. Shortage was a little greater in the Vest, where supply was 10 under demand. Approximately 40 of the demand in first quarter 1944 was for the 70#-and-under fabrico; in 1943 50 of demand wae in thio price range. Upgrading of demand, according to comments, seems to be due to unwillingness to sew on poor grade fabrico. Remarks indicate that there may bo an acceleration of demand for yard goods due to dissatisfaction with price and quality of ready-made clothing.
Comments from those interviewed -“When X priced ready-made dresses, X decided to buy goods and make them*....“I wanted a now Raster dress, but couldn't find one under $9. I'd make one, but material is high too*...• "The only crepe X could find was so thin looking*....*! couldn't get white silk for a blouse, only colors." e e e e e e
Vool and part wool drees and coat fabrics - The national shortage was 0, with 10 in the Northeast, Only 20 of those who did not buy gave shortage as a reason, but 50 stated they did not buy because of high price, e e e e e e
flannel St te lard A22dl -Th® national shortage was 10, with 20 shortage in the Vest. Degree of concern wae high, with 40 of those who did not buy finding it a real inconvenience or hardship. 16^ of those who bought complained of poor quality, which placed thie among the top fifteen items when ranked on the baeie of quality complaint«.
Comments from those interviewed -"Walked all over town and found each store Just sold out"...."It is needed to make garment for young children*......"It will be a real hardship if X don't get thie material for my expected child."
Importance of home sewing -50 of families with women or girl members made some or all of their slips and dresses. Such.sewing runs up to 75# in rural farm homes. See the supplement, "Hons sewing - oonxrastbetween rural and uroan families.''
♦T
GROUP 11 - Y ARD G OOPS - SUWAHY OP 1$UU and 103 BUYING EXPKRIENCK
WAR PRODUCTION BOARD. OPTICS Of CIVILIAN REQUIREMENTS Yard Goods
Survey report from Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20 to 27, 19*»U sjfc.fy .* 'fi';' ’r. < ' ' .l i. / 8 $ £ / 3 / g / 4 / * i b PI / /Pf / ^9 a Jhrd F / l b Is 1 v I „% b* 7. / ?7 li. 1^1^
Eetimated number of yards purchased and wanted by U, S. civilians 104, 1st quarter ... total demand (add 000) I9W, 1st quarter ... Purchases... (add 000) 19^3* paar*••........ Total demand (add 000) 19^3» year.,......... Purchases... (add 000) Shortage, in percent 19*»*», 1st quarter I9U3, year 70,0U0 37,952 58,597 33.937 163,803 67,621 159.938 66,552 16i 10 2 2 26,132 25.07« 48,045 U7.615 0 1 8,122 ri.uuo 7,361 J1,«M6 16,865 : * *»9,232 16.U78 *»6087 0^“ X# 2 6
Quantity purchased and wanted per U. S, fa^^ I9UU, 1st quarter ... Total demand (yards)... I9UU, Istquarter;...Purchases (yards)... I9U3, year Total demand (yards)..« I9U3. year Purchases... (yards).«. 1.78 O.96 I.U9 0.86 U.1J 1.71 4.06 1.69 0.66 0.64 1.22 1.21 0.21 Nj.0 0.19- ,0.48 0.43 ? 1.25 0.42 1.18
People who reported Inconvenience or hardship. 1st quarter l^UU Degree’of concern '.. ........ .'................ Percent of -those 'who did not buy who found it Inconvenient or a hardship ............ Moderate Slight 40 20 Slight 20Ì Moderate '’High 40 . -"^ ■ '• ‘»0
Reasons why people did, not buy, 1st quarter 10*» Reason most frequently mentioned All those ~who did not buy ................... dould not find any ., ... Price too high, or too high for quality.• Quality without mention of price Kind,style, fabric, other Shortage Shortage 100 100 “V UO 18 21 16 23 17 16 Kind or type/a Za 1 r Price Shortage 100 ¿00 21 57 0 ^«11 *0 4 25 28
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 19UU Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought Satisfied Dissatisfied! Price too high, or too high for quality.. Quality poor, with no mention of price... Sice, kind,.style, fabric, other reason., for dissatisfaction Quality Price 100 100 9 17 19 7 1 •' Quality Price 100 100 6 10 10 5 1 1 Price Quality 9 10 5 ■ r ^.0 1 w 0
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 19*»U Region with greatest shortage ....,........ Shortage, in percent r National Northeast .....,.......V..... . .......... North Central . South West North Central 24 15 10 7 17 12 West ? ? 7 4 3 2 11 1 North • East West £ 11 20
SOURCEt Second Survey of Consumer Requirements« Estimated number of yards based on surrey data* projected by Man* of estimate of 59,440,000 related families and single individuals in the U. S. on June 50, 1943; same number on April SO, 1944. See »Explanation of Terms Used in Tables,* Page 51, • Less than 1/2 percent /a Less than 20 replies
U8
GROUP 12 .- SHEETS, TOWELS AND BLANKETS
HIGHLIGHTS AND COMMENTS
Sheets; Wide Sheeting, over 40-inch width - There was a shortage of 35% of sheets and of 49% of wide sheeting« Of all textile and clothing items in the survey, wide sheeting had the highest percent of shortage« Sheets had the fourth highest percent« There was a moderate degree of concern, with 41% of those unable to buy reporting it as a real inconvenience or hardship« A more severe shortage of sheeting than of sheets has the effect of an increase in the price of sheets« Based on the prices reported in this survey, the median price for sheets in first quarter 1944 was $1.79, while at the median price of 29$ a yard for wide sheeting, a sheet made at home»from sheeting would cost 80$ (allowing 2-3/4 yards for a sheet)« Wide sheeting is used by farmers and low income groups« 65% of the demand for sheeting came from families with incomes under $40 and from farmers, while only.42% of the demand for sheets came from these groups« Thus a more severe shortage of sheeting has most effect on farmers and low income groups«
The total estimated household demand for sheets and wide sheeting, In terms of cotton fabric, was 104,102,000 yards in first quarter 1944 (using the approximate conversion factor of 2-3/4 yards per sheet). 18% bf the demand was for wide sheeting. 15% of the purchases were wide sheeting« (These figures do not take into account purchases by hospitals, hotels and similar users«)
There was very little shortage of either sheets or sheeting in the Northeast, where the shortage of sheets was 12%; and of sheeting, 8%« However, in the rest of the country there was a shortage of over 40% for sheets« On sheeting, there was a 51% shortage in the South and a 45% shortage in North Central states«
Among those who bought wide sheeting, 19% found the quality poor, placing this among the top ten items ranked on the basis of quality complaints. 13% of those who bought sheets found the quality poor, and 14% found the price high« Sheets were in the top 20 items complained of on the score of price and among the top 25 items complained of on the score of quality«
The demand for sheets has been increased by wartime laundry difficulties« 10% of those buying sheets reported they were needed for this reason«
Comments from those interviewed - "I needed sheets last year and I really need them now. It is hard with a family as large as ours".... .’’When we have company we have to go without sheets ourselves"•«••."Every time I get to town they are gone and the saleslady says come back Monday« But I work and can't go any time"«*.»« "They told me in the store that they were rationed and only let me have one"....."I have to wash more when I don't have enough sheets, and as I work it's hard to find time".«..."I need sheets very bad but I certainly won't pay,the price they're asking. The quality is terrible"««..,"The percale sheet I pa^d $2.25 for would have cost about $1.29 before the war"••*.«"The sheets were full^qf sizing and when I washed them the material was so thin I could have strained mX ®oup through it«"
(For other„items in this group turn to page 50)
GROUP 12 - SHWS. toms AND BLANKETS - SCHUBY OY 1^44 «4 BUY I KG BXPKRIMOE
Sheets, towels and blankets
Survey report {Tom Civilian Relations Division Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Conducted March 20. to 27, 1944 ft. *3 h / j / ftt Iff S' / - / J / 3 ft s * ‘fj in I a# /
Estimated dumber of garments purchased and wanted by U, S. civilians 1944, let quarter... Total demand (add 000) 1944, 1st quarter... Purchases... (add 000) 1943, year Total demand (add 000) 1943» year Purchases .».(add 000) Shortage, in percent 1$44, 1st quarter ..........19^3* year ...... Ip- Units Yards Units 30.691 19,206 6,073 20,009 9,720 5,529 67.645 41,836 19,307 61,419 34,913 18,929 350 49% 90 9 17 2 Units Units Units 3,170 43.674 25,538 3.103 38,521 23,246 9.599 120,380 63,131 9.599 117,779 61,897 20 120 90 0 2 2 Yards 10.373 8,900 16,739 16,597 •140 1
Quantity purchased and wanted per U, S, fa«djj[ i 1944, 1st quarter...Total demand-units or yds. 1944, 1st quarter.. .Pur chases-units or yds. 1943. year... Total demand-units or yds. 19^3» year Purchases-units or yds. O.78 0.49 0.15 O.51 O.25 0.14 I.72 1.06 0.49 1.56 O.89 0.48 0.08 1.11 O.65 0.08 O.98 O.59 0.24 3.05 1.60 0.24 2.99 I.57 0.26 O.23 0.43 0.42
People who reported inconvenience or hardship. 1st quarter 1944 Degree of concern Percent of those who did not buy who found it inconvenient or a hardship Moderate Moderate Moderate Ul% 41% 340 /a Slight Slight 3302* 280 290 U 4702*
Reasons why people did not buy, 1st quarter 1944 Reason most frequently mentioned ... All those who did not buy Could not find any Price too high, or too high for quality.... Quality without mention of price , Kind» style, fabric, other Shortage Shortage Price 1000 1000 ioo0 62 71 1? 21 7 5* 568 12 16 19 Shortage, Price Price 1000 1000 1000 2* 27 38 §23 2* is 19 Various Reasons 1000 30 25 15 30
Satisfaction with last purchase, 1st quarter 1944 Chief reason for dissatisfaction All those who bought ., Satisfied. Dissatisfied.: Price too high. or too high for quality... Quality poor, with no mention of price ... Sise, kind, style, fabric, other reason for dissatisfaction Price, Quality Quality Quality 1000 1000 1000 72 “74 “86 14 7 3 13 19 11 10 0 Price, Quality Quality 1000 1000 1000 91 78 79 5 12 8 4 10 13 — 0 Quality, Price 1000 77 10 13 0
Regional Differences, 1st quarter 1944 Region with greatest shortage Shortage, in percent - national ........ Northeast..... North Central '.. s...... South West 7 No.Central, South. No.Central tNo. East. Vest South South 150 430 30 12 8 11 4o 45 5 42 51 13 41/i 9 No.Central, No.Central South. — South West 20 120 30 3 8 5 3 14 12 2 15 10 0 9 11 140 11 8 §
SOURCE« Second Survey of Consumer Requirements» Estimated number of units or yards based on survey data, projected by means of estimate of 39,440,000 related families and single individuals in the U. S« on June 30, 1943; same number on April 30, 1944. See "Explanation of Terms Used in Tables," Page SI.
•- Less than 1/2 percent
/a Less than 20 replies.
50
GROUP 12 - SHEETS, TOWELS AND BLANKETS ¿Continued)
Blankets up to and including $5,00 - The national shortage of this item was 9%. The area of greatest shortage was the South with 13%; the North East was next with 11%. The degree of concern was moderate, with 34% reporting it a real inconvenience or hardship to be unable to buy* Of those who bought, 11% were not satisfied with the quality.
Comments from people interviewed - "I did not have enough blankets to keep Us warm" .....”1 haven't been able to find cotton blankets for over a year now."
Crib blankets - There was only a slight shortage of this item, as 98% of the nation»
al demand was inet.
******
Turkish Towels - The national shortage of Turkish towels was 12%. The shortage was greatest in the South with 15% of the demand not met; the North Central states were next with 14%* The degree of concern over inability to buy was slight with only 28% of the people fi ndi ng it a real inconvenience or hardship. High price was the major reason for people not buying. 37% of those who did not buy said price was too high, and inability to find the item was mentioned by 27%.
Comments from people interviewed - "We have to use the smaller towels and use more of them and that makes more laundry"... • • "I couldn't find any in the 5 and 10 cent stores"....."The towels were so high that I bought sacks and made them"....."I used flour sacks instead."
**.**♦♦
Dish towels and dish toweling - There was a shortage of 9% of dish towels and 14% of dish toweling.. There was practically no shortage of dish towels in the Northeast states, with all but 5% of demand met. However, shortage was over 10% in the rest of the country.
The estimated demand for dish towels and dish toweling, in yards of fabric, in first quarter 1944 was 56,116,000 yards (allowing 8/9 of a yard per dish towel). 23% of the demand was for dish toweling and 77% for made-up dish towels.
Of those who did not buy dish toweling, 30% gave as a reason, inability to find the kind or type wanted. Lack of absorbency of the kind available was mentioned in comments. Among those who bought dish towels and dish toweling, 13% thought the quality was poor*
Comments from those interviewed -"The ones I could get are too thin to absorb moisture"...."The old ones are wearing out and don't dry dishes any more"....."I made several from flour sacks."
51
EXPLANATION OF TERMS USED IN TABLES - "SUMMARY OF 1944 and 1943 BUYING EXPERIENCE"
Estimated number of garments purchased and wanted - Estimates are based on survey data, projected by means of preliminary population estimates for each age-sex group as of April 1, 1944 and June 30, 1943» Population from U.S« Bureau of the Census.
Estimated number of items of household linens or yards of fabrics purchased and wanted - Estimates are based on survey data, projected by means of estimate of 39,440,000 related families and single individuals in the U-.S. on June 30, 1943; same number on April 30, 1944. Estimate of number of families was derived from 37,500,000 households as defined in this survey, with 5% addition for unrelated lodgers, servants, etc., living in others' households. Allowance for lodgers, servants, etc., based on unpublished data of the Special Surveys Division of the Bureau of the Census.
Shortage in percent - The quantity not obtained but wanted, as a percent of the total quantity in demand.
People who reported inconvenience or hardship - degree of concern - For 10 Items, from 57% to 75% of ouyers reported that inability to buy caused real inconvenience
or hardship. These ten top-ranking items were classed as causing a "very high" degree of concern. Items with 45% to 56% of disappointed buyers reporting real inconvenience or hardship were classed as causing a "high" degree of concern; those with 35% to 44% were graded as causing "moderate" concern, and those with 17^ to 34% were classed as causing "slight"concern.
Reasons why people did not buy - reason most frequently mentioned - The major reason for hot buying is listed, and a second reason as well, if mentioned hy a proportion of people within 10% of those giving the major reason.
Satisfaction with the last purchase -chief reason for dissatisfaction - One or more reasons for dissatisfaction are listed, if given by 10% or more of buyers of an item.
Regional differences - region with greatest shortage - The statistical criterion of two standard deviations of the difference in percent, was used. No region is listed if the criterion is not met.
Size for which greatest difficulty is experienced - the same statistical criterion was used as for regional differences.
REGIONS USED IN GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS
52
Estimatea of 1943 Production compared with
Estimates of Consumption
The Textiles, Clothing and Leather Bureau of the War Production
Board has furnished estimates of 1943 production of 19 of the 75 items included in the Second Survey of Consumer Requirements. Production, in yards JI of two textile items from the Cotton and Rayon Woven Goods Finishing reports is also included. Data for other items in the survey will not be available for some time and for many of the items there are no comparable industry statistics. Comparison of estimates of 1944 first quarter consumer purchases will also have to await release of industry Reports.
The degree of correspondence between estimates from the consumer
survey -and estimates made from industry data is encouraging, especially because the gathering of information from the consumer on 1943 clothing purchases was subject to the hazards of memory difficulties and lengthy interviewing.
Ten of the 19 items differ from industry estimates by 17% or
less. Four items differ by from 18% to 25%. On two of the remaining items (in the work clothing group) differences may possibly be due to a tendency of manufacturers of men’s and boys* items to‘report all their production as men’s clothing, as well as to differences, in trade and consumer names for the same item* Thus, while industry data on beys* and men* s overalls and coveralls is higher than the estimate from consumer data, it is lower for work pants and waistband overalls, and for the group as a whole the industry estimate is higher by only 2%.
Similarly, the estimate of production of boys* flannel shirts is
much higher than the estimate from consumer data, but when men’s and boys* sizes are combined the difference is not so great.
For infants* vests, shirts or bands, difference in the estimates
may be due to the fact that industry is likely to report sizes worn by two-year olds as "infants’ sizes”, while in the consumer report, infants are classed as under two. For boys’ snow suits, the number of boys for whom a purchase was made is so small that the error in the estimate of consumption is likely to be great percentagewise.
For diapers and sheets and sheeting, estimates from consumer
data are lower than those from industry data. The field covered by the consumer estimate is smaller than that included in the industry data, since diapers are purchased not only by private consumers, but also by diaper services and hospitals; and industry figures on sheeting include doth used for pillow cases as well as sheet» for hospitals and hotels.
In examining the direction of the differences between industry and consumer data, it appears that for 5 out of 14 items or groups of
53
Estimates of 1943 Production compared with
Estimates of Consumption (Continued)
items, industry data yield higher estimates, and for 9 items or groups, the consumer data yield higher estimates« (The total estimates for men’s
' and boys’ overalls; and men’s and boys’ cloth and flannel shirts have been used rather than the individual items in this analysis)«
It may be pointed out that the industry estimates are based on
reports from manufacturers received by the Bureau of the Census« The reports as gathered do not represent the complete industry, and are "blown up" by an informed guess of the percent of the given industry represented by the reporting firms«
It may be possible that under wartime conditions, concerns
which do not report production to the Bureau of the Census may not be engaged in the production of army clothing to the extent that large firms are, so that the small firms may represent a larger portion of civilian production than they do under normal conditions« It is also possible that production of so-called "black market" clothing above ceiling prices may account for some of the differences«
Some current production series show also that manufacturers’
stocks on December 31, 1942 were higher than on December 31, 1943, so that sales were actually greater than production«
1943 estimates from the Second Survey may be on the low side
In spite of the apparent tendency for estimates of consumption
to be higher than those made from industry data, there is reason to believe that 1943 consumption estimates may be too low«
For most of the items in the survey, the first quarter purchases
for 1944 are about 33% of those reported in 1943» Federal Reserve Board department store data, when deflated to allow for higher prices, would indicate that the ratio between first quarter sales this year and 1943 is between 22% and 25%«
It is believed, therefore, that actual consumption may have been
as much as 20% to 25% above the unadjusted estimates made from Second Survey data«
54
Estimate of 1943 production of 21 clothing and textile items
compared with estimates of consumption
Estimated consumption, from Second Survey of Consumer Requirements
Production, including estimated production of non« reporting firms
Percent by which consumer data is greater or less than industry data
Underwear /a (units) A (units)
Men's and boys' knit cotton briefs, shorts and drawers (age 7 and up) Children's knit cotton panties and 46,224,000 53,508,000 -14%
bloomers (boys and girls 2 to 6, girls 7 to 15) 30,438,000 27,024,000 ♦13%
Men’s heavy and medium weight union suits and drawers (age 16 and over) Vests, shirts and bands (infants 26,902,000 26,292,000 ♦ 2%
under 2) - Men’s woven fabric shorts (age 16 15,552,000 22,308,000 -30%
and up) 75,867,000 64,800,000 ♦17%
Men's and boys’ suits and jackets
Men's wool or part wool suits
(age 16 and up) Boys' wool or part wool suits 17,953,000 16,822,000 ♦ 7%
(age 7 to 15) Men's heavyweight wool jackets 3,776,000 3,640,000 ♦ 4%
(mackinaws, lumberjackets, etc. age 16 and up) 7,613,000 6,132,000 ♦24%
Men's leather jackets (age 16 and up) Boys' heavyweight wool jackets 3,908,000 3,984,000 - 2%
(mackinaws, lumberjackets, etc. age 16 and up) 5,599,000 4,428,000 ♦26%
Boys' snow suits (age 7 to 15) 425,000 612,000 -31%
Men's and boys' flannel shirts
Men's flannel shirts (age 16 and up) 12,221,000 11,568,000 ♦ 6%
Boys' flannel shirts (age 16 and up) 4,809,000 3,216,000 ♦50%
Group total 17,030,000 14,784,000 ♦15%
55
Estimate of 1943 production of 21 clothing and textile items compared with estimates of consumption (continued)
Estimated consumption, from Second Survey of Consumer Requirements Production, including estimated production of nonreporting firms Percent by which consumer data is greater or less than industry data
Men's and boys* overalls, trousers and work pants /a (units) /b (units)
Boys’ denim overalls and trousers
(age 7 to 15) lien's bib overalls and coveralls 14,739,000 10,068,000 ♦46%
(age 16 and up) Men's work pants and waistband overalls 39,592,000 30,384,000 ♦30%
(age 16 and up) 53,647,000 65,628,000 -18%
Group total lien's and boys' work and business shirts 107,978,000 ■BSSSSSSSSSS 106,080,000 ♦ 2%
Boys* work, dress and sport shirts
(age 7 to 15) lien*8 business type shirts (age 16 26,232,000 22,560,000 ♦16%
and up) 91,848,000 100,740,000 - 9%
lien's work shirts (age 16 and up) 72,918,000 58,512,000 ♦25%
Group total Other textile items - for which industry data covers fields not included in consumer data (hotels, hospitals, etc«) 190,998,000 181,812,000 ♦ 5%
Diapers Sheet and pillow case fabrics (yards) 93,563,000 98,448,000/c 250,614,000/c —
Sheets and sheeting only (yards) 203,816,000 *
/a Estimated by Civilian Relations Division, Office of Civilian Requirements from data in Second Survey of Consumer Requirements*
/b Estimated by Textile, Clothing and Leather Bureau of the War Production Board from industry reports to the Bureau of the Census«
/c From cotton and rayon woven finishing goods reports« Diaper cloth yardage converted into diapers«
56
ITEMS RAHKED OH BASIS OF PERCEHT OF SHORTAGE - FIRST QUARTER, 1944
Showing Degree of Concern over Inability to Buy
Rank on basis of shortage Shortage in percent People who were inconvenienced or experienced hardship through inability to buy
Degree or concern Percent or all who did not buy
1 Wide sheeting, over 40 inch width 49% Moderate 41%
2 House dresses up to |1,59 (women and girls.
16 4 over) 42 Moderate 37
3 Overalls and trousers, denim (boys 7 to 16) 36 High 54
4 Sheets 35 Moderate 41
5 Stockings, full-length (infants') 32 High 48
6 Training pants and panties (infants') 30 Very high 67
7 Fanties and bloomers, knit cotton or cotton
and wool (girls 7 to 15) 29 Hitfi 60
8 Shorts, briefs and drawers, knit aptton or cotton and wool (boys 7 to 15) 27 Very high 74
9 Overalls and coveralls, lightweight cotton
(children 1 day to 6 years) 26 Moderate 44
10 Diapers 26 Very high 57
11 Snow suits and snow pants (girls 7 to 15) 26 Moderate 41
12 Overalls and trousers, corduroy (boys 7 to 15) 25 High 61
13 Union and waist suits, knit cotton or knit
cotton and wool (children 2 to 15) 25 Very high 67
14 Overalls and coveralls, corduroy (children 1
day to 6 years) 25 Moderate 43
15 Panties, bloomera and shorts, knit cotton or
knit cotton and wool (children 2 to 6) 24 Moderate 41
16 Panties and bloomers, knit rayon (children 2
to 6) 22 High 51
17 Shirts, flannel (boys 7 to 15) 21 Moderate 44
18 Slips, cotton (woman and girls, 16 and over) 20 Moderate 36
19 Snow suits and snow pants (children 1 day to
6 years) 20 Moderate 40
20 Shorts, woven fabric - underwear (boys 7 to 15) 20 Hitfi 55
21 Sleepers, pajamas and nightgowns, woven or knit
(children 2 to 6) 18 Very hitfi 67
22 Bib overalls and coveralls (men and boys, 16
and over) 17 High 54
23 Pajamas, nightgowns, (woven or knit) (girls 7
to 15) 17 Hitfi 50
24 Cotton yard goods up to 40^ 16 Moderate 41
25 Panties and bloomers, cotton or rayon woven
fabric (girls 7 to 15) 16 Very high 62
26 Creepers, rompers, sunsuits (children, 1 day
to 4 years) 15 Moderate 36
27 Panties and bloomers, knit cotton or knit
cotton and wool (women and girls, 16 and over) 14 Hitfi 48
28 Heavyweight union suits and drawers, knit
cotton or cotton and wool (men and boys, 16 and over) 14 Very high 66
29 Shorts, briefs and drawers, lightweight knit
ootton (men and boys, 16 and over) 14 Moderate 36
SO Flannelette - slips, gowns, gertrudes, etc.
(infants' Under 2) 14 * •
31 Dish toweling 14 ♦ ’ ♦
32 Cotton Blouses (girls 7 to 15) 14 ♦ *
33 Leather jackets (men and boys, 16 and over) 14 ♦ ♦
34 Shirts and bands, knit (infants’) 13 Very high 63
35 House dresses, $1,60 and over (women and girls,
16 and over) 13 Slight 32
* Sot included because of small number of ooms reporting
67
ITEMS RANKED ON BASIS OP PERCENT OF SHORTAGE - FIRST QUARTER, 1944 (Continued) IMMkMMK, «MO ««■*■«• «MM *■« «mMMMWMMWM M»«MMWe MMSSMaBwCMao* •#»••• MUU«aaMWSm«M
Showing Degree of Concern over Inability to Buy
Rank on basis of shortage v Shortage in percent People;who were inconvenienced or experienced Hardship through inability to buy
Degree or concern Percent or all who did not buy
Panties and bloomers, knit rayon (girls 7 to
15) 12£ Very high 63
37 Panties and bloomers, knit rayon (women and
girls, 16 and^over) 12 High 51
38 Flannelette (yard goods) 12 High 47
39 Wash suits (Boys 1 day to 6 years) 12 Slight 29
40 ¡Turkish towels 12 Slight 28
41 Brassieres (women and girls, 16 and over) 11 High 45
42 Overalls and trousers, other than corduroy or
denim (boys 7 to 15) 11 Very high 64
43 Suits, wool or part wool (boys 7 to 16) 11 ♦
44 Polo shirts, knit cotton (children 2 to 6) 11 Slight 24
45 Sweaters, wool (infants’) 11 High 46
46 Cotton dress fabrics, 41/ a yard and over 11 slight 29
47 Street dresses up to $6,00 10 Slight 17
48 Slips, cotton (girls 7 to 15) 9 • ♦ ♦
49 Shirts, cloth, except flannel (boys 7 to 15) 9 Moderate 40
50 Wool or part wool fabrics 9 Moderate 41
61 Suits, wool or part wool (men and boys 16 and
over) 9 Moderate 44
62 Dish towels 9 Slight 29
53 Dresses (infants') 9 a a
54 Shirts, flannel (men and boys, 16 and over) 9 High 45
55 Blankets, under >5,00 9 High 50
56 Work pants and waistband overalls (men and
boys, 16 and over) 8 High 48
57 Jackets, outdoor - other than leather or wool
(men and boys - 16 and over) 8 • ♦
58 Sweaters (children 2-6) 8 • *
59 Shirts, work (men and boys, 16 and over) 7 High 47
60 Shorts, woven fabric (men and boys, 16 and
over) 7 High 48
61 Dresses and jumpers (girls 7 to 15) 7 Moderate 37
62 Sweaters (girls 7 to 15) 7 High 55
63 Sweaters (women and girls, 16 and over) 6 Slight 18
64 Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc.
(men and boys, 16 and over) 6 ♦ ♦
65 Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc.
(boys 7 to 16) 6 ♦ *
66 Street dresses, $6,01 and over (woman and
girls, 16 and over) 6 slight 28
67 Sweaters (boys 7 to 15) 8 • a
68 Slips, rayon (girls 7 to 16) 5 a •
69 Shirts, business (men and boys, 16 and over) 5 Moderate 41
70 Dresses and jumpers (girls 2 to 6) 4 Moderate 38
71 Slips, rayon (women and girls, 16 and over) 4 Slight 29
72 Rayon dress fabrics up to 40/ a yard 4 Slight 20
73 Rayon dress fabrics, 41/ a yard and over 3 Slight 20
74 Crib blankets 2 ♦ *
Snow suits and snow pants (boys 7 to 16) « ♦ ♦
* Not included because of small number of cases reporting
5«
PRICE AW QJALÎTY COMPIAISTS •
Rank, on Basis of price complaints Percent who thought price too high (or too high for the quality obtained) Percent who thought quality was poor (without mention of price Total Complaints on Price and Quality
(Percent of all buyers)
1 Snow suits and snow pants (girls 7 to 15) 30% , 28% 58%
2 Drosses (infants under 2) 24 5 29
S Suits, wool or part wool (boys 7 to 15) 21 11 32
4 Creepers, rompers, sunsuits (children 1 day
to 6 years) 20 9 29
5 Snow suits and snow pants (children 1 day
to 6 years) 19 16 35
6 Wash suits (boys 1 day to 6 years) 19 4 23
7 Cotton dress fabrics, 41% a yard and over 17 7 24
8 Dresses and jumpers (girls 2 to 6) 17 13 SO
9 Street dresses, >6.01 and over (women and
girls, 16 and over) 16 6 22
IO Overalls and coveralls, corduroy (children
1 day to 6 years) 15 13 28
11 House dresses, >1,60 and over (women and girls.
16 and over) 15 17 32
12 Polo shirts, knit cotton (children 1 day to 6
years) 15 14 29
13 Overalls and trousers, corduroy (boys T to IS) 15 13 28
14 Overalls and trousers, other than corduroy or
denim (boys 7 to 15) 15 14 29
15 Cotton blouses (girls 7 to 15) 15 7 22
16 Panties A bloomers, cotton or rayon woven
fabric (girls 7 to 15) 15 22 37
17 Sheets 14 13 27
18 Panties, bloomers and shorts, knit ootton or
cotton and wool (children 2 to 6) 14 21 35
19 Overalls and coveralls, lightweight ootton
(children 1 day to 6 years) 13 13 26
20 Sweaters, wool (infants') 13 13 26
21 Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc.
(boys 7 to 15) 13 9 22
22 Turkish towels 12 10 22
23 Leather jackets (man and boys, 16 and over) 12 5 17
24 Slips, ootton (girls 7 to 15) 12 9 21
25 Sweaters (boys 7 to 15) 12 11 23
26 Panties and bloomers, knit rayon (children
2 to 6) 12 15 27
27 Sweaters (children 2 to 6) 12 12 24
28 Flannelette slips, gowns, gertrudes, etc.
(infants under 2) 12 10 22
29 Sleepers, pajamas and nightgowns, woven or knit
(children 2-6) 11 14 25
30 Overalls and trousers, denim (boys 7 to 15) 11 15 26
SI Shirts, cloth, except flannel (boys 7 to 15) 11 14 25
32 Shirts, flannel (boys 7 to 15) 11 11 22
33 Pajamas, nightgowns, all fabrics (girls 7 to 15) 11 10 21
34 Work pants and waistband overalls (men and boys,
16 and over) 11 11 22
35 Dish toweling 10 13 23
• This table is reproduced from Part 1 of the report
3-4SMK PI2 ta
55
PRICK ABD qOALin C0MPUIWT8 (Continued) .
Rank on Percent who Percent ■:
Baals of thought prioe who thought Total ;
price too high (or quality was Complaints
complaints too high for poor (with» on Prioe
th* quality out mention ’ and :
obtained) of price Quality
(Percent of all buyers)
36 Flannelette yard goods (except diaper cloth) 10 16. 26
• 37 Bib overalls and coveralls (man and boys, 16
and over) 10 10 20
38 Brassieres (women and girls, 16 and over) 10 11 y
39 Panties and bloomers, knit cotton or cotton
and wool (women and girls, 16 and over) 10 13 23
40 Shorts, woven fabric (men and boys, 16 and over) 10 12 22
41 Shirts, flannel (men and boys, 16 and over) 10 10 20
42 Suita, wool or part wool (men and boys, 16
and over) 10 6 16
43 Slips, rayon (girls 7 to 15) 10 15 25
44 Sweaters (girls 7 to 15) 10 13 23
45 Droases and jumpers (girls 7 to 15) 10 11 21
46 Training pants and panties, knit (infants) 10 25 35
47 Rayon or part rayon fabrics (71/ a yard and
ever) 10 5 15
48 Cotton dress fabrics up to 40/ a yard 9 19 28
49 Panties A bloomers, knit rayon (girls 7 to 15) 9 19 28
50 Shirts, work (men and boys, 16 and over) 9 13 22.’
51 Mackinaws, lumberjackets, melton jackets, etc*
, (man and boys, 16 and aver) 9 8 17
52 Slips, rayon (women and girls, 16 and over) 9 IS 22
53 Wool or part wool fabrics 9 5 14
54 Panties and bloomers, knit rayon (women and
girls, 16 and over) 9 18 27
55 Sweaters (women and girls, 16 and over) 9 14 23
56 Dish towels 8 13 21
57 Slips, Cotton (women and girls, 16 and over) 8 13 21
58 Heavy weight union suits and drawers, knit
cotton or cotton and wool (men and boys,
16 and over) 8 10 18
59 Shirts, business (men and boys, 16 and over) 8 11 19
60 Panties 4 bloomers, knit cotton or cotton 4
wool (girls 7 to 15) 8 18 26
61 Shorts, briefs 4 drawers, knit cotton or
cotton 4 wool (boys 7 to 15) 8 10 18
62 Union and waist suits, knit cotton or knit
63 cotton and wool (children 2 to 15) 7 10 17
Wide sheeting, over 40 inch width St 19 26
64 Shirts and bands, knit (infants*) 7 11 18
65 Jackets, outdoor - other than leather or wool
(men and boys, 16 and over) 7 12
66 Diapers and diaper cloth 7 20
67 Street dresses up to $6.00 (women and girls.
16 and over) 6 10 16
68 Shorts, briefs and drawers, lightweight knit
cotton (men and boys, 16 and over) u . ; 17
69 Shorts, woven fabric - underwear (boys 7 to IS) 6 12 18
70 Rayon or part rayon dross fabrios, up to 70/
a yard 10 16
71 Crib blankets :4 ', 9
72 Stockings, full length, (infants') 5 7 12
73 Blankets, up to and including $5.00 3 ’ll"''; 13
74 House dresses up to $1.59 (women and girls, 16
and over) 3 2U 23
Snow suits and snow pants (boys 7 to 15) ♦ • -
•Hot included because of small number of oases reporting
i-uMi ni *•
60
Importance of Gifts as a Part of Consumer Purchases of Clothing
In the Second Survey of Consumer Requirements, gifts of new clothing or textile items from non-family members were reported to the interviewers, and added to purchases made for family members. Although gifts and purchases were reported separately by consumers they were not tabulated separately since separate tabulation would have been unwieldy and expensive. However, it was possible to code reports indicating «the number of people who made no purchases but did receive gifts.
Previous studies of consumer purchase habits were family budget studies, and gifts of clothing received were not included in the tabulation of average number of each item bought per person. On many items of clothing, gifts play an important part in total consumption. This is especially true of clothing for infants and young children. The table gives a list of 25 items, out of the 75 in the survey, for which 10% or more of individuals reported that all the new merchandise acquired during the first quarter of 1944 was a gift from a non-family member.
Twenty-Five Clothing and Textile Items Most Frequently Received as Gifts
Percent reporting that all new merchandise acquired in 1st quarter, 1944, was a gift from non-famjly member
Sweaters, infants M
Dresses, infants 32
Creepers and sunsuits, children up to 6 28
Crib blankets 25
Sweaters, children 2 to 6 20
Flannelette slips, gowns, sacques, etc», infants 19
Dish and tea towels 16
Pajamas and nightgowns, girls 7 to 15 16
Shirts, flannel, men and boys 15
Sweaters, girls 7 to 15 15
Dresses, girls 2 to 6 15
Wash suits, boys up to 6 15
Slips, rayon, girls 7 to 15 14
Slips, rayon, women 13
Shirts, flannel, boys 7 to 15 13
Leather jackets, men 13
Turkish towels 13
Blouses, cotton, girls 7 to 15 12
Corduroy overalls, children up to 6 10
Snow Suits, children up to 6 10
Full length stockings, infants 10
Slips, cotton, women 10
Mackinaws, lumberjackets, etc» • boys 7 to 15 10
Shirts, business type, men 10
Sweaters, women 10
61
Appendix
Explanation of Appendix Tableg
PURCHASING HABITS AT DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS
This summary table (on pages 62 to 66) includes the 75 items>bf the survey, and may be used to determine:
Relative popularity of each item as compared to other items worn by people of the same age and sex.
Relative popularity of each, item among families of different income classes»
The table shows, "persons for whom a purchase or attempt to purchase was made, as a percent of persons of the indicated age-sex group in each income class."
Since the survey was made in wartime, some items were not freely available« The table is intended to be an index of demand, rather than of purchases. Therefore the percents shown in the table include not only people who actually made a purchase, but also people who were unable to do so because of wartime shortages«
NUMBER £E FAMILIES ANN PERSONS EACH INCOME GROUP
IN THE GROSS-SECTION OF INTERVIEWS
This table is presented for the information of those interested in the technical aspects of the sample»
It should be noted that the sample of people for whom a schedule was com— pleted jwas reduced by absence of some family members or inability to 'interview them. (Schedules for 1st quarter 1944 were not completed for 1% of men over age 16.) In addition, when the sample was compared to estimated civilian population in 1944, there appeared to be a slight nndaranumere 11on of certain groups. (This amounted to 1% in the case of adult males, and 3% in the case of infants under 2.) Therefore, estimates of the total number of garments of each kind purchased in the U.S. were made by projecting the purchases of the group actually reporting, to the estimated U.S. population of the appropriate age-sex group.
fa
GROUP £ - OVERALLS. HOBT PACTS AID SEPARATE TRCXJSBRS - Tor non and boy«, age £ and over GROUP g - WOOL SPITS, MACKINAWS, MB OTHER JACKETS - Tor es and boys. age 1 al 9™r - 1944 and 1943 GROUP £ - SHIRTS (OUTERWEAR.) ABD SHORTS (UNDERWEAR) WOVB FABRIC - Tor nan and toys, age £ and over
PERSONS TOR WHOM A PURCHASE OR ATTEMPT TO PURCHASE WAS MADE — AS A
PERCENT OT PERSONS or THE INDICATED AGE-SEI GROUP IN BACH INCOME CLASS
Ilea Taaily incoae froa non-farn sources Taaily in-eone froa farm sources
Age-sex group Period of tine National Average Under 820 $20 to $39 $40 to $59 $60 to $79 $80 and over
OBOOt 1 - OVERALLS, WORK PAKTS AND SEPARAT! TROUSERS TOR MEN AND BOTS. APE 7 AND OVER
Bib overalls and coveralls Men and boys, 16 and over ) 1944, 1st quarter ) 1943, year nt 36 a0 4o 240 36 190 29 140 25 100 20
Denin overalls and trou-• ere Boys, 7 to 15 ) 1944, 1st quarter 1943, year 35 56 40 63 43 58 28 47 2 23 43
Work pants and waistband overalls Men and boys, 16 and over ) 1944, let quarter ) 1943, year 25 U8 20 Ul 26 49 29 53 26 49 21 43 3
Corduroy trousers and . ovendie Boye, 7 *° XS ) 1944, let quarter ). 1943, year 18 35 6 19 16 38 22 40 27 39 a 42 14 28
Trousers and overalls. Boye, 7 15 1 1944, 1st quarter 144?. year 29 47 77 41 29 42 s 27 U9 28 57 8
corduroy
GROUP 2 - WOOL SPITS, MACKINAWS AND OTHER JACKETS TOR MB AND BOTS, AGB 7 AND OVER
Sults, wool or part wool Men and boys. 1 19^» let quarter 19U1. year.. lilt 36 18 90 31 130 41 1* U9 55 7* 22
Sults, wool or part wool Boys, 7 15 1 1944, let quarter I9U3, year 13 34 5 24 15 28 13 4o 14 41 22 42 8 24
Mackinaws, lumberJackets, aelton Jackets, etc. Men and boys, 16 and over 19>t4, let quarter 1943. year 6 17 4 13 6 14 6 18 6 19 5 17 6 20
Mackinaws, luaberJackets, aelton Jackets, etc. Leather Jackets Boye, 7 to 15 1 1944, let quarter 1943. year 20 48 13 41 £ 20 47 26 54 23 56 14 46
Nta and boys 16 and over 1 1944, 1st quarter 1943, year 2 10 2 3 2 9 3 12 2 12 2 10 3 10
Jackets, outdoor, other than leather or wool Mon and boys 16 and over 1 1944, 1st quarter 1943, year 4 15 4 13 4 11 4 12 3 15 J si
GROUP J - SHIRTS (OUTERWEAR) AND SHORTS (UNDBRW1AR) - WOVEN FABRIC, FOB MB AND BOIS. AGB 7 AID OVER
Birts, business type, woven fabric Nan and boy® 16 and ever 1944, 1st quarter 194t. year 25* 61 1M* 35 230 55 280 66 th r 16 38 28 79
Birts, work, woven • fabric Man and boys 16 and over 1944, let quarter 194,. year 24 54 24 54 28 52 27 54 20 42
Birtsi work, dress and sport, woven fabric Birts, flannel Boys, 7 bo 15 1944. let quarter 1943, year 35 67 26 99 g 36 72 38 68 42 73 s
Boye. 7 to 15 IS1*' let quarter IQirV veer 11 24 5 7 7 12 20 10 26 12 34 10 38 12 17
Borts, underwear. Nan and boyt ) 19^• let quarter 16 and over ) J5 16 40 19 19 18 49 8
woven fabric
Berta, underwear, woven fabric Boys, 7 to 15 19^. let quarter IQUv wr 12 34 2 24 11 33 1U 35 15 38 15 40 10 30
Birts, flannel Non and boyt ) 19^» let quarter 16 and over S lOUl. tmp 6 15 5 10 • 5 13 8 16 6 13 8 17 5 a
63
gboüp 9 - kbit cottom gabxeits Tor all mo-»«* coup«
GBOtJP 5 - PBT BAYOU UHbSHWBAB u Tor gH xo-fx grotto»
GBOÜP 6 - WOTMT TAMtìC ÜIDBBWAB - Tor wonon eoA gleis Adi I «»A 2X1X.
ItM Age-eex group Period of tine PIBSCBS JOB WHOM A PUBCBASI CB ATTBNPT TO PUBCBASI MAS NADI — AS A moan ar pibsoks ay thi ibdicatid agi_sbx gboup ii bach hooks class
Intional Average Taaily incoa« fron non—farn eeuroe» Tanily in» cone fron fam oourooe
Onder 120 120 to 639 *90 to 659 ♦60 to ♦79 $80 and . over
GBOOP 9 . Kill COTTOS gabmxbts job ALL ASM-SIX S^Wi Shirt« and toad* Infant» under 2 ) 19^» let quarter ) NM. year a< Ml 33# 3# 22Í 60 96 63 59 67 « & 27 18 31 26 38 28 I? a 10 20 26 0 29 16 so is i9 a 16 19 a 30 36 39 2S 20 22 99 19 13 16 15 15 12 12 • 39 ?7 39 36 33 32 35 9 6 7 11 10 11 J 24 16 20 28 29 28 29 10 13 11 12 11 ? 1° 29 33 2« 25 23 20 95 8 9 9 11 13 15 3 23 17 16 25 31 3« 16 -a 16 18 29 29 29 13 39 27 39 36 33 32 35 15 8 15 17 19 27 « 25 17 23 28 35 32 17 19 16 a 22 19 16 22 33 23 30 35 35 3« 37 12 12 13 19 12 12 12 23 20 29 26 22 22 26
Trainine pant» and Infante under 2 panile» Tull length etockiage Infant» under 2 ) 1999, lot quarter ) 1493. roar
) 1999, let quarter ) IGU3. yoar
Ulloa aad valet «ulto Children, 2 to 15 ) I9UH, l»t quarter ) 1993, year
Lightweight ehorte, Nea aad boye brief», drawero 16 aad over Heavyweight union «ulte Moa and boys aad drawer» 16 aad over ■torto, brief», drawer«. Boy«, 7 to 15 all weight« Polo ohirie Children, 2 to 6 ) 1999, lot quarter ) 1993, yoar ) 1999, lot quarter ) 1491, year
) 1999, let quarter ) 1993, year-
) 1999, lot quarter ) 1993. year
Pantie«, blooaer« aad Children, 2 to 6 ehorte Panile« aad blooaere Girl», 7 to 15 Pantio» aad blooner» Tonen aad girl» 16 and over ) 1999, lot quarter ) 1491. year
) 1999, lot quarter ) 1993, year
) 1999, lot quarter ) 1993, year
(SOUP 5 - KBIT BAYCB ÜBDKBVBAB TOH ALL AGJU81X GB0ÜP8 Paatie» aad blooaere Children, 2 to 6 Panile» and blooaer» Girl», 7 to 15 Panilo» aad blooaer» Voaen and girl» 16 aad over ) 1999, lot quarter ) 1493. year 17% 19$ 17* I«# 20# 10 13# 26 17 26 *^30 22 29 29 28 29 28 33 26 27 23 50 90 96 52 56 59 SO 26 16 25 30 32 35 a 50 39 50 59 5« 56 97
) 1999, let quarter ) 1993. year
) 1999, lot quarter ) 1493. yoar
GBOÜP 6 - bOVBS TASBIC UBDKBV1AB TOB TOMII AID GIBLS AGB 7 AID OTB Slip«, rayon Voaaa aad girlo ¡ 16 aad over Mipe, rayon Girlo, 7 to 15 j 1999, let quarter 1993, year.. 31% 10 31# 30 30 30 20 63 90 62 71 73 75 55 22 19 19 28 29 26 19 96 31 91 50 55 59 92 7 9 7 7 9 9 7 19 15 19 15 11' 15 18 13 12 17 12 16 11 9 . 30 20 31 30 39 92 ¿.26 a 10 22 s9 26 29 11 38 19 36 99 99 52 29 18 8 18 18 0 31 10 99 27 39 51 63 79 36 11 5 13 11 11 18 6 16 9 17 17 16 26 10
1999, lot quarter 1993, year
Hipe» cotton Vanen and let quarter 3 1 * * 3 5 2
19*3. year 7 2 7 10 9 8 7
Turkish towels 1 19**. let quarter 20 10 22 2* 25 18 19
19*3. year *0 25 38 *3 *7 51 *2
Pish towels 19**, 1st quarter 10 * 10 13 15 13 3
Pish toweling 19*3, year * 19**. 1st quarter 19 3 7 2 17 3 a * 26 5 3* 5 10 3
19*3. year....... 5 „2 * 5 7 7 5
5
HUMBER OE FAMILIES AHL PERSONS IN EACH INCOME GROUP IN THE CROSS-SECTION OF INTERVIEWS
Including alto Number of Person« for whom a Report Was Made of 19U3 and First Quarter 1944 Clothing Purchases
Age-Sex Group National Total Family income from non-farm sources Family Income from Farm sources
Under $20 $20 to $39 $4o to* $59 $60 to $79 $80 and over Income Not Reported
Number of Families interviewed x 4,71g 620 1.087 i,m 537 439 287 505
Total persons In the families Interviewed 14,82J • X.327 3.187 3.789 I.95O 1.547 796 2,227
Infants under age 2 (including expected infants for whom a purchase of clothing was made) - Family members TO? 40 179 199 97 70 26 96
Reporting 1st quarter 1?44 purchases 703 39 178 1ÇQ 97 68 26 96
Reporting 1943 purchases 695 .39 175 195 96 68 26 96
Children age 2 to 6 - Family members 1,384 91 317 409 179 104 56 228
Reporting 1st quarter 194b purchases 1,367 88 311 407 177 103 54 22?
Reporting 1943 purchases 1,354 87 307 402 175 103 54 226
Boy« age Z to 15 - Family members 1,166 85 255 313 146 120 44 203
Reporting 1st quarter 1944 purchases l,16o 82 255 3IO 146 120 44 203
Reporting 1943 purchases 1,154 81 255 309 142 120 44 203
Girls age Z to 15 - Family members 1,186 78 239 314 I52 125 64 214
Reporting 1st quarter 1944 purchases 1,181 77 239 313 152 11?5 63 212
Reporting 194} purchases 1,176 77 239 31Ó 150 I25 63 212
Men, age 16 and over - Family members 4,511 T73 862, 1.157 624 4o4 256 jUr
Reporting 1st quarter 1944 purchases Reporting 1943 purchases 4,494 4,4?2 370 859 837 1.155 1.145 622 613 4SI 484 253 246 7UU 735-
Women, age 16 and over - Family members 5,869 66O 1.335 1.397 752 634 35O 741
Reporting 1st quarter 1944 purchases 5,836 653 I.329 I.790 75O 630 3U8 736
Reporting 1943 purchases 5,766 649 I.312 1.373 738 620 342 732
NOTE - FAMILY AS DEFINED IN THIS SURVEY - The "family*. as defined in this survey, refer s to a rroun dwelling together.related bv blood.
marriage or adoption. One person maintaining his own household or living as a lodger or servant In another's household Is classified as
a one-person family. Hie "primary family’* in this survey is the family which owns or rente the dwelling unit. The "secondary family"
is the family which lives as a lodger or servant In the primary family's household.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NUMBER OF PEOPLE REPORTING 19Ut AND
housewife, gave information for all members of the family whose clothing purchases she could report vow mvuocuvxu , UDUOIIJF VUC with confidence. Sometimes (at in
tne case of recently contracted marriages , separation because of work out of town, etc.) the housewife could not report 1943 purchases.
and in these cases only the 19UU information was recorded. When the housewife could not for any family member, a personal Ihtervlew was conducted with that person. Lodgers and report clothing purchases for either year, servants were also interviewed in person.
* Includes 46 expected children for whom interview, or other non-famlly members of clothing purchases were made. Does not include lodgers who were out of the household who could not be interviewed after repeated calls. town at the time of
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LIST 4 - CLOTHING FOR GIRLS AGE 7 TO IS
OBOE* OF PROCtWOE: 1. MAKE ENTRIES IN BOX HEADED 'LIST *«. ‘ 2. ASK APPLICABLE QUESTIONS FOR EACH ITEM IN IM*. J. AFTER COMPLETING 19*» PURCHASE RECORD FOR ALL ITEMS, ASK QUESTIONS FOR EACH ITEM IN 1M3-ENUICRATE LINE-BY-LINE HORIZONTALLY. FOR EVERT ITEM PO« EACH ITEM BOUGHT (1 or «oro in (b)) FOR EVERY ITEM FOR EACH ITEM TRIED TO BUY, ROT BOUGHT (i or sort in (k))
HOW MANY NEW •••• WERE BOUGHT FOR THIS PERSON? ffeter 0 ar NaMar) (b) MOW MANY NEW *••• WERE RECEIVEO AS GIFTS FROM PERSONS NOT IN THIS FAMILY? reatar O er Meter) (C) CODE (LKÀVX SUM) WHAT WAS PRICE OF LAST ONE PURCHASED? (Xntnr Prie») (0) WAS LAST PURCHASE SATISFACTORY? IF NOT, WHY NOT? (Knt»r X in on«) 010 YOU TRY TO BUSY ANY? (010 YOU TRY TO BUY ANY IN ADDITION TO THOSE BOUGHT?) HOW MANY? (Mn nntrr in (k) er (1)) CODE (LXAVX BLANX)
WHY WASN'T IT BOUGHT? (Bntor X in ono) WHAT 010 YOU 00 WHEN YOU COULDN'T GET IT? (Kntnr 1,3,3, 4.3, ar 4 tran Lint Kt) (r) IF SUFFERED INCONVENIENCE OR HARDSHIP OR BOUGHT SUBSTITUTE (Xntrf of 3. 4, 3, or 4 in (')) ASK QUESTION ON REVERSE SIDE
DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, ISM UNTIL TODAY ITEM NO. (•) SATISFACTORY (*) UNSATISFACTORY OR UNSATISFACTORY IN SOME RESPECTS BECAUSE OF:
PRICE TOO HIGH (m) QUALITY POOR (") COULD NOT FINO KINO OR STYLE (0) COULD NOT FINO SIZE (P) COULD NOT FINO ANY AT ALL (R)
PRICE TOO HIGH QUALITY POOR KINO OR STYLE ÍM WRONG SIZE (!) OTHER 0) ENTER 0 OR NUMBER (AMiti—l Nanb»r) TRIED TO BUY (W NEEDED, NO USE TRYING fintar X if Voluntaarad (1)
ITEM ••••
«aow suits, «aw mm »-O1 $ ; « 1 2 J 4 3 6 1 3 4 3
DRESSES, JUMPER« <-02 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 4 1 2 9 4 3
corns BLOUSES »-0J I t 1 3 4 3 4 1 3 4 3
SWEATERS - WOOL, PART WOOL, RATON (READYMADE) <-0< 1 . 1 I » 1 2 3 4 3 6 1 2 3 4 3
Win WITS, MIST WITS - KHIT COTTON OR KNIT COTTON COMINEO WITH WOOL OR RAYON «-0S 1 1 1 2 3 J 6 I 2 3 4 3
PARTIES, BRIEFS, BLOOMERS- KNIT COTTON OR KNIT COTTON COMBINED WITH WOOL OR RAYON «-06 1 1 1 2 3 s 6 I 2 3 4 3
PANTIES« MIEFS, ILOOMENS • KNIT RAYON, KNIT •SILK- <—07 1 1 2 3 4 3 4 1 2 3 4 3
PARTIES, BLOOMERS- COTTON CLOTH, RAYON CLOTH, •SILK" CLOTH <-08 1 1 1 2 3 4 s 6 1 2 3 4 3
SLIPS - COTTON CLOTH V09 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 3
SLIPS - RAYON CLOTH, ‘SILK* CLOTH (EXCLUDING KNIT) <-io I 1 1 2 3 5 6 1 2 3 4 3
PAJAMAS, NIGHTGOWNS M-ll 1 r 1 2 3 4 3 « 1 2 3 4 3
DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 19*3 TO DECEMBER 31, 19*3 ITEM NO. M) FOR EVERT ITEM FOR EACH ITEM TRIED TO BUY, ROT BOUGHT (I ar aera in (i¡) IF SUFFERED INCONVENIENCE OR HARDSHIP OR BOUGHT SUBSTITUTE (Entry of 2, 4, 3. or 4 in (')) ASK QUESTION ON REVERSE SIDE fLIST R FOR COLUMN (r) (Show respondent page 12 of BOOKLET.) 1. USED WHAT YOU HAO AND GOT ALONG ALL RIGHT. 2. USED WHAT YOU HAD BUT FOUND IT A REAL INCONVENIENCE OR REAL HARDSHIP. J, HAO NONE BUT GOT ALONG ALL RIGHT. 4. HAO NONE AND FOUND IT * REAL INCONVENIENCE OR REAL HARDSHIP. 5. BOUGHT A SUBSTITUTE AHO IT WAS SATISFACTORY. 6. BOUGHT A SUBSTITUTE ANO IT WAS NOT SATISFACTORY. LIST 4 CLOTHING FOR GIRLS AGE 7 TO IS A. SCHEDULE NUMBER 8. IDENTIFICATION OF PERSON: t INF NUMBER C. 1 * 1 CODE D. WHAT mt ME«« DOES TRI« CHILD USUALLY WEAR? (Kntnr X in ana) 1. I I SIZE 9 OR UIOER 2. 1 1 SIZE 10 'OR OVER (Miada rapllea "alee f nt io* • •* 10") 1 1 CODE (IMn KLAHK)
HOW MANY NEW •••• WERE BOUGHT FOR THIS PERSON? fSatar 0 ar Mater) (b) HOW MANY NEW WERE RECEIVED AS G IFTS FROM PERSONS HOT IN THIS FAMILY? (Intnr 0 ar Maker) (c) CODE (L3ÀV1 3LMK) DIO YOU TRY TO BUY ANY? (0 ID YOU TRY TO BUY ANY IN ADDITION TO THOSE BOUGHT?) HOW MANY? CM» entry la (3) nr (1)) CODE (LXAVX BLANK)
WHAT DID YOU 00 WHEN YOU COULDN'T GET IT? (M»r 1, > 3, 4, S.ti iron lint Kt) (r)
ENTER 0 OR NUMBER CAMltlanal Mater) TRIED TO BUY («) NEEDED, NO JSE TRYING (tntnr X it Valant tr»d) (1)
ITEM ••••
SHOW SUITS, «ROW PARTS »-01
DRESSES, JUMPERS <-o>
COTTO« SIMSES <-03
SWEATERS - WOOL,PART WOOL, RAYON (READYMADE) <-o<
tmiw WITS, WAIST WITS-KN IT COTTON OR KNIT COTTON COMBINED WITH WOOL OR RAYON <-05
PARTIES, BRIEFS, BLOOMERS - KNIT COTTON OR KNIT COTTON COMBINED WITH WOOL OR RAYON «;-0«
PARTIES, WIEFS, «LOOKERS - KNIT RAYON, KNIT •SILK* <-07
PARTIES, BLOOMERS - COTTO* CLOTH, RAYON CLOTH, •SILK* CLOTH «-08
SLIPS - COTTON CLOTH VO?
•LIPS «' RAYON CLOTH, ‘SILK* CLOTH (EXCLUDING KNIT) •-X0
pMMiAS, RiorraowM »-H
SAMPLE PAGE FROM QUESTIONNAIRE 6?
I FORM WPB-3354 (3-3-W FOR EVERY ENTRY OF HARDSHIP OR SUBSTITUTE (2, 4, 5 or 6 in Column (r) on front of this page) IF ENTRY 2 OR 4 - IN WHAT WAY WAS IT AN INCONVENIENCE OR A HARDSHIP? IF ENTRY S - WHAT SUBSTITUTE DID YOU BUY THAT WAS SATISFACTORY? IF ENTRY 6 - WHAT SUBSTITUTE 010 YOU BUY? IN WHAT WAY WAS IT UNSATISFACTORY? DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1944 UNTIL TODAY COMMENT (Bitter VERBATIM) (t) DURING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 1943 TO DECEMBER 31, 1943 comment (Rater VBRBATIM) (t 1
ITEM NO. (*) ITEM NO («1
COMMENT (Enter VERBATIM) (t ) COMMENT (Enter VBRBATIM) (t|
ITEM NO. 1« 1 ITEM NO (•1
70
Index to Summary Tables
Consumer expenditures for each of 75 items X?
Quantity purchased ” 11 ” ” * 19
Average price w a w h w 19
Shortage of each of 75 items 56
Price and Quality Complaints for each of 75 items 58
Purchasing habits among different income groups
• percent of people who made a purchase of each of *75 items 61
Number of persons interviewed 67
Index to Individual Items
Bands, infants1 knit cotton 30
Blankets, crib U8
" bed U8
Blouses, girls1 cotton 38
Brassieres 36
Briefs, boys1 knit cotton 30
* children’s knit cotton 32
11 men’s knit cotton 30
Cotton aress fabrics U6
Coveralls, men's 21*
• children’s cotton htO .
” ” corduroy hO
Creepers, infants1 and children’s hO
Diapers hO
Diaper cloth ho
Dish toweling 1*8
Dish towels J48
Drawers, boys’ knit cotton, all weights 30
Drawers,, men’s ” ” lightweight* 30
Drawersx ” heavyweight 30
71
Jhdex to Indivi dial Items (Continued)
Page
Dresses, girls1, age 7 to 1£
" » « 2 to 6
” infants1
” women ’ s house
” ” street
38 Uo ho
38
38
Flannelette, infants’ slips, gowns, etc. 1*2 1*6
» yard goods
Jackets, « tt tt tt n boys’ lumber ” melton men’s leather ” lumber ” melton ” outdoor, other types 26 26 26 26 26 26
Mackinaws, boys’ ” men’s 26 26
Nightgowns, children’s ” infants* flannelette ” girls’ 1*2 1*2 36
Overalls tt tt tt it tt ft , boys’ bib type ” denim ” Waistband children’s light cotton ” corduroy men’s bib type ” waistband 21* 21» 21» 1*0 l»o 21» 21»
Pajamas, tt children’s girls’ 1*2 36
Panties, tt tt tt tt « tt it children’s knit cotton ” knit rayon girls’ knit cotton ” knit rayon ” woven fabric infants’ knit cotton women’s knit cotton ” knit rayon 32 32 32 32 36 32 32 32
Pants, men’s work ” men’s and boys’ - See also trousers 21»
Polo shirts, children’s knit 32
Rayon dress fabrics U6
72
Index to Individual Items (Continued)
Rompers, infants* and children*s hO
Sacques, infants’ flannelette h2
” ” knit wool hh
Sheeting, wide Sheets, bed i»8 1*8
Shirts, boys’ dress 28
ti ” flannel 28
it ” sport 28
it ” work 28
tt children’s knit polo 32
tt infants’ knit cotton (underwear) 30
tt men’s business type 28
ft ” flannel 28
ft ** work 28
Shorts, boys’ knit cotton 30
ft *’ woven fabric 28
ft children’s knit cotton 32
tt men’s knit cotton 30
tt ” woven fabric 28
Sleepers, children’s. 1*2
tt infants’ flannelette 1*2
Slips, girls’ cotton 36
tt tt rayon 36
n infants’ flannelette 1*2
tt women’s cotton 36
tt tt rayon 36
Snow pants , boys’ 1*2
it tt children’s 1*2
it tt infants * 1*2
n tt girls’ 1*2
Snow suits , boys’ 1*2
tt ft children’s 1*2
tt ft infants’ 1*2
tt ft girls’ 1*2
Stockings, infants’ full length 30
Suits, boys* wash, up to age 6 1*0
tt ft wool 21*
n men ’s wool 21*
Sunsuits, infants* and children*s
hl
73
Index to Individual Items (Continued)
Page
Sweaters, boys’ 45
* children’s 45
a infants’ 45
” girls’ 45
a women ’ s 45
Toweling, dish 49
Towels, bath 49
” dish 49
a tnrkish 49
Training pants, infants* 31
Trousers, boys’ corduroy 24
” H denim 24
• a other 'fabrics 24
” menjs work 24
Union suits, children’s knit cotton 30
H ” men’s heavyweight knit 30
Vests, infants’ knit cotton 30
Waist suits, children’s knit cotton 30
Wash suits, boys’ up to age 6 40
Woolen fabrics 48
Work pants, men’s 25
Work shirts, men’s 28
Yard goods, cotton dress 48
* * flannelette 48
a » rayon dress 48
* • wool and part wool 48