Shmata Trade by Joshua Tanembaum

The Shmata Business
By Joshua Tanembaum (montrealtribune@yahoo.ca)

Care to know what Shmata Business means? Here’s a letter I received in January 1991, with an explanation and how it tried to dissuade the use for a title to my column.

SHMATA BUSINESS MAKES THE HEADLINES

Dear Editor:

This Bureau, representing apparel suppliers across Canada, has received complaints regarding an article in your January 1991, issue by Joshua Tanembaum under the heading "SHMATA BUSINESS".

For a paper representing itself as a forum for the industry, it is inconceivable that Mr. Tanembaum, with his "National Enquirer" style of column, is under the illusion that by casting aspersions on our industry, not to mention some of the major players who have contributed greatly to making our industry what it is today, will somehow ingratiate himself and/or the paper to its largest readership, the apparel industry.

To illustrate: "In the SHMATA BUSINESS, you will observe one out of four are functionally illiterate." "Where were most of the SHMATA people when God came down to earth and distributed decency? Speaking of decency, did you know that in the SHMATA BUSINESS nobody cares when you have a problem."?

"I wish the mutts would understand that the SHMATA BUSINESS, no matter how dirty it is, is still run by human beings."

A forum for the industry indeed! How contemptuous, is it any wonder that Mr. Tanembaum has an admitted problem in arranging interviews with important people in our industry? With this kind of rhetoric, he alienates himself from our industry and your paper as well, and makes a mockery out of what otherwise appears to be an interesting paper.

We would also suggest that your paper could be somewhat more sophisticated by avoiding terms such as SHMATA which Tanembaum defines as "rags", a term which belongs to the twenties and thirties, and is inappropriate to describe Canada's stylish fashion industry, even when inadvertently used. Even self-respecting newspapers do not deserve the term.

B.B. Lafford
President
National Apparel Bureau

There's a lot that changed since the government of Brian Mulroney (remember him?), signed the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) with the US, and that was about 10 years ago.

As I was saying the so-called professionals and experts that prepared and negotiated at the Canadian side did not do their homework right. They acted like idiots (sue me if you wish), when they went to work with the US delegation. This agreement, which ultimately became NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement), was more or less beneficial to big corporations, and who controls 85%?, of course the Americans. What does the Canadian have? Well, there's Bombardier, some forest by-product producers, and what else? Brian Mulroney, of course. The former prime minister became a multi millionaire through some stock options or directorship with so many US companies that no high calibre politicians or businessmen are ever going to achieve. By the way, since I am speaking about Brian, the Canadian Conservative Party if they have their brains taken out from their penis and put it where it belongs should stay away from him. Consider him history or worse bad debt. As long as they tag along this guy, they are not going to get people give them another chance. Joe Clark must be dreaming of once again getting a chance to become prime minister not alone opposition leader. What's in with Brian that the PC is still holding on to him? The only thing I could think of is connection. Money from Mulroney? No way! This guy don't give money away, he only takes them, remember? Ms Stevie Cameron who wrote a book about him and his antics, challenged him to sue her, but so far he did not bite. Jean Chretien's government wished they could put Brian to jail, but not enough evidence so they just have to pay him about $3 to settle.

What else do we have to debate on the effect of the free trade, which nobody can't do anything anyway? Brian Mulroney said at that time when he was promoting it that since it's just a commercial agreement, Canada can always scrap it anytime they feel like it. Not in your life. I had been telling everyone that no one could just terminate any contract with the mighty Uncle Sam, unless they initiate it themselves.

That leaves us Canadians bankrupt after ten years. Our economy suffered so much.... since then the Canadian dollar had been sliding down. Sooner or later it will settle down to 50 US cents worth.

When Jean Chretien became prime minister, his opposition to FTA changed, even extended it to NAFTA, worst he forgot the main reason his party got elected, the total elimination of the much hated GST (Goods & Services Tax), much to satisfaction of Brian Mulroney.

Anyway, the textile and garment business got shafted. Immediately within the next five years of FTA, at least 80,000 jobs were lost. And to top that...just after six years, the Americans imposed quota on Canadian made garments, due to pressure from the US labour union, UNITE. I didn't know that there's a clause in the agreement that the US can change any of the provisions whenever they feel like it? Is this what you call free trade? This Stupid agreement is just for the good of the Americans. So, what's the Canadian government waiting for! Cancel this goddamned agreement already. Why don't we just switch to plan b. Since we cannot fight them why don't we just join the union. We still could have our sovereignty... but have to share customs and immigration. This is exactly what the Americans are waiting for, their struggle to control North America since 1876, will be complete. Or.....let's sell Canada altogether. There are only about 30 million of us, multiply that by $2 million (for each of us) which is peanuts (for them to pay). Even with our money about half the value of the US dollars, we are still all going to be millionaires, go figure.

Simon Reisman, the man Brian Mulroney appointed to head the team that negotiated the FTA, with the Americans is a waste. After the agreement was finalized, I happened to bump onto him at Ritz Carlton Hotel's bar. He insists Canada had the better side of the deal. Where did this guy come from…. from Moon?

Yesterday when they where the Algo Boys. Seated is Joseph (Joe) Schaffer, Jack Wiltzer, Finance officer on the left and Elliot Lifson, replaced Schaffer as head of the once mighty Algo company.

Whatever happened to the Algo Boys? Shown above are Joseph Schaffer, and two of his sons-in-law, Jack Wiltzer, and Elliot Lifson. Ben Schaffer died about two or three years ago, leaving whatever was left of Algo to Joseph better known as Joe to everyone.

I don't know where Jack Wiltzer went but the last news I got was that his beloved brother-in-law Elliot Lifson, who was former chairman of the board of the Algo Group, and president of the Canadian Apparel Federation, was recently named vice chairman (?) of Peerless Clothing, headed by Alvin Segal. Lifson, was quoted lately by Style Magazine on its February issue saying that he thought it was an exciting opportunity to be involved with men swear, which he hasn't done before. Did someone tell Lifson, its completely different? Dan Elituv is the new chairman of Algo, who got the controlling shares of the company. I hope Alvin is not going to be disappointed for having brought Lifson to Peerless. Did he not at least ask why the Algo Group almost got busted under the two very opposing sons-in-law of Joe?

Can anyone tell me what ever happened to the rest of the Algo Boys? Here are their names; I would appreciate much if some info is forwarded to me.
Ivan Goodman, Sheldon Hershon, Samuel Hops, Edward Wiltzer, William Alexander, Michael Garonce, Sidney Horn, Paul Lowenstein, F.D. D'Arcy Quinn, Alan Chattash, Ted Cohen Michael Fellner, David Hendler, Murray Hersh, Mitchell Hops, Alain Lessard, Larry Liverman, Stephen Liverman, Stephen Milstock, Marvin Pascal, Norman, Richman, San Rubenfield, Michael Schaffer, Steven Tenenbaum, Mark Wilk, and Allan Wiltzer.

I know that Hamil Textiles is still around, headed by Harry Miller's son Jerry, who learned the trade through Paul Rubinovitch, of the now defunct Bond.

Whatever happened to the ostentatious Bryant Branson, who headed Tangerine Imports? I wonder where this very assuming man is parking right now. In his head he thinks he is a very important man, more than the Schaffers themselves. Norman Lastly, the top honcho of Robin International, must still be with the group.

Allan Zeman, I heard changed to Zinman when he moved permanently to Hong Kong. According to what I heard, he's doing well, and very famous among Canadians that settled in the former Crown Colony.

Speaking of Hong Kong, there's one Canadian I am sure is doing very well. I understand he is very busy running factories from all over the area. He just opened garment production lines in Burma and Thailand. So there you are, all those who wanted some assistance take advantage of this guy's good reputation. Either you let him handle your production or if not he can get you connected around the area on anything from production to marketing. You can contact Rene Levary, director of Newform International Fashions Ltd., by fax (852) 2751-6358. By the way, Rene will be in town (Montreal) from March 11 to 16; you can arrange your appointment now in advance.

Claude Poistras my very favourite Quebecois buyer turned designer has done it again. He lost his financial backers recently. I think this is the third or fourth time that his business went kaput. So, what's next? Check him out at 1070 Bleury, suite 500, or maybe why not give him a call at (514) 287-9820.

B. Laford president of the National Apparel Bureau is still around. Working hard to keep his members afloat is not an easy task. Laford, seems to be very busy working hard for the survival of the garment trade, he should have been consulted and brought in to the negotiating table when the FTA was being discussed. He could have contributed much to the group of Simon Reisman.

I am not trying to sound cynical here, but as they are known in the shmata world, the wise guys of the trade, the boys from Morocco I heard are doing well but where are they now? Danny Revah has become prominent in the men's sportswear, and the Biton brothers in denim jeans. Other names will follow.

Textile converters: Five years after the signing of the FTA, about 90% had already closed. There's a hand full of them left, trying to survive. The woven fabric dealers are gone, replaced with knitted goods.

Back to Paul Rubinovitch, the once very proud leader of the converting business left the Algo group to partner with Fabricville's Murray Morgan. They formed Pantera Fabrics, which only lasted three years or so. Paul later joined Robert Gigi; former shipper of a textile converter from East Montreal but that too didn't work. Since Paul cannot find another idiot to partner with him now works as a textile agent representing some China based textile mills. The whole thing that turned around in the life of Paul must be very devastating, especially now that he is working at the other side of the table. Asked why he keeps working instead of retiring? "ahhhh!" Oh well, he said "I have some bills to pay" plus of course he's got to take care of a much younger woman he married sometime five years ago, an Italian according to Morty (I forgot his last name).

About Murray Morgan? Well, he's hibernating the last time someone saw him told me. He looks like he's 10 years older than his age, that's what one gets at the shmata trade. He looks pretty good to me, so what's the worry? No, it's got nothing to do with Mary Jane. It's probably just frustration of not able to do what he wanted to do, which is the buying job, which kept him traveling around with Paul before it was taken away from him by the his bosses from Toronto for whatever reason I don't know. Presently, he's trying his best to see that the stores stay afloat. His merchandising assistant Rhoda Rich passed away sometime about two years ago, may she rest in peace. I don't know if Marvin Coarsely, the founder of a once very famous textile converting company, now I understand being managed by his beloved son, who built 555 Chabanel building is still living in Hong Kong. I heard his former associate Ronald Burdman (William Jones?) is also there and doing very well having established another converting company called Tonsilk Ltd. He sent me an e-mail asking that I check the facts of everything I write in this column, but who really cares of what I say... after all it's shmata trade I am talking about (here). It's like believe it or not or be amused, or go fly a kite. This 68 years old man must be losing his marbles already. Or just showing off so maybe his friend could continue selling for him in Canada. What a joker....he signs his messages with ex-Mont realer, I hope it stays that way for good. He will be more productive for the Chinese than for us here who are trying to survive. He could make it worse. He just insulted the Filipinos, calling them names. I hope he knows what he is doing, he's not far from them where they are and probably some are working for him. Someone reminded me that during the war ...the people (Filipinos) he just insulted took two boatloads of fleeing Jews from Nazi Germany without any problem or prejudice. They were not even asked who they were....they thought they were just visiting but they permanently stayed. I have more to write regarding this man named Burdman. My editor didn't have time to work on the articles I already submitted. I was told that I would have to wait a week to see it posted

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U.S. firms moved to Samoa for 'sweatshop' operation from Saipan

U.S. Department of Labor has announced recently that some major US retail stores has connection to factories operating in the Island of American Samoa, reportedly accused of abusing workers brought in from Asia, last December 13.

A Korean company, a contractor Daewoousa (Daewoo USA) treated the imported Asian workers like slaves and most of them came from Vietnam. Stores like JC Penny, Sears and Target were the buyers of the said contractors and could be part of the scheme. 18 hours work shift are said to be mandatory, some women were subjected to sexual and physical abuse with less than half the minimum wage is paid and some workers are under age.

JC Penny, claims to have stopped selling clothes made from Samoa in December after the authorities alerted them of the problem.

It would remembered that this Asian contractors used to operate in Saipan, a unincorporated commonwealth of the US, when an investigative reporting was featured on ABC 20/20 show, most of them moved out rather than improve their factory's facilities.