"It's a darn good bargain". That is the contention of the Turk shop keeper who can be seen talking to an American Red Cross man over a purchase in the business district of Mitrovitza, Serbia. No matter what you buy or how much you pay for it, the shopkeepers will assure you that you have made a "good bargain". This picture will illustrate the type of shops that exist in the Near East

"Life is real and Life is earnest" to many people but not to the shopkeepers of Mitrivotza, Serbia. They make no improvements in their stores of methods. They squat all day in one corner of their shop and are content with few sales and the minimum of effort. American Red Cross workers found economic conditions at their worst as a result of these inefficient businessmen and the introduction of American methods amazed these indolent Turks

Hour's argument over one plastre. A kneeling Turk in the market place at Skoplje, Serbia is trying to buy a garment from the Christian lady. He has been there for an hour arguing over the price, a difference of one plastre. The (?) in the foreground, who, by the way, uses his own shoe polish, has been an interested spectator throughout. This is one of the towns where the American Red Cross established a hospital and feeding station for Serbia's destitute

His shopping trip. A shopping trip for the peasants of Serbia means something more than calling the corner grocery over the telephone or even a few hours in the town shops. Usually it consists of a day's trip across the country, a day of bargaining in the markets and another day to return to his home. Towns are few and wildly scattered and transportation facilities are almost unknown. This picture shows a peasant on his way to market with the usual equipment. American Red Cross supplies bound for interior hospitals are carried on pack animals, ox-carts and wagons because there are no railroads over which they may be transported

A typical Red Cross Shop. It shows that even salvage can be attractively displayed. This shop is making $1,000.00 a month, and everything sold would otherwise be put away and forgotten or would be thrown away

A cobbler who doesn't wear shoes. This hole in the wall is a typical cobbler's shop at Skoplje, Serbia. His own shoeless feet wouldn't be considered a very good advertisement for his trade in America. But he has all the trade that he can take care of as leather is mighty scarce. He didn't mind because the American Red Cross brought several thousand pairs of shoes into the Balkans for distribution to the needy. He says, he realizes the soles will wear out sometime and that means more trade for him

Hundreds of Turkish women have discarded their veils and now appear on the streets dressed as their sisters in the western world This picture shows a number of the wealthiest women in Constantinople who have offered their services to the American Red Cross in helping to care for Russian refugees. The young lady on the left, wearing the striped shawl, is the daughter of the Khedive of Egypt and is considered on[e] of the beauties of Constantinople.

"It's a darn good bargain". That is the contention of the Turk shop keeper who can be seen talking to an American Red Cross man over a purchase in the business district of Mitrovitza, Serbia. No matter what you buy or how much you pay for it, the shopkeepers will assure you that you have made a "good bargain". This picture will illustrate the type of shops that exist in the Near East

description

Summary

Title, date and notes from Red Cross caption card.
Photographer name or source of original from caption card or negative sleeve: ARC. Paris Office.
Group title: Serbia.
On caption card: (11513)
Used in: Ex. T.T.C. Journal. indef.
Gift; American National Red Cross 1944 and 1952.
General information about the American National Red Cross photograph collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.anrc
Temp note: Batch 11

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