New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-22
VIEWS OF MERCHANTS.

TRIBUNE reporter has recently talked
with some Of the leading merchants of the city
in relation to the business prospects Of New
York, aud of the country at large. Among
those most extensively engaged in the dry-goods
business with whom the reporter conversed. were rep
resentatiyes OF the firm Of A. 7. Stewart Co.. Arnold
Constable Co.. and Lord & Taylor.
At Messrs. A I. Stewart & Co.'s it reported that
che trade had been active for ten DAYS past and
consisted chiefly of Western and Southwestern jobbng
business, the people from the Southwest taking hold
with unusual zeal. The increased facilities for trans
pOraOn caused the 10 begin later each year
for several years past but prospect is that it will
continue steadily for month or two, and that the trade
81 The entire season, will be very good The retailers
lave not yet come into the market but expected
bool. Freghts quicker aud purchasers can
by nearer the time when goods are
wanted. This is healthier for the trade,
which will continue later in the season. JObbers-
especially in the Southare buying with more care and
studying the wants Of the people than formerly
More caution is also exercised by manufacturers abroad
for many years have consigned great many goods
90 this market The returns from these have been very
unsatisfactory and lately they wait for orders before
manufacturing. This prevents an overstock OF dress
goods. The piece buyers and retailers have not made
their appearance yet. They will bring renewed
activity the trade they outnumber the jobbers ten
10 one There will probably be more buyers in New
Yor month than at any time for three years past
At Messrs. Arnold COnstabes the reporter was told
anything They were not looking for large trade, but
Tor healthy one. The system Of time purchases was
kti maintained and people try to get as long credits as
possible as they to be getting them extended all
pver the country This firm deals only in imported
goods and claim TO have Of the richest assortmens
IN each department Of any house in the country.
Aressrs Lord Taylor take hopeful views Of the out
Ox for the coming season. The cost Of goods they say
y about the same last year, and the selling price
much better; the profits wholesale dealers are, there
FORE mach greater which quite necessary change as
goods dealers have losing money steadily for the
past years The OF the increase in prices Is
That the impOrtations less and goods are scarcer
There is not a firm in New-York which is carrying
full stock and many houses have only one
half stocks. The has fairly opened for
putof-towr jobbers who are buying freely
The retailers are very late; there are few from
Boston and none from Philadelphia. There is no haste
lay In large stocks dealers can get what they Wish
,oon after they send their orders aud there is general
feeling Of confidence that trade will be steady. The
sause for the decrease in impOrtaons is that commits
on houses which formerly Imported large quantities of
foreign goods their own responsibility have become
frightened of IL this year by their losses and orders
bro only sent as the consumption creates demand
There ia no delay in getting goods shipped from
England by the whereas last there
was usually delay OF week or more.
DEPARTMENT DETAILS
The reporter visited different departments in the
ra4s an relation TO the articles embraced in each:
Cotton goods have advanced little, with the general
onward tendency In the market but there is no material
shange. Domestic cOttOns are competing successfully
with those Of foreign manufacture also are cotton
and wooden plaids better article is now being made
than was ever until recently attempted.
The demand for linens been light throughout the
past season the opening Of the Fall trade does not
materially advance it; but importers hold everything
stf and healthy market may De looked for.
Ladies dress goods in good demadd for the sub
dued neutral tints. There few importatons Of
fancy goods this year. and they becoming scarce,
as they are being taken by Western obbers There
Is great demand for fine goods, and those resembling
Rentemens vear-heavy goods suitable for redingotes
and overskrs These the most important features
of the season, and have taken the place TO great
tent OF long and square shaws. There few plads
On the market these in fair demand only for chill
dren and in small effects. There is no more
call for the large, bold plads for ladies' wear
formerly so common. Black goOds-alpacas, bomDa-
gines Henrettas Empress cloths, and in fact, all the
black fabrics are iu very active demand for under
dresses and street dresses The new colors OF last year
are brought out this year darker eects-navy blues,
dark green's and plums invisible blues, which are
almost black, and the dark shades of gray mixtures
These are very desirable, are the invisible browns
drabs &C. The public taste is settling down TO more
modest colors and there is little sale fotne conspicuous
nronzes and bright cOlors worn last year.
Though the sale of Shawls has been injured by the use
of Redingotes and PoOnaises the trade is always kept
I'D by the country demand. shawls are cheaper than
fast year They fancy article and prices are gov
erned by the demand. They formerly imported by
only a few houses bu. there is more competition
There ia good demand In Striped 0ttomans, but the
trade has not yet fully opened French Brochures Will
be in better demand than last year. but the season has
not yet opened for such heavy goods. A. T. Stewart
Co. are opening handsome line OF lndla Shawls-the
finest the house ever imported Prices are little lower
than year; striped Indas sell from S25 TO $780, and
filed from $l25 to 5000 Black mernoes and
cashmeres with about the same sale every year
they are goods that cannot be forced. Bright
coored Ottoman stripes are lower than last year.
also Ottoman searfs, for which, however there is fair
demand.
The trade in ladies' suits has become an important
feature during the past five years and is rapidly in
creasing. The market has not opened as yet, but a
heavy demand Is anticipated They imported OF all
qualities, ready trimmed for wearing and ladies
willing 70 pay any price themo as the reporter was
Informed at A. T. Stewart Co.'s though at Lord A Tay-
lors he was told that the importauODs were falling of
and shat they found that ladies' were getting more
economical and were letting foreign suits alone
The importation Of cloaks Is increasing every wear
They made chiefly IN Berlin on Paris podsls on,
imported cheapy than they can be made here
selling for as which would cost $40 to manufo
ture IN NewYOTk The market for these goods as wen
for cashmere capes velvet eapes furs &C. has not
yet opened the importers ready 10 supply apv
/. demand.
A. T. Stewart & Co. have opened handsome line OF
feit skirts printed, embroidered aud trimmed with cut
Already there a fair demand for these goods,
and a much greater demand Is expected soon. They
also make speciality Of carriage rugs. Of which they
have large assortment OF all kinds and at all prices
inOhair Astrakan, Central Park Brighton. Saratoga,
Hcw-York &C. and robes Of the different kinds fine
tufs for Winter use.