New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-22
EFFECT OF SMUGGLING ON THE DRY GOODS
TRADE.

HONEST IMPORTERS ALMOST DRIVEN FROM THE
BUSINESS OF IMPORTING FOREIGN SILKS
Careful and thorough inquiry among mer-
chants as to effect OF smuggling :he dry goods
business reveals that the volume of business transacted
during the season from July 1, 1875, to date,
pared with the corresponding period last year, shows
very little difference in actual money value There have
been several important changes in commercial firms,
but the average OF transactions has not been in
Hucnced thereby to any considerable extent.
During tho FALL purchasers from the West
and South bought as little as possible, merely
supplying their immediate wants, and on that account
much improved Spring trade expected, rs 1t
claimed that the effects Of the September panic Of 1873
had passed away that the credit Of the country
in an exceptionally good condition These anticipatons
have not been fully realized as many merchants who
heretofore have visited NewYOrk each Fall and Spring
were satisfied remain at home, and trust to orders TO
meet the requirements Of the moment, prefcrring
make small bills rather than incur largo respon.
sibility under the peculiar circumstances which
have affected this market during the past season.
The order business IL not however, the only remark
able feature distinguishing the Spring trade Heretofore
jobbers have sold the goods OF commission houses In
lots to suit their ouOftown customers, acting merely
agents, and reapng very little profit thererom but
in a manner guaranteeing payment to the commission
house. This condition Of affairs has been changed by the
commission houses themselves making sales of one two,
ten required. when the buyers RESPONSE
ble thereby increasing he volume OF their business but
taking 1t from the obbc who however very well
pleased with the changed condition Of affairs.
Another for the arcty Of buyers In the city
IL to be found in the fact IT very large portion Of the
entire sales is now ransa ted by travelling statesmen,
who on the road nuously, supplied with com
petc lines of samples wh, repenished promptly as
novelties arrive) and who compete closely with each
other taking orders, to b. transmitted York to
their respective firms. This course docs away to
great extent with the necessity for merchants eay.
Ing their homes, and while 1t certainly entails
greater expense tho seller, IL also fayors
him by dividing and diminishing the pay
mcnts from his customers, who, in RENTING him
small amounts frequently, more prompt than they
would probably be only or two large obligations
TO be met The domestic trade" has been quite salts
factory up TO present time and prices compared
with last Spring. had been only from per cent TO per
cent lower; but reduction Is now expected, as the
son Is advanced and jobbers will desire to work of
much stock possible before July l. While the volume
of business has been nearly equal TO last Spring cOec
lions been exceptionally good, and very few eIen
sons have been asked.
Great dissatisfaction has been expressed by nearly
every leading importer In relation to foreign goods and
many OF the oldest and most reputable msSchAnts