New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-10
TIE TRADE IN STRAW HATS

@Straw hats n said large manu- facturer to
a TRIBUNE reporter. Yes. I guess know q little
about the trade ought to. for sell about many as
any firm the city, the country either for that
matter. We've got q small few lying around here
haven't we :" aud he waved his hand toward the huge
wareroom hundred feet long by forty vide. every
available inch Of which taken up with wooden cases
packed full OF various styles OF tho weghtoss head
well every bit OF that stock viii be sold out In two
three days II this weather keeps The trade has
been light far this year. but OF us have
carried very large stocks; has not pressed as heav
y did last year. when the cold June left us
with large unused stock our hands. This we had
to get ri of before manufacturing stock"
-Is IL true that there has been combination among
the keep the supply and prevent
the rninous auction sales :" said the reporter.
"Hso know nothing about 1t. The Only combination
know Of the early fail last year and the late spring
this As to the styles which most In demand you will
get more information from Jobber retail dealer.
Each manufacturer makes up what his fancy expert
ence dictates the most salabe and lie then has TO
take his chances rather II Is the jobber who risks the
most and It ia until the end OF the II is
who has had the better foresight There very
large factories in New-York; and those of
large city houses In Massachusetts,. where
the work OF sewing the strips together and fashOnng
them into the finished article is done. The straw itself
worked into the strips by another GLASS OF workers
altogether and comes all parts the country
The Canadian Maekinaw OF the highest priced
and Is much In demand for tho city trade. Country
people do not TO pay big price rely for fashion
There Is imitation Mackinaw which Is difficult 10 dis
ngush genuine article and II is much cheaper
we are supplying great many TO our customers. You
can Judge for Yourself difference" and the manu-
faclrer held up hats for inspection which from the
black band outside the broad ribbon inst ie crown
marked In both cases Genuine Mackinaw," like
aOne sells for SO dozen; the other for S." said he
and the retailer Will probably sell one for s3 and the
other for 81 Large profits Well you see hat passes
through good many hands after leaving the manufao-
turer and they all have 10 live. Another thing that
straw hats risky investment for the retailers.
chance OF only settings small percentage OF those they
have hand I don't think myself that there's been
but OF course continued hot weather will make big
difference 70 Job6ers and retailer AS to the manufao
their stock either already out or ther hands
disposed OF in advance.
In close proximity TO the manufacturers Office
number OF jobber and two OF these were visited
One them said: Yes guess has ma ie "A
this year by peddDg straw hats though OF course
an immense number FOUND TO be got rid OF every
year What styles are being most sought after Well
those With wide brim slightly turned up The retailers
tell me- however that tho fashionable young man. when
style as n straw at ALL prefers narrow brian
aording OF protection against the OF the
year. but strictly what call city hat and Is not
sold to country buyers In any quantity to speak o., The
mixture OF white straw with either black or brown. II
mad" n Sw not .So sy SseiP so 20
arsOcrac rival the pure white or cream color As to
prices we cell all the way fr)m 81 so 10 $50 Dozen
but few at the latter figure their retail price Is
ye"y high. We import hats from south America and
France, hut 10 speak OF from England though /
believe they make very fair and cheap quality there.
Nearly every hat we have sent ont TINS year hos been
decorated with plain black silk ribbon tied In bow at
the side. Fancy ribbons very little except by
members OF athletic and boating clubs who have their
special club ribbon made 10 order"
A retail halter uptown sad -There has been great
rush for straws IN the last two days. but our more
fashionable customers only them for country
dude and his fellows cannot ielnguish their curly
brimned high hat and so buy the light white summer
high hat which Ia after all about cool straw BY
the way, don't know whrther you OF the
fact that dfashoned white hat with silk nap Is
showing sgns OF resuscitaton They may not be much
worn this seasoE but next year the dudeor whatever
may be his name then-wi probably nothing else.