The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-29
a SELLERS MARKET.

A SELLERS MARKET.
II the Mckinley bill is not in the in
terest Of the manufacturers and against
the consumer, then the organ OF the
New England manufacturers, the Amer
lean Wool, Cotton and Financial Re-
porter, of Boston, 10 not to be believed.
It has been shown day after day how
the Mckinley bill was tax on the Hell
ena buyer, and that prices were soon to
advance on almost everything the people
require. This is particularly the case
in clothing for men and dress goods
for women. The protectionist organs
have denied this, and now comes the
mouthpiece If the manufacturers, under
date OF Oct. q, in it's review OF the
dress goods and wooden market and says
just what The INDEPENDENT has relter-
ated time and time again-that the Nc
Kinley bill is bill to suit manufactur
ers at the expense Of the consumer.
Referring to the changed condition OF
things since the bill became law, the
Reporter says: 49,.
Either the manufacturer is entitled to
the full benefits of the changed conditions OF
the market, else there should be no attempt
to force buyers into paying better prices.
II the market is FIVE or ten per cent. strong
or, the commission man should exact 1t
from the buyer, and he should have sufh-
Gent backbone and nerve to sit with be-
coming ,compIacence in his chair and let
the buyer turn his back on him if the offer
does not snit him. What if the buyer does
20 out of the store. the chances are that he
will come back If the goods are desirable
and the price not unreasonable and take
them. Sellers are deficient in the right sort
Of courage, and they should be toned up by
"There never was time in the history OF
the domestic dress goods interest when the
had such golden opportuni-
and not allow his commission agent, who IL
disposed to see danger ahead, and advises
extreme caution, to influence him to the
extent of binding his eyes to the pros
poets.
''The true facts are that sellers are not yet
at home in their new garments and they
feel i'll at case, and it will take little time
for them to conform to the new conditions.
They need tho support of manufacturers
whose interests are involved. The market
on all goods to be retailed up to 60 cents,
and some say up to rs cents, is an absolute
contact Of the domestic manufacturer. It
is he who must supply these goods, and it
means an increase in production reaching
number of million dollars, possibly $780,.
200. It won't do to hold back through
fear of stimulating the establishment of
new plants and increased competition.
The demand is ahead of the supply, and is
likely to remain so for some time. New
mills can't be put in q day and even after
the machinery is all in, it takes time to get
the bearings oiled and in running order.
The action of the Arlington and the Wash
inRton mills in increasing their capacity, az
is announced they contemplate doing, indi-
cate how the managers of these mills fee
as to the dress goods interests. They have
read the signs of the time, and we believe
that they have read correctly. The manu-
factrrer who has his plant established holdi
the vantage point. He has not to wait fol
future returns; the present holds out suff
cient for him, and if he cannot see the way
clear to net better return for HIS pro
duction, he should get into some other bust
ness.
This may read strangely to some, but ",
believe We have struck the right lead ant
feel that we cannot put it too strongly. I
is sellers market, and if that means any
thing, it surely means that the manufac
turer has the opportunity of realizing
something more than living prices. TIL
orders which are being placed for sprlnl
business, and there is considerable doing
will probably average five per cent. advanc
on fancy goods over the opening prices 0
previous season.