New-York tribune., 1902-12-31
CE. sH.

The strength thus ensuing has been increased
by steadily advancing quotations for raw ma
seriais Silk wool and cotton have been in lib
tsral demand and with q supply below rather
than above requirements the market has been
continuously sustained. This is especially true
of wool which owing TO the prolonged drouth
sn Australia. viii TE5ely reach still higher fig
zlres.
II is somewhat remarka bic that despite the
gratifying demand for textile fabrics through
out the year, there has been no reckless increase
in :he number of plants Probably this con-
Eervatism Is attributable in part, to the num-
ber Of other opportunities for the investment
of capital which have been provided. and, in
mart again. 10 the high rates which money has
generally commanded.
While however the new mills are compare
lively few. the extensions of old plants and the
increase Of production by the introduction Of
improved machinery must not he overlooked.
In the South mills Of unusually large capacity
have been begun and in one or TWO cases COM
plered.
An important feature Of the year IN tex
niles has been the Improvement and greater di-
versifcation of the product. Many cotton mills
in NeU-England which formerly produced fab
RIGS OF simple and distinctly staple character
nave undergone 4 complete change in equip
s,f much finer count. and TO weave them into the
,,o,-eltv materials which by their originality
md ar+ractixe7ess command a much higher
-rice This com1nendabe step has been taken
nv fl,e r7anaGement as a result Of the steady
increase Of Southern mills and the continuous
nrogress made in the production Of goods higher
sn quality and more carefully woven The print
sing Of cotton fabrics has been elevated to fine
pr+ in the United States. as elsewhere, and the
combined energy and enterprise Of weaver ana
-,rIn+er have placed upon the market fabrics
NEARLY as diaphanous in texture and heautlful IN
design as any that can he imported
DESPITE the progress made by American manu-
sact1ners we still continue import considera-
7la ouantities Of printed goods. the quantity
1,eins 30 4N7 OBS square yards in 1892. 3I9lo
so,,are wards in 1857. and 45,44e,314 square
yards in 1902 This anomaly is explained by
The desire for individuality of design. since in
-,oinf Of both quality and beauty the American
goods are a close second 10 those of France and
Switzerland On the other hand. our importa-
,fons of gray or unfinished cotton fabrics have
decreased from 1.572.224 square yards in 1892
and 3177.21 square yards in 1897 TO 1901
in 1902.
The American silk manufacturer has pursued
= nolicv similar TO that OF his confrere in the
cotton industry. Two years ago the silk trade
was in an extremely unsatisfactory condition
Il seemed AZ that time if every mill man
.ager had determined 70 make one class Of goods.
and that the simplest and easiest 10 weave.
Cheapness was the only inducement offered 10
the buyer The result was seen in oveITroduc-
ton adulteratiou. assignments and general de
1noralization. But when matters reach their
worst they begin 10 mend. The manufacturers
woke UP 10 the situation Diversifying their
product. they avoided the ping up of merCfan-
disc. and instead of selling goods the alb
surd basis of "A dollar FOR old one" we're
soon in position to make a living profit. The
beginning Of 1902 found scarcity and high prices
syhere a year before had been heavy stocks and
sbottorness prices.
The manufacturers Of silk ribbon have also
good reason 10 congratulate themselves on the |
years operations. The demand for this class
OF merchandis has been extraordinary. for rib
oons have achieved unwonted popularity with
the fair sex. being now put to a larger number !
of uses than at any former period
Importatons Of manufactures Of silk in 1902
amounted TO So, ,64o.242. This was in excess OF
the importations of 1882 CS3l 112S94) and Of /
1897 (S25. .067l. due largely 10 the increased
Favor shown TO velvetS and ribbons The steady
growth OF the American silk industry is proved
fy the constant increase OF importatons of raw |
silk. which the fiscal year 1902 were valued
at S41.7l4.33l, against $lS,91S,2S3 in 1897 and !
S25063.S .S79 in 1892
Producers Of mems wear WOollens have scored !
q very satisfactory year The demand has kept |
close to the supply. and with exceptionally 1
strong market Tor materials there has been !
everything to encourage clotfliers and other
suuers 10 provide only for immediate but !
Sor future wants. The same holds of fab |
sics sutab bic for the manufacture of women's /
Euter garments
The inportations of mems wear woollens de- /
creased from l3.S13.216 pounds in 1892 and o. !
h59.3ll pounds in 1881 to 4,I36,999 pounds in /
1902.
woollen materials Tor women's dresses and |
costumes have been In remarkably large de- |
Tnand throughout the year. One of the chief |
outlets for such products is furnished by the |
garment manufacturing industry, which of late |
years has assumed enormous proportions There
very few women who disdain TO wear a 1
ready made coat suit, while costumes Of an |
exceptionally elaborate character are success
fully and proftably made in a limited number |
OF factories.
All this has lessened the sale OF dress fabrics /
by the yard. In fact. two years ago retailers |
were sorely exercised to the loss of profit in I
such lines, vet during 1902 the great majority of
dress goods departments have reported in |
creased sales TO the extent of 40 per cent; this,
ZOO, in the face of expansion equally great |
In the distribution Of garments
importation of dress goods decreased from |
Here comparison with 1897 is possible, as /
under the Wilson tariff duty was assessed at |
rates per pound instead OF by measurement.
Throughout the year the textile industry has /
been unusually free from strikes. the only i'm |
portant struggle being that of the dyers' help
ers IN the New-Jersey silk mills. After ces- |
sation Of twelve weeks. which deprived hun /
dreds OF other operatives of work by shutting |
of the supply of raw material, the strike was |
declared OF. tie employers declining to accede
10 the operatives demands
The knit goods industry is a branch of textile |
manufacture in which most gratifying degree |
of success has been achieved by American mills. |
Our imports of knit underwear and particu-
1arly Of hosiery steadily decline in the face OF
our rapidly Increasing population. while the out
put OF American mills as continuously grows !
This branch Of industry has shared very fully
fn the prosperity which has marked the wear
The difficulty right along has been to keep pace
with the demand. and this more especially I'm
the underwear section Of the trade.