New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-01
N THE COTTON GOODS BRANCH.

In the cotton goods branch not only has there
| bsen steady advance throughout the year, but
! here have been sharp fluctuations. Starting
\ out with price Of Z cents for spot cotton, the
{ mice has advanced until al this writing it is
/ cOse to p cents Thus the cotton mills raw
( Material to-day IS worth something ike 70 per
/ snt more than it was at the beginning Of the
zeal,
Several OF the advances in cotton were of
highly sensational character, the periodical re-
port issued by the government being the signal
! for wild advance OF recession, but usually the
former. Advances OF declines within week
Of I or y Of a cent have not been uncommon.
The difficulty Of forecasting cotton values was
intensified by the scandal in the statistical
Z branch Of the Department of Agriculture. which
threw doubt on the accuracy Of all cotton re-
! ports coming from Washington.
Under such circumstances manufacturers have
Z throughout the year been in no temper OF. posi-
ton 10 produce goods on speculation. AS it has
TUNED out, overproduction would have proved
not only safe but profitable. Views and fore
casts to the cotton yield and prices were 50
conflicting however, that such a policy was not
! warranted or pursued and throughout the year
/ scarcity Of cotton fabrics has been the rule.
Buyers Of cotton fabrics. for their part. We're
equally scepucal and conservative. They have
ali along bought only for actual needs or FOR
those which they could absolutely foresee, and
at no time in the year have stocks in the hands
Of jObhers. garment manufacturers or retailers
been of other than limited proportions. This
attitude has proved detrimental to the mills. for
mas been far from conducive to the establish
nent Of the higher prices which seem essential
manufacturers are TO produce goods at a
profit With cotton az It's present high figure
and with light stocks Of cotton fabrics all round
buyers may not only be compelled to pay higher
Prices in the near future. but may find it diff
slL If not impossible, to obtain timely delivery
e al the goods they require
Is regards the labor situation in the cotton
manufacturing branch Of th.. textile Industry
uS mas been fairly satisfactory. The prolonged
sc1ke in Fall River. which SO disaStrously af-
i0cteo that centre in 1904 was brought TO an end
"a January, and no serious labor disturbance has
s Aue occurred there or IN any other textile cen
u Among the Southern cotton mills the short
&c OF operatives has been z source of general
So'Ipalnt throughout the year and due to this
H. - VI Iaoor u may be accepted as fact that
- &C arFelious expansion u the industry in the
oouh Is temporarily nearing its limit In other
wi US me building and equipment of new mills
vi 1o noi go on at anything like the rate it did
&c anu the years Immediately succeeding.
Uhe factor which has contributed to the pros
P'ity OF the Southern mills ii the year is the
1pdiLSlon IN export trade. The breaking out of
&c war between Russia and Japan was fol-
o*e0 by steep decline in China's takings of
-Ssych cloths In the latter part Of 1904 a
marked recovery took place and rs 1905 month
=! hi0nlh steady increase was made until by
&c eLd ot the frst ten months 81 the year the
~ = OF cotton goods had considerably more
To tn uouoied those Of the same period of 1904.
Faf
sumption was thereby largely reduced for MANY
49, mills changed their machinery to pro-
trade - ie4ulieu ny Inc Shiud