Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-01-11
THE WHOLESALE MARKET.


In the local wholesale dry goods
market a reduction is reported on all
standard prints. with the market re-
covering from the recent past uncer-
tain conditions. 1T is to be said of
all these goods that the pressure to
sell MS been nothing like that which
has existed in other years of financial
disturbances affecting dry goods and
dealers recall that today's low prices
have followed a small volume of trail
ing. They hold that no better proof
of the lack of overoroduction could
be hiven than in the light sales ac-
companying the sharp declines. In
the general textlS fabric market,
clearance sales reflect the present de-
preston, with retailers expecting low
er prices for spring. 1t Is claimed
that the lack of buying power is quite
marked with what is known as Sec
ondary factors" loaded with high cost
stock. However, buyers need goods, and
jobbers say that the restoration OF
banking to its normal powers is a
preliminary to much purchasing in the
near future. But there are some
who imagine that curtailmpnt has
come too late to help prices much
The primary markets are reported in
very good shape All through the
past eight weeks. while there was so
much talk Of retrenchment and cur
tailment. the mills were operating
large part of their machinery on orders
for January and February delivery.
| Many merchants think that cotton
goods would move to better advantage
than either silks or linens, IL consum-
ers are seeking to economiZe. Drills
and sheetlngs are reported dull, as buy
ers are naming too low figures. which
leave little or no margin of profit to the
mills. The finer lines of gray cloths
ea, l- l.,
been showing more steadiness, with
jobbers taking in fine white goods quite
steadily. Some lines of bleached goods
are reported completely sold out, and ii
Is noted that there have been few cam
cellations enforced of la.
OUTLOOK BRIGHTER.
On the better lines of woven fabrics,
orders still hold very well, but new or
dering has dropped Of late rather no
ticealy. Most of the leading lines of
colored shirtings are still well under
order for the first six months of the
year. On the whole the outlook Is con-
sidered brighter than 1t was three weeks
ago. Knit goods manufacturers re-
port large spring orders which must be
delivered early, IL conditions warrant.
1t seems reasonably certain that wool
lines Will remain at practically las,
seasons prices; but revision will have
to be made on cotton lines. Should the
for spring delivery were forced, in many
anxious to commit themselves for an
other season. The silk piece goods
trade Is waiting development, but with
buyers notified that contracts for spring
delivery made before the business de-
preston are being strictly adhered to.
II is reported that mills making goods
spring delivery were forced, In many
cases, to order raw material during
June and July when the cost was very
high. Then as soon as the drop In raw
silk came, buyers who had placed or
ders for spring goods began to ask that
the shipments be delayed and or
ders be cut down and cancelled. Under
these conditions, the manufacturer does
not know where he stands ON spring
orders nor how much of the goods or
dered Will be taken. Meanwhile only
staples are being made UP by the mills,
and spring delivery orders will be turn
ed out.
SALES IN RETAIL TRADE.
In the retail dry goods trade, the
past week has been signallzed locally
by special and general sales at reduced
prices. In which the skill and judgment
of dealers are put to a test whose best
results are suggested by their expert
ence, The sales cover the entire field,
The silk counters have been more live
ly than In the immediate past particu-
larry in Bagdads and rough stuff. Lin-
ems in heavy stuff are being called for
largely. but next week light weights
will be called for making up into spring
wear, The glove counters have been
doing land office business of late,
with the public taste running to tanS
and blacks. When the retailers turned
their attention to their white goods,
preparatory TO the annual sales, they
found their stocks short, as the day-to'
day trade had broken into lines TO a
greater extent than was anticipated.
so buyers have been busy adding goods
needed TO round out their offerings. AS
soon as the winter white goods are
out OF the way, the full showing of
! fine white goods for spring VIII be
undertaken. Lines OF swisses, French