Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-25
RAW SILK TROUBLESOME.
American Buyers Forced to Pay Top
Prices in Foreign Markets.

Manufacturers grow more ANXIOUS
over the raw-silk situation abroad, and
mills making broad silks are in the mar
ket more frequently to cover forward
needs Cablegrams from Yokohama
state that reelers ask still higher prices.
Buyers Tor American account are CONF
PEELED to meet top market prices, and
even at that not much silk is Offered
Supplies arrive slowly from up-country
points, and stocks in Yokohama are re-
duced. The Canton market is closed for
the Chinese New Year; also that at
Shanghai Italian cablegrams report an
active raw-silk market in Milan, with
advances Of two francs a pound. The
Italian situation has been influenced by
the advances on Japanese ''raws," as
buyers turn to the markets of the for
mer for lower priced silk.
Buyers still operate on both spring and
summer lines of piece goods. a number
of mills have Withdrawn their lines for
the season and others have named adj
vanees of ~ to I cents a yard for, late
deliveries. Tie higher cost of raw silk
gradually forces finished goods prices
upward and sellers state that several inn
portant advances yet viii be made this
season. Importers of raw silk advance
prices almost daily on reports from
abroad. Jmportations of raw silk from
Yokohama for the present season al
ready amount to over 100000 bales. and
still many mills are short of sufficient
supplies for the balance of the spring
and summer. Late buyers of spring
piece goods not only meet with higher
prices. but find it impossible to secure
deliveries they want. There is not an
overabundance of popular fabrics.
Manufacturers of well-made and
styled foulards claim that they have
broken all previous records on spring
orders. Others claim that messalines
have sold in the largest quantities,
While some aver that pongees and
shantung silks lead i'll favor. Silk
mixtures from various large New Eng
land mills have met with considerable
success, as some factories are reported
10 be under order well through the
season. Chiffon taffetas are stronger
than ever. 1t is reported that French
manufacturers are buster than foz.
many seasons on numerous lines OF
silks. One reason. it is claimed, why
the Italian raw-silk markets SHOW
such a strong upward tendency, is
larger orders for European account.
Black-and- white and white-afld- blacfl2
effects are decidedly popular in Paris
and an unusually heavy run on these
lines is predicted for the late spring
and summer in this country.
Many of the latest French spring
costumes are in blaek-and whit
stripes. hair-lines and borders. Chf-
fen taffetas naturally absorb a large
share of this demand so that indica-
tons are for a rush on these goods
here little later. Large retail estah-
lishments catering TO the better class
of trade want goods of this sort, and
are surprised to find little or nothing
available for quick delivery. Several
large department stores here are hold
ing special silk sales this week, one
house having placed on sale $4,000
Yards of silks in various fabrics and
designs. The prices named are SO
very low that it is claimed the silks
could not be replaced at anywhere near
the same value today.
The Pennsylvania Textile Company,
a reorganization of the York Silk
Mills, will be in shape to make deliv-
cries after the middle Of next mouth
on the well known brands of it's pre-
appointed Frederick Victor and Achelis
as factors, and plans are we'll under
way for placing the new lines on the
market. The output of the seven mills
controlled is stated to he ene-tWcntieth
of the entire production OF this scum y
try, 8-,s 5,ef-st 49,
Many of the most popular lines Of
spring foulards have now been With
drawn from the market. Some hand
lers of pongee silks also are said to
be thoroughly sold, likewise houses
handling bordered voiles. Retailers
want prompter deliveries. of spring
orders. so that the selling agent and
manufacturers is rushed to turn out
goods ON order. Late buyers are con-
sitlcrably surprised to find that i'm
stead of the seller begging for orders.
they must do their best to induce the
selling of goods,-Boston Transcript