New-York tribune., 1913-12-29

barely reached so per cent of capacity
this week. and new business is still re-
ceived at disappointing rate. Not much
stinuius has been impaired to buying by
the ieduction In quotations. although
some contracting has been done, and n
number of small orders are coming for
ward for miscellaneous products. Current
low prices for bars, plates and shapes are
mainly FOR nearby shipments. and Il is
sishincant That the leading interests are
not inclined to sell a full six months
ahead at the present level Moderate
amounts of structural material for repairs
are oeing taken by the railroads and
track equipment is also in some demand.
out the placing of important rail- con-
tracts Is still deferred In pig iron the
situation generally is quiet, and specifica-
uohs Tor crude steel are very light. Bes-
semer iron rules. nomnally, at sl5 Valley
ana basic at S2 70. while Bessemer and
open hearth billets are $50. Pittsburgh.
Little strength is manifest in finished
products. and concessions are granted for
sheets The holidays were widely OBJ
served In the coke regions. with a conse-
Puent reduction in working time. and re-
striction Of output has been apparent for
some time past
Ihis is usually a quiet period in the
primary drygoods markets, and normal
conditions at present prevail, with the
duiness somewhat aocentuated by uncer-
tainty created by expectations OF a lower
range of values due to the decline In cot
ION At tho -, a.
specialtes is reported TO have been fair
at most centres, and with stocks Of spot
goods I'm first and second hands light ana
some revival in export trade, IL is gener-
ally expected that no drastic revision of
prices is likely to be made Fair repeat
orders are being received for printed wash
fabrics and mapped cottons are in un-
usually favorable position for the end OF
the year. Some concession has been made
on staple underwear for fall. due to lower
priced yarn, and hosiery orders for the
new season are hardly up to normal.
Agents for mems wear are seeking bus-
ness or fancy oyercoatings and some sta
pie lines for fall 1914 but. as a rule there
Is considerable delay In making formal
openings and announcing prices. While III
certain instances clothiers are placing
satisfactory orders for the fall season. il
is not believed that trade will become
really active until the new tariff rates
become effective after January !. Taken
as a whole, textile mills are not closing,
and in the woollen and worsted division
additional machinery has recently been
started. Silks are generally quiet, and
cotton yarns are easier
Little improvement is expected III foot
wear until after the turn OF the year. as
practically all statesmen are off the road
at this season Current business is made
up chiefly of the regular mail orders. but
buyers will soon arrive in the Boston
market I'm large numbers TO look over
samples. Operations at the factories are
confined mainly to contracts for nearby
shipment, although some manufacturers
are booked ahead to March. The usual
holiday luli is manifest in leather, but the
situation is generally steady. Stocks #
sole leather remain at low point be-
cause OF light receipts. and tanners an
not in a position to effect large transac-
tions. even IL the opportunity presented.
The comparative absence OF the custom
AIRY year-end job lots IS feature OF tie
market, full prices being asked for the
small quantities available. No weakness
appears In upper leather, although more
ioh lots of these grades are obtanaoie at