Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-28
INQUIRY FOR FUTURES
IN THE COTTON TRADE
Possibility Of Government Price.Fixing
Has Produced Certain Dullness in
Coarser Yarns-Prices Still High

Possibility OF Government price-fx-
the local cotton yarn trade, according to
the weekly review of trade for the Phiia-
delphia district by r, q. Dun & Co., al
though there has been good inquiry for
future deliveries. The dullness appears
to be principally in the coarser yarns,
there being more activity In the finer
knitting and weaving yarns.
Prices are still high and frm, and the
rial appears to have no effect on the
high prices of the finished product owing
TO the high prices Of labor and overhead
charges.
Virtually no change Is reported in
the local wool market, the dealers report
ing business exceedingly dull, and but
little trading is reported among the
Continuing. the review goes on TO say:
Manufacturers of waists and dresses
state there is good volume of business
offered. but they are unable to deliver
petent help and this has retarded busi-
ness somewhat. There is little more
activity among cloak and suit manufac-
turers although the season has not been
"Jobbers Of piece goods, selling -prin-
cipally to the nearby manufacturers,
have reported sales the last few weeks
as quiet. Prices. however. remain firm.
Jobbers Of hosiery, underwear and knit
goods say there has been a fair demand.
prices are high, collections the past few
weeks are inclined to be little slow.
Manufacturers of shirts, overalls, etc,
are well sold up.
"The hardware line remains active In
all its branches. with a fair demand for
all grades Of material. in some branches
of which the demand exceeds the supply.
Prices remain firm and collections guod.
mo material change Is noted in the
iron and steel market and every effort
is being devoted toward the filling of
Government requirements. Great ac-
fAI al htst sWrxI
try and all plants are being operated
fully and with the sole object OF fulfill
ing Government needs. Coke Is moving
more freely and furnaces are reported to
be well supplied.
THE leather market is active and
prices steady. Moderate stocks Of fin
ished leather are on hand. but the sup
ply is adequate. Glazed kid dealers re-
skins, owing to the restriction in ship
ping. but there Is a considerable stock
of raw material on hand. Shoe dealers
are doing good business and report
sales active. though prices have ad-
'vanced.
In the lumb& market conditions re.
main about the same. Prices continue
high and quotations are not being made
except on Government orders and
special permit must be obtained for
shipment of these In a number of
cases the Government is making pur-
chases direct from. the mills Railroad
service has improved, labor conditions
are bad.
New building contracts started the
past week show some improvement over
the preceding week. but still below nor
NAL for this time of year. Difficulty is
still experienced in obtaining materials
and labor, due to the large amount OF
Government contracts under way and
to be started. A number of local build
ers and contractors are engaged on Gov
10
on a cost-plus basis.
Wholesale grocers report business
conditions satisfactory with prices high
Collections satisfactory. Canned goods
are scarce and dealers express diffi-
Guilty in obtaining supplies. Coffee shows
little change in futures. Spots are ir-
regular. Cost and freight market is
unchanged.
Tea Is in fair demand, especially
certain grades. with prices high on ac-
count of uncertainty of tonnage. Sugar
has advanced under sight offerings. De-
mand is fair"