Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-30
BUYING STRENGTHENS
LEATHER MARKET
Shoe Manufacturers Antici-
pate as Well as Cover
Contracts !
PRICES FAIRLY HIGH

Boston. April 30.-The British leather
buyer, Percy Daniels, whose arrival in
this country ten days ago caused appa-
rently the turning pO'r'
trade, has not placed any orders. lie
has been rccavirg Tanners at his hotel
here and has bccn making tabulations
Of they arious offerings.
The prices are much higher than an
ticipated at the time of his arrival in
this country, the cause being the un-
expected activity on the part of shoe
manufacturers. While many of these
manufacturers are buying in anticipa-
! tion of their wants. fearing a rise in
the market there are some who have re-
| ceived much better volume of business
than was at first expected and are buy
ing to cover this
Upper leather in particular has taken
much firmer tone Colored calfslilns
have jumped from five - eeve q. MS
| foot in the last week, this being due
| largely to the advance of ten cents a
pound in raw calfekins IN IN, Chicago
| market The leading tanners are now
| talking seventy-two cents for the best
| grades of mems Colored calfskins which
week or ten days ago could be pur-
chased at siXty-f1ve cents. Black calf
| skins have not advanced in proportion
to colors, although tanners are now talk
ing sixty cents for the best grades of
black which are suitable for navy shoes.
| side Leather Active
Side leather is active. Big sales OF
medium and low grade black sides have
been reported and tanners have ad-
vanced their prices from two cents to
four cents on these selections. 1t is this
class of stock which has been dragging
In the market for many months and
prices had naturally weakened off more
in proportion than had the better grades
The top grades of this selection are now
held at forty-two cents, Colored side
leather is stronger, with an advance OF
! 'IOm IN r .. f.r
corded in the last week. Best grades
are held at forty-five cents.
The kid market is stronger and more
lctive, especially on colors. Big sales of
grays have been made at prices ranging
from eighty-flve cents to ninety-five
cents, depending on tannage and selec-
ton. The black kid market is also
hrmer. Shoe manufacturers are antici-
pating their wants. Large quantities of
natural chrome kid will be needed for
the army moccasins, and manufacturers,
fearing a rise in price, are buying ahead
# their immediate wants.
The sheepskin market is more active.
Shoe manufacturers, realizing the large
quantities of leather which will be
needed for the Government, have en-
tered the market to buy for their next
run. Tanners are not urging shoe man.
lfacturers to buy, and, in fact, II sales
men went after the business they could
book a great deal more than they are
at the present time,
Heavy Uppers for Army
Army bushes is taking care Of all the
heavy upper feathers. F. A. Vogel who
Is head of the upper leather section OF
the Hide and Leather Control Board
! has had his assistants looking over the
various tannages OF army leather, anC
has made a report to Washington or
what tanners are making the correc
u stock. Shoe manufacturers who ge
g army contracts must buy from thes,
!. tanners A similar action has beer
taken by Henry Boyd, who is acting a,
!, head Of the sole leather section, anC
who is assisted by Thomas Cover, Jr.
= Of Philadelphia.
The sole leather markets while not al
d active as upper leather. are showing ,
h much better tone. Buyers views hav,
Q changed In the last few days. Larg,
quantities of heavy leather will 5,
needed for the army shoes. The new
specincations also allow the use o
lighter weight leather In some parts o
, the shoe. The innersole may be seven
/. iron stock. but must be cut from bends
n where in previous contracts II was c,,
, from sole leather bellies II Is also rer
e missible 70 use seven ana one-half an,
d eight-iron stock for the top and rniddi
o roles In this new shoe.