Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-23
LEATHER MARKET UP
ON BRITISH DEMANDS
Coupled With American Army
Requirements, They Stimu-
late Trade
Boston. April 23.

boston, Npfll -
In addition to the announcement
that the official buyer of the British
Government is in the American mar
kets for leather, other conditions
situation. Spring hides are being held
ut higher prices. The large quantities
Of good leather that will be needed
for the coming orders for army shoes
have caused scarcity of good hides,
and holders of these are asking more
money for their stock. The Govern
ment is prepared to act on prices IL the
market starts advancing too rapidly.
Conferences We're held in Washington
last week regarding the matter Of price,
fixing and committees have been ap-
pointed to determine a valuation of the
various grades and classes Of packer and
domestic hides The Quartermaster's
Department has sent out invitations to
shoe manufacturers to bid on five million
pairs Cf army shoes. These are to be
made up at once, deliveries starting in
June.
The civilian shoe trade is improving
Many of the retailers and jobbers are
realizing that interests outside of the
civilian trade are entering into the
market and that with the increasing
shortage of labor shoe prices will be
higher, II will also be more difficult to
obtain deliveries on time.
Uppers Show More Activity
The leather markets are more active.
especially on upper leather. 4 number
of large sales of black side leather have
been made recently, one lot of 1000
dozens having changed hands the latter
part of last week. This sale was of
special interest, as it was largely on the
medium and cheap grades, which have
been a drug on the market for many
months. Tanners are taking a stronger
view of this class Of stock both because
( Of the increased demand for civilian use
and also because Mr.. Daniels, the British
| buyer, will no doubt want some of this
/ leather. The best grades are well sold
! up and prices have been firm at forty
cents.
Colored sides are also in good demand
with sales increasing. Tanners have
! advanced their prices to forty-four cents
| on the top selections. Colored calf is ac-
tive. Prices are advancing in sympathy
with the raw stock market Chicago
city Calfskins nave advanced from
/ .hirty-three cents TO forty cents within
a few days. The recent orders for navy
shoes will take care of the better grades
of black calfskins. The poorer grades
are showing more strength.
Glazed kid is strong. While the pres.
ent demand is not active, the visible
supply of raw material is small and as
telyi
may readily be seen that no large quan,
I titles can be brought in until more ships
are available. on top of this shortage
comes the Government request for new
type of moccasin to be worn inside the
army shoe. This will be made of a
natural color chrome tanned kidskin
| taking about two and half feet Il
the pair. II is estimated that 5000, ,OOC
pairs of these moccaslns will be ordered
shortly. The weight required are known
as the NJ and LIN weights,
It Is very evident that II the British
buyer wants glazed kid he will not fnt
the easy market tnat he found las
fall. There are no longer large accumu
lations as there were at that time. TIL,
best grades of leather tanned from
Brazilian skins are quoted at sixty-fivt
cents, Colored kid Is selling readily
some OF the best grades are quoted a.
high as eighty 70 ninety cents per foot.
Government Taking sheepskin
The sheepslSin situation Is becoming
understood by the shoe trade. Larg
buyers realize that the Government re
aulrements for jenkins win take vas
quantities Of desirable leather out Of TN
I market While there Is no excited buy
r ling, the demand Is much better and ever
one wants the grades OF skins which ar
made from the same class Of raw ma
! ferioi a. chat which Is used Tor the arm.
PURPOSES.