Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-11-01

Uncertainty Exists and Buying I,
on Small Scale

Trade in the cotton yarn market was
dull during the week, according TO the
weekly review of business conditions
cy X u. Dun Co. This was attributed
among manufacturers and that buying
has been Of the hand-to-mouth sort.
Local textile mills report business
somewhat quiet. especially In hair-cloth
manufactures. towels; dress and upho-
stery goods. Business s exceedingly
quiet with the carpet manufacturers, a
number OF whom report that they would
be compelled to close down were It not
Tor their ability to manufacture duck
@ tSr army use, weavers Of tapes say
that they have a number of orders on
hand, especially those engaged on Gov
ernment work, although they are ex-
periencing difficulty in obtaining de-
sirable help.
Continuing. the review goes on to say
'Jobbers Of woolens, selling chiefly to
apparel state that they are doing very
little business at the present time.
Manufacturers of cloaks and suits
have found the season quiet and there
Is little demand at present. The manu-
facturer has considerable stock on hand.
on high market.
Manufacturers Of nrens and womens
clothing state their factories have been
affected by influenza epidemic and have
| their output at present is below normal
Retailers of mems and womens fur
nishings have also found business some-
what affected, although during the past
week there has been n little more ac-
| tivity. but there Is a tendency to buy
| only for immediate needs.
! There is little change in conditio ions
| among jobbers Of hosiery, underwear
and knit goods.
The hardware line remains active in
MI hRa a
| for all grades Of material, and It is he.
| lieved that the present condition will
continue throughout the winter months
! Prices remain Arm and collections good
The electrical trade reports a good
volume Of business in all lines, and
manufacturers, also iobbers and retail
ers, are well employed. Government work
naturally takes precedence and large
| contracts are OH hand In that d Erection
Prices are reported firm and collections
| fair.
THE stove trade reports a good vol.
ume of business in staple goods, though
mand in that line. Supplemental heat
ing apparatus is moving freely. job
bers and retailers are busy and foun
dries ars operating to full capacity
I'm the lumber market conditions re.
main virtually the same. Prices are
| high and quotations are not being made
except on Government contracts. Ship.
ments have been much better of late
and the prospects for the future are
problematical.
In the bituminous coal market con.
! ditions remain unchanged. Production
| has somewhat Increased, and the car
supply has been good.
! I'm the anthracite market conditions
have improved considerably Produc.
| tion is much better and the car supply
has been good. The proposed increase
to the miners in the anthracite distric,
will In all probability increase the retail
| price of coal from 81 to Slips ton. bu,
| as yet no change has been made II
| prices.
THE situation in the cement p,arke,
remains unchanged. Manufacturers re-
port "A number OF good orders beine
placed, very little cement being shipped
aside from that which is being used or
Government work Prices are high.
| There Ia little change to note In the
condition Of the chemical market. Their.
Is a fair demand. although In some line,
there is u shortage in stock, due to tht
war. The situation in dyestuffs re,
mains unchanged"