New-York tribune., 1919-07-01
BUSINESS NEWS BUREAU.
Tribune Building
l54 Nassau Street
Will Use Uniform
Seal to Guarantee
Quaiit, of Linen
Heads of Society Composed
of Irish Producers Dis
cuss Market Outlook With
BUYERS for Large Stores

Irish linen probably will advance in
price the coming fall. according to S.
G. Ilaughton, of Belfast Ireland, ~and
administrator Of the Irish, Linen So
ciety. Mr. Haughton and " H. Webb,
chairman OF the society, also OF Bel
fast met a group of heads of linen de
partments of big United States houses
yesterday at luncheon IN the Penn
sylvaniA Hotel
The price increase which | predict
Will be due entirely to economic rea-
sons" SAID Mr.. Haughton. The Allies
have only $4,000 tons of flax in sight.
against normal annual consumption
of 100000 tons. Wages are going up,
TOO.
"The British government has guaran-
teed minimum price TO the Irish
growers to insure an increased acre
age. The continent is buyer rather
than a producer of flax now, due to the
fact that the war devastated the fax
fields of France and Belgium. The Rus
sian situation is all lgma and no re-
lief is in sight there.
The fact that the demand for Irish
linen viii probably increase, coupled
with the fact that all the prices fixed
ere minimum prices rather than maxi
mum prices, will probably tend to raise
prices in the fall.
Aims of Association
The Irish Linen Society, which is
an organization of Irish firms, includ-
ing sDinners, manufacturers, bleachers
and dyers. is not an organization which
has IN view the raising of prices. 1t
AIMS merely to carry on publicity on
the linen situation and to give the
trade accurate information of condi-
tons in Ireland and make you inde-
pendent of rumors which go the rounds
and are usually false
at also has established extensive
laboratories for research work, through
which We hope to eliminate waste in
production of linen and eventually en-
able you to sell real Irish linen in com
petition with other fabrics.
"Thc society hopes ultimately by
this research and the elimination Of
waste and increase of supply of raw
materials by means of intensfication
OF cultivation to reduce the price of
Irish linen. But the effect of that re-
search will not be felt on prices for at
least tWo years.
"Therefore, the market may rest as
sured that there is no possibility of a
slump This statement is vouched for
To Use Guaranteed Seal
Mr.. Webb announced that shortly all
members OF the society would use a
uniform seal on products sent to this
country and elsewhere which will guar
antee the genuineness of goods.
"This,' he added, will help do away
with fake advertising of inferior prod :
ucts which is now going on and will
safeguard the trade and the consumer"
He said that the society, which is now
carrying on extensive trade advertise
ing. viii launch soon campaign
OF advertising appealing to the con-
sumer in order to arouse the love for
real Irish lnen.''
Discussing the Russian situation,
and the scarcity Of fax due to the ces-
satlon of that coun1ry's output, he de-
clared that 1000 tons Of fax was at
Archangel Il has been there for two
years. he added, and its present condi-
'tlon is unknown.
W. D. Mitchell, honorary chairman
Of the New York committee of the Irish
Linen Society. presided. Other speak
ers included +. Watson, acting British
Consul General here, and A c. Pear
son. of the Drygoods Economist H. H.
Campbell. Of McCrum, Watson & Mer-
Ger, OF this city. is honorary secretary
of the New York committee.
Linen buyers and heads of linen de
partments present AZ the luncheon in
Guided Hugh Fcely, James G. Riley and
Mr. McTaggart. Of b. Altman & Co.; j.
y. Wellfy. Of Lord {; Taylor; Arthur
krakeur. OF Malson de Blanc Grande.
New Orleans; +. J. McGrath of Macy
g Co; j. Morrison. Of NcCreary's;
II ". Wright. of Doeser s. Co; J. Don
nelly. OF Hanne & Co. Newark; p. Day,
Of Gimbe!s, New York; Charles Nc
CDtcheon and A McCann, Of McCutch-
con & Son; c. Mulholland. of Gimbels.
Phllade iphla; j. s. Bach nan. of John
Wanamak ker's, and NJ. johnson, of II.
NJ Voorhees, & Co, OF Trenton