Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
TRADE IN TEXTILES IMPROVES
Gradual Betterment Anticipated
by Manufacturers and Dealers

Among local textile manufacturers
conditions are showing some improve
ment. according to the weekly review of
trade for the Philadelphia district by
X q. Dun Co. although there Is not
much activity in the hosiery and under
wear lines, Some mills are closed for
lack OF orders, while others are working
part time. Weavers report some i'm
provement In their business. Dress
goods manufacturers are quiet Condi-
lions generally. however. are looked
upon as being In a healthy state. and
gradual Improvement In conditions is an
'iCipated by manufacturers and dealers
Ladies wearing apparel manufac-
tureis are quite busy, especially in the
,ate. however, and indications are that
VIII be a short one. There is more
activity in business among the jobbers
OF cotton and woolen piece goods. In
pear to be any regular price. Large
stocks are still carried by the jobbers.
say; , ,
ness quiet. Manufacturers OF mems
clothing are well sold up.
Jobbers OF hosiery, underwear and
Knit goods, owing to drop in prices
nave not been doing their regular vol
ulne of business, although the previous
seasons business was large and prof.
table.
The iron and steel market presents
no special features and mills are we'll
employed, chiefly In connection with old
contracts, as there appears to be a gem
| eral waiting tendency on new business.
Jo6oers and retailers are we'll employed
ana prices are reported steady, with col
lections fair.
The hardware line remains active in
all its branches, with fair demand
FOR all grades of material. and while
there appears to be n hesitancy among
! purchasers owing to the uncertainty OF
| future prices. there is a fair volume of
business being done. and as yet little
change in prices. Collections remain
good
THE electrical trade reports good
volume of business In household spe-
cialties and considerable activity in con-
nection with building operation work.
Vacuum cleaners and washing machines
have assumed leading part in the To-
cal trade and supply houses report the
} volume of business in these lines very
satisfactory. Brisk demand is also
noted for storage batteries Sales of
electrical material are light and only a
moderate amount of pipe and wire is
reported moving. Prices are reported
firm and collections fair.
The stove trade Is active on supple
mental heating apparatus. but staple
firm. Foundries are operating at about
90 per cent capacity and jobbers and
retailers are well employed
wallpaper manufacturers, jobbers
: and dealers report a noticeable increase
In this line of business, purchases repre-.
2 senting all grades of material. and 1t Is
believed that there will be decided in
crease in this line in short time. There
) Is a slight decrease in prices Collec
, tionS remain good.
- Domestic leaf tobacco has been sell
; ing slowly during the present week. OLD
. PENNSYLVANIA and Connecticut are II
: fair demand. but prices rule high anC
T.. the new crops are not moving very rap
!. idly on account of the high prices asked
: for goods. Sumatra and Havana ar,
r being sold in moderate amounts. Th'
;: large cigar manufacturers are fairly ac
. tive with out-of-town business and loca
L. trade is fair. Collections are still re
, ported little slow.
= wholesale grocers report busines
. quiet. Owing to retailers having stocked
up considerable goods, they are not max
ing any purchases of moment. The ur
certainty of conditions and feeling thu
+. prices at present are at the crest have
d retarding influence. although 1t is fel
10 that prices will eventually come down.
;. Coffee futures are fairly active
y Owing to advance ir Santos. prices ad
n vanced further, but again fall back t.
o average price
= Tea is active. with good demand 70
. Javas and Japans. Collections are sat
, isfactory. The feeling in the trade |
!, optimistic. Sugar is in fair demand Of
!. | q basis of nine cents