davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Textiles
Piece Goods Makers Test
Demand With Offer
ings at Slight Price
Reductions

AS the opening of the season an
proaches it becomes increasingly an
parent that the whole woollen piece
goods trade is in a state of bewilder-
ment as to prices. Neither the mills
nor the buyers know just what to ex-
pect. One of the mills specializing in
cotton mixed suitings is showing q
hne of cotton warp, worsted filled
eloth; three-quarters Of a yard wide.
on which an initial price Of 67H cents
is quoted. The goods are made of
worsted stock, wool spun and are suit
able especially for mems cheap cloth
ing. This mill is, however, selling
more OF the goods on open order than
at the quotation. leaving the price to
be named when delivery is made to
the PURCHASER 1t is expected that the
price will decline unless labor troubles
seriously curtail production.
To-day the American Wooden Com
mackinaws and friezes, both heavy
overcoating fabrics of the cheaper
grade, and it is certain that the prices
quoted will be slightly below those
asked for similar fabrics last wear.
The tendency in the woollen goods
trade seems to be to open lines of the
cheaper grade fabrics first in order to
get an idea of how the buyers will
take goods at the prices quoted, or to
stimulate business activity.
Either reason can safely be consid-
cred the actuating cause for the few
openings that have taken place at re-
duced prices. Few of the openings,
however, are expected to show. the
heavy drop in prices noted in that of
Amoskeag serges. 1t is significant that
the Amoskeag company explained it's
action by saying that now is the time
to take some action that will stimulate
the market and instill confidence in
the minds of the buyers. The same
view was expressed yesterday by a
trade leader who, however, thought
the Amoskeag company had gone bit
too far in its price slashng. This man
said that profits of the mills would
have to be shaded, or even sacrificed,
if things reached a point where such
action was necessary to start the ball
rolling again.
From events so far it can be as
sumed that most of the lower grade
woollen fabrics put on the market for
consumption next fall will show reduc-
tons from the high price levels of last
year. What the situation will be in
the higher class and finer goods re-
mains to be seen.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Novelty Fabrics in Demand

with the war over the demand for
novelties in woollen for women's wear
viii assert itself more strongly than
ever. This means that the leading and
fashionable novelties in this class Of
goods will bring prices far in excess
of their intrinsic worth. Makers of high
class womcn's garments do not hest
tate to pay ST and SO yard, or even
more, for fabrics that are really diff
ferent from the ordinary run of things
SO good is the novelty woolen business
that several houses have confined their
output to one or two novelties. The
history of the trade shows that such
novelties usually last but two, or at
the most three, seasons. When CHEAP
limitations Of the high class novelty
appear the novelty mills originate new
fabrics. With cloth weaving greatly
restricted during the war, novelties
have reached the low point in supply,
and mills which concentrate on their
production look for a bigger business
than they have ever enjoyed
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Leather
ClOueniakers Forced to
Close Plants O,uing
to Shortage of
Cdpeski,,s

Owing to the shortage of cape
skins, both sheep and goat, large
number Of glovemakers in this country
have been forced to curtail their out
put. The chief cause Of the shortage
Is the lack of tonnage available for
shipments from South Africa, which
has been the principal source of supply
since the war stopped the shipments
CT capesklns from France and Serbia.
"A number of the capeskin glove man
u1acturers at Gloversville n Y. one of
the largest producing centres in this
country, have shut down their plants.
others are running their factories only
part time, hoping that by so doing
their labor problems can be ameio-
rated
The fear is expressed that unless
immediate steps are taken to increase
the supply of capeskin feathers further
curtallment of factory operations will
be necessary. The situation has been
brought to the attention of the Mer-
chants Association of New York
through w. H. Mahoney, manager of
It's foreign trade bureau, and the mat
ter taken up with the United States
shipping Board in the interest of the
gloVemakerS.
Shipping Board to Act
The Tanners Council formed during
the war period to regulate leather
trade conditions, has sent a question
nalre to its members throughout the
country making inquiry as to the quan-
1ltles of skins which their agents have
accumulated in South Africa. One of
the largest importers replied that he
mad over $4,000 raw sheepskins await
ing shipment at Cape Town. One of
the largest manufacturers in the coun-
try states that he has over 100000
cape goatskins and sheepskins, which
nave been plling up in Cape Town,
purban and Port Elizabeth, South
Africa, since the war began Many
other replies indicate that the guam
tlty of skins in storage at those places
awaiting the arrival of adequate ton
mage is very large.
The United States Shipping Board
has promised the Merchants Associa-
ton and the Tanners Council that
hlps VIII be furnished as soon as pos
slble IN order that the glove industry
can obtain the much needed supplies
of South African skins.
Glazed Leathers Also Scarce
Supplies of fancy glazed feathers used
IN making gloves also have been short
for many months Some of the large
glove manufacturers, especially in the
Philadelphia district, have found it diff
flcult to obtain skins enough of that
sort to keep up their output. With the
Improvement in shipping facilities it
IS expected that larger quantities of
both sheepskins and goatskins which go
into the production of fancy glazed
glove making feathers will come in
from Argentina, Australia and other
producing countries.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
New England Mills
Ask Federal Limit
On Working Hours
Forty-eight-hour Week Gives
South Advantage That
Nav Stifie the Massachu-
set,s Textile Industry
Business Ncics BureCu
.SD,rlcl Core. pondercc


NEW BEDFORD, Mass, Feb. 5.--An
,.arxhelming majority of the textile
nnis OF New England having granted
sortv-eight hour week, effective last
monday, and with the prospect Of most
= the others being compelled TO take
similar action within short time
,hroush the medium of a Massachu-
sstts law. have greatly disturbed New
England manufacturers.
Briefly. they fear the competition OF
.be Southern States.
North Carolina. South Carolina,
Georgia and Alabama, the four leading
toxtile states of the South, each has
s;xtv-hour week. This means that
o,erv Southern operative has been
r.crkinc 312 hours each year more than
.be individual New England operative.
Under the forty-eight-hour system in
tho North this lead will be increased
70 s24 hours each year. The result IN
,be ewes Of many Of the manufacturers
n This section of the country will be
tho passing of the textile supremacy
70 the Southern States.
spindleage (meaning the number of
cotton spindles) varies in proportion to
nroduction in the textile business. and
therefore is a fair standard Of COM
rarison. The ever-increasing spindle
noe Of the South, with its high work
ing hours, is shown by this table;
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Business Money

lime was when a commercial pa
per broker came into bank and
laid down before the banks buyer
bundle of paper an inch or more
thick. That bundle looks to the
banker to-day as if it were not
more than a quarter of an inch thick.
Banks would take more paper if there
were more offered. The scantiness of
supply is discouraging. Industrial
concerns and mercantile houses are
cutting down stocks, instead of bor-
rowing to take on more
Rates seem to be showing a slight
tendency toward ease. Some banks say
that paper is moving quite freely at 5
per cent. Other banks in this city will
not take paper at that rate. They do
not want anything under 5A, and
leave the per cent paper to the out
of-town banks, which seem to be a trife
more anxious to find employment for
their money, which continues to ac-
cumulate, under the influence of the
reaction of business on the ore hand
and stock market dulness on tQ other.
One banker complains of scarcity Of
"choice names" at rate better than
5M5A per cent, but says that the
paper of concerns with a fair standing
moves in moderate amount at ~ per
cent. Very little of any kind Of paper
is offering, among the industries, where
the sharpest decline is noted in the
textile industry.
1t is to some extent fortunate fact
for the banks tha the Victory loan is
coming along now and that these insti-
tutions are called upon to take a large
volume Of United States certificates of
indebtedness. That gives an employ
ment for funds which otherwise would
be lacking. The condition of the COM
mercial paper market itself is we'll re-
fected in the issue of Federal Reserve
notes. These notes are secured by
comercial paper: their volume huctu-
ates with the supply of paper, so re-
spending to the needs of business for
currency. What has been happening
is that the notes of brokers already
outstanding have been falling due and
being met, while the supply Of new
paper coming on tie market is limited.
The volume of Federal Reserve notes
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
A Shortage Of limitations

There IA great scarcity in tho
United States ns in practically ali the
rest of tho world, Of imitation stones.
The supply has been cut off aimee the
outbreak Of tho war, AZ they were made
almost exclusively in Austria and Ger
many. principally in tho fdrlner coun-
try. Tho prospect OF receiving any
large quantitics Of these stones is very
uncertain. Mono will come in until
after tho signing Of peace, and then
only ANAL quantities are expected.
A. ths time tho war broke out In
Etrope hundreds Of thousands of dol
iarg' worth of imitation stones had
hesa ordered from Austria and were
ready % be shipped. The fate Of these
gtock4 Ia unknown To consumers In the
American market, but inquiries for
them are expected to be made us soon
ng conditions permit.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Rubber
Crude Rubber Aduances
Cent q Pound, FoLIoaU-
ing Recent Large
Purchases

Crude rubber has advanced 1 cent a
pound, with dealers reporting more in
quries from manufacturers in general
Recent large purchases by some of the
leading makers of rubber goods have
reduced available supplies and impart-
ed strength and activity to the market.
A part of the recen. buying of the
crude product is reflex of the in
creasing export trade being developed
by leading manufacturers Of tires and
rubber goods.
Early deliveries have been insisted
upon by recent purchasers of plant
ton smoked ribbed sh haets and other
grades of crude rubber.
Singapore cables quote a price of 49d
for LIST Latex, pale crepe rubber, c. i. f.
Pacific Coast, and AID for Plantation
smoked ribbed sheets, c. i. f. Pacific
Coast
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Silks
Norelty Silks Favored in
Preuuiling Styles Of
r. onaen's s " caring
Apparel

SoTelty or fancy silks and satins
seera to be rno7ing well because wom-
ea are buying colored goods in lib
essl uaJ.
Water Terhnnc. manager OF the silk
goods de2artment Of Pelgrarn & Meyer,
Aarzs manufacturers Of novelty silks
ard sasisas. stated yesterday that his
a'rss had done an exceptionally fine
0s''nesr In January, and 80 far this
Mouth trade has kept up well.
.. 4 Nigel. a leading manufacturer
p y s]T<lty silks. operating najils at
sssssrson zs.d West Hoboken, ". J.. and
aastor.s. Long Island. reported that or
~ ssss @ 59r heir product greatly exceed
Ne s sr11lT. In ths opinion Of Nr.
f'g~' te~ outlook j. encouraging,
sspec.aiiJ for hign grade n0vslty sll1a.
.ns ns II Convinced that the%0 goods.
ssa!ea prior n the var we're obtained
.fpa .' frs gre, will continue to bo sup
%'so % American mills.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Banker Advises Sacrifice
Of Profits, if Necessary
stimulation of Trade Comes
First, G. A. O'Reilly
Tells Clofhiers

Two apparently divergent views of
the proper business policy to be pur-
sued during the reconstruction period
We're expressed by speakers addressing
the third annual convention of the
New York Retail Clothiers' Association
at the Hotel McAlpin yesterday. G. A.
Reilly, OF the Irving National Bank.
ADVISED the ciothiers, who came from
all sections of New York state, to drop
extreme conservancy, to be "a little
careless in business" and mot TO play
'helr cards too close to the table"
BANKERS are not worried particu-
iarIy ABOUT financial problems. such as
me coming victory Loan, the financing
OF OF foreign trade or any other purely
hhanclal questions" he said, but they
are ohinAirg seriously Of the problems
OF production, distribution. labor. ytc.
Unless these things are active no 10
banker cannot do business. AS see
IT. the whole problem Of reconstruc-
tlon is one of salesman shin. More
goods must be sold to take up the
great pulcn sing power which has
come to this country through its war
prosperity. With everybody busy
,hlhgs VIII readjust themselves. The
'roupie is that most people believe the
war Is over and so have slackered
thelr efforts to do business. There is
700 much waiting TO see what is going
TO happen: The markets of the coun-
try must be stimulated, and, if ncces-
sary' profits will have to be sacrificed -
Inc following officers were elected
lol 'ne ensu As Gordon l..
SStephens' Brooklyn, president; Harry
plnto' New York, vice president; Lee
hamloner, New York, treasurer lre-
erected, and Sol. Heller, secretary,
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06

nave held off buying their yarn, hoping
Tor drop in prices, but it has not
come yet In the face of these facts
now can we reduce our prices ?"
he further explained that, while the
mills normally send their statesmen on
the road with the fall lines around No
vember and December, and then book
orders from the retailers to be deliv-
ered during the summer and sold over
the store counters the following win
ter, this year the winter lines will not
be opened before the middle of Febru-
airy. Som" mills viii not open their
heavyweight lines until March.
Expects Better Quality
"One thing | look for" he added, "is
better merchandise t. an was found in
similar grades last year. For one
thing, the spinning mills will not be
rushed as they were on government
orders, and will put out yarns with
fewer flaws than we have had to ac-
cept in the past Labor is less arbi-
trary and can be induced to produce
better work Last year we had to take
what we could get in the way of yarn
and make the best of it.
when we DO open our lines we don't
know whether we are going to get the
volume OF business we need to keep
our mills busy or not. We get such
conflicting reports on the conditions
Of stocks now in the hands of retailers.
Some say they have very little mer-
chandise on their shelves and in re-
serve, while others tell us they are
literally stocked, and Will not be in
the market for any great amount OF
goods. l know that last year several
Of our largest customers were not in
the market. having anticipated their
future wants the year before and
stocked up heavily with enough mer-
chandise to last them couple of sea-
sons. If the volume of business does
not come we will have to close up our
mills, or at least curtail production to
fit the demand"
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Prospect for Shoe Prices

"Shoes will not go down in price ),
said a leading shoe dealer yesterday.
"With labor so high, and the cost of
findings and other essentials going
into the manufacture of shoes greater
than ever, we cannot predict anything
but a maintenance of present prices.
Shoe dealers have been burdened to
the last measure of their resources in
keeping the government supplied fo,.
military purposes. This demand has
completely absorbed all our surplus
stocks. and we are unable to lower
prices until the cost of raw materials
is reduced"
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Furs
Government PeIts Brine
High Prices at Fur
Sale; Total Now
$3,OOO.OOO

Unusually high prices were paid
yesterday at the New York fur auction
sold for account of the United
sale, for the furs that were
States government through the Alien
Property Custodian. This was not an
ticipated, as dealers and manu-
facturers had expected to secure bar
gains. The bidding was so spirited
that when the lots were totalled I'D it
was found they had brought 100000.
The aggregate for the days sale was
little over 100000, making a
grand total for the three days of moro
than $3,OOOOOO.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
CoIors
Textile Colo,
Card Is Becoming a
Standard for the
WorId

Ihe fourth annual meetinr of -.
Textile Color Card Associat;o, ,a.
heid yesterday at the Headquarters of
1ne ASSOCIATION, 1854 Fourth Avenne
lhls organization is responsible for
bringing INTO being the card meth nd
OF standardizing colors for the textile
and allied industries and has been Of
great assistance to the American dive
manufacturing industry.
The color card, according to ronor+s
suphllted at yesterdays meeting had
not only hiled an urgent demand IN +ba
Ohlled States since the outbreak of the
war but was rapidly becoming tbe
standard Of the world Plans have bean
maze TO popuiarize the card in Elrona
ana so Dring about a better under
a10aholng Oh the phenomenal strides the
America maui IN
announcement was made that tho
tall season card probably would he is1
sued next March. it being impossible
70 set a more definite date because
OF unsettled labor conditions. II was
a1so lnllmated that the new card would
ance. si9a' import
1reac enthuslasm was aroused by the
cai'' neport OF the chairman of the service
committee, which, as one member ex-
pressed it, "was doing so much to
create a color atmosphere for America
something that was emphaticaliv
AMERICAN and did not conflict with
the European" W."
9t the end Of the meeting all the
directors of the association were re-
elected. They are: Frederick Bode
president; William Hand, first vice
president; A. L. Clifford, second vice
president; Adolf Muller. treasurer;
ramsay Peugnet, secretary, and Carl
Forsch, director
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
copper Buyers Look for
Still Lower Price Level

Little buying was in evidence in the
local market yesterday, purchases being
confined to small lots wanted for i'm
mediate use. The unsettled condition
Of the copper market is holding back
buyers Of this metal, who expect to buy
at still lower prices. Some orders for
copper for March and April delivery
have been placed around 18 cents a
pound. Producers of copper products
say they have found that since the first
of the year raw materials have been
cheaper each time they went into the
market.
One of the principal reasons for the
absence Of activity in the metal trades
is the curtailment of railway improve
ments
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06

Comparison with the quotations OBJ
tanned at the last October sale fol-
lows: Kolnsky unchanged, Badger 40
per cent lower, Leopard unchanged,
Raccoon, northern, unchanged, and
Raccoon, South Western went 5 per
cent higher. Skunk, northern, 10 per
cent lower. Skunk, eastern, Is per
cent lower.
Although decline from October
prices was not expected, it was as
serted by manufacturers end importers
in attendance at the sale that offerings
at that time were entirely too high.
Officials of the New York Fur Auction
Sales Corporation expressed great
satisfaction at the results of the days
sales.
Offerings for to-day will include
34.179 marmot, 30.59t civet cat, 1884
hair seal, $50 flying squirrel, 4,132
japanese marten, 33084 Japanese
mink, $50 stone marten and 73,20O
mink
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Developments in
Oil Fields Shows
Drop in January
Sharp Decrease i'm Number
OF Wells Completed, but
New Production Larger
NORTH Texas Gains

New development work in the .princi-
pa- OIL fields of the United States
slowed down somewhat during the
month OF January, new wells completed
during that period numbering 1873. a
decrease of 456 compared with Decem-
ber.
production OF the new wells. how
ever, according to the field report of the
OlI Slty berrick's" report. amounted
~ h+e'Ao' oarrles, an increase of 1927
barrels over the December total.
All the divisions reported fewer new
"ells, or very small increases. owing to
1he winter season and the extremely
had roads. In the Gulf coast region
ana IN North Texas the situation was
aggravated by excessive rains The in
crease IN new production was fur
n'shed by Oklahoma, North Texas and
Louisiana.
Active Rigs
The close of January showed 300
rigs and wells drilling, decrease Of
~ from the December report The
largest gain in new work was in the
North Texas field.
North Texas is steadily gaining in
IMPORTANCE as an oil producing centre
says the Derrick" land made a new
nigh record in January. The connie
tions were 125 wells, an increase of
nineteen over December. and the new
production 1875 barrels, an increase
OF 900 barrels. Despite the wildcat
nature of the work only eighteen com
pietlons fell in the dry hole class. Dur
ing the month the productive area was
enlarged by several tests which found
OIL put the maj jority of wells are shut
down until tankage can be provided"
: ork IN Wyoming is closing down
ior 1he winter, and only eleven new
in this division.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
~ The Tribune's Page Of Business News
Expect Higher Tariff
Wool Men See Protectionist
Victory
Business Nc,cs Bureau
SpeciQl Corresn0ndcncc


BOSTON. Feb. 5.--Thc placing of
m'nimum prices in catalogues and
the selling at private sales of with
drawn lots of wool at the Government
auction sales we're urged bv Presj-
deng Frederick S. Clark in his report
a. The annual meeting Of the National
Association Of Woolen and Worsted
MaruFaciurers at the Copley Plaza Ho-
tel to-day.
The members OF the Association re-
earded the last Congressional election
as protectionist victory and some
thing new and just in tariff matters
Is Is expected; Resolutions were passed
SNlnS preference to employment of
discharged soldiers anu sailors. The
treasurer's report showed $4,000 on
hand on January first
Oficers elected included: President.
Frederick S. Clark; first vice president
William NJ. Wood second vice presi-
dent: George II. Hodgson; third vice
president, Franklin W Hobbs; 'secrc-
tary, Winthrop Marvin. The executive
committee was reelected.
New-York tribune., 1919-02-06
Little Demand for
Wool at Boston Sale
Number of Lots Withdrawn
Owing to Lack of
Bids
business Nc,os Bureau
Special Correspondence


BOSTON, Feb. 5.-The first one hun
dred lots of wool at the government
auction sale to-day dragged and
torty-one lots were withdrawn Good
Australian wools were taken, the best
being picked, but practically all at
close to the government minimum
prices. Any woods at all poor were
neglected. All listed below are Aus
tralian wools OF the forty-one pieces
withdrawn on thirteen pieces no bids
were received.
The Botany Worsted Mills we're
heavy bidders, taking S0S bales of the
first 100 lots. This firm bought 220
bales of greasy 70s. weft free or
cents. Another lot Of 100 bales of
the same kind went at 70 cents to the
Botany, and also 300 bales of 64-7Os,
spinners' good, free or nearly free, at
y cents. The New Jersey Worsted
Spinning Company bought 800 bales,
including 100 bales greasy 70s, aver
age free or nearly free. at 70 cents,
and 200 bales of greasy 70s, free or
nearly free, at 70 cents. The Pacific
Mills, of Lawrence, Mass, bought 1874
bales.
Spirited bidding characterized the
sale of 14-bale lot of 6O-64s, Com
back supers' free or nearly free, which
the Pacific bought at S2 cents. The
Pacific also bought 10 bales of 64
shafty supers, free or nearly free, at
so cents.
The American Wooden Company
bought 234 bales, taking "a bales Of
70-64s, warp sound, few burrs, at 10
cents; 1870 bales of 6470s, good warp
and weft, little fault, at CT cents; 81
bales of greasy. 64-7Os, weft free or
nearly free, at SO cents, and 96 bales
of greasy 7Os, spinners warp, few
burrs, at 70 cents. The second hun
dred lots dragged more than the first
hundred.