New-York tribune., 1919-09-22
Silks

The general situation in The silk
business Of the country at the close
of last week may be summarized as
follows:
Retail merchants were in the midst
OF one Of the most profitable seasons
they have ever known. Buyers not only
placed large orders for spring goods
Staple silks, especially in black, were
in greatest demand. and large orders
were daily being refused by both job
bers and mills because Of the shortage
OF stocks. Out-of-town jobbers were
cndeavoring to buy large stocks of
goods in anticipation OF good spring
business, but few mills would quote
prices on business that far in the
future. They are bending every effort
TO produce merchandise for which
orders are already on their books. and
are unable to consider any sales that
call for delivery beyond January !.
ers, was clearly shown Thursday by
the number of sales OF "seconds." !"
Merchandise of that calibrc, usually
consisting Of old stocks of fabrics OF
faulty construction, were sold by
man nufacturers at prices they received
for first quality goods last spring.
Buyers We're told that Seconds" were
the only stocks available for immediate
Shipment. but it was a question with
them of getting stocks with which to
fill their shelves emptied by the sales
of July and August, and they showed
no hesltanCy in paying the high prices.
The production shortage continued
to be the dominant feature Of the week
Mills are making every effort to en-
large their outputs. and many Of them
have accordingly delayed opening their
spring displays Some of them an
nounced that no effort will be made
to exhibit in their salesrooms the
spring lines. Others hope to have the
new offerings ready by October /, feel
ing that their customers will be drawn
to competitors if their orders for
spring merchandise cannot be accented
by that date
Predictions were freely made that
prices Will shortly be advanced on most
broad silks and ribbons The basis for
the contention was the lowered produc-
tlon with increased costs in the dive
mills. The demand of the workers
VINO nave been on strike for several
weeks will be met on October 10. at
which time the new forty-four- honr-a q.
week working schedule will become Of.
iectlve, and 1T is believed that the wage
increase OF Is per cent will also be
granted the employees. 1t is arpucG
that these increases will naturally be
reflected in higher prices for finished
silks. Some of the mills have already
raised their prices on taffeta about 1(
per cent.
Garment manufacturers evidentl,
anticipated higher cost for taffeta fab.
ric, as during the week they were
heavy buyers of that fabric. They an.
nounced that while the goods were no,
Immediately required they were will.
ing to pay prevailing prices and hold
them for later manufacture. Prices
ranged from $1.S5 to 1925 yard. Some
!obbers predicted that before January
tafeta now selling for $1.S5 ward
would be worth 1925.
An illustration of the advance in
prices was shown in the quotations of
imitation silk used for the making of
sport skirts. A certain class Of That At
fabric was woven last spring and il
now selling for $3.75 a yard. It was IS
pointed out during the week that now
the same fabric in the gray-that is
not nc ;sSSs dyed1eost $3.50 yard, and if #
finished the goods would be WORTH
about $3.50. "'' VI