New-York tribune., 1919-09-22
Cotton Goods

The cotton goods rarket last week
entered upon a period which was re-
Garded IN many quarters as the fore
runner OF season of excellent busi-
ness. The revival of buying was not al
together unexpected, as predictions
were freely made during the dull davs
OF August that shortly after Labor Day
business would become active Mill
agents, cynverters, jobbers and brokers
all reported a fresh impetus in the pur-
chasing OF merchandise, and there was
evident throughout the market tone
OF optimism that was more marked
then any for the last thirty days.
The virtual withdrawal of specula-
tors from the selling market has
brought about stable condition that
insured a healty period of buying For
many weeks spectators have controlled
the sales of gray goods. They acquired
large holdings of last spring, when
lrlces were materially below those
lar able to sell at prices considerably
under those made by mill agents. As
result the mills have been out of the
market as sellers.
Continuous purchases of the specu-
lators' merchandise has absorbed most
all of their stocks, however, and on
Monday their prices were the same as
those OF the mill agents, Is cents a
yard Tor 61-60s, standard grade. BY
the middle of the week the spectators
almost ceased to exist as owners of
gray goods and mills were left in un-
disputed command of the selling mar
ket. Consequently they took advan-
tagc OF the demand for their goods and
by Thursday had advanced quotations
to 10 q cents yard. Converters bough,
freely at that price, feeling that with
specultors out of the market quotations
would certainly not be reduced
A concensus of opinion was that II
cents would shortly be reached. 1t wa.
lot believed, however, that advance.
beyond that price would be RECORDED d
A majority of sales made during tn.
week called for delivery from Novem
Der to February Immediate shipments
were virtually impossible and thos,
mills having merchandise immediatel,
available could get most any pric,
named for them.
Converters stated that if gray good
are not greatly advanced in price b,
the early part of October they will b,
enabled to establish new lower price
ON percalc and some OF the marrow
printed cloths, such as calico. Percal,
is now selling for 25 cents yard, ant
IT tx was stated that if the basic gra.
cioth remains in the vicinity of l,
cents yard the ew schedule of sprin:
prices will quote percale at 90 to 2,
cents. The narrow fabrics will be re
uuced proportionately. Calico, at pres
ent selling tor is cents, will probably
be lowered or cents yard
Ihe demand for spring ginghams, fa1
IN excess OF the supply, is a source O.
great concern to the commission firms
In all cases mill outputs have been al
iotted to customers, and these. most O
whom are lobbers, were combing ths
market during the week in their eff
1orts to purchase more goods. Theil
share of the allotments are not eoua
10 over one-third of the business the,
expect to do with the retail merchants
New prices on spring draperies an
nounced on Wednesday by Lawrence &
Co. embraced a range of from l4ls ts
65 cents yard. Advance inquiries
point to rapid consumption Of tht
limited output, with cretonpes being il
Tho