Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-22
MARKET CALMLY
AWAITING PEACE
Wide Vision of Prosperity to
Follow Completion of Treaty
With Germany.
REVIEW OF INDUSTRIES

NEW YORK. June 21.-With tn.
world waiting for the formal announce
ment by the Germans that they ART
ready to accept the peace Of the de.
feated. American business, already
geared to a high pitch of activity. 1.
getting a wider vision Of the prosperity
that seems to lie ahead.
The formal signing of the treaty. al
though in large measure merely per
forming something already discount.
ed in the markets of the world
nevertheless carries with 1t a moral
exhilaration that is likely to be felt
in the marts of all the allied and
neutral countries.
Financial arrangements to enable
Europe to purchase raw materials
kind in the United States have been
tagging until the proclamation OF
peace. Henry P. Dawson Of J. P. Nor
gan & Co. has been unfolding In
greater detail his plan by which all
the great and small banking and in
dustrial interests of the country could
be asked to participate in great cor
poration which would coordinate
Americas credit streams and direct
the financing of the old worlds pur-
chaSeS.
Lack Of Material Trade Barrier.
The great barrier TO trade in many
lines at present is the shortage OF
materials. In most branches of the
textile industry the scarcity waxed
in acuteness during the last week.
Textile mills generally already have
taken about all the orders for fall
delivery that they can handle. The
continued inability Of the supply to
catch up with the demand foreshad-
ows great activity and firm prices
as far ahead as one can see into the
future of commerce. Strictly sum-
mer apparel for both men and wom-
en- is said to be scarce and retailers
who were in the market for more mer-
chandise of this character this week
paid high prices for it. Mems light
weight clothing and flannel trousers
are said to be at a premium In the
wholesale markets. Retailers report
good business in this class of mer-
chandise and clearance sales are not
necessary to move stocks.
Demand for Women's Apparel.
Much the same condition exists ir
the women's apparel field. Retailers
were in the market this week search.
ing for new stocks 4 women's sum.
mer dresses and waists. Manufac'
turers are said to be behind in deliv.
cries of these, and at the same time
are working toward the fall produc.
ton season. In all lines Of apparel
there are indications of a shortage OF
merchandise for next fall, because oil
the difficulty of obtaining woolens
cottons and silks, and because of the
shortage Of labor. Prices for fall are
extremely high. Manufacturers ex-
pect a large business in dollars and
cents, but say they will not be able te
produce as many garments as in nor.
NAL times.
Fall styles in women's apparel are
replete with novelties, a ombinatior
Of the Paris influence. which has beer
until this season, and the added
stimulus given American designers by
Partisan competition.
Women's garment manufacturers de.
clare that 1t VIII be impossible TO pro.
duce merchandise in less than four te
manufacturers have entered upon fall
production and more than half OF
them are working full forces. Labor
trouble continues to hold up the job
bers.
Better Grades of Leather Advance.
All of the better grades of leather
both upper and sole classes, advanced
in price this week, the upward tend
ency following the same curve as dur
ing the last month. Practically all
branches of the leather industry re-
port a marked shortage of stock.
Some tanners have refused to accept
further orders.
One OF the leading tanner1es had re-
duced its production with the idea OF
discouraging buying and bringing a
stop to the soaring Of prices. Tanners
supplying leather to the suitcase,
turers have materially cut the orders
received from their customers.
In the fancy goods branch Of the
industry the material situation is re-
ported to be acute. Sealskins are al
most impossible to obtain, and sew
eral of the larger tanners have sub
stituted cowhide with a hairline grain
for seal. Pigskfns are scarce, with
those obtainable fetching fancy prices
Labor is also a detrimental factor
in this industry. skilled workers being
comparatively few in number. Buyers
for goods to be delivered for fall and
winter sales. Manufacturers are
weeks, and in some instances months
behind on deliveries.
Shoe retailers are having difficulty,
1T IL reported, securing stocks to take
clare that the prospects for fall are
discouraging from the standpoint OF
deliveries. In discussing the price sit
uation the retailers expressed the
opinion that spring shoes would cost
'the public much more than ever be-
fore. Fall styles will be from 81 to
81 a pair higher than at present.
Rubber Goods Industry.
Tor in the manufactured rubber goods
industry. factories throughout the
Duntry working to capacity. With
the automobile manufacturers back
on peace time production basis and
turning out record numbers of cars
enormous business through the motor
car factories direct as well as by sales
to the individual motorist.
Recent price reductions have tended
to increase sales in some sections Of the
country. but dealers in the east report
are moving slowly. Sales activity Il
moro pronounced in the Pacific coast
tire dealers selling their stocks as fast
as received. In the east sales were fal
below normal during April and May, but
good motoring weather this month has
resulted in stimulation of business.
A rumor ID persistent In the trade that
another reduction In prices will be an.
nounced by the manufacturers in the
near future, some dealers declaring thai
new price lists will be issued mex,
month. Manufacturers discount the re.
port and declare that the only item
in tire making that is low priced Il
crude rubber. Any advantage gained
through cheap crude. they say. is more
than overcome by the increased cost O,
labor and tire fabrics.
Manufacturers show little interes