Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-14
YARN TRADE IMPROVES
Buying Confined for Most Part to
Special Grades for Immediate Use

A better feeling prevails in the local
yarn trade, according to the weekly re-
view OF trade for the Philadelphia dls-
ttict as reported by II. q. Dun Co.
Buying Is mostly Of small lots of spe-
clal grades of yarns for immediate use.
Cancellations are reported In consider
able numbers and there is no effort 20
push business as long as present condi-
tons continue.
The hosiery business is quiet, espe
cialy seamless hosiery. There Is some
improvement in the demand for chill
dren's hosiery. While manufacturers of
upholstery goods report an Improvement
in their business. mems wear, dress
goods. towels haircloth. carpets, tapes
and shirtings report that they are short
on orders.
Continuing. the review goes on to say:
Manufacturers of mems and women's
wearing apparel state that the trade con-
tinues TO buy cautiously and there Is
very little business, purchases being
made for immediate needs only, Dur
ing the last couple of weeks there has
been a little more activity in business,
both among the manufacturers and Job-
bers.
Shirt manufacturers say trade has
been generally quiet.
'Jobbers OF dry. goods report some
buyers are still holding back. looking for
reduction In prices. and they ore buy
ing cautiously. Collections generally,
however. are satisfactory.
"Jobbers of knit goods, hosiery and
underwear report little change In busi-
ness conditions. Collections are normal.
The iron and steel market presents
no special features and continues to be
rather in a waiting condition, though
there Is considerable business in hand on
existing contracts. The trade Is un-
certain as to the outcome of prices, and
buying is therefore more or less restrict
ed on new business. Plants are operat-
ing at fair capacity on existing orders
and jobbers and retailers are fairly well
employed.
The hardware line remains active in
all its branches with a slight falling Off
In the amount of purchases in the re-
tail line, which it is believed is due
principally TO the midwinter season, and
uncertainty of future prices. There is
little change so far in the price of ma
terial in this line. Collections remain
good.
THE electrical trade report a good
demand for household specialties with
considerable buying of material for con-
tract work Prices are reported firm and
| IL Is anticipated that when the spring
trade opens there will be a good volume
of business
goods. largely due to the increased mild
weather. though some activity is noted
in steam and hot water boilers. Sup
Elemental heating apparatus is moving
fairly we'll employed. Prices are re-
| ported firm and collections fair.
There is practically no change in the
leather market. The demand is good
for all grades and prices remain firm.
| Glazed kid manufacturers report
| sales good and while only moderate
| stocks of raw material are on hand,
| conditions are improving
shoe dealers report a moderate trade
and collections fair.
Military dealers report sales mod
crate. but the demand continues for
better grades and collections are satis-
| factory.
I'm the lumber market everything is
quiet. this condition having existed for
some time past. The retail yards are
not buying to any extent. and box manu-
facturers for some time past have beer
doing no active buying and prices are
still high. The car supply is fair.