New-York tribune., 1919-04-14
Britain Ready
To Enter World
Leather Market
War Necessity Established
Industry ON Basis so Solid
That Country Is Going
After Foreign Trade

lis tanning industry curing 1918 that
the end of the war found it in a posi-
tion not only to meet domestic demands
for leather, but also successfully to
compete in other markets of the world,
leather situation just prepared by the
Tanners Council. During the last year
all branches of the leather trade in
Great Britain we're steadily employed,
and on account of the high values real
ICED for stocks the profits were enor-
nous.
Practically all the leather used was
dressed or tanned in Great Britain.
The war has practically revolutionized
the industry; tanyards have been en-
arged and new mechanical methods
adopted. with the result that labor has
been lightened, cost of production re-
duced and the output increased. Owing
to the large demand, the long proc
esses of tanning have been discarded
for the shorter systems, and the prod
uct thus obtained has proved very sat
isfactory for military requirements.
Under Government Control
"The whole industry has now been
under government control since 1916"
says the councils review, "and men,
bers have been looking forward to the
removal CT this control with the advent
Of peace, and to the renewed develop
ment of individuality. The recent action
of the governments of the United
rot Prifo o,,l
however. in appointing joint commit
tee to pool, control and distribute
hides, skins and tanning materials.
does not lead the trade to believe that
there will be an early return to pre-
war conditions. At the same time, the
necessity Of such committee is recog-
nized on account of the condition of
the markets of the world and the
shortage of boots, shoes and other
leather products.
Extensive purchases were made by
the British government in South Afri-
ca, India and South America. These
purchases, together with home sup
plies, kept tanners we'll supplied with
raw stock. Large importations were
made of dry and dry-salted hides, but
sole leather hides, formerly imported
in large quantities from Spain and
Portugal, practically disappeared from
the market.
Hides arriving in a green state
from foreign markets were uncon-
trolled as regards price, and realized
about one-third more than English
hides. The purchases made by buyers
acting on behalf of the British govern
ment amounted to s70,O0O,OOO for the
last two years"
Sole leather prices have been ad-
Justed quarterly, and the supplies for
military purposes have been more than
required. A serious shortage of bends
needed for repair work was felt in the
early part of the year, but large pur-
chases of this class of leather made in
the United States considerably relieved
the situation. 1t is now known that
the government has large accumula-
tions of leather stocks at its various
depots and manufacturers are endeav-
oring to secure the release of a portion
of these to meet the present demands
of the trade.
Calfskin Output Smaller
"The production of fine feathers was
considerably affected by the restricted
killing OF calves and the falling off in
imports of SKINS" continued the re-
view. at is estimated that the output,
notwithstanding the increased demands,
amounted to only about 20 per cent of
>,
most of this was used in the manufact-
ure of boots and shoes for officers.
Glazed kid, which was formerly i'm
ported chiefly from the United States,
was made in fairly large quantities,
and the quality was considered excel
lent. Before the war most of the fine
leather was imported from Germany
and the United States, but British tan
ners are now looking forward to keep
q 1ootr orl,o ~
and preparing with this view in mind
The output of military footwear de-
creased as compared with the previous
year, on account of orders being can
celled for the Russian armies and be-
cause the Italian industry developed to
point where it became able to meet
domestic requirements. Another i'm
portant factor has been the large
amount of repairs undertaken by the
army supply department, and this has
effected a large saving in the number
Of new boots needed. 1t is estimated
that the output for military purposes
for 1918 an1o1nted to 100000 pairs
and that the total production by Brit
ish manufacturers since the beginning
Of the war has been 67,000,0 900 pairs
Generally speaking, prices out of
proportion to cost have been realized
for footwear Much of the leather
used has been the poorer qualities, but
no discrimination has been made, and
every part used; with the result that a
large percentage of the boots turned
out have been of more or less poor
quality. Despite this, however, the
commonest grades have brought exor-
btant prices on account of the scarcity
Of supplies available for the civilian
trade.
Standardized Boots
"The standard wartime boot made its
frat appearance in the retailers stores
In the early part of the year. At first
the public did not take kindly to them
on account of the lack Of style and fit
TO which they had been accustomed.
This continued az long as customers
were able TO purchase the uncontrolled
boots and shoes, preference being
shown for them even at Increased
prices, az compared with the stand
ard boots at much lower figures AS
soon AZ the supplies Of the uncon-
trel'cd stocks were exhausted, however,
customers gradually took TO the stand
ard boot. which to-day may be sad
70 be success, giving the best value
for the price paid. 1t IL hoped, how
ever, that the near future will see the
return OF the high standard Of work
nanship and material in the boots and
shces offered 70 the civilian trade at
figures within reach Of tho general
public"
TruIS Nrtn