Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-14
BUSINESS NOTES

Sow that the clothing and garment
manufacturers have had the opportunity
of totaling the amount of goods the mills
will permit them to have for the coming
fall and winter the majority OF them
find there will be plenty of most ma
terials for their needs, In fact, in cer-
tain directions there appears to be a
greater yardage allotted than the cut
ters-up will require.
While they are by no means blaming
the express officials for their action, 1t
is an open secret that the temporary
withdrawal of pickup" collections by
the express companies is working hard
ship on manufacturers of women's
ready-to-wear goods. 1t is probable that
these manufacturers make use of this
method of shipment more than any other
one class of shippers, and anything that
tends to make it harder for them to do
so tends to slow up business and cause
serious delays, if not actual loss.
Trading in the gray goods market
yesterday recovered slowly from the dis
turbing effects of the holiday, and the
business done was limited both in guam
tity and the number of sales put through.
The recovery in cotton stiffened prices
slightly. Some 3Sh Inch 64-60s were
sold rather early in the day at % cents
for quick delivery, but later on bids of
that figure did not bring goods out to
any extent. Other print-cloth business
for the cay included S9-inch 6S-72s at
"a cents. Sheetings, fine-yarn goods,
etc, produced little of interest.
In one of the show rooms visited yes
terday a buyer in process of giving his
spring order came across style that
suited him. The materials offered, how
ever, did not satisfy him. He picked the
fabric he wanted in another style and
asked to have the model of his choice
made up in that material. The manu-
facturer quickly assented. The incident
60 Il 8
return to normal conditions, because
six months ago it would have been very
likely a case of take it or leave It,"
and no changes were countenanced.
About the same thing has occurred in
the shirt trade as happened last fall in
the women's garment line and this win
ter in mems overcOats, There was a
shortage of shirts some months ago and
many retailers felt called upon to order
more than their usual amounts so that
they might obtain their usual supplies.
In other words. a retailer who listened
to a manufacturer saying that only so
per cent Of his order would be delv-
cred put in a bill for l40 per cent with
the idea of getting 100 per cent. delivery
The buyers are now getting 40 per cent
in belated deliveries, Cancellations, es-
pecially from the smaller and not so well
conditioned retailers, are consequently
rather free,
The Commercial Bulletin says today.
Interest in this market has been cen
tered chiefly upon the Government WOO
auctions, where Withdrawals have been
rather heavy on account of poor selec-
| ton. Good woods OF the finer grades
have moved fairly we'll while the lower
grades of medium and crossbred woods
have been little above withdrawal limus
| and frequently withdrawn. Private ira
ing has been limited. The manufactur,
ers are opening their goods at prices
pretty close TO the level established by
the American Woolen Company last
week"
A leading Independent steel producer
| is requiring that inquiries be accom-
! panied with specifications and positive
| statement as TO the use to which ton
mage sought viii be put before it will
| quote prices, This is due to heavy de.
mand for steel and intention Of the pro,
| ducer 30 far as possible not to accept
any business but Of most assured char.
acter,