New-York tribune., 1920-01-12
Ira d e view

buying directly from trappers and ship
tracted by the skin dealer. Present
nlgh prices. even though the skin
dealers profit is based on q small per-
centage. make this saving considerable.
however, few of the manufacturers arc
financially equipped to buy so fax
ahead. and will rely on the dealers for
their stocks as they need them.
The New York Fur Auction Sales Cor
poratlon postponed the opening of its
winter sale from February 8 to Feb
ruary l6. This will give the trade .
week between the close of the St. Louis
sale and the opening of the auction in
Louis opens on January 26, and is ex-
pected to consume two weeks.
Apparel
wages OF workers in the apparel
trades is bone Of contention that is
holding up progress into the spring
manufacturing season. The cloak and
suit trades difficulties appear to be on
the happy way to solution under the
guidance Of a special committee ap-
, pointed by Governor Smith, who took
hand in the. proceedings early last
WORKERS
the dress manufacturing industry and
THEFT. employers are scheduled for this
week. If wage advances are granted
still higher prices for finished gar
mentS than were at first figured will
rule during the spring, season.
Some manufacturers have prepared
Tor q curtailed output this spring. Fol-
lowing the fourteen weeks strike be-
| fore the last fall season, manufacturers
rolled up excess stocks in the face of an
| expected shortage. This is having some
/ effect on plans for the new season.
In the mems clothing section of the
apparel trades manufacturers are en-
deavoring to check cancellations on
both winter and spring apparel, which
retailers are sending in. Price reduc-
tions current in retail stores indicate
that stocks were ample to fill the de-
mand. Retailers Of both mems and
women's garments appear to be show
ing more of disposition to pursue the
hand-to-mouth policy of merchandise
during the coming season.
Leather
The report that Federal Food Ad-
rnini.t traitor Arthur Williams is about
to take steps to prevent q marked ad-
vance in the cost of shoes was the
chief topic of discussion last week in
the leather industry. Manufacturers
and retailers were confident that after
the investigation had been completed
Mr.. Williams would agree that an ad-
vance of SO per cent on summer shoes
was absolutely necessary.
Authorities in the trade assert that
everything possible is being done to
prevent increased prices, bat that the
consumer alone refuses to cooperate
in making purchases and has made the
advance of so per cent necessary
Fewer styles" according to the head
Of one of the largest shoe companies
in America. would result in greater
turrovers and less basic stock and
capital" The public, however. is not
willing to confine its purchases to
few patterns. but insists on many diff
ferent shapes and varieties.
"To date, however, the public has
disl layed little interest in this con-
servation plan. A few years ago, when
leather was plentiful. retailers were
rushed with orders for low cut shoes;
now. with leather very scarce, Gus
toners insist upon high shoes. A more
extensive use of fabrics would also
help the situation. If consumers
woulo buy shoes made from leather
that would give good service but which
is produced rom less expensive hides,
there might still be plan by which
the price Of footwear would be lowered
instead of advanced. There is an
abundance Of leather Of this type"
Retailers declare that the pull lie, in
| passing judgment OH the proposed ad-
| vance of 90 per cent. does not seem
to clearly understand that consumers
prices as a rule lag six months be-
hind producers prices. In other words,
a change or a new level of prices up
|pr down, at the raw material end, re
quires in normal times six months to
work through to the finished end.
From the time hide is purchased IL
may be from six to twelve months be
fore it is on the shelves of the re-
taller in the form of II shoe. Present
on prices pa3n producers last spring.
The market advance in raw material
during last June. July and August, due
to excessive foreign demand, will not
be fully reflected in prices to the con-
sumer before the late spring and sum
mer of the current year.
Owing to the chaotic condition OF
the foreign exchange market and to
the development Of saner and non
speculative attitude on the part of
buyers, a weakness has developed in
the prices Of hides and skins. As yet
this does not apply to goatskins or
kid leather. If this condition should
continue, it would indicate that the
tide has turned and that the peak OF
prices, as many authorities believe.
has been reached. 1t must be borne
in mindy however. that the foreign de-
mand in the shape Of raw material or
finished product is the key TO the stu
alton, and if this should resume TO
any large extent frmer market con-
dition would be inevitable.
Meanwhile, shoe factories are sold
up we'll into April. Production per
man is greatly below normal due to
the lack of skilled workers and short
age of materials. Retail business is
also Of great volume.
Jewelrv
With the passing of the greatest year
in the history Of the jewelry Industry
manufacturers, johbers, whole salers
and retailers are now in the midst OF
busy reconstruction period. The
taking of inventory. the ordering O.
new stocks and the rcdressing Of many
sh NV Wi n n oua arc now in order Prac-