New-York tribune., 1921-04-18

Hc tS~oilSt NiStHiuEs ShOC diu hlllSQ
trades continue to make definite prog
ress, although it is still slow. The dis
position of retailers in these lines to
buy in small quantities for immediate
needs only predomnates in all whole
sale markets, although in a few lines
there is noticeable tendency to work
further into the future. 1t is difficult
to determine how much of the improve
ment in these lines has been due to
purely seasonal buying and how much
to restored confidence in present prices
and the ability of the public to con-
sumo merchandise.
The steadiness Of retail trade is n
feature of the general situation that
favors optimism. As revealed in the
countrywide survey in yesterdays
Tribune, retail trade has not been seri-
ously impaired by unemployment, or
decreased purchasing power arising
through other causes.
The local retail trade was held back
to some extent last week by unseason-
able weather. but merchants are conf
dent that warmer and brighter days
will revive shopping in large volume
| The mems wear trade is not proceed
ing at as swift a pace as the women's
wear.
The continrct ton of denim and ginr-
ham prices for later delivery by lead
ing factors, on the levels established
at the beginning of the year, gave ad-
markets. Gray or unfinished goods
t1uctuated within a small range of
prices during the week, but on the
whole closed the period with greater
strength than was shown at the open
ing. Cotton goods at present are ex-
tremely sensitive to the raw cotton
market; too much so, in the opinion
OF most trade leaders. However, a
better tone prevails in the raw fiber
market, largely because of the progress
made toward financing foreign sales.
The appearance of orders for cotton
goods for shipment to the Far East,
principally China, India, the Levant
and the Red Sea districts totalling
about 10000 bales of goods, also
strengthened the position of cotton
goods. Interest in South America and
Mexico also is picking up and some
small orders were booked for the Latin
Am erican trade.
Silks
Advances in the worlds primary raw
silk market were reflected by moving
up in local quotations during the week.
coInc OIL tne gains Tor Lne PERIOD were
fully 25 cents pound. Silk manufac-
turers, however, are not following the
market up with any degree of avidty.
The fact that large shipments of raw
silk have been landed on the Pacific
Coast and are now on their way east
is expected to relieve the shortage in
some sizes and numbers that exists at
present.
Finished silks are making steady
progress, according to most manufac-
turers. Some fall business has been
booked, principally from the retailers.
WOolens
The woolen and worsted trades con-
tnue to show steady improvement.
The action of some of the larger pro-
ducers in cutting down orders has
strengthened the market, and buyers.
especially cloak and s,it manufacture
ers assert that jobbera aave advanced
prices considerably on high grade fab
RIGS. The lower grades are firm, but
show no advance.
Among the most active fabrics for
immediate use are the homespuns and
tweeds that are going into women's
suits and skirts and to a great extent
into mems clothing as WE'LL These are
in strong demand for the summer sea-
son and are carrying through into the
fall orders now being booked. In mems