Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-02-11
W00LENS IN FAIR DEMANI
Prices Have stiFened and Sales
Show Considerable Increase

a better demand for woolens and
piece goods is reported IN the weekly re-
view Of trade for the Philadelphia dis.
trict BY r. g. Dun & co. wholesalers
and johbers state business shows a great
Improvement over the last two months
OF 1920. Prices have stiTened and
sales for January have considerably in
creased. There appears to be a steady
demand for the merchandise. The pres-
ent indications are very optimistic, look
ing forward to good steady trade.
Manufacturers Of shirt waists say
trade has shown a marked increase in
the last thirty days and the belief Ia
that buying will bring an added i'm.
proveInent Manufacturers Of mems and
boys clothing report an increase in sales
over December. 1920 prices are stoadier
and looking forward to an Increased
business for the future
The review. continuing, goes on 10
say:
The hardware line shows fair
amount OF activity. with good demand
for all grades Of material and while, in
titles, in other branches Of the business
the demand exceeds the supply, ana n
decided increase In the volume OF bust
ness being done is anticipated during
the early spring season. Prices remain
firm and collections good.
The electrical trade reports slight
tendenC% toward an Increase in busi.
ness and regards conditions pointing
the current month The idea of price
reduction OF material has been elimin-
ated during the last thirty days and the
trade now seems to expect that price
reduction will be gradual and extend
over a period OF years. Jobbers and re-
taiIers are fairly busy, prices are reh-
sonably frm. Collections are faiS.
The stove trade reports moderate
| business. owing TO mild weather condi-
| tions. and staple goods are moving
slowly with fair activity in supple
are operating at about 80 per GENT ca.
| pacity and jobbers and retailers are
! fairly busy. Prices are firm and col
lections show an Improvement.
The leather market shows some i'm
! provement: prices have changed but
little and there appears more hrmness
| and less disposition to sscrince. Giazeo
kid and upper leather manntacturers st =
last week and the stocks Of higher
grades are steadily decreasing. Unless
production is increased soon there Will
be a scarcity Labor conditions are
i good and a wage reduction OF 20 per
cent has been accepted. The raw ma
terial market has advanced slightly
from the lowest point and any sharp de
mand will increase prices. Collections
are fairly good Manufacturers of shoes
are gradually increas ing their produe
tIon: Indebtedness is comparatiVel,
small and they are reduy u puS o
ouIrements Retail dealers are buyins
cautiously and to meet immediate NEEDS
and are doing a fair business
Millinery houses have had Booc
volume oil business ana are pteparini
for an Increased business during thu
sprIng season as stocks of merchandise
are generally small.
| Builders are doing a very noderat'
amount OF work at present. Efforts ar
haing made 10 adjust prices to the bes
advantage of all concerned, and whil
abers bas been a reduction in cost o
enrae waterfalls and a lower scale o
wage practically arranged Tor In Ger
tain mechanical trades. there mas no
rat been reached a definite understand
. ing as to cost. and proposed Wor'
amounting to many millions OF dollar
is still retarded. - ,.., :,
,o,,ta and painters supplies report
pse%ate AMOUNT OF business being dor
~ nv ,Sis line. purchases are in fair quar-
.i,iss and represent immediate needs ]
- he,ieved however. there will be de
ia.d increase in the volume OF bus
! C.u aas dnne in this line during the earl
anriny Prices remain hrm and col
}, lections good. ,...,,s ,o,h.u
!, wall paper manufacturers. )oooer
y o,d asalers report little change In thi
itna 81 business. There appears 10 he
80 amount OF work among papefhaNS
= &c considering the midwinter scasor
So,nfacturers report doing Eood 20
u 80 ~ business which, II Is be, eVeC
lii exceed that for the same pcr'o
a tor several years previous. fThGeS II
. main Arm and collections good