New-York tribune., 1921-10-16
Improves etnleftIn
Iri n Lin en-
Industry Gains
One of Features Is Increas-
inglv Brisk Demand for
Fine Yarns 10 Supply
the \ meri lean Trade
Prices May Go Higher
Orders for Handkerchiefs
and T a b | e Coverings
Show Continued Increase
By Alfred 5. Moore
Dcr7yudie Linen Company

BELFAST, September 20.
Although the holiday season is still
,-svalent, the conditions ruling in the
IRISH linen market this month are not by
.,v means SO depressed as last. 1t is,
moreover, possible that the gradual firm
10 up Of linen prices which is begin
,;nr 70 show itself. mas not attracted so
-,nch attention as would have been
srawn TO it at other times. 1t is true
ina. bleaching costs have been reduced
considerably during rscsnt weeks, in
fact. by about Ia per yard. Similarly.
sn;sbinC costs have been reduced pro
nortionately. vet there is little chance Of
hess dimunuons being passed on TO
benefit the linen buyer in turn.
On the other hand, yarns have ad-
vancsd much more, and it would be futile
a consider this increase as other than
he beginning Of probable series Of
rises. The spinner has very substantial
airport for his action in the twofold
rsssons: !. Flax IS, and must inevi-
ably be. both scarce and dear; and, 2,
also when once linen buyers come into
he market IN their expected numbers
he manufacturers must be willing to
dve the spinners such prices as hey
demand. Just now prices Of yarns are
being firmly held. ard where spinners
have 70 be applied to, somewhat higher
,rces have to be given for certain indi-
vidual numbers which were recently on
.zer at cut prices Thus, while tow
wefts were as low as las Sd, they are
now l6s Sd, and good quality yarns now
ouo.ed at ssound 1ss per bundle were
o4ered al AS Sd not long ago.
Brisk Demand for Fine Yarns
Certainly one feature of present
business is the sharp and increasingly
brisk demand for fine yarns Of from
SOS UP owing to the many orders for
sandkerchiefs and also the unusual
buying by the United States Of linens
sor ladies' costumes This latter is
ono of the prominent dovelopm Of
,he season Until ? faw weeks ago,
browns. greens and reds were the
colours o. these dres linens most IN
reauest, but during recent weeks the
desire has changed enormously 20
creams and whites Being made from
the finest yarns. these costume linens
are cer.sinll expensive. L canno- be
aeuied either that financial conditions
the Uaited States are JUS as tight
rs they are or tlis side Of ,ne Atlantic.
n fact certain good American import
srs have even asked Belfas. merchants
70 extend TIN. tor payment. EoweVer,
lie craze ior costume linen has set
ID and It evidences much Tor the posi-
ion held ~ the American feminine
Il the esteem Of her men folk, that
whether they must abjNre luxuries or
not her wishes cannot be neglected.
Nov, !. IS becoming IS plain as Inc
7roveroial kestaf that linen prices
= al directions tend to harden rather
Aal decline he most important FAC
'o-s sAcctlr- tie future may be sum
married. as wo. VIZ: I. The hardening
Q, cotton. trivc hCw We NAY, We can
aos get away from the fact that cotton
:: linens big rival. is moves are par
a.lsl and co..-enpor seou=. ?. Srppl.es
.; fax a.e of th-a selves SO limited
fst ne are gradually approaching .
2sF!od wa-c comparative Y, moderate
increases l7 zen buying must have Il
ssfy determ ned eject on prices. In
1esd, u rne mome0t the opportunity
Ses never moro favorable for the ma
Du atiag Of q corner in the worlds
a. supply. Ihe NUN fax crops are
harvested ard their quantities as es~
aiasied giTe no greet reason for liber-
eli'y WAL The surplus iher LETT over