The Washington herald., 1921-02-16
DRESS COODSLEAD
TEXTILES REVIVAL
Hope For Other Lines in
Growing Strength Re-,
ported Here.
Especial to Business Section Of The wash
infton Herald.)

(specisl to Business Section Of The wash
ington Herald,)
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Feb. Is
Increased orders for dress goods,
placing this. branch of the textile
industry in Philadelphia on an ap-
proach to pre-war conditions, has
given hope In other branches Of the
industry for an early lifting Of the
depression that has continued Since
early last year. Manufacturers
are moving cautiously, however.
Orders for raw materials are being
placed only to meet Immediate de-
mands. because the retail demand
is uncertain. and in many quarters
there is still lack Of confidence in
price stability.
Orders that will keep their mills
fully occupied for at least three
months have been received by Fol-
well Bro. & Co. dress goods manu-
facturers, Third and Somerset
streets. w. H. Folwell. vice presi-
dent, said yesterday.
Our business is running close to
the pre-war level of 1914" he said,
and this is true. believe. OF other
manufacturers of. dress goods. Like
OlneT DTdnCneS Oh business tllls III =
dustry was hit by the cancellation
of orders that occurred last year,
when the rush OF buying that
started during the war took a sud
den slump. That condition, how
ever. has passed, I am confident, and
the trade is getting back to a stable
state.
In volume OF business We are
approximating normal; but in value
II has dropped, prices having fallen
off about 40 per cent from the peak
of war prices. So far there have
been no cuts in wages. manufac-
turers making their reductions on
the strength OF lower prices for
raw materials. Amy reduction that
may be made will be gradual. as the
advances were made during the
| war"
In the lace, upholstery goods and
draperies. hosiery and underwear
branches there has not been a
marked revival of business, but
many OF the manufacturers think
the outlook for the future hopeful.
Lace Business Better.
Lace manufacturers. operating on
so per cent basis. say there has
| been a general increase of orders
| during the last three months, but
as most of these orders are for
! early delivery. they are unable to
estimate on conditions as they will
exist in the spring and summer.
John W. Snowden, vice president
| and general manager OF the Stead
and Miller Company. manufacturers
| Of upholstery goods and draperies.
| Fourth and Cambria streets. said
| their industry was operating on
| about a so per cent basis. filling
orders for immediate delivery. Raw
materials are being bought only in
| sufficient quantity to meet immedi-
! ate demands, and the trade gener-
! ally, he said. was marking time un-
| til there was a general stabilizinG
| of business.
Jobbers Order Slowly.
Similar conditions obtain in the
| hosiery and underwear trades
| There was virtually no buying by
| jobbers last year. it was said at the
office of the National Association OF
| Hosiery and Underwear Manu-
| faCturers. Orders now being re-
| ceived by manufacturers are those
that in normal times would have
been given five to seven months
ago. Absence of confidence in
prices and other market conditions
| are responsible for this, 1t was ex-
planned.
Jobbers are unwilling to place
large orders, with the possibility Of
slump in prices, leaving then
overstocked with high priced goods
as was 1.-The case a year ago. anC
i manufacturers are unwilling to tak'
large orders for future deliver!
4 with the possibility of having then
Cancelled. Generally speaking. i
was said. the mills are running IL
Il capacity only to meet present de
i lmands, but are preparing for a
rrapid resumption of business wheT
conditions through out the country
become more settled.