New-York tribune., 1921-08-04
Committee of N. r. D. G. A.
Which Visited United
Kingdom Reviews Situa-
ton; Woolen Goods Are
Plentiful and Cheap

Comparatively little merchandise in
the British Isles the purchase of
which can be recommended to Ameri-
can retailers was found by the mer-
chandizing committee of the delega-
ton from the National Retail Dry
Goods Association, which visited Eng
land as guests of Drapers' Chamber Of
Trade of the United Kingdom last
April and May. The committee, with
Max Hellman, of the Lindner Company
Cleveland, as chairman. yesterday is
sued detailed report on market con-
ditions in England, through the execu-
tive Offices of the association here.
The merchandise situation in Eng
land, viewed from the American buy
ers' standpoint according to the report,
was beclouded with price uncertainty
In low grade lines especially prices
were considered too high for Ameri-
cans to pay. The process Of price de-
1ation," says the report, had not at
the time of our visit been carried on
to the same extent as in the United
States. In many industrial centers
manufacturers appeared to be reluctant
to quote prices, because they frankly
admitted they were expecting to make
price revisions downward, and IN the
uncertainty over the labor situation
were unable to say at the time of our
visit how sharply they might reduce
prices"
Another interesting phase of the re-
port states that in the main American
manufacturers have developed the use
of machinery to a greater extent than
haye the British producers.
Linens were reported to be selling
cheaper in New York than in Belfast
and Dunfermline, and no important
cotton goods British low end sheetings
and muslins were higher than those of
American manufacture. Fine ging-
hams however, appeared to be an
advantageous buy for the American
trade.
Woolen and worsted goods, accord
ing to the committee, exist in great
quantities in the United Kingdom at
prices apparently below those here.
Storm serges, 52-inch, all wool, 10 to
II ounces to the yard were quoted at
2 shillings pence-about SO cents.
"The markets seemed to be full of
distressed merchandise" said the re-
port. Scotch and Irish tweeds and
Yorkshire worsteds, gabardines and
tweeds were the subjects of detailed
comment, most of which was favorable
to buying by the Americans.
The report says that in the main
little could be done by American re-
tailers with English made clothing, for
either men or women. Some of the
English coats and mantles for women
were found satisfactory and the com
mittee also visited two mems clothing
makers whose product appeared to be
suitable to the American trade. Prices
on cutlery are expected to be lower.
The committee reports nothing doing
on dolls and toys, adding that English
concerns are buying from German
manufacturers. Prices of cotton under
wear were found to be exceptionally
high and British retailers are import
ing many lines from the United States.
Manufacturers of glass and chinaware
were reported behind in their orders
and unwilling to quote prices.
The only types of English or Scotch
made hose that might sell in America,
according to the committee, were wool
hose, which were said to be down a
third in price from last year. The
committee believes American mer-
chants can do better in cotton and silk
hose at home. Knitted golf jackets
and women's sweaters also were the
subjects of favorable comment in the
report, which added, however, "prices
on these. in our judgment, have not yet
reached bottom"