New-York tribune., 1922-08-13
Fluctuations and
Dull Trade Mark
COtions Industry
New Crop Is the Dominant
Factor in Present Situa.
iion: Little Buying Done
in Finished Goods Market

NEW BEDFORD. Mass. Aug L.
Uncertainty IN the cotton manufactur-
.ng industry continued this week, and
trading has again been demoralized.
All markets have experienced price
fluctuations. with the close of the week
marking gains over the decline that
continued 20 the middle Of the week.
The new cotton crop is the dominant
factor IN the present situation. After
recovering from the blow dealt b. t1e
government rcpor, last week. the trade
saw its skept.cism over accuracy ~
the report bear fruit in the big price
drop. Satisfaction vas short lived,
though. when the Ginners' Association
forecast, placing the new crop lower
.han the government. was issued. Ad-
vices 10 concerns in this city with
Southern connections have been in sub
sanitation OF the buliish movement,
boil weevil ravages being reported e1-
tensively.
The coming week IL counted upon 20
furnish some conclusive data on the
crop. The crop still faces enough Of
the critical period - cause anxiety
Little Finished Goods Trade
What has been true Of cotton has
applied 20 the finished goods market 20
less degree. There has been little
buying. Prices have saggcd, despite
the desperate efforts o. the mills 10
keep them in line. The decline was
not so sharp. but recovery toward the
close OF the week was slower.
The hesitAncy over the crop outlook
is augmented b. the national indus.
trial situation. Mills IN New Bedford
sre now operating the fullest they
have for two years. But even the most
optimistic view that can be taken OF
the cotton industry receives setback
from any threat that either the coal
or rail strike will be continued linden.
ni.ely. over any reasonable length Of
time the mills have so FAR expressed
their confidence that operations viii
not be curtailed essentially through
lack " fuel or transportation. But
the reduction Of purchasing power
among the strikers directly and those
Affected would in time limit the amount
OF goods bought.
Fall River print cloth sales gave
an idea Of the stagngcy ln the mafket.
Estimated sales Of only 10000 pieces
were reported. a BIC drop from the
sales OF last week that set the low
FOR several months. BUYERS there
,howed but little interest. The decline
has averaged about an eighth OF q
cent. and the small sales indicate there
was no shading in this firm attitude.
The close Of the week saw sllght
improvement In interest
Tire Fabrics Demoralized
Fancy weaves furnished the most
buying OF any finished goods m New
BEDFORD and Fall River. The volume
n buying was. however, very small.
Tire fabrics are demoralizod, WIN inc
selling season nearly AZ an end.
such cotton az was sold was odds
and ends OF old crop. cotton that could
be picked up below market levels. More
cotton came into the market early m
the week than for some time through
the desire Of holders 90 clean up on
old crop, and this contributed 70 the
drop. r-t.4
The cotton receipts IN New England
for the season i92i-'22. closing with
July. were only slightly below the
previous year. For the five principal
ejtios-New Bedford. Fall River, Law
yenee. Lowell and Manchester-the re-
eelpts were s76.654, compared with
ssie4s in is2o-'2l; i.3s4,Ooo IN 1919 20
ard i17e. 900 in 1879. Manchester
and Lawrence receipts we're cut Sc
verely b. the strikes.