New-York tribune., 1922-03-19
Cotton Mill Trade
Dulled by Fight
On 48-HOur Week
legislative Consideration of
Working Time in Rhode
Island and Massachusetts
Is the Center Of Interest
Special Dispatch to The Tribune


NEW BEDFORD, Mass, March is
Legislative issues have absorbed the
interest OF the cotton manufacturing
industry in Massachusetts this week to
the detriment of any trade interest,
while in Rhode Island the issues before
the Legislature have combined with
the strike in dulling trade activity
there. Conditions remained with no
inquiries of in prices.
The fight in Legislative matters in
the two states has centered around the
question of the fortyeight week.
Massachusett cotton manufacturers
took q more sweeping public stand
than is their custom at the hearing be-
fore the joint legislative committee
Thursday. Irrespective OF the merits
of the issue as to whether Massachu
sctts mills are facing ruin unless the
ffty-four week replaces the present
forty-eight hour restriction, the con
census of opinion is that the effort in
this direction will not succeed.
The view is also taken that in Rhode
Island the effort to ret the forty-eight
hour law enacted will fail, DESPITE the
fact the House of Representatives
passed it with such substantial vote
as to indicate powerful public senti
ment for 1t. The country districts
control the Rhode Island Senate to
sufficient extent TO block passage, it is
believed.
Fine Goods Up Slightly
Here and there during the week
there have been a few exceptions to
the general inactivity Fine goods
perged up little for the first time in
several weeks. Noiles and shirtings
we're reported as attracting particular
inquiry. Some of the shrewdest buy
ers were in New Bedford toward the
close of the week. They are the type
Of men who ar watched to see if they
do any business, as indicative of the
general trend. The extent of their
buying had not been felt as the week
drew to a close, but the snappier tone
Of the market bespoke some purchases
Fall River print cloths were the
Quietest in some time. The estimated
sales amounted to only 10000 pieces
What business was transacted was in
36-inch low counts. with some 25-inch
GOODS. Neither buyers nor sellers
showed much interest during the week.
Mlll treasurers point to the loss that
sales at present imply as the reason
Why they do not care to push goods
There is 4 division over the change in
market quotations expected. The mills
iook for change that will be produc-
tive of some incentive TO turn out
goods. But there arc suggestions that
ONE prices will go still lower The
general sentiment is admittedly easy in
discounting any advance in prices.
frlces are stationary meantime.
have cOftpuo6 dc ~
thc reaction from the encouraging re-
sistance offered to further depression
Two and three weeks ago. The price
ieVels have not yet been altered per-
ceptibly but some sellers are casing Off
on quotations. This inclination to cut
under the market has not, however.
Produced business of any volume.
arms are not much above pre-war
tcVeis. Cotton is easily SO per cent
Algher than pre-war This contrast ap-
ptes to other commodities outside the
cotton manufacturing industry and is
causing much dissatisfaction. because
the yarn mills cannot see how it is nos
slble to continue indefinitely on lower
pSSls than is effective in other lines of
business
No Buying Impetus
The raw cotton market has failed to
develop any buying impetus for several
months. At the same time the mills
throughout the present season have
been buying cotton as they need it,
Gradually the 1921 cotton crop has
been sold The process has been so
free from any departure from con
servative methods that it has been ac-
complished without attracting much at
tention. Two things have been accom-
piished from the mills point of view
by this stripping" process. The mills
have not disturbed situation that was
susceptible to price flights because of
the short crop. BY supplying only their
immediate needs the mills have been
able TO get small lots, in which the
owner in a hazardous position has been