The New York herald., 1922-12-24
ACTIVE BUYING PUTS
UP TEXTILE PRICES
Finished Cottons and WO0lens
and Worsted Also Show
Strength.
RAW FURS ARE FIRMER
Winter Auction Set for st.
Louis February IL Has
Been Called Off.
RAW FURS ARE FIRMER

A noticeable strengthening of prices
In the primary textile markets occurred
last week along with more active trad
ing. Under the stimulus OF renewed
buying prices of unfinished cotton goods
continued to stiffen, while raw silk
quotations also registered appreciable
gains. Raw wool continued strong
cottons and woolens and worsteds
showed renewed strength. Raw fur
values were frmer.
The last week saw the passing of one
that retail merchants have ever expert
enced. When the Anal sales have been
computed it Is believed that the volume.
In most instances, will prove to be the
ings accrued during the war found re-
Election in an orgy of extravagant buy
ing. A number OF large retailers are
confident that they did more business
this season than they have since they
were established in business many years
ago.
The public showed a decided prefer
ence for the better class of merchandise,
though both high and low priced goods
moved actively. The brisk demand for
Jewels and other articles essentially lux
uries furnished strong evidence OF the
enhanced purchasing power of the con-
sumer.
Active buying of print cloths at prices
about a quarter Of cent above levels
prevailing in the previous week was the
outstanding development in the cotton
goods trade. Mills were not anxious to
part with their goods, even at the higher
quotations. Future deliveries of the
standard constructions were offered at
a premium. Mills are fairly well sold
up through February. Leading factors
can see nothing ahead but higher prices.
Little activity marked the finished
goods trade. Sellers do not expect any
healthy revival OF buying until next
month. as merchants are busy with the
holiday trade and inventory taking. A
good business has been booked by sellers
of wash goods for spring. The fact that
retailers are doing a brisk business in
all lines of cottons augurs well for the
future demand
The woolen and worsted goods mar
ket continued strong, though the trade
is still in an off season period. Manu-
facturers are winding up preparations
for the fall season of 1928. which is ex-
pected to be opened by the largest pro-
ducers early next month. While 1t Is
generally accepted that prices will be
substantially higher than the fall 1922
opening. it Is not believed that they
will be materially advanced over the
spring 1923 values, though manufac-
turers would be justified In doing so 1t
Is thought that the producers will name
rather close prices at the start so as
to gauge the buying temper OF consum-
ers. After satisfactory volume Of or
ders has been booked 1t is believed that
mills will begin to readjust prices to
levels more consistent with raw material
costs.
A fair business has been booked by
blanket mills that have opened their
lines for next fall. The new prices are
from 20 to 40 per cent. higher than
last falls levels. but sellers are conf
dent that there will be little resistance
to pay the prices on the part of the ul-
timate consumer Raw wool prices have
made rapid advances in the last year
and there are no indications OF any re-
cessions.
A squirt of heavy buying of raw silk
in Yokohama carried prices UP and
erased the losses suffered In the previous
week. Local prices advanced slightly I'm
sympathy with the primary market. The
market here has been slow to follow the
Upward movement in the Far East be-
cause of the rather slack demand. With
the Sinshiu filatures in Japan closed
over the winter months. thus curtailing
imports. and with little stock available
In Yokohama the situation is regarded
as exceptionally strong. Manufacturers
ore expected 20 begin to replenish their
stocks next month.
Buying of silk goods for next spring
has simmered down. a seasonal feature
at this time. Mills, however, have
enough orders to keep them going for
several months. Statesmen will again
leave for the retail trade after the first
OF the year, when retailers have finally
satisfied the holiday demand and can
look after their future requirements.
Flat crepcs have enjoyed an exception
ally strong demand. Taffetas have be-
come less active.
Raw fur markets were reported as
firmer, though not particularly active.
Contradistinct opinions regarding prices
are held by factors in the various sec
tions of the country. Local dealers are
convinced that values should be lower
to permit a wide consumption OF Amer
ican merchandise next season. and ac-
cordingly are restraining their purchas-
ing activities. On the other hand the
country trade and trappers maintain
that New York prices are lower than st.
Louis quotations and should be advanced.
IL Is not believed that real buying Will
begin here until late next month.
The winter auction sale of furs. which
was scheduled to begin on February II
at st. Louis, has been called of by the
Fur Merchants Sale Company OF st.
Louis. The belief that the condition OF
the American raw fur market was too
unsettled to make satisfactory results
possible was the reason assigned for the
abandonment of the sale.
Retail distribution OF furs was con-
siderably better, being stimulated by
the approaching holiday. Both moder-
ate and high priced merchandise moved
actively. Retailers have begun 10 buy
goods for the regular January clearance
sales. Manufacturers and wholesalers
report that the merchants arc insisting
upon furs at unusual reductions.
Some light buying of coats ard suits
for spring was reported by wholesalers.
Retail buyers are expected TO reach the
market in good numbers carly next