The New York herald., 1922-05-21
TRADE REVIEW AND
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Primary Textile Markets Con-
tinue to Improve-Prices
Still Advancing.

haiheeS continued last week uninter-
rupted. Prices of wool. silk and cottons
moved into new high ground, and in
other lines values held tenaciously to
recently advanced levels. Although pur-
chasing is still limited the rising pri-
mary markets have done considerable
to revive buying and stimulate substan-
tial renewal of demand in all markets.
Concrete evidence of the betterment in
the textile field is found in the Monthly
Revie1 of Retail Trade, issued last week
by the National Retail Dry Goods AS
sociation. 1t showed that SO per cent.
of the plants We're employing moro
people than were on their payrolls a
year ago. Twenty per cent. averaged
the same number as they did last year.
but only 80 per cent. reported declines,
which were slight. Throughout those
industries there was confidence in the
future, only / per cent. apprehendng
material decrease of business next
autumn.
The last week saw further stiffening
of cotton goods prices. Although the
advancing prices have caused no furry
among buyers to purchase extensively.
they have. acted to remove some of the
hesitancy which has characterized their
Jobbeis are being influ-
enced slowly by he'rise and are buying a
little more. The outstanding feature or
the weels-was the naming of new prices
for autumn on percales and brown
sheetings and the announcement of fan
datings. With but few exceptions values
were unchanged. The new prices have
given confidence to puyers and have
brought forward a moderate volume OF
advanced business.
Quotations in the sray goods market
registered further gains, with the con-
verting and jobbing elements buying
lightly. During the week many manu-
facturers ordered the withdrawal of
their goods because of the consistent
rise in the raw cotton market. Print
cloths and sheetings scored fractional
gains. The Fall River market reported
buyers very slow to pay advances
asked by mills following cotton markets
upward tendency. The volume of sales
decreased to between 10000 and 170,-
900 pieces. Mills have advanced prices
u cent from the preceding weeks quo
tations.
Cotton Yarn Prices Lifted.
The rising raw material market was
reflected in higher cotton yarn prices
Buyers displayed better disposition to
enter the market for goods at stiffened
values. Weaving interests were by far
the most active buyers, the knitting
trade purchasing lightly.
Business in the finished cotton goods
trade broadened perceptibly. The warm
weather has stirred up buying in retail
stores. Statesmen of dress manufactur-
ers are booking fair volume of orders.
In large wash goods departments busi-
ness for spot delivery is better with re-
Plain ratines are hailed by many
as the best seller. although there Is
broad consumption Of white imported
organdes with small demand for i'm
ported voiles.
The rlw wool market continued
strong. According to a wool factor
there is no scarcity of raw wool. After,
much figuring he estimated the surplus
to be about soc. 900. 900 pounds. Clothing
manufacturers continue to proceed along
conservative lines in buying. Reports
from their statesmen indicate that retail
stocks are not large. Orders call largely
for fancy back overcoatings. although
there is a smattering of orders for suits
Tweeds are going well. Worsted yarn
values hardened in the face of scar
city of combing yarns. Demand has
shown marked improvement, particularly
in worsted knitting yarns. Spinrers are
busy on worsted carpet yarns, especially
yarns used in Wilton and Administer
rugs and other finer grades.
Prices in the raw silk market climbed
to higher levels. There was a moder-
ate demand for filling in purposes for
spot silk and nearby delivery. Trade
leaders believe that values will soar
still higher in view of the possibility
tinue strong. Favorable business is
being returned by broad silk statesmen.
Buyers interest is largely centered OH
crepes With the advent of hosiery
interests into the market. thrown silks
are displaying renewed activity
New Highs for BurIap.
New high records were established
in the burlap market. Trading broad
ened slightly. Information from Cal
cutta is scarce. but what news is re-
ceived by burlap brokers is encourag-
ing. Estimates on the new crop place
it at the lowest figure in "a years.
Garment manufacturers are preparing
for the autumn season. Statesmen are
already on the road The opinion per-
vading the trade is that a big autumn
business will be done In coats. Many
manufacturers are concentrating their
efforts on coats and are not anticipat-
ing any large volume of sales in suits.
Firmness characterizes the raw fur
market The early business booked by
statesmen rather surprised manufacture
ers. Judging from orders received. capes
of Hudson seal and other select furs will
be in vogue. Fur trimmed dresses and
suits also give promise of being popular
next autumn.
Negotiations of the last few days be-
tween garment manufacturers and union
officials indicated that there would not
be any suspension of operations when
the labor agreement expires on June L.
The trade is of the opinion that COM
promise will be reached in the next few
days.
There has been little change in the
New England textile strike situation. At
the close OF the eighth week of the con-
troversy manufacturers and union lead
ers seem as determined as ever to hold
out. Union operatives here and there
are drifting slowly back into the mills In
spite Of strike picketing, but the number
returning is small.
Many leaders of industry believe that
We are on the Threshold of another era
OF prosperity. and their belief has
strengthened the confidence OF trade men
and buying is broadening, II somewhat