The New York herald., 1922-03-26
Purchasing on Par with Last
Week.

From the viewpoint of merchandising
activities of manufacturers and whole
salers, according to clearing house re-
ports, the week showed continued pur-
chasing for spring sales by merchants
IN northern and southern agricultural
sections. Purchasing as whole through
out the country was shown to be even
with that of the preceding week. In
debtedness was reported as slightly
higher.
Considerable adverse comment In the
piece goods market was heard In the
early part of the week because of the
failure to enact tariff legislation which
would tend to clear up the difficulty in
the textile business. Announcement
that the wool schedule for the new tar
.T bill had been adopted by the Senate
Finance Committee majority. with the
Lasic rate fixed at 33 cents pound,
secured wool basis. was greeted with
relief in the trade, however. when made
on Thursday. That rate was the one
demanded by the agricultural bloc on
tehalf OF the wool growers and is not
likely to be changed in the Senate. A
duty Of IL cents pound was written on
carpet woods. but the proviso that II
used in the manufacture of carpets. 80
per cent Of the duty should be refunded
was added.
Late development of piece goods bus
mess for spring trade Is an indication.
according to some. that the market viii
operate on a hand to mouth basis for
n considerable time. Uncertainty Is the
Prevailing note in the situation and even
'srge factors apparently lack the cour-
age of their convictions. The lack OF
interest In staples. and lines that are
the backbone Of the industry displayed
~ Ill ttAN
clothing market is on an opportunist
basis. The unsettled condition in the
Chicago market is still believed to be at
the bottom of much of the adverse
spring business. A settlement is ex-
pected TO be followed by sudden In
crease in the volume of trade. Wor-
steds still are in the nature OF drug
On the market. There is, however. q
much more cheerful tone In wool suit
ings and fancy overcoatings. In fact,
the latter have been described as the
one bright spot of the whole situation.
Tweeds and Novelties Strong.
Despite frequent comment that staples
are bound to come back there was little
Indication during the week that tweeds
and novelty goods were not as strong
"a ever. In the dress goods division
the hulk of the business done was in
those fabrics. Even those who have
disca rded staple merchandise for nov
city lines admit that that class OF goods
cannot maintain it's supremacy. When
the demand will change Is question
tho answer 10 which appears to be any
ones guess.
The immediate demand business done
In knit goods last week was reported
as Of good volume. but very little was
reported as done for fall goods. light
weight knitted, underwear for summer
was IN good demand and prices showed
slight advances from last falls opening
quotations. Tho hosiery market was
without particular feature. Sellers are
preparing to leave for the road and
huyIng for the moment is confined to
fill In business. Better conditions IN
knitted outerwoar developed. perhaps.
than thoy did In any other line of knit
ted merchan ndise. Although buying was
confined TO short term delivery, manu-
facturers reported frequent recorders
and liberal payments. There were no
,rice changes during tho week for wool.
cotton or artificial silks. Bathing suit
demand continued 10 keep manufac-
trrcrs operating Mt capacity, but the
opinion that business will begin 10 fall
OFF until the season when recorders 10