The New York herald., 1922-06-04
TRADE REVIEW AND
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Prices in Primary Textile
Markets Advance and De-
mand Is Broader.

" nave SdiieQ momentum. FFlCeS OH
raw wool. silk and furs were carried to
higher ground and the broadening de-
mand continued. There were also inn
proved buying and advanced prices in
unfinished cotton divisions, fancy and
staple worsteds and cotton and worsted
yarns. Jobbers received more orders
from retailers and other divisions Of the
market furnished ample evidence of
mounting business.
A second price advance was made on
worsteds for autumn by the American
Woolen Company. The increases ranged
from " to 25 cents a yard. The
woolen lines of two additional mills were
replaced at advances in prices of 10
to 521s cents yard The new prices
which the company named because Of
the raw wool markets steady rise only
partially represent the true increase In
wool values. 1t Is understood They an
nounced that higher prices might be
expected in the immediate future.
Raw wool prices are believed to be
somewhat speculative. Although there
is a reported shortage. many factors are
of the opinion that prices are getting out
of alignment. Serges. which are regarded
as the backbone of the worsted business.
are receiving better demand than for
considerable time and their outlook is
decidedly brighter. Cutters of worsteds
are believed to be carrying small stocks,
and they will be forced into the market
when a substantial quickening in de-
mand for fabrics is felt.
Cotton Goods Strengthen.
The cotton goods market closed
stronger Quotations on print cloths.
sheetings and other convertibles stiff
ened slightly and freer buying move
ment was noted. Buyers appear to be
educating themselves to the higher
prices although there are some who are
reluctant to commit themselves at pres
ent levels in fear of the markets reac-
tion. Mapped goods for autumn are well
sold and the percale business for for
ward delivery is considered fair. Accu-
mutations of those goods are said to be
small. Trading in the cotton yarn mar
kct broadened and prices went UP
slightly. 81
Raw silk prices advanced early in the
week, reflecting Strengthening quota
rise in values has tended to scare Off
tions in the Yokohama market. The
buyers, who are of the opinion that the
meteoric antics are the result of specu-
lation and that caution is the best policy
in making forward purchases. The de-
mand for finished silks appears to be
slightly better. Fall orders are coming
in steadily. but have not reached
point at which manufacturers are en-
couraged to increase production. which
is said to be less than SO per cent. Of
capacity. Crepe de chine and Canton
crepe are held to be the best sellers.
The advance in the primary market has
rot influenced finished silk prices.
Business in the fur trade continues
to expand and prices have strengthened.
Cloak and suit manufacturers are pur-
chasing furs for trimming freely and
manufacturing furriers are rejecting
better business that they are booking by
more liberal buying of raw skins. Prep
arations for the customary August sales
are under way in retail stores although
the bulk of that business has not been
received Some items being used for
garment trimming are kid skins and
crosses, beaver, wolf. raccoon and
squirrel
Clothing Situation Better.
The clothing situation showed some
Improvement last week and it is ex-
pected that several large shops which
have been closed for a considerable time
will resume operations this week. Sales
men are turning In more business al
though retailers continue to buy eau
tiously. Fancy back ovcrcoats enjoy
sustained demand and the call for serge
suits is broadening materially. Clothing
manufacturers are laboring under al
most insurmoutable obstacles. On ono
hand they have primary markets riding
high at prices which they are Obliged
to meet and on the other clothing work.
ers show little disposition to accept
wage cuts and the buying public clamors
for lower values. There is. however,
justification in advanced prices If the
present pace in the primary markets be
kept.
The remainder of garment statesmen
started last week with autumn lines.
Initial reports indicated that retailers
intended to keep stock down and were
buying very economically. Manufac-
turers look forward to good business
in coats and some expect a revived de-
mand for three piece suits.
Representatives of the Cloak, Suit and
Skirt Manufacturers Protective Associa-
ton and the International Ladies' Gar
ment Workers Union met last Wednes-
day night in an effort to arrive at an
amicable solution of the present labor
problem. After much delibe-ation 1t was
finally decided to turn the negotiations
over to subcommittee with instruo-
tions to function with minimum of
delay. Pending the determination OF
future contractual relations between the
two organizations, the present working
standards obtaining in the 1919 con-
tract, which expired on June i, are to
be continued. 1t was agreed that II the
conferences should culminate in the
writing OF an agreement, it should be
as of Juno 1, 1922. The sub-commit-
tees held their first session on Friday.
but did not come to definite conclu-
sion.
See End of New England Strike.
Textile manufacturers in the New
England strike district are confident
that the end of the dispute is n matter
OF only few days. Many workers are
negotiating for their old jobs ard. with
those who have returned, mills expect
normal employment and increased pro-
duction before the middle OF this month.
No definite result was accomplished In
last weeks conference between the
| Massachusetts, State Board Of Concilia-
tion and Arbitration and several leading
manufacturers whose plants are affected
| by the strike in Lawrence and elsewhere.
| The meeting was adjourned until next
! Thursday.
| Trading I'm the knit goods market in
creased slightly, particularly respecting
underwear and hosiery Bathing suits
are in good demand at retail stores.
but that call is not reflected to any
great extent In the manufacturing divi-
| sion because etocis of jobbers are abb
sorbing the increaccd demand. In hosiery
| retailers arc snid to be doing a better
business than their purchases Indicate.
A fair business is reported as being done