New-York tribune., 1922-01-29
Cotton and Goods
Markets Fall Flat
I'm Mill Districts
" age Reductions Lead to
Speculation on Future of
Industry: Mass. Expected
80 Follow x. |. and Conn.

>tr.r' p.spofoil to T1r rItln~
NEW BEDFORD. Mass. Jan. 2s.-
Markets Tor both raw material and fin
lshcd rooGos have been fat this week
The interest OF the industry having per
slstently clung TO tho wage reduction
question: Fall River print cloth sales
lmprovcd over last week. the total hav-
ing been about 10000. This was about
the only change. however. and the cx-
icnt oi Improvement was not siCnif-
cant.
There has never been time in the
history Of New England textile manu-
featuring that the waco question has
produced 30 much speculation Action
i'm reducing wares mas been carried out
With less hesiiancy in the past. The
week has not altered the general be-
lief that Massachusetts will follow the
lead taken by Connecticut and Rhode
Is aud in reducing wages. Immediate
reduction is the step that finds favor
with tie mill mcon. who declare condi-
tions la The industry cannot Improve
until wages arc reduced.
"agc Decisions DELAYED
Bat the decision is delayed. Mean
time the industry is Watching the pro-
gress of the reduction in Rhode Island.
and MS successful accomplishment there
VIII en "a iohS ways IN determining the
stcn IN this state. The union groups
nave hailed tho strikes of the workers
'n taode y, Island. whereby several
mills have been closed. as proof that
iAcy Vlll not submit to a strike. As
matter Of fact the exact condition is
Rhode Island cannot be adequately de
terninod. The relations arc undeni
ABLY strained. and for that reason it
Would be unjust to both sides at pres
'n' TO express any opinion as to tnc
"o1AeiS' continued ability to resist.
tnicn Prepare to Fight
Meantmc the textile unions are di
fecing one part of their fight against
'i' wage cut and Wagine struggle for
power or the other hand. This strug-
gre between the unions is interesting.
@''P III may provide the manufacturers
N'iN q ready weapon that ihey can an
propria'e to their own ends. Tho o,.-
sANi@ih ght Of the unions is tho moro
eempii'a'ed in view Of the efforts now
gong forward 10 bring the tcxtilc
gTolps under q federated head.
a' \ lganatcd Textile Workers is
.''e" VIVA engineering the strikes
So lar called in Rhode leland though
union had dropped to a quite in
'enl position. The United Textile
" erkcrs the American Federation Of
labor body. has it's greatest Nop; Fnv.
l'1N strength IN Rhode Island. This
Group has capitalized the wage cut
'"er' and is now carrying heavy
riFht ~ t. promised strike against
n Is 'np".itloN The American Fedora
'i"n or 1eNtilc Operatives. indepcnd
emit 'H9 s'tongest union in the cotton
ce' rs Of New England, has not as vet
."i miii IN which it has locals az
'ei"r uy tho reduction. This pro,lp
lt. -
ever. and have become suddenly ret-
tenf o4 what 1T proposed to do.
Nncthfr the three general labor organ
l1Ai'ons VIII WeaT down the resistance
+ OF each other to q point OF impotence
against any struggle with the manu-
i@r.1fers IS creating much interest
Raw Cotton Quiet
The raw cotton market has been
qrir, I'm al New England centcrs
Providence Is reported to have done a
lttle business. In New Bedford the
Buying OF extra staples has been to
meet only immediate needs Fall River
mas hought only small amount. Ex-
tra staple cotton prices have sortoned
IN general and some lengths have dc
cline and . cents. The decline in the
shorter cotton has been more pro-
bounced. In the face Of the rcsistonco
extra staples have made TO price drops.
there has been some underselling. The
South as a whole is not oyering cot
ton except on terms accc cptabe to them.
Tine mills DO not want to get large
stocks on their hands while there is
amy possibility that there may be a
strike
There has been a reduction down
ward i'm prices on yarns and cloth.
The finished goods have yielded to
some extent their previous resistance.
but the trading has not been OF var
lcty to furnish AN adequate test OF
price strength. Print cloth has de-
clined from an eighth to q quarter Of a
cent "a .ard