The New York herald., 1922-12-31
RISE In RAW COTTON
SENDS TEXTILES UP
Silk, Wool and Fur Primary
Markets Are Also Point
+. ing Higher.

fllcc5 OF primary textlleS idSt week
resumed an upward course and were ac-
companled by fairly active buying. a sur
prising feature for usually quiet
period. The sharp rise in raw cotton
started an upward movement in un-
finished cotton goods. which carried
prices to the highest level of the year.
Raw silk quotations also advanced
again as a result OF an increased de-
mand created by fear OF an acute
scarcity OF desirable descriptions. Raw
wool displayed renewed strength, though
demand continued sea-sonably slack. The
rise in the raw material markets inn
parted fresh strength into finished goods.
and il is probable that further upward
revisions in prices will be made before
the first quarter of the new year has
passed.
with most retail establishments re-
ported to have enjoyed good Christmas
holiday trade. wholesale houses are eX-
pecting an active January business from
the retailers. The merchants did not fully
prepare for such a keen demand and as
the call was widely distributed it is
believed their stocks are sorely In need
of replenishing.
The Credit Clearing House weekly re-
port showed level of purchasing by
retailers and jobbers throughout the
country not only higher than the preced-
ing week and the corresponding week OF
1921 and 1920 bst actually higher than
any other week since the beginning of
July, 1920.
Cotton Goods Mills Confident.
Tho confidence with which cotton
goods mills view the future was exem-
plfied by their unwilingness TO accept
future orders for the standard construc-
tions OF print cloths, even though the
prices Involved were as much as half
cent n yard higher than those prevailing
about month ago. Gray cloth sellers
report that mills are well booked on
print cloths for January and February
delivery and that many sheetings have
been sold for February, March and
April
Manufacturers of elnghams believe
that. due to limited productive capacity
of box looms for plaid and checked ging-
hams and the strong demand there VIII
be a scarcity of these goods In the
spring. 1t is felt that there will be a
great shortage OF 32 inch ginghams.
Prices of both ginghams and percales
are firm, with likelihood OF advances
later.
There seems to be less apprehension In
the trade now as to the willingness and
ability of the ultimate consumer to abb
sorb the higher prices occasioned by the
increased raw material costs. Buyers
are expected to place some heavy busi-
ness with selling agents early next
month. as their stocks are depleted.
Seasonal quiet construed to prevail iat
the wooden and worsted goods trade.
Manufacturers are winding up prepara-
tions for the fall season OF 1928. which
Is expected to be opened by the largest
producers Immediately after the New
Year. Some new lines of overcoatings
for next fall are being shown at prices
considerably above the levels OF a year
ago, soma advances ranging up to 5s
per cent. Blanket mills that have
opened their fall lines report business
as extremely satisfactory. Advances
ranged UP to s5 per cent.
There is division OF opinion In the
trade concerning the probable prices to
be named on fall fabrics. II H. gener-
ally agreed that the lines will be priced
we'll above the levels for last fall. buo
there Is considerable doubt whether
prices will be advanced over the closing
values for next spring, In view of the
part OF the consumer.
Wool Consumption Increases.
Wool consumption figures showed an
increase from 5l.175.s14 pounds in Oc-
tober to ~55.316.531 in November, ac-
cording to the Census Bureau. the con-
sumption in November included 46.02s.-
COO pounds Of wool reported as in the
grease. 7.349.ss7 OF secured. and l.
o3e.925 OF pulled, which reduced TO 4
grease equivalent would amount 20 63.-
313.170 pounds. compared with 59.2sf,-
774 I'm October and 53 463, 900 in Novem-
ber OF last year. OF the wool consumed.
26,s7f,76o pounds. or 4s.2 per cent. was
domestic. and 2s.sii.771 pounds, or SIS
per cent. was foreign.
Reports of a growing shortage of Can
ton silk started active buying by Inn
porters and manufacturers. which car
ried prices up to the highest levels
reached in many months. Dealers
showed little eagerness to~part with
their holdings. They are confident thai
prices will touch new high ground soon.
Imports to this country will be much
smaller during the next few months rs
result OF tho closing down OF the fila
lures In Japan. This curtaiment Is ono
OF the strong factors making fer higher
prices. when manufacturers start TO -
pNnish their stocks on a heavier 81 ne.
New business was seasonally sma In
the broad silk trade. but mills were ac-
lively engaged IN filing the large vdumo
OF advance orders for next springs
goods booked in November and early
this month. IL Is not believed that there
will be any substantial resumption OF
buying until the middle OF next month.
when retail buyers are expected to re-
enter the market for good quantities
OF merchandise for immediate and
nearby delivery. A similar condition
obtains in the ribbon trade.
Raw rurS stiiI Go Tn.
Prices IN the raw fur market con-
tinued to point upward. though many
merchants profess that they can $50
nothing 20 occasion such strength. Tho
latter have intim2ted that they viii
abstain from buying American furs un-
III prices fall 20 lower levels Manu-
facturers also appear 10 have s-,-prcf
this attitude. They seem determined 90
postpone purchasing as long "a possible
and then 10 buy for sample purposes
only. They are unanimous that the out
look for business In the new year ~
good. provided prices are more reason
able.
The last week marked the beginning
OF the annual clearance sales By many
retailers. Stimulated by substantial re-
L.