The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-28
COTTON GOODS
AND COTTON IN
BIC PRICE JUMP
ROyle Says Henry Ford Is RespOn'
sible to Some Extent for Ad.
vance in Values.
BY ]. C. ROYLE.

tCOpyflgnt, lSzl, by Inc ArSus.l
New York, n. Y, Oct. 2S.-Inde-
pendence OF one industry from the
influence of others is a thing of the
past in the United States. The long
expected advance in the prices of
cotton and cotton goods is clearly
indicative of this. A new trading
range is becoming definitely estab-
lished in those lines. A dozen diff
ferent factors. radiating to, as many
different industries are responsible
for present cotton goods prices.
Henry Ford, whose activities
reach in many directions, is held
responsible to some extent for the
advance in cotton fabrics Interests
which supply the Ford factories
with tops, curtains. cushions and
other accessories have bought TO-
100000 yards Of cotton goods with
in the last three weeks. Cloths used
for NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and mole
skins--have been widely sought.
Other makers of cheaper grades
of automobiles have rushed into the
market, fearing that they would
have difficulty in securing the goods
they will require. Some single pur-
chases have run into million yards
and mills have had to cover, on
many thousands Of bales of Spot
cotton at once.
Speculation Increases.
Rumors are current that Ford
will pursue his policy of making
his factories Independent of outside
supplies by entering the tire field
and tire fabrics have been heavily
bought with a consequent uptrend
of prices. Spinners have been TAX
ing more bales. All this indicates
a scramble among spinners in view
of the short crop and an increased
American demand. This situation
is creating speculation, and recess
sions in both raw cotton and print
cloths are not unlikely. Such drops
are not expected to be large, how.
ever, as many manufacturers will
follow a policy Of buying at every
drop. On the other side of the cot
ton picture is the slack foreign de.
mand.
The recent cut in Ford prices has
not frightened competitors. This
was indicated by preparation, of the
Durant company to add million
dollar factory at Flint to theil
string of plants for the production
Of Star cars.
I Ford Business Grows.
Increase of Ford business in tn,
| first month Under the new price.
is es Ghated at $4,000 cars. Thii
is expected to enable the Ford com
pany to operate this winter at {
monthly rate of at least 100000
cars. A large quantity of finishe,
Fords must be driven to destination
under their own poYer and thu
company is keeping a close watcl
on prospects of severe .winte
weather and blocked roads. TIL
company in this respect is more for
tunate than many of its competitor,
/ as with assembling plants all owe
the country, the drive-aways ar,
shorter.
] The neck Of the bottle will b
shipments of engines and parts t,
those outlying plants. Even her
ford has an advantage in havinI
his own railroad.
i Hide Prices Better.
| Scores OF other industries ar
equally interdependent, improve
ment in one reacting on a dozel
others. Movement of hides an
packing house by-products has in
creased in proportion to the activ
ity in meats both at home an
abroad. Prices have strengthens
accordingly, for their values are S
interviewer that it is impossible
, separate them.
i Lumber, lime, brick, cemen,
} shingles, hardware and other build
ing materials are following tn
trend of building construction
: Lumber production now is IS pc
? cent Of normal and new order
j would keep pace II adequate trans
! portation facilities were availabl,
Wooleps are ups In sympathy wit
shortage OF raw woods. Deman
j for finished silks is following tn
. bulge IN raw silk prices In Yoke
i. hama and heYa