New-York tribune., 1922-11-12
Cotton Mill Trade
Unsettled by Rise
In Fiber Prices
aeluaI Buying Again
slulnps; transportation
Difficulties Becoming a
Serious Menace TO Plants
speesor Dispatch 10 The rr,bm,le


yEW BEDFORD, Mass, Nov. IL
aaic conditions prevailed in all
arkets in the cotton manufacturing
sdpssry this week, as raw cotton con
issed to scar to levels which even the
,st pessimistic did not foresee a
sath. ago. Interest was almost
ssrish in some quarters, while actual
aaing fer the third straight week
kuoed Prices on finished goods ad-
need sharply to meet the cotton in
rsases, hut buyers who were inclined
neet the new levels received little
ssssuragement.
The antics of the cotton market the
1T two weeks sre being viewed with
.sessing dismay among the manufac-
nsss. The advance that started in
B ssysember did not prove disturbing at
lie outset because it was in keeping
4eh s general price advance in other
sdastries. with due allowance made
iW the affect of a second short crop.
4 L, NES 4htN dd% dliCG- WHICH CVu}u US
sssorhed through advancing cloth
yfse. But cott1n has reached abnor-
nsl yroportions in comparison with
liz Upward swing in other industries
saa prompts the issue of how far the
j yahle sIl 60 in meeting higher cloth
Levels
q This vsek the cotton situation has
& been Rcagstive of especially adverse
results he government report on
4 risaa mich indicates q crop be
q bs Av0,o0o bales, will be felt
Agsasat the year and was factor
tn price increase. The shortage
ateaa in New England precipitated
Sia transportation difficulties holds
tnporary but serious menace.
Mhver mill men during the week
Taai of the danger of having to
taa the mills unless cotton could be
ssned. The mill interests there may
kina somewhat more precarious con-
sfon than elsewhere or they may have
anply been moro courageous in
!eklng the problem.
But the supply in other centers GER
ialy is not reassuring. Cotton has
aoyed into New England since August
4 unpreeedently lew figures. Ship
rents in some cases have not arrived
stter two months en- route. Water
isnsportation affords some outlet, but
I cannot be developed at once and it
annot serve other than seaport CEN
srs efficiently. But drastic remedies
com up as necessary. and united action
throughout New England for water
transportation or removal of rail re-
srlctions present the alternatives.
Fall River rrint cloth sales were esti-
aated this week to be 1T5,000 pieces.
aquiry was active but buyers kept
sses down by their reluctance to meet
the new prices. The mills based ad-
yances of an eighth to a quarter OF a
sent on the strong cotton condition.
iaere was an extremely small amount
biagain cloth available, as disclosed
9qsthe thorough canvas of the market
" myers. All styles of prints were
ssasht Some contracts went into the
IN " the year. but the manufactur-
sss were generally very firm and not
orders,
Lac tfading in the New Bedford fine
sogas was largely duplication of the
20, ss alger condition, though less tan
:,De' It has been sellers market, so
uss the ability to command the price
ps0lton was concerned. The failure of
nayefs TO shake the firm stand Of the
maaaataeturers reduced trading per-
Sipslleiy with the trade baking at the
sMnt shares continue IN the general
.sshaton movement that now involves
,aa y soften cs industry. The Bristol, Soule
saa oty mills featured the trading in
Asw Bedford. Bristol advanced ten
H,nss sal N the asking price to 200. Soule
,ssss ssssa the week at 220 bid and 235
lsa sss; Holmes common dropped in the
ga,ng prlce twenty points to 500,
-. sssugn on Friday per cent dividend
Pin, declared. Cornell, Flint, King
p;p p;rsp and Barnard have lead Fall
~. mser interest. Stock offerings are
~ .sae~hat freer than for some time,
- buyers are refusing to transact
ss sales on the present high levels.