The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-22
TRADING IN COTTON GOODS MARKET |S EXCEEDINGLY DULL
Prices Ease Off But Heavy Consumption Continues
 Index Number Down

NEW YORK, April 21.-Trade has been very quiet in the cotton goods market. In consequence there has been a certain softening of prices for cloth, particularly gray (unfinished) clcth. Cotton has been a puzzle. with the result that cloth buyers are sat isfied to wait until they can learn more regarding the new crop, and the possible influence which this may have. Apparently, this has been true in most lines of cotton goods, for the lull has affected finished cloths.
 Cotton consumption figures for the month Of March established new nigh record at 623,105 bales. new Ugh record was also announced Tor active spindles for the month S5,5oo 51SN compared, with 3o,3o7, ,lo5 Tn February, this year, and with 3l'Sfz, Si2 in March last year. Of course, IL must be remembered that close to i5o. 600 of spindles were idle last March on account of the New Eng and mill strike.
 The figures for cotton consump- tfon in 1923 have been considered i'm ,rrssive--each succeeding month . cater than the other-indicatln iyarly the night work that has been Fl progress. Whether this will let up aw rernains to be seen, but there rc many in the trade who believe lat the gray cloth markets would De llbH2tT lOudN II titi ii1'N DSSAN ASSS
 sht work.
 Trading in the cotton gray goods tarkets continues exceedingly qulet. iany constructions of print cloths .ad sheetfngs have shown further nltening. both in first hands and in econd hands. In the first hand ], 4rket. the 3S12-inch, 64x60, 5.S5 rds to the pound has softened from
 cents to 10a4 cents for nearby de- ..,c.fcs. Buyers, however, are seem t2ly not attracted by the conces-
 ..ns made.
 The continued absence of buyings =.terest, notwithstanding the inclina- ou ot some mills to meet the slight tf bower bids. is a source Of puzzle-' ncnt to many. Basieally, it is point ,d out. the. situation in raw cotton and cloth has shown little or no change.
 thing, is technically stronger than
 The market for finished cotton goods continues quiet in practically every department. Wash goods es- peciaIly. after starting the season promisingly, are experleheihs d ue,i. ness which is probably due more to hacl<wardness of the weather throughout the country than any efher factor. The trade had looked for a turn for the better in this con, uection, but the new weeks started sff cool and unspringlike.
 Many converting houses, up to few weeks ago, had a large business in volles. crepes and other printed eoods. Due to the continued unpro- nitious weather, however. there IS little to indicate how the wholesaler and retailer are going to fare.
 Many consider the situation l ion a this time of the year It is pointed out for instance that goods have not been allowed to accumulate as Vet, and if stocks should grow out of pro portion to sales these would Tn all Likelihood be absorbed in the summer and fall demand, the largest part ol high is to come.
 Colored goods like ginghams, tick ings and denims. all of when nave had q large sale this season. are con- stdcred just IS strong as they were q month ago, with the production or lead4ng manufacturers largely sold up to the middle of the year. In the opinion of both buyers and sellers mere is little possibility of overpro- duction of these cloths.
 In pleached goods a sharp discrep- ancy exists in the prices of the lead rng makes of lower grade wide sheet ing. One or two of the large sellers have refused to follow the lead of those houses which two weeks ago advanced their prices on these grades of wide sheetings.
 With raw cotton continuing to de cline. the trade is doubtful whether further action can be expected from this quarter in the near future.
 Index Number 1903
 A decline of 16.6 points is shown by the Fairchild cotton goods aver age price and index number for the week ending April IA This reflects an easing in all of the gray cloth markets including print cloths, sheetings, drills. twills and sateens. Sheetings continue among the weak est class of cloths, due to the absence of export and normal bag business. Branded brown sheetinSs for the job bng trade have not declined to the extent that Is then of the unbranded cloths of this character.
 The index Is based on the following gray and finished cloths, whish have been care tulIy selected.
 New York middling cotton ........2946
 Print Cloths
 a5 inch 56Xi4, lu.5b ............ 5.3T5