The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-03-18
DRY GOODS MARKET KEYED BY TALK OF BIC COTTON CROP
Indications Bearish Now, But Boil WeeviI Expected to
 Aid Bulls Later

NEW YORK, March 17.-tSpecial) In all of the cotton trade--from raw cotton to the dry goods market-the market men are bringing up the sub ject of the next cotton crop. The general opinion in the New 1orE markets is that a great effort wal be made to produce large one,
 One factor in the goods ma<Aet-- a factor noted as keen ob1erver- says, however. that the reH1 signifi- canoe of a tremendous acreage, if such should be the development, would be "bullish" ratlner than bear sh." The news that the acreage this 10000, ,000-as ma.ny believe will be the case-would be "bearish" at the start, he says. but finally it would he more "builish" than d smaller acreage
 "A large acreage to me would mean that the boil weevil would have a better chance and that there would not le sufficient labor to get the mos. out of the ground" he said. The farmers could get more out of siUaller acreage"
 In the meantime. the southeast that cotton will be planted in every available bit of ground.
 Expect Higher Price.
 For the present it would seem as though the cotton goods market would have to depend for action on the big houses which have their own finishing plants. Based on the theory that raw cotton is due to go higher and may reach a top point in July. IL would seem that the big users would not wait too long before anticipating part of their requirements to carry them over the summer months. In other words. if Canton is as strong as xhe trade believes it. is for old crop months, then the present prices could be a good purchase for the hext several months Slight reaction in second hands would not mean much. when the situation is viewed for the long pull.
 There are many who view cotton for June-July as likely to prove se- rious, because of the high levels pos sible to attain then. Such peak would be artificial and caution IS urged by several.
 Many of the converters have made no secret of the fact that they want to keep out of the cloth market as long as possible on the high-price basis. Some say they would do much more business than they are doing at present if they wanted to force it, but they prefer tC go along, in limited way making good profits where possible and making their gray cloths last as long as they can. Some fear that if they forced busi- ness and sold too much. they might find them selves in an uncomfortable position with regard to the prices they would have to pay for additional gray cloths.
 First-hand sellers. generally, are not disturbed by the future. Most mills have taksn good business for the next few months and in certain eonstructiops nearby goods have been con 4idered somewhat scarce.
 The 1rade is interested in the Fall River labor situation, inasmuch as the wage question is due to be set Led there within the next few weeks f5all River mill men. who have been in the market recently, are not in- clincd to believe that higher wages would be granted. They state that in the manufacture of plain cloths ii would be impossible for eastern mills to pay more for labor since they are now unable to = compete with plants in the south.
 stick to Ac4uai weeds.
 The tendency in the gray (unfin- ished) clo tn market during the past actual needs. The business has been chiefly in small lots, apparently for filling in" purposes. General sentl- meAt indicates that the trade is look ing for higher prices, but the appar- ent desire is not to anticipate or specuiate but rather to pay full mar ket prices when necessary and to do a smaller business The tendency IS more and more to take nc chances. regardless of how high the market may go
 ; With trading a little Quieter. number of small lots of goods have come out Of second hands. and m some instances these have been ob- taincd at the concession Of l-s or -l6 of a cent This is not signifi- cant of anything at all. Whatever goods have come out Of second haHus have been readily absorbed.
 The market on drills has shown little more light and prices are fIrm. with several numbers up quarter or q cent yard. .=,..
 Satcens are selling in whatever small lots are available tor near by delivery. top prices being pald;; Shadow striped sateens arg tp goou demand for lingerie purposes, Ihcre seems to be d good injury for num- Der of underwear fancics. Cioths TOT printing are wanted oN the Masn goods departments. Nolies are oi higher basis. following isfriy so1u business Lawns are firmer ana au- Sances have been paid in Few in- stances. The market on organdies or the lower grade is slightly higher.
 ConVefters have been printing up ;i lot ot goods which they nave on hand for some time. These include silk striped voiles and other items which they had trouble in selling. When printed, the reports are that these goods move freely.
 O o O
 GiuEhnms Welt Taken Up.
 There have been no important de- ,cloplneats -iu the finished goods markets during the past week. Sellers os g,nghams report their lines are ,.as been good call for nearby deliv- cries of denims. will some attrac- five premiums being paid where de- srable shipments can be obtained. few of the smaller mills have named prices on 2.s0 denims on the basis of 26 to a61s cents. overall business is reported very good and opinion IS heard to the effect that it would not be surprising this summer to see denims sell at somewhat higher prices.