The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-02
REPORT NE W PLAN FUR MAKING SALES
 IF ENGLISH GOODS
Hot Weather Moves Wash CIothS-Index Number
 Is Unchanged


 New York cloth brokers are making efforts to handle the sale of gray goods made in England, just as is done with goods made by New Eng land mills, according to cotton goods men returning from abroad.
 Said a large cOmmissionaire, rep resenting number of houses: There has been considerable talk regarding this on the other side. A number of cloth brokers were seeking direct mill connections, or agreements with merchants, whereby inquiries and or deTs could be cabled, being the same plan followed when selling goods for eastern mills. From what l learned, the idea Is for the broker merely to sell the goods, and the customer would take care of clearing, payment to the mill, and all other details. The brokers to receive 21B per cent commission.
 This man expressed skepticism as to the practicability of the plan The import business is a highly spe- cialized proposition" he explained, and to be carried on successfully, service must be rendered by houses engaged therein. l feel certain that the small commission mentioned would not cover the organization eX- penSes for adequate services, so that the net outcome of the proposed plan would be either lack of service or radical advance in the commissions charged. A large force is necessary when the importer wants to give ser vice to the customer. There is a tremendous amount of figuring to be done; one must keep track of customs regulations, handle conversion of cur fency, watch sterling. make adequate provisions for payment In sterling II the customer is to do the greater portion of this work himself, there -1ar- direct to the foreign mill and save the 21a per cent charge A majority of the better mills in England have representatives or agents in this country at the present time which would mean that the brokerage sys- tenn of selling would have to be to a greater or lesser extent with second grade mills"
 Buying Limited.
 Buying interest in the cotton gray goods market remains limited. while continued declines in raw cotton prices have been further check on trading. Were a better business passing in finished goods, however 1t is likely that the raw material sit nation would lose some Of its in- fluence on cloth operations.
 This week, prices on a number of styles have eased off slightly. Trade factors are expecting a fair business In finished goods to develop during July when many wholesalers make their annual visits to the markets
 Whatever the volume Gf business placed at that time, 1t would later be transmitted to the gray goods mar kets.
 o O O
 Wash Goods Selling.
 The continued spell of hot weather has stimulated retail business con- siderably and has done a great deal to clean out stocks of wash goods particularly sheer fabrics. Jobbers report much better inquiry for such goods, and converters in turn are disposirg of quantities of printed voiles and similar goods, but have had to sell these at very low prices There have also been reports of printed ratines selling to the jobbing trade at materially reduced figures
 There have been a number Cf in quiries for different items in the staple cotton goods list from the job bing trade. Many jobbers would do a steady filling,in buying but prefer to wait until the selling houses come out officially with their revised prices. Suggestions have been that right after the Fourth of July many of the large sellers will re-price sta