The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-22
CAUTION |S STILL WATCHWORD WITH DRY GOODS TRADE
BachrIty Causes Gray And Finished Goods To Drop
 Another Notch
Copyright. 1923, Fairchild News

tCopyright, 1923, Fairchild News
 ,-,,,-- Service.)
 NEW YORK, July 21.--Caution continues the basis of thought among Wholesalers of dry goods. Many say mat advance business for fall was very good, and that the character of the orders such that they are likely to hold Less has been heard of the possiolHty of cancellation from the retailers.
 rne jobber is disposed to wait as long as he can before operating for spring. This is the result of the un- certainty in cotton. Many say that, alter the August crop report is out they will have definite idea of what To expect in cotton, and will also have disposed of much of the stock which they now have on hand,
 Talk of higher prices later, and the Likelihood that buyers will come in ana put prices up against themselves does not carry much weight with the majority, Particularly, in the agri- cultural and cattle raising sections, the trade Is extremely cautious, and some say that nothing could stam- pede these dealers except buying by their own customers.
 Opinion prevails that the majority of wholesalers own fair quantities of certain goods at low prices--bought before the big advance. In num-
  much, except at prices ased close to the basis at which they were owned.
 The majority point out that ging- hams and tissues have been very quiet with them
 The wash goods situation for spring, 1924, does not offer much in the way of definite trends. Rather, the ideas are numerous and cover scope that is very broad. Not many converters claim to have complete lines ready to show Quite a few say they are not interested In show ing patterns for next spring, for the present. Several expressions were heard to the effect that converters would be up at the meeting this morning to sense what buyers had in mind. The statement has been heard to the effect that converters that they preferred waiting until August before announcing theim new offerings. Several said they won't be ready until August, having planned accordingly. The disposition Of buy CTS. as generally reported thus far, Is to wait as long as possible before making commitments for next spring
 Flock dot voiles have come in for a good part of conversation, in re- cent weeks. The recent popularity of dotted Swisses has put the flock dots to the forc--and they have been reported as aDOul the peSt ilSIh o4, wash goods counters lately. Based on the theory that what closes one season strong is likely to open up we'll for the following season, many converters have prepared lines or flock dot voiles, featuring those with patterns. For the present these flock dotes are in general favor.
 Many look for printed volles to en- joy another good season. The ques- ton of the type pattern that will be in demand has been the subject of much debate. Some look for the cashmere effects to continue. Others have been talking of heater effects.
 Woven novelties, of the elaborate type. nave been emphasized abroad, and in practically all of the advance collections that have come In rom the other side. Many of these noVel- ties are of such complex nature that they may prove too costly, eN reDt for the more exclusive wear. Embroidered work and emprolaerec ideas have been stressed in these woven novelties--the most stunning and most expensive work being given much attention in Paris. Chlnese and similar Oriental motifs are pop ular in the emoroldered Worh, nr over ideas are featured by some ol the Parisian artists. The flamme Suggestion is considered among the important ones: ,,ro
 Patine yarn decorations on num- her of cloths are supported ID soihe quarters abroad
 s,arding tissues and ginGhams. These have not been good, generally uur- ing the past season. While many say stocks of ginghams are plentiful anu a number of buyers have not been very hopeful about the lnlmeala.e iho tu ture. there are quite a number Who have faith in a revival of glnghams and tissues of such goods that flt in with the trend of fashions The argument is that ginsham, as serv, iceable fabric. cannot be overiooKed at any time. Ihe recelie S iuia ,,,cr T ,'@ natural, as women had been, wearing sineham for several seasc$i in sue cession, and a change was logical.
 Crepes nave been generally good, and a number of lines are based on the expectation of another large sea son for cloths of this character.
 Color schemes have been simplified. The trend is for more in whites, or to have related color schemes. The latter indicate the influence of the ombre ribbons. There have been some reports of houses working on large block effects, leaving open spaces for grounds. Paris has report ed some interest in organdie.
 Gray cloths have been very quiet during the past week, Wlth pIISco easier on a number of fabrics. The move on the part of Fall River to take print cloths at the minimum of 55 cents a pound had a temporary bolstering influence, but with new buying abroad, the impression has not been material. Sheetings show no new trend and business is limited.
 There has been some business in pajama checks at slight concessions. Drills are off little. Combed goods have been inactive. Some tell of a fair demand for shadow striped warp sateens keeping up. Sateens are about unchanged.
 There have been no noteworthy de- Velopments in the market for finished goods during the past week. Con- vertsrs are anxious to get business, and some of the corporations have again quoted lower prices on un- branded bleached muslins in efforts to stir interest. The new bleached goods prices are actually based on level under that of the prevailing gray cloth market.
 Percales continue quiet and there has been no move made in the way of prices.
 The basis of 2s cents for S-ounce tickings, 32-inch, was made by two