Evening star., 1923-09-17
Higher SILK PRICES
ARE NOW FORECAST.
Cheney Declares Quake
Means 10 or IS Per Cent
Advance in Goods in U. S.
ny J. G. RoYLE.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, September 17.-Prices
for manufactured silks probably VIII
be from, 10 to 15 per cent higher, as
result Of the Japanese disaster. ac-
cording to survey of conditions in
the silk industry by several maniac
turers.
The study Of the situation leads ME
TO believe that after the first adjust
ments have been made we shall see
the situation settle down with
higher level for raw silk" said
Charles Cheney of Cheney Bros,
at will remain on a level substantial
ly higher than tina. prevailing before
the earthquake.
After commerce and transporta-
tion have been brought back to a fair
degree of normalcy, we may see low
serious difficulty with deliveries and
qualities which will go far to offset
any price reduction"
Dealers Marking Time.
Since the disaster manufacturers
and dealers have been marking time
and awaiting DEVELOPMENTS. as it has
been almost impossible to get deti-
mite basis of calculation upon which
production costs and replacement
values could be determined. The
volume and regularity of the supply
of raw silk also was uncertain, but
mills are again beginning to return
to production required by the de-
nandS of customers. Manufacturers,
however. expect that Interruptions in
silk production will enforce con-
siderable curtailment in some direc-
tions.
Some manufacturers are well sup
piled for immediate requirements, but
il is sure that they must come into
the raw silk market again in the
not distant future. Manufacturers
hold that as a result readjustments
''I do not anticipate that these ad-
tustments will be downward" Mr..
Cheney added. 1.-THE market was due
for an advance. even IL there had
been no earthquake. Conditions rul-
ing the goods market and the state
of inventories are such that any new
buying movement-and one was al
ready started-must have put prices
up.
Japan's Lumber Demands.
Much uncertainty exists as to the
to be required by Japan for rebuild
ing the destroyed cities OF the island
empire. THIS is q marked fact in
the situation, that manufacturers of
IuluDeT IN Ine fACinC dIS
refraining from making extended
commitments. At the same time they
announce that all efforts will be con-
tinued TO prevent speculation and un-
warranted high prices
Tho specifications used In Japan are
different from those in this country.
and the production of these special
sizes of lumber Is more expensive
than the regular American sizes. Fir
lumber exporters will meet Wednes-
day in Portland, Greg. to determine
whether to send three or five experts
to Japan to deal directly with the
government and the largest Japanese
purchasers and try and substitute
American specifications.
The financing Of the expected large
orders for Japan Is still not definitely
completed. and lumber men state that
the difficulties to be overcome We're
Of considerable proportions There
has been no evidence in this country
however that Japan has had to throw
overheard large blocks of securities
or even make sudden sales of COM
moditieS to relieve the immediate
money requirements.
Goal Shipments Expected Soon
1t is expected that the anthracite
miners will be back at work by the
end of this week, and the anthracite
carriers are prepared to resume car
rying this coal to market at a speedy
mace. Fear of q shortage this winter
has been removed, but there still Is q
big volume of coal orders untitled.