The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-29
CURTA|LMENT HAS BEEN WIDEST EAD
 IN COTTON GOODS
Heavy Gray Goods Buying At Low Prices Features
 Weeks Tradinq

SO'N V
 NEW YORK, July 28.-(Special)- Cotton consumption figures for July should show material decline from those of June. As matter of fact, July cotton consumption should be the smallest this year, thus far. Cur tailment is spreading, and promises to become greater as the month draws to close. The likelihood Is that in August this curtailment will keep on in a considerable fashion, and in some of the coarser goods may be- come more acute.
 The recent attitude of Fall River mills has practically become a policy for majority of the mills through out the country-with regard to cur tailment. There have been a few in stances during the past several weeks where low prices have been heard for deliveries running into October-but the majority of the mills are differ ently disposed. There are number which have been firm in policy of not listening to the recent market, holding goods in the belief that they would be able to get more later on. There have been others that have followed the market with regard to spot and nearby goods. They. have not figured for any important change during July and August and have been willing to sell at the market or close to the market for these two months-but have not seen fit to go into September or later, feeling that there has been no occasions what soever and believing that the gamble In weaving is as big for the buyer as 1t is for them.
 Cotton Rig Factor.
 After all, cotton is the big factor fOdaV. Ivy p that with a satisfactory value set on cotton, buying would follow In a great many cases. By a satisfactory price is generally meant not a price that would be what buyers want. but rather a price based on conditions which it would be felt are the actua! conditions reflecting the crop. There are numerous items on which the tobber would commit himself for the next 50 days or so, if he were not troubled with a lack of opinion as to what the imm ediate trend of cotton will be.
 None of the commission houses are exhibiting at the National Merchan- disc fair which is being held in New Quiry among those who exhibited last year and are not exhibiting this year, revealed that they did not con- slider the national merchandise fai" a place for any house which sold ex- clusively to the wholesale trade.
 Practically at each of the commis- sion houses which exhibited last year it was stated that their exhibits caused them much trouble. The re- tailers came in, saw the merchandis e and usually were pleased to get ir direct touch with the mill selling agency, or with the converter who sold only to the jobber. An argu- ment followed, however, as to why the commission house could not sell to the retail buyer. The name of the retailer was taken, stating that i; would be given to wholesalers in his district In many instances, 1t de- veloped that the retailer bought from another jobber, who later accused the commission house of trying to hurt his business.
 For the. companies that sell direct to the retailer, the proposition Is en- tirely different-and number O. these are well represented--this in . cludes converters and dry goods wholesalers. A check-up at the far reveals that there are r exhibitors showing cotton goods.
 Heavy Print Cloth Buying.
 There has been very big buying in print cloths during the past week | Several of the largest buyers in the I country have come in very quietly and at the new low prices have bought liberally. It seems to be generally realized that print cloth and a num- Der of other gray cloth prices are to- day under cost, and that they have discounted a considerable break m cotton. The sharp declines in raw cotton on Monday and Tuesday have had practically no effect on the op- eratfons of these large buyers. True prices went off little further, but the big buyers kept up their negotia- tions.
 There is much greater resistance to price decline in cloths now than at any time, because of the low basis. The tendency of the mills is rather to close down than to sell ahead on these levels. A good many mills have been willing to take business for spot, July and August. at the current quotations, believing it to be their duty to help start things going but there is very little inclination to go beyond these deliveries. Some reports have placed the volume of week at 30. 100000 yards. This is the largest trading that has been Out through in a long while.
 Sheetings have been moving, but not in large way, and prices are a little easier. There has been a little more interest in drills and several of these prices are lower. Sateens have been very quiet. Bombed cloths do not attract much interest
 Finished Goods Quiet.
 t. Trade in finished goods continues Srather quiet. The jobbers who were in town last week bought in small lots only, where goods were actually needed. In the majority of instances buyers stated they wanted to delay and wait until they received more definite information regarding the cotton crop.
 Slightly lower bleached goods prices have been named on unbrand- ed mercha ndise and fair response have been reported. Printers are showing some new ideas in percales in the way of flock dot effects. Some of the additional new lines of ging- hams are being shown for nex. spring. No prices havea been named on these goods, but they are on ex- hibit.
 Two important lines show consid- erable ratine warn effects introduced
 The gjngham houses seem to be paying more attention to plain shades. Medium size patterns In checks and plaids prevail.
 There is some interest in low-end coiore1 goods. The general idea is that the longer sellers hold off nam- ~. HH CssBl