Evening star., 1928-05-09
OUTLOOK IS BETTER |
IN APPAREL TRADE
Rayon Business Still Break
ing All ReCords-Cotton
Mills Moving South.
BY J. G. RoYLE.
.ial nlsnatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star. .s.
NEW YORK, May 9.--Despite the sea-
sonal check to garment sales expert
enced in the apparel industries in the
last fortnight, the leading producers of
nationally advertised clothing, hosiery,
millinery and shoes are booking salts
factory sales. They anticipate that their
earnings for the quarter will make an
excellent showing as compared with
those OF the corresponding period OF
1927.
Some OF the smaller concerns have
by no means done so well. although the
silk materials have shown the presence
Of a steady and increasing demand.
Tho change in fashions, slight as 1t
seems to have been. undoubtedly has
put a more favorable aspect ON the ap-
parel prospects and on those OF the
textile producers. The straight slim
lines OF the modern dress. which for
some years has cut down the amount
OF material necessary for each costume,
have given way to the flaring and curv-
ing Silhouttes.
Addition of Weight.
1t Is estimated by one of the leading
physical trainers of the country, who
specialize In the reducing and building
up OF adpose tissue. that the change
has resulted in the addition of some
5000 tons of weight by the women OF
New York alone. since the change in
styles became apparent. From London
comes confirmation of this statement.
Declarations from hotel men and con-
fectioners In the English capital are
to the effect that the cessation of strict
dieting on the part OF women has re-
suited In marked gain In weight.
n
crease in the amount of fabric necessary
for dresses. 1t may not become ap-
parent at once and probably will not,
but In the aggregate the increase will
be noticeable before the end OF this
year in the output of mills and factories.
Among the cotton textile nlanufac-
turers the tendency toward transfer OF
plants to the South continues steadily.
The chief reasons for this exodus are
the extremely heavy taxes in New Eng
land, the restrictive laws concerning la
Dor and the fact that a considerable
part OF the textile machinery in New
England must be replaced by new and
up-to-date machines.
The business being booked BY the
rayon manufacturers is still exceeding
all previous records. Many OF the larg-
er producers are sold up until August
OF lhLGI. NeW pidIltS dlt DCliiB plohhSA
and built throughout the South and
reports of earnings indicate n most pros
porous period for the producers.
silk Price Maintained.
The reports of shortage OF cOcoonS
In Japan have tended to maintain the
price Of both raw silk and silk ma
tcrials especially in view Of the heavy
consumption entailed by the demand
for the printed silk fabrics from the
dress trade.
In the woolens, advance sales have
been diSappointingly light, but this has
not discouraged the wool growers, who
feel assured of their position IN view OF
the technical outlook for wool produc-
ton and stocks,
The shirt and underwear manutac-
turers have been doing very satisfac-
tory volume of business In recent weeks.
and this is being reflected in their bal
ance sheets.
Buyer reluctance has been overcome
to some degree by the fact that the
recent foods in the South undoubtedly
have inflicted heavy damage on the
prospects for the cotton crop. Consid-
erahle acreage seems likely To be aban-
doned. and the fields which are replant-
ed will have a poorer prospect for re-
sisting the ravages of the boil Weevi.