The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-22
A WOOL FAMINE.
Cause and Effect of the Present short
Supply OF Wool.

| Deen OCc3slOneu Nv MOoi iohi'"S "
over the world. Prices have advanced
in England and on the Continent, IN all
the wool markets, corresponding to the
advance here, and in some Instances
the advance on the other side has been
larger than here. This wool famine
will last, probably, all through the
present year. The clip of 1873 will no
| doubt be the largest in the worlds his
tory. Every one will make an effort to
increase it. The reason the c.lpof 1917
will not be much in excess OF 1871 Is
because the great advance did not take
place until after the Landing season
was over.
The advance in wooden goods has not
correspondent at all with the advance in
wool, aud this is in measure caused
by there being no less number Of
yards of goods produced than there has
been previously. A'great many manu-
facturers who have heretofore made up
wooden goods are now using in place Of
| wool other materials which cheaper the
cost OF goods per yard, but do not lessen
the production OF yards. So, while
there has been famine in the wool
market, there is scarcely any decreased
production of yards OF goods.
From the present appearance Of
things, it is probable they will make
the manufacturing business one OF the
most profitable that can be carried on in
short time. The reason is that soon
there will be an enormous amount OF
wool 10 find a market, with scarcely
any increase in the machinery to use it.
This will, of course, diminish prices,
and probably in 1873 we shall see woods
at less than half the amount they now
bring, and goods at almost the same
figures. This is because the number OF
yards will be kept about the same, and
the demand for goods will be about as
large, while the production OF wool will
be double what it is at present.
The small supply OF wool in port has
beeu oains TO the fact that great
many farmers thought the growth OF
beef and pork, as well as other agricul-
tural products, would pay them better
than the growth of wool. In the years
1869, 1870 and 1871 the slaughter OF
sheep in this country was very great.
As consequence, the supply OF wool
in 1871 was not over two thirds Of the
product of 1867. In other parts OF the
world, as the wool tariff in those coun-
tries was different for wool of the skins
and wool on the skins, it created
determination to kill sheep so as to
bring the wool here on the skins,
trusting to reproduction to replenish
their tlocks. Now the wool tariff is the
same for wool on the skin as the wool
off the skin, and reproduction has not
been as rapid in the countries where
they slaughter so heavily as was antici-
pated Consequently the supply from
all those quarters Is greatly diminished,
and the tact stands boldly out that
wool famine is being felt the world over.
In 1870 there arrived in this country
the skins from over five million sheep.
Last year the receipts of skin were
much less, because the duty is now the
same on wool on the skin as Off
Everywhere the loss is felt OF the num-
Der OF sheep slaughtered to supply the
market in this country. The wool
business in this city is extensively
carried on. In domestic wool Boston
is first, Philadelphia second and New
York third. In foreign woods New
York sells the most, Philadelphia
comes second and Boston ranks third.
If arrangements could be effected so
that the operators in wool in this city
could import directly to Philadelphia
there would be a very large increase in
the receipts of wool at this port, and
duties paid here which now 90 TO in
crease the business OF New York.
There is vast amount OF wool and
oils and other stock imported by Phila-
delphia merchants to New York and
then shipped here, the duties and other
expenses being paid in New York.
Philadelphia does not stand first in the
wool business simply because OF lack of
means to bring the product here.
There has been a steady improvement
in the prices OF wool last year. The
Chicago fire and a tight money market
following, for short time interrupted
this advance. In fact it softened prices
a little, but TO men taking closer view
OF the case at the time, it showed that
this advance was not a speculative one,
inasmuch as the consequent depression
following the fire did not affect the prices
so slightly. 1t was really caused for
legitimate purposes. Assoon as money
grew little easier prices again took an
upward turn.
Wool has been higher during the
war than it is now, but then gold was
very much higher also. The highest
prices for wool ever ruling in this
country were in 1864, in July, when
some stocks brought 81 % the pound.
Gold stood then about oh, and wool is
really higher now than it was in that
year. 1t is fact that wool is really
bringing higher price today, in gold
than it ever brought before. Even in
the most speculative times wool never
advanced to the figures to which supply
and demand have raised it. In other
cases it was simple speculation. Now
it is one OF wool. 1t must be had or
the machines will have to be stopped.
With all the efforts made, it is be-
lieved that considerable proportion Of
the machinery of this country must
stand idle from the first of May to the
first OF June or July this year. Mills
that have confined themselves to wooden
fabrics will have to stop. All the
efforts to buy sufficient amount here
at reasonable rates will prove INSULT
cient in supplying all the mills. Wool
is now simply being sold to manufac.
turers who greatly need it. The great
! fear among wool nnarstnrs il that thara