The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-10

The feature OF the local trade during
TIE week has been that me cixrYust OF
commission men and wholesale dealers on
the part Of producers was even more pro-
noUnced than usual
This unfortunate condition always
stsNs4ts 70 a greater or lees extent. the
farmers evidently fearing that no matter
what offer Is made. the pro~pecttva ll,yes
has some Interior motive ana Intends 10
take ratnar more than tho best OF IL on
fre s so1s q trsde, ais state Of affairs is
paper reports OF market conditions. The
present strained relations between pro-
queer and loboeT iE largely attributed TO
or course. no one can End fault with the
farmer for wanting the best possible
prices On the other hand. the commits
hioA ana 5obbing houses are recognized
- the legitimate channels through which
farm and dairy products must ba brought
70 the consumer. The opportunities Of
me latter FOR keeping in touch with trade
Sonaitlons arc prospects ars manifest y
greater. yet their business Is almost al
ways or speculative nature The farmer
gets sTaight-out offer and can usually
sell al fAEr profit, while the iobber ex-
cspt tn occasional Instances. takes hIs
Chances on the fluctuations OF the market
AAe prospect for potatoes has been fire.
auen.ly COMMANDED upon OF late. and IL
~ SAFE 70 assert that any hope for q big
upward jump has no foundation ga exist
ing or anticipated conditions The visible
supply y ample for ali requirements OF
aifeady being drawn upon for the local
demand. The best offer for native stock
made during the week was SIS which still
noias. although II now applies TO care
fully selected stock. Many farmers. how
ever are still holding out. II Is freely
limited that their hopes have been buoyed
Win misleading reports instigated by
some heavier dealers whose warehouses
happened to be nllad. These warehouses
are being gradually emptled. and the drop
IA price and hope must result Nothing
but an nnsxpected and improbable cold
snap; which might destroy a part Of the
visible supply, can effect any great up
ward movement In the offer
hay has held up steadily throughout
the same, both Ia the offer to farmers
and the tohbers' price. The stock is be-
Ing carefully selected. and prices range
Aeeording 70 quality. but there is no indl-
gilt-edge hay IS concerned.
hsSs have been ranging all up and
down the line; from Is TO is cents. quota
tons being changed daily. The market
supply Is somewhat irregular and tha
price VIII continue unsteady during the
next week. and possibly for longer time.
certain market. There is always A good
demand for the EIlensburg and other
Washington creamery products and the
sSaEs,ly OF me recent supply has brought
fhs price up 10 . cents.
Fish dealers are considerably agftateS
pro and con. over possible legislation IN
RELATION 70 the salmon fisheries. Mean
while there is = good supply. and prices
show an upward tendency. ranging fror.
20 blz cents. Good reports ara received
from the halibut fishermen OF the north
and every Alaska steamer brings down a
good consignment. the prices holding very
firm. Prospects for the sealing frdu~.ry
however. are very gloomy. as the price az
skins IL lower than has ever been known
Many seslers have taken their shinS ont
Of commission. finding that theIr saas,,v,'s
work has uetted them loss Six dollars
and nfty cents IS the best price offered
for skins ia the rough