Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-05-19
IMMENSE WOOL SHIPMENTS
The Estimated Output of Las Vegas in
This Industry for 1897 is Placed
at 100000 Pounds.
DILATORY METHODS OF TaE SENATE
The Foreign Wool Shippers Are Hurry
ing Their Product Into the United
States Market, Much to the
Disgust of the Local
Producers.

Correspondence New Mexican.
Las Vegas, N. M, May 15.--Today has
been spent among the business men of
the two towns, Las Vegas and East Las
vegas-although have not been able to
find the dividing line and cannot tell
when pass from under the care of one
set of officials to that of the other-I
have learned some things concerning the
business interests and prospects of San
Miguel county.
woOL-THE STAPLE.
The principal product of the county
and the great source of income is WOO,
and in Las Vegas wool is always spelled
with capital W. In the year 1896 about
100000 pounds Of that commodity were
shipped to the eastern markets, and this
years shipments are estimated at about
100000 pounds. just at present the
wool men and dealers are not in the best
of humor over the dilatory methods OF
the United States senate in dealing with
the tariff bill. Day after day passes and
the bill is apparently no nearer it's pas
sage than when it was sent to that august
body by the house of representatives.
Day after day the wool growers of Aus
tralia, South America and other countries
are hurrYing their woods into the United
States market, and an enormous surplus
is piling up in the warehouses Of Ameri-
can manufacturers, thus depriving our
home growers of a good market and
good prices. One gentleman in speaking
of the matter today, said: "The senate
is popularity supposed to be the con-
servative factor in legislative matters,
but have arrived at the conclusion that
the members of that body are lot Of old
grannies. They allow supposed dignity,
prejudices, and high spun theories to
keep business interests in state of un-
certainty, depressed activity, and destroy
confidence. The country would be better
off without the senate"
This may be an extreme view concert
ing the usefulness and saving power of
the senate, but the long, drawn out agony
of getting the tariff bill through that
branch of congress is certainly discour-
aging to business men of all kinds in the
country and more particularly those in
New Mexico where the prosperity of the
whole territory is so largely dependent
upon the wool industry. l do not wish
to convey the idea that all the wool ham
died in this city is raised in San Miguel
county, for that is not true. While the
annual clip Of the county is enormous
and most of it marketed here, it must be
remembered that 100000 pounds of
wool means vast quantities of that article.
Las Vegas is probably the largest market
for wool from first hands in the United
States, and here the eastern buyers con-
gregate during the season. Wool is
brought here from all over the southwest
for final shipment, and much of it is
sorted and secured before it finds it's way
to the factories.
THREE SECURING PLANTS.
Three large securing plants are con-
stantly operated, having combined ca
pacity of 10000 pounds per day. The
manner of handling wool in securing
plant is interesting, although must say
the work is not inviting. The "raw ma
terial" comes to the mill in sacks, full of
dirt and grease and filth, and all grades
thoroughly mixed. On reaching the mill
the wool first goes to "sorter" who care
fully grades it according to quality and
length of fibre, and from him it ia passed
through a washing machine, operated by
steam, where it is thoroughly cleansed,
reaching the drying room white and soft,
having lost from 25 to 55 per cent 10
weight. There are also two picking"
concerns, where the wool is picked from
pelts and prepared for market. One of
these is run in connection with securing
mill, the other is separate plant. In
the establishment where picking and
securing are carried on, the denuded
skins are tanned and sold to glove and
shoemakers. ] was shown some skins to-
day that appeared to mel am not q
tanner or judge of leather--to be equal
to any that could be secured from the
crack tanners of the east.
THE sHEErMEN ARE PRETTY WELL.
So far as the sheepmen of San Miguel
county are concerned, they are doing pretty
well, thank you, this year. The increase
in the focks will be over IS per cent, the
price of wool is over 100 per cent above
that of last year, grass is early and plen.
tiful and water for the entire year is as
sured. What more could they want? II
congress will "get a move on" and settle
the tariff question soon New Mexico will
be strictly in the swim next year. The
great increase in the focks will result in g
corresponding increase in next seasons
clip, and if prices justify the mainten
ance Of large focks the territory will soor
regain it's lost position as one of tht
foremost wool producing sections of tht
United States.
BUSINESS PICKING UP.
visited all the Wholesale houses in tht
double city and Of them made inquirie
regarding business conditions, and in
variably received the same reply. "Busi
ness is picking up and by fall will be fa
ahead Of that for years past" The con
sensus of opinion il that 1897 is to be
New Mexico year. "Mining ia on the in
Grease, agricultural conditions are yer,
favorable, cattle and sheepmen are pros
pering and good times are fast return
| ing" said the manager uf one Of the larg
est Wholesale houses in the territory
Just at this time local trade is somewha
slack on account of the busy season will
ranchmen, but no one is complaining TO
the reason that the cause Is known, an,
the effect of that cause will be increased
trade little later in the summer.
Ihardly think it is necessary for me 3
attempt q description Of Las Vegas, a
most Of the people Of New Mexico hav
either visited here or have heard of tn
, city from those who have. OF the peopl
who do the business and make the city
have formed the highest opinion. Whel
, ever went was kindly received an
courteo eously treated, and much was don
to make my one days Welt pleasan
There is naturally friendly feeling 81
isting between Las Vegas and Santa F,
and that friendliness is extended TO th