The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-04
A BUSINESS BAROMETER
Prices Of Commodities and an Index to The
Conditions Existing in the Markets
PRESSURE TO SELL 7.YEAR OLD WHISTLES.
fine Nea ring when Holders Must
Pay the si.1O Tax Per Gallon.
Cotton seed OIL Review.
once Of The Post.

Office Of The Post.
Houston. Wednesday, May 3.
seven-year old ful-proof whiflsy is sell-
ing relatively cheaper than younger goods.
and this has puzzled some OF the trade. inc
reason is easily accounted for. AT the ex-
piration OF four years the outage period ex-
pires and all whisky then In bond as gauged
by the U. s. gauger and after that, whether
the whisky be taken out at once OF not until
eight years. when the bondage period eS-
pires. the holder of whisky must pay accord
ing to the amount certified TO at the time
OF gauging when four years old. At the same
time the outage continues and frequently the
loss is fve or six gallons more, which the
seller loses. as the purchaser only pays for
the amount in the barrel on day Of shipment.
Allowing that it costs 40 cents to make a
gallon of whisky, 1t is seen that even at
that figure vast sums of money are tied up
Now when tho eight years expires the holder
must stamp this whisky at the rate OF sltO
per proof gallon. so that he s compelled to
sell or else tie up so many more thousand
dollars which he could have bearing interest
This causes pressure to sell the older
whisky. The nearer the time approaches for
adding on the s1.lo tax the greater Is tho
desire to dispose of the goods. consequently
the seven and eight-year-old goods are Of
fered anxiously for sale and are not much
higher than four or hve-year-od stock, which
does not have to be stamped until 1t Is eight
years Of age.
Louisville. Ky. May alt is rumored
among whisky mon that the contract has
been let for the building OF the long prom
Used big dstllery. to be oneratad IN opposi
tlon 10 the Kentucky Dis'lllenes and Ware
house company. about which SO much has
been snid. 1t Is now said that Northern
dealers and several malt firms are behlnd tho
schome,
Alfred S Austrian. the Chicago attorney.
who has MANAGED the kentucky company's
affairs here fof several weeks, lef Louis
vile today Mr.. Austrian has contaminated
successfully the deals for the various big
distileries and has looked after all the de-
tails attending the transfer OF the properties
to the combine
Cotton oil,
The oil. Paint and Drug Reporter in It's
weekly review saws From letters received
from those In the various sections of the
oil industry, who have made careful study
OF the situation. all agree as to the limited
seasons. Texas has only few thousand
barrels for sale outside OF the Leading re-
hnera. and these nre gradually being taken
up by Western packers and retiuers, Tho
valley Is where the unknown quantity eN-
lists but careful estimate places tn stock
there not 10 exceed 10000 barrels, and that
Is distributed from Memphis down 1t Is
claimed this oil in the valley will refine at
a loss OF about ~ to 81 per cent. aud re-
hners viii not take this oil. consequently
the natural outlet for this oil win be soap
makers. who will take 1t up on the basis OF
fatty acid. In this section the estimated
stock IN store and ahoat will not exceed 55,-
OoO barrels all told, During the past few
DAYS there has been more EXPORT Inquiry.
and the indications are that May will he an
active month in trading, not only for home
consumption. hut for foreign account as al
ready there are signs which indicate that
foreign BUYERS are getting tired Of playing
waiting game especially as they have
been unable to draw out supplies for Tor
ward delivery at a concession In prices as
they were led to believe would be the case.
They, however overlooked the fact that the
bulk Of the oil here Is controlled by strong
the situations of the foreign market, and
know II Ia only question Of time when fur
ther 5Vpplics Will be needed to rcpoush
stocks which are fast being depleted. Tho
Teoeints oil crude at this port are daily grow
ing less. aud what docs come ig generally
OF an off quality. There Is good export
demand for winter yellow. hui the lndlf-
ference OF retincrs to make concessions In
prices restricts trading to some extent White
oil Is also In better request and salcs are
being made in limited way 10 the regular
trade at a0c There have been several ar
rivals OF prime summer yellow to hand, and
In order TO avoid storage expenses. sales have
been made from dock at 26c. on yellow has
been slow, and to place round lot 2jc would
have TO be shaded though 95tsn is generally
quoted