The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-07-26
W~ooLGRoWER's IDEA,

w Ell = uO6As .
A recent issue of the Great Falls
Tribune contains a letter from Sam
H. Wood, a sheep raiser of West Butte
in which several suggestions are made
to the woolgrowers of that part of
the state which can but be of interest
to those of this portion of the wool
belt as well. Mr.. Wood says that be-
fore becoming a fockmaster he was
engaged in the commission business
and knows all about the manner in
which shipments Of wool and other
produsts Of the farm and range fare
that are sent to the east on consign-
ment. This experience has convinced
him that the shipper always gets the
worse Of the transaction. He says that
when wool is sent to eastern brokers
and stored the manufacturers take
pains to learn all about it, even to the
mortgage that may hold it down and
when it is due. Taking advantage of
the knowledge they acquire, they pur-
IL a policy Of buying from hand to
mouth and by doing SO keep the
prices down to the lowest possible
figure. To get around the manufac-
turers and protect themselves, Mr..
Wood advocates the organization by
the sheepmen of a mutual aid associa-
ton and the erection of warehouses
in different parts Of the state where
they may store their wool and have
direct charge of it at all times and
allow the home banks to have the
benefit Of the carrying charges. If
the old insurance companies decline
to insure the wool stored in the ware
houses, he suggests that the owners
insure it by some mutual methods
and thus secure protection at a cost
not much higher, if any, than by fol-
lowing the old way.
His last suggestion, perhaps, is en-
titled to the most consideration and
is in line with the recommendations
repeatedly made by The Gazette-the
construction of wooden mills. He
thinks that by subscribing 500 each
the woolgrowers of his part Of the
state a raise sufficient capital to
erect and equip a mill large enough
to prove the wisdom Of the experiment.
Being a resident of the territory con-
tiguous to Great Falls. he naturally
desires to see such a mill built at that
point and is Of the opinion that a
plant costing not to exceed $4,000
will earn interest at the rate of 2 per
cent on the investment. So confident
is he of the success of the, scheme ad-
vocated by him that he predicts other
mills will be speedily built after the
first years operation of the original
plant. At the lowest estimate he be-.
lieves such a mill would benefit the
state to the extent of 100000 by its
labor and influence on the wool mar
ket next fall. AS an evidence Of his
faith in the plan he says he stands
AC0uy W 0uDSCllpC WliCAlSNCi ~ 10
decided to proceed and carry it into
execution.
In conclusion Mr.. Wood predicts
hat every pound of wool stored in
Montana this year will bring Is cents
next winter.
He offers the suggestions contained
in his letter to the Tribune as proper
for discussion at the proposed
meetings of sheepmen called for this
city and Great Falls. The Gazette
heartily seconds Mr.. Woods idea and
that when the meeting con-
venes at Billings SOM Of the local
woolgrowers will take it up, as it is
one of the most feasible schemes ad-
.anced for the benefit of the wool
grower and the community at large.