The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-06-28
MARKET SLOW TO OPEN.
Buyers Ready for Business-No.
Much Wool in Storage.

The wool market will be very slow
in opening in this city, if the present
appearances are to be taken as a
criterion. This will not be due to
the buyers, for there are several in
the market ready to buy, but the
trouble seems to be with the growers
themselves. So far the clips are ar
irving at a very slow rate, caused by
the delay in shearing, owing to the
rainy weather that this section has
had to contend with all spring. Many
of the growers have not even COM
menced shearing, while others who
have sheared do not care to bring
their wool to market in a wet condi-
ton and are waiting for it to dry out.
No sales were made up to this time
last year, but more wool was on the
market than is at the present time,
but the majority of the clips were
from Wyoming.
The wool in most cases is of finer
quality than that of last year, in that
it contains less dirt. This is due to
the fact of so much rain, which thor
oughly washed the wool. AS a con
sequence the feeces will average
about a pound less than those of last
year, and they should bring a larger
price proportionately, but this is not
respected by the growers, in view Of
the present prevailing prices in the
eastern markets. However, the grow.
ers are holding out for a better price
than is being offered on this market.
There are at present three buyers
in the city, but they have done COM
paratively nothing, only one or two
clips having been bought at private
sale. They think the growers have
a too exalted opinion of what they
should receive for their ~1eeces, while
the growers believe the buyers are
trying to get their wool for almost
nothing. This is the condition as
it presents itself at this time
and will be the means of holding
back the opening of the market. The
buyers say they are here to buy and
will do SO if the growers will meet
them at least half way. The quaint
ity of wool that is to be moved from
this city this season will have to be
put on sale within a few days, if it
is moved during the time allotted to
the buyers by their houses. Those
here say they will pay as good prices
now as at a later time even though
there be more competition.
The reports from the two ware
houses go to show that there is now
close to 1000, 900 pounds in storage.
This is Slightly below the amount of
last year at this time. The total re-
ceipts for this city are expected to
reach at least $500, 900 pounds, and
some say they will even exceed A.
600, 00O. Many more clips will come
from the northern country than did
last year, the Northern Pacific hav-
ing received advices from the Mon
tana railroad to this effect. In addi-
ton there will be much more from
Wyoming, also.
The first sale on this market last
year raj a Wyoming clip at Is cents,
while the first sale this year brought
only 8B cents. This clip was a
small, dirty one, which was bought
at private sale by a gentleman to
whom the grower was indebted, and
did not signify anything as to the
true condition of prices.
Among the buyers on the market
are Jos. Wing of Dewey, Gould &
Co.; Jas. Kershaw of Nichols, Dupee
& Co, who has just returned from a
trip to Big Timber, and G. B. Will
liams of jeremiah Williams & Co.
Mr.. Kershaw says that about 500, 900
pounds are stored at Big Timber.
The purpose of his visit to that place
was to size up the market and get
hs hands u whatever clips possible,
but he was unsuccessful in the latter.
Jos. Wing, representing Dewey,
Gould & Co, is reported to have
bought the clip of John Stanley,
amounting to 1900 pounds, but at
what price could not be ascertained.
1t was learned, however, that the
price was better thsa 10 cents, and
it is thought to have been as high as
liz cents, if not better. Mr.. Wing
will no divulge the price and Mr..
Stanley had left the city before he
could be seen.
The clip of 1. D. O'Donnell, amount