The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-10-28

for a really active business during the
first half of 1903.
All these conditions contribute to
make a very strong wool market, al
though a little apprehension is express
ed here and there as to what effect
the approaching elections may have
upon the wool trade, in case large
democratic gains SHOULD be indicated,
which might be construed as fore
shadowing another change in the wool
tariff; but this contingency is believ-
ed to be too remote to occasion any
general alarm, and whatever effect the
recognition of the possibility of it's
materializing may exert on the stu
alton, it is far more than ~counterbal-
anced by the exceptionally favorable
conditions prevailing and likely to
prevail for some time to come in wool
manufacturing and in the wool trade.
Another favorable element is the set
Element Of the coal strike and the ad-
vent of seasonable weather, which
naturally stimulates a good demand
for woolens and worsteds.
A cheerful feeling is apparent ev-
erywhere in the wool trade, therefore,
and every merchant to a man is look
ing forward with confidence and ex-
pectancy to the future. The tone
of the market could not otherwise
than be firm, and the sales which have
been put through during the past
week have been at full prices. There
Is no weak spot in the market any
where, as manufacturers who, have
been hunting around for bargains
have found out for themselves. Even
those, houses which have done COM
paratively but little business, are un.
willing to reduce prices for the sake
of stimulating trade. Those who sell
their woods find that they cannot re-
place them, as the markets in the in
terror are not heavily stocked, and
prices are asked there for woods which
would not allow any profit whatever
if they were to be brought here and
facturers know very we'll that as firm
as the Boston market is, it is yet on
as low a basis proportionately as any
market in the world and certainly
lower than a number of the western
markets.
Texas, California and Oregon.
Supplies of Texas woods are now
within a pretty narrow compass, but
the supply will Of course become
somewhat increased as the new fall
woods arrive, although the entire fall
clip does not cut a very large figure.
The new fall wocls in Texas continue
to be taken at 14@14hc, with a
choice clip occasionally bringing a
little more money. These woods are
costing fully 45c, clean, landed. The
Kerrville and San Angelo fall woods
have not yet been marketed. In this
market Texas woods have sold only in
a small way. Twelve months stock
has sold at 19@2Oc in the grease,
equivalent to a clean cost Of about
55c. Eight months stock, of which
there is very little here, is worth
nominally 16@17c, equivalent to a
clean cost of 4S@5Oc.
California woods likewise have been
quiet, with such sales as have been
made put through at previous quota
tions. The very finest stock is worth
52@53c clean, but most of the wool
which has changed hands has moi sold
for more than 48@5Oc. Middle coun-
ty woods have sold at 46@47c. Some
defective stock has been sold at about
a third of a dollar. In California the
new fall woods have all been sold and
secured out there, and none of them
will some here in the grease.
Oregon woods have been more &C.
tive, the business of the week having
been greatly swollen by the sale of a
large line of about 600, 900 pounds Of
eastern Oregon. This was very good
wool and brought a good price. just
what the price was, is not stated, but
it is understood to have been within
the range of our quotations, if not
slightly better. The recent large
sales noted in these columns from
time to time have greatly depleted the
available supply of Oregons in this
market.
Territories.
We have another active weeks bus
mess to report in territories, the de
mand extending, as before, to al
grades of woods. There has been ar
especially good inquiry for Montanas