The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-09-08
MOST OF BUYING BY MEDIUM
SIZED MILLS.
REMAIN VERY FIRM
Holders Refuse To Shade Even a
Trifle In Order to
Make Sales.

Last weeks sales of wool on the
Boston market were the lowest re-
this season, being only 1882, 900
pounds. OF this amount 1,425,0 900
pounds was territory wool, which sold
at from 16c to 21c a pound.
While trade is not yet active, there
is some business being done all the
time, and during the past few days a
slight improvement in the inquiry has
been noticeable. Some of the larger
mills are showing somewhat more OF
a disposition to take hold. The de-
mand, however, except in a very few
instances, has not been for any size
able amounts, the greater portion OF
the business effected being in terri
tories and medium leeces in lots from
$1,000 to 100000 pounds each, says
the American Wool and Cotton Re-
porter.
No Heavy Buyers.
Philadelphia worsted spinners have
participated in the buying, taking
t~hree-eighths and semi-bright woods.
The American Wooden company has
bought to some extent of territories,
though as yet it has not taken on any
great amount; and a large Rhode ISL
and worsted manufacturer has bought
a sizeable amount of fine secured
wool.
Most of the buyers in the market,
however, have been representatives OF
the medium sized mills, and as they
have taken generally small amounts,
the majority of the members of the
trade report a small business, the UNI
favorable weather, the yacht races
and the vacation season conducting to
a quiet condition Of affairs. Such
business as has been done has re-
uuired more hustling on the part OF
statesmen to accomplish it. Neverthe-
less, when wool is sold, it is very gen
orally the case that the buyer wants
it shipped Immediately, which is addi-
tional evidence that the mills are
not heavily stocked with the raw ma
terial. The latter are buying very
carefully, but when they do buy, in
many cases they want the stock badly.
Demand Still for Medium.
The inquiry is still for woods grad
ing below one-half blood rather than
above it, but the low prices ruling for
fine medium stock, as compared with
medium, are exciting nor attention
generally, and there is, if anything,
! slightly more of a disposition to con
| slider fine medium woods than previous.
ly, though, as just stated, the great
bulk of the inquiry is still for medium
rather than fine medium wool. II
would not be surprising, however, il
fine and fine medium woods were II
decidedly better request in the course
of the next few weeks, 1t medium
stock should advance much more, &C
cording to the views of some members
of the trade, although it must be re
membered that the demands of fash
ion will be a factor in determining
whether medium or fine medium stoci
shall have the call.
Changed Demand Expected.
It is pointed out in this connection
that no woods in the world of CORE
spending character can be sold her
any cheaper than fine medium terri
tories and that it is only a question o
time when the demand will switch OF
to this class Of stock. But for tn
time being there is no g~ainsaying th'
quietness prevailing in the market 10
fine medium woods. They are not a.
together neglected, as is shown D.
the fact that two or three houses re
port fair sized sales of fine medium
territories, but, as compared Wit
other grades, they have been SLOW
and the business in this class OF WOO
as compared with that accomplishe1
in previous seasons, has been yer
small. AS to woods grading hall
blood and below, it is noticeable tina
there is always less demand for brai
woods and more demand relatively TO
quarters and three-eights.
Prices Holding Steady.
While the buying, as stated, ha
been of small lots, there are not wan
ing indications of a larger movemen
in the near future. If appearance
count for anything, it would not b
unreasonable to conclude that on
: large consumer, may, ere long, .