The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-12-15
PRICES CHANGE BUT LITTLE
sliqht Concessions in Some Instances
Holders More Firm, Thinking
Bottom Has Been Reached.

lCWLU CGuCS, tllC ASu1So IAoc nav
ruled during the greater part Of the
season.
The demand for wool has broadened
during the past week and quite a large
sized business has been put through
by some houses. The conspicuous
purchasers have been the Philadelphia
mills, who have taken most territories
of various grades, ranging from quar-
ter-bloods to strictly tine woods, says
the American Wool and Cotton Re
porter. Some of the dress goods mills
have also bought with a fair degree
of freedom, and the medium and
smaller sized mills have also partici-
pated in the buying to a greater extent
than formerly. There has been free
buying by worsted %spinners, especial
ly those running on the French system,
as they are receiving good orders from
the hosiery and underwear people.
I, Holders Bracing Up.
A better feeling generally pervades
the trade, as noted in our last report,
but prices have not improved, although
the tone of the market is not quite as
much in favor of the buyer as it was
at one time. Indeed, most of the mem
hers of the trade express the belief
that bottom has been reached in tho
matter of prices.
The big sales of the past 10 days
have been made in some cases at
some concessions in prices, which
were not as low, however, as some
consumers were hoping that they
would be able to secure their woods
for, but they were the result OF a
compromise generally between the
seller and buyer, although in some in
stances sellers maintain that they
have not found it necessary to make
any concessions whatever. The prices
paid have depended on the character.
grade and length of the wool, the anx'
iety of the holder to sell and the will
tngness of the buyer to take hold,
Where any pressure has been exerted
to sell, it goes without saying thai
some concessions have been made.
Territories or fine medium grade
have naturally been more in favor OF
the buyer than the lower woods. Prices
have ruled, therefore, somewhat ir
regular and variable. Sales of fine
medium have been reported at prices
ranging all the way from As to ACC
not easy to obtain more than 45c fol
fine medium, strictly clothing, I'm
less for an exceptionally good wool
Another house reports sales OF fine
and fine medium at 48@49c. For {
good fine medium, clothing, 46048'
would seem today to be an averag.
price. ls
Demand Has Broadened.
AS stated, the demand has broad
ened, and has extended not only to al
grades of territories, but also t,
~f1eeces, including fine delaines ant
medium, quarter-blood and low woods
as We'll as CALIFORNIA; and pullet
woods.
The quietness in foreign woods i
due partly to the very small stock
available in this market, which stock
do O bid fair to increase material,
in the immediate future, as practical
ly nothing was taken for America a
the London sales which closed las
week. These sales, by the way, close'
firm, with prices practically on z
parity with those ruling at the close o
tie preceding auctions on good wool
suitable for this country, only the 10y
woods showing any noticeable fallin;
Oft in prices. Latest. adyices tror
Melbourne, also, are to the effec
that prices there are fully maintaine
as compared with those quoted il
previous cables.
The improved character of the clos
ing of the London sales has NATURAL
tended to strengthen the feelings &
holders of domestic stock, who believ
that wool purchased around curren
prices will prove to be good propert,
Weather Helps Trade.
Reports from the goods market ar
less unfavorable than they were 6
one time, the colder weather havin
given an impetus to the demand fe
overcoatings and suitings. The r
tail clothing trade report a better d
mand for w~orsteds, and prospects
viewed by many are that the worste
people are to have a better bushes