The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-04-21

possible for the latter to buy these
woods and turn them over at any
profit at today's prices at the sea.
board. In the country, therefore, the
situation has been quieting down.
Dealers are disposed to be more con-
servative than they were a few weeks
ago, although in the few cases where
sales are made in the country the
transactions are still at higher prices
than those which prevailed at the
beginning OF the season last year.
Some of the early purchased woods
have arrived and some are on the
way. Some Of the clips coming
III are found to be of considerably
heavier shrinkage than was supposed
at the time of purchase and in that
respect have been disappointing.
Some of them, instead of costing 45c,
clean, as was supposed, will cost over
SOC, clean, and could not be sold on
today's market except at a loss. Al
ready, on a considerable amount of
the wool bought, the market at the
seaboard will nave to advance sub
stantially in order to allow the pur-
chasers of these early woods to get
out without a loss. Woods have open
ed up in Nevada at 1871 @14c, and in
Wyoming at 1870, which prices are
~ @2c above last years opening
rates. In California there have been
moderate sales at what seem to be
extreme prices. In Utah some OF the
finer clips, it is reported, will be held
until the fall in the hope that a bet
ter price can be expected, but it is
stated ALSO, that in that state fine
medium clips can be bought at 400
47c, clean, landed. The present feel
ing among merchants is that they
should nov very carefully in buying
the new woods and avoid paying ex-
travagent prices, but their representa-
tives in the west find it a difficult
matter to induce the growers to make
much concession in prices. Rather
than do So, the latter will evidently
prefer to consign their woods.
Texas and California.
Transactions in Texas woods have
cut but a small figure in the market.
Selections are small. Some IL
months stock has been taken at 18c,
and eight months stock at 16@17c.
The eight months brings 48@50c
clean, and the IL months generally,
53@55c. Some exceptionally choice
stock will occasionally command a
slightly higher price. Shearing has
begun in Texas along the line of the
Southern Pacific, but it is not rs yet
general and no transactions are thus
far reported. Eastern buyers are
slow to operate in Texas this year,
and are determined to resist what
they call extortionate prices.
California woods have received a
little more attention lately, a Rhode
Island worsted mill taking on a mod
erat-sized line of nice northern wool.
1t is understood that about SOC, clean,
was paid for the wool. Nice Cali
fornias are generally pretty well clean
ed up. Middle country woods sell for
47@48c, and fall woods at 43@45c. De-
fective stock sells at about a third OF
a dollar. In California buyers Of the
new clip are reported as having done
but very little the past week.
Oregon woods continue quiet and
without feature, although there has
been some testing of the market on
this class of stock; practically no bus
mess has resulted, however. Asking
prices are practically the same, which
consumers are 10th to pay.
Territory Woods.
Territory woods have been in bet
ter demand the past week and nearly
a million and a hall pounds have been
disposed OF. with negotiations in pro-
gress for further amounts, as we go to
press. Many of the consumers who
have been in, have been looking for
bargains, which they could not secure.
A large number of offers, as before
stated. have been turned down. Thus,
tor a low. edge OF a fine medium Utah,
ar J.1,. ln~ 11o- Lil nrd 1n01inn0
For a fine, strictly staple Utah, SOC,
clean, has been refused. For a good
fine medium to fine Idaho, with none
of the staple thrown out, 48c has been
bid and refused. For a fine medium
Montana 43c has been bid and declin'
ed. Actual sales during the week
79