The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-04-21
PRICES IN BOSTON REACH THE
BOTTOM.
PROSPECTS FOR new CLIP
Sales Already Reported Average Con-
siderabIy Above Values Of
Last Year.

safes OF WOOL lot LQe week on the
Boston market aggregated 1907, 900
pounds. OF this amount 100000
pounds was territory, at from IA to
10 cents.
The demand for wool has shown a
little more life the past week and
generally an improved feeling. pre-
vades the market says the American
Wool and Cotton Reporter.
Prices.
There has been no further reces.
sion in prices and tho impression pre-
walls that the latter have struck bot
tom and that the woods in this market
are cheaper than the new woods will
be when they come upon the market
here in July and August. This is the
way in which wool merchants talk.
Their ideas with reference to values
may or may not be borne out by the
actual course of events-that will de-
pend to a considerable extent on the
developments in the goods market
and the character of the. demand for
light weights-but we note this i'm
preston in the trade, as it is one indi-
cation of the increased optimism
which pervades it, which is in con
trast with the more or less depressed
feeling in evidence a few weeks ago.
There are a number of manufacture
ers who are still trying to buy woods
considerably under the market, but
they are not so successful in securing
bargain lots as they were at one time.
This is especially true with reference
to medium unwashed f~eeces, which
are certainly steadier than they were.
A large number of offers have been
made for woods, especially for terri
tories, nearly every house reporting
such offers which have been turned
down even when they were very close
to asking prices. Some large lines
of wool could have been moved with,
out doubt if even slight concessions
had been made on the part of holders.
ne volume OF 6USlOSSSs 6.
While the market as a whole has
shown more life, but few lines of any
great size have been moved. One.
house disposed of 10000 pounds Of
territory, another of 100000 pounds,
another of about the same amount,
while a number of other houses sue
ceeded in moving smaller amounts.
The activity Of the week has been es-
pecially noticeable in territorial and,
bright woods and in combing pulled
woods, and the purchasing has been
done by both the worsted and wooden
mills. Some large mills have been
represented in the market, including
the Wanskuck, Arlington, Botany
Worsted, Manchester and others, and
some of the medium-sized mills have
also been represented. All Of these
mills have not bought freely-some OF
them, indeed, have bought very con-
servatively; but there is more of a
disposition to take hold of wool, and
as we write these lines M good-sized
deal is said to be under negotiation.
The Demand.
The demand has extended to fine,
fine medium and medium stock, es-
pecially the latter. Medium woods
pared with foreign stock of CORE.
spending grade, and the worsted mills
have been showing decidedly more
willingness to take hold of them. The
increased business noted this week as
compared with last week has been in
spots, mo- being at all well distribut-
including some Of the largest, report
business as very quiet, a few others
report it as decidedly more active.
The amount of business done among
the various houses has depended upon
the size of the selections which they
have had to offer and the basis on
fixed. A number of houses have been
carrying woods which for months have
been held at prices which were higher
r than the market at any time warrant.
ed. Such houses have not. of course,
been able to consummate any bust.
, ness. They are waiting for market
2 prices to come up to their level. ,
. Foreign Market Firm.
Abroad the market is very firm on
merinos, and fine and medium cross
breds. In fact these woods are con
sidered to be in a very strong position
4, the only weak woods being low cross