The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-05-31
BOSTON WOOL MARKET SHOWS
EXPANDING SALES,
ANXIOUS To elise Ju7
Holders Of Old Stock Accept Prices
They Refused Earlier in
X the Season.

A moderate expansion in the vol
m of business and rather more in
terest on the part of some manufac-
turers are the two developments of the
week on this wool market worthy OF
notice, says the Boston Commercial
Bulletin. Outside of them the situa-
ton has been featureless and the
general report from members of the
trade is that business is still quiet.
However, there have been some siz-
able transactions in old territory
wool, rather a good inquiry for me-
di"m unwashed feeces with larger
sales possible did the supply admit,
aid at least one sale of fine Austria
Liam that can be classed as large, as
things go now.
Anxious to Close Out.
In prices there has been scarcely
a stir. All the territory wool disposed
OF was sold at prices that would not
have been accepted a few weeks ago
and at less than the cost to replace
by several cents. Dealers have honn
in some instances anxious to close out
what they could of old wool, having
got tired of looking at it. Finding
the buyer willing to buy at a price
the trades were made. A small sale
of one-quarter blood Ohio unwashed
fleece at 26c shows that grade in a
strong position. There is little of it
left and when wanted it commands
the price. Pulled woods, also because
of scarcity and not for any very great
improvement in the demand, are a lit
tie firmer with B super higher.
Market Continues Steady.
1t will be seen that price changes
in Boston are few. The market is
very steady, however, and compare.
lively light holdings prevent slaugh.
tering. The situation is not bullish
certainly, except as it receives re-
Election from the west. There lively
times continue and the new clip OF
1904 is being quickly absorbed. Three
quarters of the clips of Utah, Wyom-
ing and Idaho have passed from out
the control of growers. Hand in hand
with the spirited buying has gone the
march of prices. Nowhere are prices
lower and in some sections they have
ruled higher than last week. 1t is
the biggest scramble witnessed nor
many a year.
Easy money, bare lofts and the ex-
pectation that improvement will be
felt after the fall elections are giving
Boston operators unlimited courage.
Staple territory woods of all kinds are
scarcer than ever before on this mar
ket and in this may be found prob
ably one of the direct causes of the
buying in the west at higher prices
than old wool a be sold here.
The Mills.
Not all the mills are actually EN-.
ployed, probably only a few of them to
their full capacity. But the improved
tone to the goods market noticed a
week ago is sustained, and il any
thing reports are ever better than
they then were. Considerable idle
machinery has been put in motion
There is also a good deal that re
mains unemployed. The situation is
irregular, but with a larger volume Of
duplicate heavyweight orders receiv
ed, larger in some instances than
manufacturers had hoped for, the sea
son is turning out better than anti
cipated. The price situation is i'm
proving also. Several advances have
been made, not only by the American
Wooden company, but by other con
Germs. Higher raw material is giveI
outlook is brighter if not brilliant
Labor troubles and the contraction
of general business throughout thu
country are the prominent features
On the other hand improvement il
western crop conditions and prospect.
is encouraging.
Foreign Markets.
There is nothing now from abroad
Nothing of an important character i
likely to be received between now ant
the opening of the next series of Lon
don auction sales early in July. Bos
ton buyers who attended the late sc
ries have returned home and repor
a very strong feeling abroad.
The latest mail report from Brad
ford says:
1.-The London sales have been &C
ing dirmer, and this has added strengtl