The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-25
TRADING IS LESS ACTIVE
Continued from Page seven.)

America. Perhaps as important as
any new is that from Bradford in re.
gard to the operations of American
buyers, n result Of which is that the
Bradford market is absolutely cleaned
up On crossbred woods. The final SER
les of 1905 auctions open in London
next Tuesday, and it seems a foregone
conclusion that prices for crossbreds
will score a good advance. The net
quantity available will be 10000 bales.
Several Boston buyers are on their
way to London.
Conflicting stories as to the activity
at Buenos Ayres are received, but
there is apparent agreement as to the
prices ruling. At 23hc for Lincolns
the landed duty paid cost of one-quar-
ter blood is better than Csc. That
prices are fully sustained there is
shown by a cable which reads that it
is impossible to make any better quo
t~ations, better, that is, for American
importers.
Both the Australasian and South
American markets are too high for
most of our importers. Bids from here
have been turned down at Melbourne
and Buenos Ayres. Yet the most ven
turesome of American buyers have set
the pace so far. In Buenos Ayres it
is estimated that they have bought
to date 10000 bales, an unusually big
quantity for thus early in the season.
European buyers have not followed
the pace thus set. Even American
buyers, it is said, have ceased opera
tons there and in Australia, with the
result that in both countries the mar.
kets are more quiet.
The latest mail report from Brad
ford says:
"The market has more than recover
ed from the setback Of last weeks po-
litical unrest. Today there is a
stronger tone than for some time past.
In wool especially there is more bust
ness, and tops r also wanted.
Prices may be quoted as fully firm,
and as regards English Down woods
and halfbreds the tendency is dis
tinctly against the buyer. Lustres,
however, are quiet. Mohair has been
active, a considerable business having,
been done in mixed bales and all me-
dunn descriptions, and there has also
been further buying of winter hair at
the Cape. Prices are, however, with
out change, though quite firm. Alpaca
is steady, but with no exceptional
business.
"In the export yarn trade there are
indications of more business than of
late. Indeed, it is clear that many or
ders have been kept back until they
can be withheld no longer. On the
re7ricted scale of production and con-
sumption of today business may be re-
garded as a shade more active. Or
ders, however, are always of a com
p%aratively retail character. Prices
are exceedingly firm, though still much
below what spinners can produce
yarns at on the basis of tOday's raw
wool prices. In mohairs there has
again been more business, in both
SIS and 40s, with the principal accent
on the lower and thicker qualities.
Botany spinners IRE finding a little
more doing, though at very unsatis.
factory rates.
Except in low figures for shipping
there has not been much in the way
of new business in pieces lately. Man
ufacturers Of cotton Venetians are,
however, we'll employed"
Little Contracting in Territory.
Territory woods are decidedly less
active. There have been no stable
transactions made public. Small lots
have been moved, and the business
closed is about in keeping with the COIL
dition of stocks.
In the west, also, interest has died
away. For the time being contracting
operations are apparently suspended.
The wool groder, encouraged by the
desire Of eastern merchants to corner
the prospective yield of his sheep, Is
demanding terms which seem extreme
even to the Spectator.
The latest important contract is that
placing the control of the J. B. Long
| clip Of Montana in the hands of well
known Boston house. The cOnsidera-
ton is said to have been 23c. Fully
100000 pounds have been contract
ed to date in northern Utah and east
ern Idaho. Woods of medium charac-
| ter have been the most sought after.