The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-25
WOOL MARKET GENERALLY RE-
PORTED AS QUIET.
HIGH PRICES FOR MONTANA
Long Clip Covered BY Contract at Top
Fisure-Much Utah and Idaho
Secured.

The market is quiet Business in
Boston is meagre and advices from
other places indicate general letting
up of interest on the part of those who
have been liberal traders for many
weeks, says the Boston Commercial
Bulletin.
The spectators in the clip of 1905
have apparently withdrawn, for there
has been little or no contracting in the
west this week so far as known.
While several millions of pounds have
been cornered in advance of shearing,
it is evident that the whole of next
years clip is not to be secured so
early. The imitation of growers
ideas as to the value of the possible
product of their sheep has put stop
for the present at least to these most
extraordinary transactions, extraordi-
nary more in the prices paid for what
may or may not be shorn than in the
extent of the business.
Dull Period Anticipated.
Late foreign advices indicate that
there is less excitement abroad At
Melbourne and Buenos Ayres the mar
kets are quieter the result OF Ameri-
can buyers withdrawing and European
buyers not entering the lists. The
markets, however, are strong every
where, and Iirices are fully sustained
at the advance. Our local conditions
are strong also, and there is no pros
pect of relapse. Supplies are small
and selections poor Yet with the big
consumers we'll covered with raw ma
terial, some OF them better off than
ever before at this season, and the
small mills fearful of operating at
present high prices, it will be surpris-
ing if this is not the beginning of a.
dull period that may be prolonged.
The demand from the small consum-
ers can undoubtedly take care OF the
offerings of domestic wool between
now and clip time, but with large sup.
plies already pointed this way from
foreign sources it is a question in
many minds whether present prices
do not discount the strong position OF
the staple.
At all events there is more con-
servative telling in the local market,
many warehouses being practically
empty so far as wool owned by dealers
is concerned, who evince no great de-
sire to replenish them with high cost
property. The outward movement
continues heavy, the shipments Of the
week being considerably larger than
in the corresponding week last year.
The receipts, especially from abroad,
have been heavy also.
The Mills.
1t is reported that several manufac-
turers are Indifferent to business
either because they are sold ahead as
much as they care to be at current
prices for piece goods or on account OF
their inability to take orders for goods
and cover them with raw material on
basis that would assure them pro-
fit. There is substantial benefit ex-
pected from the approaching heavy
weight season for mems wear fabrics.
With medium grades of wool 80 to
35 per cent higher than a year ago,
and all other grades higher, an ad-
vance of Is to 20 Fer cent in the prices
of piece goods would not be excessive
The American Woolen company re-
reports that it is having an enormous
business, all it's plants being busy. 1t
has within week or two Withdrawn
all prices on certain lines of it's staple
goods. 1t further advises that it never
had it's orders covered with raw ma
terial at this season to a greater ex-
tent than now. Plans are being laid
for the biggest business in it's history
in 1905, all signs pointing to a period
Of great prosperity. The excellent re-
suits of the carpet auction in New
York has given heart to Philadelphia
and advices from that
quarter are much better.
Foreign Markets.
There is a strong tone to foreign
Sss