The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-02-09

although some houses complain OF
the dullness of business.
Naturally those who have had large
and desirable lines of territories have
had the larger share of the business
going, especially holders OF Montana
woods, of which some very good sized
lines, including some lots of old wool,
have been moved. The woods have
been sold at exactly the same prices
as those previously quoted. Sale at
ter sale continues to be made at e
actly the same price. Manufacturers
will not pay any more, and, on the
other hand, holders will mot let their
woods go for less, and it is needless
to say that certain buyers. who had
been holding off with the expectation
of securing woods at comparatively
low prices, have been disappointed.
The market has not broken to the ex.
tent anticipated by them.
London Closed Strong.
The London auctions closed Monday
of this week, very strong and fully
up to the highest prices of the sale.
Prices on crossbreds, according to
one cable, advanced Id. per pound
since the opening, with merinos strong
but not quotably higher, although, ac-
| cordiEg to another cable, crossbreds
spinning 36s to 40s were kd. lower at
the close than at the opening. At
these sales America purchased about
5000 bales; and 1000 bales, or about
S per cent of the total offerings, were
withdrawn.
In Buenos Ayres, American compe-
tition is reported as very strong, and
prices are firm with an advancing ten
dency.
Territories.
While territories are not as active
a. they were, there has been quite a
stable business done, including a few
large lines taken by certain we'll
known worsted manufacturers.
The smaller mills nave bought fairly
well of all grades of territories, the
staple woods being in relatively better
demand, as before observed. One
Philadelphia concern is credited with
having taken about a half million
pounds of Montanas and Oregons.
The largest movement of the week
has been in Montanas, and fully a
million pounds of these have been
sold, including old woods. One reason
why they have been the largest sell
ers is because they are in larger stock
than any other kind of territorial wool.
All grades have been taken.
A clean, fine, selected staple is re-
ported to have sold as high as 55c,
clean; fine medium at 49@5Oc; and
medium at 45@47c. Clothing terri
tory has sold at 52@53c for very fine;
SOC for ordinary fine; 46@48c for fine
medium; and 45@46c for medium, and
42@44c for quarter bloods.
In the grease fine staple Montana
has sold at zoe; and half blood at
19c. Idaho and Utah fine medium has
sold at 46@48c and fine Nevadas have
brought 52@53c. Choice fine medium
Wyoming has commanded 4Sc, or Is
@16kc in the grease. =
were 100000 pounds of fine medium
Idaho and Utah at the prices quoted,
and about 100000 pounds of Wyom-
ing.
Texas, California and Oregon.
Slightly more interest is shown in
Texas wool, especially eight months
of which sales are reported at a clean
cost of about SOC. One sale of about
$4,000 pounds was made at that price.
Of II months wool there is practical
ly none available. Fall woods are in
moderate stock, and some sales are
reported at 15k @16c in the grease,
to cost, clean, about 45c.
California woods are still draggy,
although n house reports that they
are selling slightly better than they
were. The sales of the past week in
clude some of all kinds, which have
been moved within the range of our
quotations. Fall woods have sold at
43@44c, clean, and for the best woods
holders cannot get owe SOC, clean.
Some choice northern stock has NOV