The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-12-02
EXTREMELY HIGH PRICES MARK
ALL TRADING.
TERRITORY IS MORE ACTIVE
Fancy Figures for Western Stable
Meet With Prompt Refusal
Contracting Continues.

The week has been a broken N
and free from exciting features, The
trade Is principally concerned with
foreign markets and contracting in the
yes has made some talk, says the
Boston Commercial bulletin. But the
Boston market is quiet on the whole,
though previous to the holiday a fair
amount of business was closed, in
Guiding some sizeable jags OF terri
tory.
Two of the biggest in
New England held the attention OF
dealers. That they have been buying
again and that rather freely, consid-
ering the condition of stocks, was the
cause of a little surprise. The mar
ket is very firm and extreme high
prices have been realized. The news
from London, following close upon
the excitement and advancing values
ir. foreign primary markets., was an
inspiration to holders, and probably
had something to do with the opera.
tions of buyers.
Local Speculation Ended.
Local specializing appears to have
RUIZ it's course. At least there has
been little heard OF it of late. but
there are stories coming from the
xyncf f011ino of f,,r%ho, ~ro% 81
this time in Wyoming and Montana.
Most dealers profess no sympathy
with trading of this character and
have refused point blank to partici-
pate in it. To date they are in the
majority. In some quarters it is be-
lieved that there has been a good deal
OF exaggeration in the reports. Out
side of this development and the
heavy operations of American buyers
both in Australia and South America
there is nothing in the situation to
cause the least uneasiness even to
the most conservative.
There is, however, something heard
about a future of tight money, gold
shipments and tariff agitation. These
are given consideration as possibili-
lies that may have a potent influence
on the future course of the market.
The Mills.
In mill circles the most interest is
in the forthcoming heavy weight sea-
son for mems wear fabrics. Already
some early orders have been secured
by manufacturers, mostly on the "a.
value" basis. There is nothing def
mite as yet about prices. But there
seems to be genera. agreement that
the time is ripe, neve was ripper, in
fact, for placing goous on a higher
basis. 1t will &c a surprise, indeed,
all around, if tuls is not the outcome.
Duplicate business is said to be OF
satisfactory volume.
Foreign Markets.
The opening of the last of the 1904
series of London auction sales was
the event of the week in foreign mar
kets. While private cables as to the
opening prices are conflicting, all
agree that they were higher than the
closing quotations of the September
series, that the attendance was good
and competition active. One cable
quotes merinos from par to 5 per cent
higher and medium and low cross
breds 10 per cent higher.
Another quotes merinos advanced 5
per cent, fine crossbreds 10 per cent,
and low crossbreds Is per cent. The
most bullish advices say that merinos
are IL per cent and %crossbreds 10 per
cent dearer. Americans operating
freely" reads M cable, and market
shows some business for the United
States" reads another.
There are several buyers present
from this city, including Mr.. Price
of the Arlington mills. The Cochran
Gas, good, shafty woods, sold at 14Ad,
or equal to S5c, clean, landed in Bos-
ton, presumably for the United States.
Some idea of the advance can be OBJ
tanned from the fact that a year ago
Gas were worth about 75c to 76c,
clean, to American importers. In
fact, in November, 1903, the auctions
opened at a decline of 5 to 10 per cent
all around.
Australian markets have continued
strong, with no change in prices on
merinos and crossbred 40s just rs per
cent and 46s Is per CEN higher than
November 4. Some $4,000 bales had
been. bought for the United States up
to Saturday last at all markets in
Australia, a large quantity for so