The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-05-09
WEDNESDAY, NAY 3, 1906.
THE WOOL OUTLOOK.

- VOpA 1.OOns
The eastern wool dealers who were
at first disposed to regard western
sheepmen's views as to wool prices as
unreasonable and absurd, are be.
ginning to change their opinion.
When the sheepmen announced that
flour pounds for a dollar was about
the value OF their wool clip, as de-
termined by quotations in the worlds
markets, the eastern men made a loud
protest against such a price-and then
proceeded to quietly negotiate for "a
few choice clips which they knew we're
worth that figure and probably more.
Recent advices from some of the
Montana wool growing districts report
visits from representatives of Boston
wool firms. and the closing of a few
contracts in advance of shearing.
These contracts, las issthe custom in
such transactions, are upon terms that
have not been made public, but the
price that would be acceptable to
growers who have entered into these
contracts is sufficiently we'll known to
warrant the belief that they will, in
most cases, receiveI25 cents a pound,
or better.
A significant review Of the wool
market stu alton is made by the Bos-
ton Commercial Bulletin, in which it
discusses the increased demand for
wool in all the foreign markets, and
the apparent decrease in, supplies.
The effect Of these conditions upon
the American market Is indicated by
the Bulletin In these remarks:
Naturally, all Of these facts have
had their effect. on the western sheep
men, who closely observe the trend of
the different markets,e and are sym.
pathetically swayed by it. In fact, SO
much have they been dominated by
outside conditions that they are now
persistently holding for prices that
are beyond the dreams of several
years ago. In Montana. there has
been little Or no contr acting this sea-
ron, owing to the fact that growers
want % cents for average clips while
they chow no inclination to put q fig.
ure on the better ones. a year ago
contracts were freely made at prices
ranging from 20 to % cents. The
highest price at which Wyoming wool
was contracted for last spring was
lst cents, whereas growers are now
demanding 3 cents and upward. AZ
in Montana, only q small amount has
been taken so far this season.
Clips are being readily taken in
Idaho at q cents as compared with
Is and II cents last year. Similar
advances rule In the other wool grow
ing sections. The determined position
maintained by the ~sheepmen is strength
ened by the fact that owing to several
years Of prosperity they are in q great
measure Independent OF cash advances
contrary to their position other years.
The outlook for lower prices is, in.
deed, far from encouraging. It seems
as If only u severe calamity in the
business world could weaken the gen.
eral situation, and such Il possibility
a. the present is remote.
Not by any Imeans is i, asserted
that wool merchants will pay the
prices asked by growers, but it is
quite certain that they will have to
pay advances over the values of j
year ago. The matter is truly q ser.
ious one Twenty-Five cents in Mon.
tana with about two cents additional
TO land wool in Boston makes a cost
Of about IS cents secured on this mar
ket. while the present limit fixed by
manufacturers for such wool now for
sale here is 70 cents.
However, the lawof supply aud de.
mand of raw material regulates the
price OF the finished product. II wool
markets augment or simply maintain
the present strength, advances along
the line seem to be the only solution
Of the matter.
SCOPE AMI USE OE ARNOR nAN.