The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-01-31
PRICES REMAIN Low
Recovery from Business Depression is
Slow and Wool Trade One Of the
Last 70 hots Return o. Prosperity.
No Big Deals Made.

VxOv4AA lkOAOC0NAV1 VI t4A6Ak
.kets, says the Boston Commercial
Bulletin. It has been felt that stead
iness ia London would 60 far to rel
store confidence on this side, and now
that the opening Of the sales has
shown q strong situation on good
woods there is q feeling that the per-
iod Of depression in the worlds mar
ket is finally closed.
To bring about entirely satisfactory
conditions in Boston, however, q freer
movement Of supplies Is necessary.
The transfers OF the current week are
Of larger volume than In any pre-
vious week this year, but rs they have;
in several instances been brought
about through pressure from the sell
Ter and at comparatively low prices, 1T
cannot beesaid that the market is in
good shape as yet.
It is still a waiting affair, the goods
situation not developing that activity
which Is necessary to cause a strong
demand for the raw material. Re-
ports from the mills are not encour-
aging. Buyers Of cloth are very cau-
tious about placing orders and many
manufacturers are afraid to take the
initiative in placing goods on the mar
ket. Notwithstanding that it is now,
we'll toward the close Of the first!
month Of the year, agreat majority Of
the mills have vet to name prices and
show samples. It is this hesitation
that is reflected in a comparatively
quiet wool market.
A change for the better in the ia
brio market is earnestly desired by.
both mill owners and wool dealers.
Steady Market.
No material change has occurred.
in values and views are somewhat stiff
fened. by the firmness abroad. Still
the only really strong features of the
situation are fine delaine and Xxx
fleece, and all classes Of territory
staple. In every instance supplies OF
these woods are small and there is a
! good demand for them at current
prices. Clothing territory woods have
been. unloaded in some instances at
comparatively low prices, but many
holders refuse to sell on the basis that
others have accepted. Their future is
doubtful, but with q trading basis ,aap-
parently established no further de
cline is anticipated. Low woods gem
orally have reached a point OF value
from which further recession Is ulnnss
likely. Their very cheapness should
commend them to the buyer.
The general situation, therefore, can
be called steady with the outlook "a
vorable to the maintenance OF values
on the prevailing level. There has
been already q considerable decline.
Sales this week have been made at
Ave cents lower grease prices than
was obtained for similar wool when
sold early last fall and through the
summer. The decline has been 80
sharp and the chances for recovery 90
slim that Boston dealers are talking
conservatively about operations in the
new clip in the spring. They feel that
under the circumstances the clip
should be bought several cents q
pound cheaper than was that OF last
year.
Growers should bear In mind that
while the financial crisis Is passed 9
severe check has been put on CONNER
cial and Industrial activity and that
the prospects for the year are to say
the least rather dubious. Any boom
in wool or wooden goods seems out OF
the question.
Territory Wool.
AS for some weeks past the princi-
pal activity. is in clothing grades and
u lAEA Eaf - NEH tM -.
a larger volume Of transactions IN
these are reported, including a lew
good-slzed lines at comparatively low
prices, supplies tlat were forced. One
Of these is 10000 pounds fine at 1Ssc
the secured cost of which IS estimated
at 55c. "A large line of good clothing
fine. 80. per cent staple, has been sold
to a worsted mill or the basis OF SIC
clean. The grease price Is reported
as S cents under what similar WOO
was bought at by the same buyer last
summer. But aside from these bar
gains the transactions show a steady
market, a fair amount Of Csc and O
ane medium at So to 60c, two good
sized transactions in Wyoming ant
Idaho woods being reported at those
figures. Medium clothing woods have
been selling at a wide range Of prices
including IL blood to a fair extent q
% to g24c. The secured basis is 6oc
Staple woods are scarce and firm, tn
selling basis Of fine being placed q