The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-27
WOOL MARKET
REMAINS DULL
MOVEMENT IS lETHARelc IN Ev.
ERy GRADE AND SORT.
BUYERS HoLDINf Off

- Falr 6UI SLOW IN
the Actual situation-Transfers Of
the Fieeces Are Almost too Small
for Any Record.
The market is dull. It is doubtful
II the sales Of the week reach q total
Of more than 100000 pounds. Aside
from one transfer OF 1000 pounds at
a comparatively low price and another
of 100000 pounds, the transactions are
in small lots, most firms reporting
only q sample bag movement. The
statistics show that shipments have
been very small, far behind the record
Of the corresponding period last year,
and that they fall behind the receipts,
small as they are.
The fact that the auction sales OF
colonial wool opened in London on
Tuesday, and that a restraining In
fluence on business was occasioned
thereby, both before and after the
event, has had some influence in re-
stricting trade. But the overshadow-
ing influence is the apathy Of the
piece-goods market, for while there Is
some improvement to note in this re-
spect, 1t Is not extensive enough to
create a active or even q normal de-
mand for raw material.
Still, notwithstanding the discouragg-
ing condition OF trade the growth Of
confidence among holders, noticed !
fortnight ago, is still apparent. It is
based on the belief that bottomSprices
for desirable woods have been reached,
and also on the belief that there will
be some improvement in business by
next month at least. The pressure to.
sell is not nearly as pronounced as
previously, holders feeling that new
woods are not to be secured at prices
that will make them successful COM
p%etitors with the old now on hand.
Mills Running Light.
There has been some Improvement
at the mills during the week. In sew
eral centers where mems wear fab
RIGS are made more machinery is en-
ployed. There are fewer idle looms
than formerly, though the increase In
activity is not extensive. There are
still more looms idle than busy. Re.
cent estimates were for not more
than 80 per cent Of the looms turning
out mems goods employed, but
these figures are revised this week
and an authority places the percent.
age Of employment at between IS and
40 per cent:
Late reports from the goods market
are more encouraging. Some bright
spots have developed and there is q
feeling that the tide has turned,
Cheerful forerunners OF increasing
activity r the recorders which have
been coming in from western cloth
iers, the volume being largely Judged
by the accomplishments OF immediate
preceding weeks. Low grade woolens
and worsteds appear to tbe the most
active features.
With any satisfactory increase II
the employment OF machinery the de
mand for wool must expand, as the
bins Of most manufacturers are prac
tically bare.
The London Opening.
The auction sales, the second series
of the year, opened in London las
Tuesday, there being a large attend
ance OF buyers from France, German,
and the United States, rs well as q bis
contingent OF native operators. Tn,
total amount available for the series
is placed at $4,000 bales. inclusive o
$4,000 bales Punta Arenas and Falk
land island produce. The offerings OF
the opening day afforded a very poo;
selection, and there were PRACTICAL.
none suitable for the United States
Compared with the closing rates Q
the previous January series, lates
quotations show a decline of s to ~
per cent In merinos and of 10 to 1
per cent in cross ,breds. The heavies
decline Of IL per cent occurred in 10y
c%rossbreds. 36s to Sos. The values Q
good fine merinos and OF fine cross
breds were not established as the o.
ferings were slim.
It 10 felt that the result was for.
Swallowed by the downward tendenc
In Buenos Ayres, in Antwerp. and 9
private sale In the United Kingdol
and on the continent. AS the sale
progress the offerings will be more d
sirable and q surer test Of the situl
tion, assbearrinE upon this country, vi
be obtained. In certain quarters
Is expected that the decline In goo
American woods will not be as sever
as the change in other kinds woul
seem to indicate. The available SUI
plies OF really good fine merinos an
~crossbreds is not large.
"a