The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1916-09-07

Portland, Ore, Sept. 4.--Wool
prices in Oregon this year were the
highest in the history of the state, but
the clip was an unusually light one
and the total income from this source
was smaller than last years.
Growers who sold when the buying
was keen had no fault to find with the
prices bid. From~the time of the first
sales the tendency of the market was
steadily upward. The advance, how
ever, was not as rapid as some Of the
sheepmen anticipated and greater
number than for many years with
drew their clips from the market.
These wools are still held in this
state unsold.
AS was the case last year the Euro
pean war was the great factor In
Strengthening the market, but less
was heard of the war demand than Of
the stoppage Of needed importations
from Australia and other countries
from which American manufacturers
have always secured supplies.
AS for the future course Of the
market, 1t will depend, Of course,
mainly on the duration Of the war. II
the conflict should be ended before
the next clip is ready for market, ex-
treme wool prices will not be looked
for. However, the trade does not an
ticipate return of very low values
as wool, in the worlds market, in
dependently of war conditions, is in
very strong statistical position.
In discussing the past season in
Oregon, lsidor N. Koshland, leading
local wool buyer, said:
"The wool season of 1915 in Ore
gon was different from any that we
have had for some time. More wool
was privately bought, either by con-
tract before shearing time or just
when sheared, than for some years.
Prices ruled high and any number of
growers were ready to let go and
most of them Except on early con-
tracts) did better than those who
held for the regular sales. Then
again, more wool is left unsold in
Oregon than there has been at this
time of the year since the time of the
panic prices. This was due to high
prices, bullish reports by some news
papers and by persons not connected
with the wool industry and also to the
fact that Oregon had some Of the
poorest clips it has had In years.
Growers could not realize that their
clips were not worth the top market.
"The margin between clips ranged
any where from to 7 cents per
pound. Choice woods, what there
were. were generally and readily sold,
and 25 cents and better was paid for
fine wool clips, and up to 80 cents for
the coarse grades.
"As a whole, the sealed bid sales
could hardly be called success. At
most points the quantity was small,
and with growers ideas rather er-
treme excepting at Shaniko, where
practically everything was sold, own
ers of hardly half of the clips offered
accepted bids. These lots are mostly
still on hand, held by growers at
country points or consigned to Port
land warehouses. There are prob
ably 100000 pounds still at central
points and 10000 pounds in Port
land. OF the clips in Portland, quite
a portion were not offered, growers
speculating on the future market.
"The clip in Oregon was the light
est in the history of the state. The
fleeces averaged fully pound lighter
than previous years. Any number Of
owners cut down their bands or sold
out. and the sheep were shipped out
of the state. These sheep sales were
made owing to the attractive prices,
both for lambs and aged sheep. With
present conditions continuing and
with the very strong demand for
lambs, we will have only old ewes
left, and with the limited Summer
range. caused by our forest reserve
policy, our sheep industry will fur
ther decline,