White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1916-11-03
MARKET AT SPOKANE.

A critical situation confronts in the
merchandising field in this country
today. For long period the sus-
tanned advances in prices of practic-
ally all commodities has featured the
situation. At the present juncture
the matter of high prices is lost
sight Of in large measure in the in
creasing difficulty in securing goods.
Line after line of staples is running
perilously close to the point of ex-
haustion, so far as jobbers' and man.
ufacturers' stocks are concerned. The
date of acceptance is being further
and further removed on orders sought
to be placed. There is a general
Tightening up in deliveries until
there is threatened shortages that
give cause for apprehension of actual
hardship. Last season, with record
breaking crops, the expansion in de-
mands cleaned up supplies, particu-
larly of food products. This year,
with sustained, and even larger re,
quirements, the output is far below
the previous level and, even with an
enormous export requisition, this
country would offer an outlet for the
surplus. 1t is time for careful mer.
chandising, close study of the trend
of the markets, and for the elimina.
ton of every element of waste from
whatever source.
Provisions.
Butter-The market still holds firm
at SIC for first grade Washington
I11f q
marked up 1c, at 35c. At Chicago
trade was not active, but the feeling
was steady and prices about the same
with creamery extras quotable at
34hc.
Eggs-The market shows a sharp
advance and supplies Of fresh ranch
almost unobtainable. Quotations are
SIP to the producers for fresh ranch
and the wholesale figure on the same
is $13 @13.50. Storage stocks are
quoted at $1O.50@11.5O for eastern
and local, respectively.
Poultry-Hens are unchanged as to
quotations, but springers are quoted
at 12c for the large and 14c for the
small. Supplies are just about enough
for the demand.
Dressed Meats-There has been nc
material change in meat prices dur
| ing the past week. Beef is about
steady, with pork and mutton some
what firm. Quotations have changed
very little. Receipts of livestock are
about normal and the demand is get
ting considerably better.
Lard and Cured Meats-Hams are
holding at about the same figure as
for some time past, while bacon is a
| little firmer. Lard is holding firm
| at 16c.
Fruits and Vegetables.
Apples-There has been no change
in the local apple market as to
prices, but supplies are getting more
plentiful and varieties better, though
the movement is still somewhat re.
stricted, but not so much as hereto
fore. A firm feeling prevailed in the
Chicago market on fancy barreled
apples and the supply was only mod
crate.
Other Fruits-Oranges are little
firmer at S5.25 for the fancy and 80
for the choice. Pears are frmer al
$50, as are also Tokay grapes at
S1.75. Huckleberries are up 1c at &c
per pound. Prunes, melons and Con
cord grapes are off the market, but
there may be some eastern Concords
later.
Potatoes = The spud market has
been right out in the limelight during
the week and prices have gone up
from $1.35 to $1.75, with prospects of
still further advances. Sweets still
rule at $3.50. New York reports
prices still high and firmly held. Chi
cago market is also firm with higher
range of values.
Other Vegetables-Dry onions are
up soc per cwt. at $3.50, and celery
is also firmer at 75c@$1 per dozen.
Green beets, carrots and turnips are
off the jobbing market.
Grain, Flour and Feed.
Wheat-While local operations in
wheat continue along restricted lines,
there is a strong undertone to the
market, based upon the continued