South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-14


Since the beginning Of the great
war We have become so accustomed
70 talking in big figures that perhaps
a statement Of business running only
into millions may seem more or less
ordinary. But when you come "a
think, add up and really grasp the
meaning of millions-whether in
money or merchandise-it is still as
potent lure 10 the Imagination as
before.
So it is that an open auction sale
OF over 2,250,000 raw fur skins. that
are divided for the convenience OF
the trade into APO lots, that will
take i've full business days-and
perhaps with evening sessions as
well-to sell; and on which insur-
ance of $4,000, 600 has been placed.
Will give some realization of the
scope and size of an industry which
the United States has seized and de-
veloped in a comparatively brief
space Of time into a very important
commercial factor.
st. Louis World Market.
The worlds raw fur markets, that
before the war were held in London.
Leipsic. and to a lesser extent in
Russia, are now conferred in st.
Louis; and to this great central
market come the fur experts and the
fur buyers OF the whole world. And
not only does the United States gov
eminent cOnsign its fur possessions
of Alaska seal skins and blue foxes
TO the International Fur exchange
at St Louis, but foreign govern
ments are likewise finding il the best
and most profitable market for furs.
Japan, who formerly sent furs to
London for sale; and the South
American republic Of Uruguay, who
also sent to England, are both now
sending to st. Louis At the October
sale which opened on Monday, the
Sth inst, there were present a rep
resentative of the government of
Uruguay in the interests of the con-
signment of Lobos island 5ealskins;
while II. NJ. Smith, commit ssioner of
fisheries. will represent the interests
Of Uncle Sam. The fur peits Of an
imals from the national parks and
reservations. which formerly were
sold at Washington, d. c., are now
sent TO st. Louis, where "A broader
and more profitable market prevails.
War Call TO Trappers.
The call to military duty OF so
many young men of the United
States and Canada was expected to
affect the fur trapping industry seri-
Ously. And the fact that practically
the entire manhood of Russia and
Siberia are under arms it was be-
Heved would narrow the world S
supply of furs 10 a large extent. As
events have proven, however, the
october sale catalogue is only about
One-fOurth less in quantity than the
April catalog on which the enormous
total of over 100000 was realized.
Smong the experts gathered to-
gether here many days in advance
of the auction the Offering OF
Alaska sealskins attracted much at
tention. These men, who hold the
finger on the pulse of trade to their
own profit predict a speedy return
of Alaska sealskin 10 fashionable
AoN bAs HI AdNtr AnCg SOY LlldN do
soon as there are enough pelts on
the market to meet a healthy de-
mand that there is not a shadow Of
doubt that a sealskin coat viii be
as indispensable TO the well-dressed
woman as il ever was. Another
factor, these same experts explain,
i'm the return of the vogue Of the
genuine sea1skin is that now we have
developed the market for it here,
now that it is dressed and dyed in
this country, it can be offered at a
price quite considerably below what
il formerly cost, and still maintain
all of its vogue IS the gentle
woman's fur" undiminished and un-
disturbed Formerly. when the
United States sent seal TO London 20
be dressed and dyed, it was neces-
sary for the American fur buyer 10
journey to London. purchase Alaska
seaszins there. pay all the expenses
of the trip. and in addition pay a
heavy duty ON the pelts coming into
this country With all of those eX-
penses removed. fur experts believe