Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-05-15
MARKET AT SPOKANE.

The abnormal features of business
conditions have impressed themselves
more forcibly than anything else dur
ing the past month. This is the log
ical result of developments which
change the complexion of national pol
icies and national activities. The in
itial effects are disturbing, and to an
extent, disquieting, but not discourag-
ing. So far as actual trade is con-
cerned, the enlargement in demands
has been pronounced, and destruction
in operations has been imposed by the
limit of capacity to care for commod-
ity requirements, both in the direction
of the inadequacy of supplies and the
ability to move them to points of con-
sumption. This is party due to the
tendency to anticipate wants, and in
some directions, will be followed by
a lull, with the subsistence of this
movement, but the fact remains that
the greatest problem that confronts
the industrial and commercial forces
of the country today is to care for the
business of the future, rather than to
develop business.
Provisions.
Butter-Supplies have been coming
forward with greater freedom, and
prices have adjusted themselves
slightly. There is a steady current
demand, while the Pacific Northwest
is now in the export column and will
ship large quantities East during the
present season.
Eggs-Market has slackened off
from earlier advances. Storage oper-
ations are still limited, and the carry
over demand surplus will be below the
normal.
Dressed Meats-Market is still hold
ing at top figures, with no indications
of improvement. Light marketings of
livestock and the backward season,
which delays the receipt of grass fed
cattle indicates firm rulings for some
time to come.
Lard and Cured Meats-The situa-
ton in cured meats continues very
strong, with further advances in hams,
bacon and various pork products, with
growing scarcity and lack of selling
pressure. Lard and lard substitutes
are also firm and advancing.
Fruits and Produce.
With increasing receipts of season
able products the market shows
steady tendencies, with moderate de-
mands.
Strawberries are arriving in rea-
sonable price limits from the South,
jobbing at $3.50 in 20 pint cup crates,
with fair cleanup.
Apples still hold at lower figures,
and are among the lowest priced food
products available. Extra fancy Wine
saps are selling at $500, with a gen
eral range on price from $1.25 up to
that figure.
Oranges have been selling well, with
some of the smaller sizes holding
around $2.75, and a range up to 1915
for extra fancy stock. Lemons con
tinue to range at $4.25 to $4.75.
Rhubarb is coming in at sc per ID
and moving well. Green peas at Sc
spinach at &c, asparagus at S@1Oc and
new cabbage at &c, are among cur
rent receipts.
New potatoes from the South are
offering at 1Oc and still a trifle slow
Old potatoes have again firmed up
and are quoting at $3.50 cwt. for 10
calls, and while offerings are limited
demand has fallen off perceptibly
from the normal.
Carrots are about the only sacked
vegetable available, quoting at $1.25
Onions are very scarce and practical
| ly out of the market.
Grain, Flour and Feed.
Wheat-The market has shattered
precedent and traditions in the course
of fluctuations during the past week
Prices have now reached a position
where there is no adequate media TO
basing predictions of their future
course and legitimate operators in
cline to the belief that they have
passed the limit justified by existing
conditions, even though the shortag,
of supplies for meeting world require
ments up to the forthcoming harves
is an aggravated one. Mills are praC
tically out of the market, buying onl
against immediate wants, while Their
is no demand from other sources
Considerable wheat is still held in tn
interior, extending from this stat
clear into the DakOtas, but most O
this stock has been sold and is bein
held up in transportation.
Flour-Following the course of tn
wheat market, flour has been sui
jected to steady advances, reach.n
the pinnacle Wednesday at $500 70
local patents. With the unsettled pr
sition of the market, and the relu'
lance of the trade to operate, yer
| little business is passing at these fiji
ures, and the mills are not pressin
sales. Retail demand has also sui
sided, following the heavy buying
anticipation of advances and the trad
is quiet.
> Feed-The market has been throw
entirely off balance, with the disru
ton of cereal prices, and abnormi
advances have taken place all alon
the line Oats and barley are up, I'll
former ruling at $55 and $50 and I'll
! latter at $55@56 per ton, while fee
wheat crowds the limit by passing II
$50 mark. Millfeed is also up, viii
hay is quoting at S2s for alfalfa an
f $50 for timothy.