Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-07-07
WOOL TRADE sTAGNANT.
Receipts in Boston Fall Far Short of
Average.

Boston, July 7.--Receipts here of
foreign wool have dropped to almost
nothing, amounting to only $4,000
pounds this week, as against 4,22S,-
ol9 In the corresponding week last
year. Prices are SO low they do not
attract foreign wool, and what is
coming in now was bought before the
slump. Trading on the local market
is virtually suspended.
Some manufacturers have been in
the sfield this week, but they want
bargains only and show no interest
in market quotations. There seems
to be feeling that prices will drop
still lower, while many dealers are
complaining about heavy losses all
ready sustained thru shrinkage in
values. Stock is going into con-
sumption slowly. Mills are not busy
Sales of domestic wool have been
small, the most notable transactions
being transfer of $4,000 pounds Ohio
quarter-blood conlbing at as cents,
which is on the low edge Of previous
quotations. Further declines in Ohio
woods are noted. The new prices
may seem low to those interested,
but it is pointed out that Ohio
quarter b1oods at 46 cents means
a clean cost of IS cents, while good
Montevideo SOS, which are classed as
high quarter-blood and come into
sharp competition with Ohio wool
can be laid down here at so cents
clean, cost and freight, while in COM
bination with 40's and ass the same
woods would cost not over II cents
clean.
Current quotations for Ohio woods
have been further revised by leading
handlers, as follows:
Fine unwashed delaine, 70@72
cents; fine washed clothing, 600
81 cents; half-blood combing, 65@6S
cents; quarter-blood combing, 44@46
cents Even those prices are con-
sidered too high by conservative
manufacturers, who would like to see
them reach still lower level before
they operate.
1t is difficult to arrive at any fair
basis Of clean cost for the new terri
tory woods, pending actual sales.
Most of the consigned woods are be-
ing held out of the market, especially
the early shorn woods, the idea of.
growers being based on inflated
values. It is said IN some cases
growers were led to expect an even
dollar for their woods in the grease
and now are finding it difficult to
get more than half that figure, if an
actual buyer can be found.
Isl ,ol, IN q I.
kinds of wool spells ruin for many
wool growers. Many cases are cited
where the new wool has cost fully
dollar a pound, owing to the
expense of bringing the flocks thru
the winter.
Big losses also have been suffered
by the wool trade. Good combins
capes that a short time. ago were
quoted at S2,35 clean can not be
quoted today at over $3.50 clean,
Perhaps that is about as large a
shrinkage as has yet been noted, but
heavy losses are seen all along the
line. eDalers say prices for wool
waste show a greater shrinkage than
those on WOOL One lot that cost
| the holder over So cents a pound is
now being offered at four cents,
without takers.
Government officials recognize the
difficulties under which the WOO,
trade is laboring as shown by the
announcement that it has been de-
cided to suspend public auctions in
July, and possibly in August as well.
A sealed bid sale will be held in
July. 1t is expected bids will be
opened July 2. Offerings will include
about 10000 pounds of various
grades of wool, mostly in small lots.
similar to the sealed bid sale on June