Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-18
ADVISES GROWERS
OH0LDC CONTROL
Of WOOL MARKET
Prices Now Matter Of Supply
. and Demand; Production
. Low, Says Staff.
Special to The Tribune.

Special to The tribune.
Helena. June 17.-With reports by
counties in Montana, made by bankers
at group meetings Of the Montana
Bankers association held a short tine
ago at several places in the state
showing without a single exception
better than normal crop and range
conditions. and with the price for wool
holding steadily at 40 cents and over,
there is no longer any basis for gloom,
according to Matt Staff. president and
general manager Of the Natinoal Wool
Warehouse and Storage company OF
Chicago, who is spending a few days
in Helena on business.
Mr.. Staff. at the invitation of the
group secretaries, attended the meet
ings and had a place on the programs
Wool Position Strong
Again advising Montana wool grow
ers to keep their control of the mar
ket which they have gained in the few
weeks last past, Mr.. Staff briefly sum
married the present situation and gave
a forecast of the informed wool cir
cles." he said, at is acknowledged that
wool occupies a stronger position to-
day than at any time within the MON
DRY of those engaged in the trade. 1t
is now entirely a problem of supply
and demand. With stocks on hand IN
this country on January /, 1922. of
approximately 35O,OOO,OO0 pounds. with
an anticipated production this year of
not to exceed 250.OO0.OOO pounds. we
will have available for consumption
within the calendar year 1922 a total
of 600, 100000 pounds. Since it is
customary in normal years TO carry
over from one year to the next, around
300. 900. 900 pounds. we shall neces-
sarily have to import from abroad at
least 300. 600. 900 pounds. and possibly
considerably more, to supply our needs.
when it is considered that America
has bought very little in foreign mar
kcts. all available supplies having been
absorbed by England and Continental
Europe, it will not be difficult for
anyone to understand what the effect
would be on prices in foreign markets
if America suddenly should become an
eign auctions. AS it now stands, for
eign markets have advanced more
rapidly than American markets and
the margin is widening. Fine woods
are practically impossible to obtain,
and it is my judgment that this will re-
suit in a strong demand for medium
woods such as are produced in many
sections of Montana. As to fine woods,
no one can tell how high they may
go later. in the season.
Consumption Heavy
Consumption continues heavy. as is
shown by recent reliable statistics. The
mills are running much nearer to full
capacity than has generally been
known. In March, consumption was
70,4OO.00 pounds. as compared with
SO. zoo. 900 in February, and 100000
in March a year ago. Total consump-
ton in January, February and March
for the last four years was: 1919.
100, 5000 pounds; 1920, 204,3OO.-
900: 1921. 113,200,00O, and 1922,
1914, sOO,0 900 pounds.
From the growers standpoint, 1t
is vitality important to remember that
the world production of wool in 1921
was 543, 100000 pounds short of 1909
13. inclusive. Also it is well to re-
member that this years Argentine
wool clip. which will be ready for de-
livery during September and October,
will be, according to reliable reports,
the smallest in 80 years