New-York tribune., 1922-09-25
Exporters Hold Off
AS Many Ships Are
Offered for Trade
Grain Market Lifeless While
Montreal Movement Slack
ems; Coal, Sugar, Lumber
Shipments at a Low Level

Chartering of vessels for the move
ment of grain dropped Off considerably
last week compared with the previous
activity. Other markets, such as coal,
lumber and sugar, were lifeless. The
demand for grain tonnage from Mont
real, which was especially strong in
August and early September, also di-
minished. Funch, Edge G. Co. gave the
following analysis of the charter mar
kct for the week:
Grain. - London charterers have
been doing tho bulk Of the chartering
and local merchants have been showing
ter extensively at the going rates.
Grain cargoes continue difficult to
arrange from Atlantic ports, as ship
pers cannot place any dependence upon
railway deliveries from the interior,
and accordingly are extremely chary Of
taking on tonnage commitments for
early loading. IN q few instances
steamers have been dispatched on the
return voyage to Europe in ballast, as
nothing could be obtained for the trip
over that would even warrant owners
putting up shifting boards. Last half
Of October loading is entertained by
some shippers, who require the full At
lantic range, including Boston and
Montreal has slackened considerably,
as practically all of pressing require
ments appear now to be covered. Ship
pcrs are indicating 18 and 10 cents
from Montreal to the Mediterranean,
but London has paid 20 cents this week,
and owners are not responding TO char
tercrs' lower indications at present.
Twelve cents has been done from
Montreal TO the Continent, and further
business could probably be closed for
October and later loading at about this
figure. The Greek business, which has
been in the market for long time, has
now finally been disposed Of, the top
paid being 241s cents to one port dis
charge for September steamer The
Gulf has been rather quiet and very
few orders are being circulated, al
though merchants are in position to
close tonnage for October November
loading, but are not pressing these or
ders on the market in the absence of
any interest on the part Of owners for
this position.
"Coal-The outward coal market
from this side remains dormant, and
evidently coal prices require consider
able readjustment before local export
ers can hope to secure foreign orders.
Several additional fixtures from the
onlteu hlpgdom to this side are re-
ported for September October loading.
one or two Of which are at rather good
rates. Orders held locally, however.
have not indicated above 9s Cd from
United States ports and about los to
Montreal and Quebec. The coal sit
uation seems to be mending RAPIDLY
and bunker prices are somewhat easier.
with the lTdications pointing toward
further reduction in the neac future.
'Iumber-This market shows no
special interest in tonnage. Several
parcels aggregating about 1000 900
feet are offering from the Gulf to
River Plate on berth terms at S15
per thousand feet October shipment
The West Coast is still showing in.
terest in steamers from British Colum-
bia to United States Atlantic ports.
for which business a steamer has been
closed recently as $13.25 per thousand
feet to one discharging port; also
from British Pacific ports and United
States Pacific ports to Montreal, which
business would probably paw in the
neighborhood of SIS to SIG nar
thousand feet. Several small carroos
OF deals are offering from Miram;cbi
Sampbellton and Restigouche to West
Coast y. x. or East Ireland. Shinners
havo advanced their rates considerable
Tor prompt tonnage, 62s Sd being
offered for early October loading and
Jus 1of October % canceling."