East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-02-10
PRESIDENT DOBB|N
GIVES review Of
WOOL SITUATION
Year Ago When Operators
Closed Books Balance Was
on Wrong Side Of Ledger.
RESULTS FOR 1921 ARE
SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT
Cutting Operating Expense to
Lowest Possible Point Aim
Of WooImen' Says Speaker.

The largest wool growers conven-
tion ever held in Oregon opened It's
sessions today when representative
woolmen Of the state met for tho
twenty-fifth annual convention OF the
Oregon State Wool Growers Associa-
tion.
Among prominent wool men who
are here are jay IL, Dobbin, Of Joseph.
president Of the association, p. r..
Marshall secretary Of the National
Wool Growers Association, DR.. s. w.
Mcclure. former secretary, Fred Fall
coner, and Dan P Smythe Of Pendle-
ton. fsef
morning and afternoon, and the dele
gates are to be entertained this even
ing at o banquet at the Elks Club.
President Speaks.
| President Dobbin, In his annual adj +.
dress this morning, gave comprshen-
hsive review Of tho 'wuol situate scii-
ing the, various price fluctuations dur
ing the past year.
| In speaking Of the losses suffered
by woolmen, Mr.. Dobbin said
"a year ago most Of the larger wool
growing operators had closed their
books for the year ending December
81, 1920. and invariably the balance
was found to be on the wrong side OF
the ledger. tt
'The results for the year ending
December 81, 1921, are somewhat diff
ferent. Some plants have paid oper-
ating expenses, and a few have also
paid interest and taxes, or would have
done so had It not been necessary to
apply the proceeds Of the business on
deficits created In 1919 and 1890"
| Expenses Cut.
The cutting of operating expenses to
the lowest possible point, Mr. Dobbin
rsaid, was one of the aims Of wooluien.
He said:
Operating expenses have been cut
to the lowest possible point Wages
have been cut fifty per cent, and camp
supply bills have been cut from 40 TO
4 80 per cent. Expenses are higher.
however, than they were in 1914
Availability of young competent men,
is causing some concern
"The price Of both sheep and lambs
reached the low point during the past
season. when the average price, ss.17
per cwt., paid the producer on tho
principal markets September 18th.
1921. was exactly the same as that
lpaid on the same day III 1914 though
lambs did go slightly lower In October
Of that year.
Low Average.
THE lowest average price for sheep
on the principal markets, for q 80 day
; period, In 1914, was $46S per cwt.;
while the low price Of $4.11 for the 80
day period ending September IL. 1891,
was reached. te
'The wool market also reached its
. Lowest ebb at about this. same date, On
, September Is. 1921, there was practi-
: cally no market whatever for the few
!, iclips left in local warehouses, and the
I same was the case Of the three million
pounds hold In Portland by growers
l for higher prices. II Is understood
: that the prices offered on these .clips
G were no higher than those offered u
1921; and whore interest on invest
Q ment and storage were taken into acl
n count, we find the price the lowest o
Q the season to the grower, as well al
: the lowest since 1914.
y 'Jt seems reasonable to believe tn
$ advance in the price of wool, nuttoi
b and breeding sheep which we have re
: Gently enjoyed will record the date q
the end OF the most disastrous perio'
It In the history of growing wool 10
k more than so years."
(. Lands Are Curse.
g The woolmen's difficulties. Mr.. Dob
II bin stated, might well be traced bac
d to too liberal land policies by congress
Millions OF acres of land" he contin
ued. shave been given to the home
steader and have proved a curse ratt
10 er than blessing to him. Rans
N lands have been taken that will not b
u needed for agricultural purposes for
pc century, and deprived the herdsme
nt of his connecting link between tn
feed lot and summer range. causing
way serious economic loss.
"The more recent cause for II
lg present distress can be attributed I
s- the easy credits that prevailed immed
he ateiy after the signing Of the arnli'
OF tice. such vast sums OF money ne