San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-06
BETTER
SPRING MARKET
F OR GASOLINE
Prices Stationary Now but
Refiners Believe Advance
in Prospect.
WEATHER IS FACTOR
Motoring Conditions Not
Good in North and East
for Sixty Days.

Tulsa, Okla. April 5.-Although
quotations in the refined oil market
have remained at average levels the
last few weeks, the general opinion
of refiners points to a better market
ahead for the spring gasoline trade.
There is already a stronger undertone
to the gasoline market and with the
apparent coming of real spring wealth
er, demand is picking up and higher
prices are not far from Undertaking..
Trading is still limited by the unfav-
orable weather of a majority of the
middle western states but as spring
and summer approaches the present
sOftness in the market as a whole
will give way to q wave of higher
prices. Conservative refiners say that
they expect gasoline in tank car lots
to be bringing IL cents for the New
Navy grade by April 80 and on June
1 to be around Is cents a gallon at
the refinery. Some refiners are in
clined to be slightly less pessimistic
but they admit that the market is on
rock bottom and will shortly be on
the rebound to higher prices.
Another Good Year.
1t is believed by refiners that this
year will duplicate the past as far as
gasoline bearing the bulk of the bur-
den Of refined products is concerned
and that the year will see no radical
changes in the sales or distribution of
other commodities. Most all refineries
have a large amount of gasoline on
hand which is sold UP a few weeks
ahead but cannot be moved until the
jobber can provide space for handling
and most jobbers are reluctant to do
this until they can expect better
weather for increased sales at the fill
ing station. Prices for gasoline over
April are being quoted from 1 to IL
cents over current quotations. In
quiries are beginning to come in to
Oklahoma refiners from Nebraska,
Iowa and parts OF Missouri where
weather conditions have improved and
some movement is noted. In Oklahoma
the jobbers are busy and many of them
report storage about half filled, an in
dication of renewed buying soon.
Inquiries for delivery of New Navy
gasoline over the month of April are
the outstanding feature of the refined
market at Tulsa. While quotations for
this advance period are from IL IL
to IL cents, the spot market is bring
ing 10 IL to IL cents with some re-
ported trailing at 1884 cents. There
appears to be little doubt that 10 IL
cents is the rock bottom price and
that increased quotations will soon
materialize together with expected ad-
vances in the crude oil market. Export
orders are lacking at the present time
but are expected before the active sea-
son gets under way. Higher gravity
gasolines are bringing 13 to 13 IL
cents for the 64-66 grade while the
6O-62 grade is quoted from ~ to
II 1-3 cents.
Natural More Active.
Natural gasoline has broken away
from the rest of the market the past
few days and is becoming more &C.
tive. Slight increases of a quarter
cent have been registered in all grades
and inquiries which came into the
market recently have been turned into
orders.
Increased inquiries has strength
ened the market on kerosene the ma
jor demand and inquiries coming from
agricultural districts in the Middle
West where weather conditions have
lately permitted resumption of farm
work. Most kerosene sold from Tulsa
right now is for tractor use. Grades
are quoted at from IA to 4 ga cents
the close range indicating a strong
market. The regular 41-43 grade
brings IL to 43-4 cents. Distillates
are also strong. Gas oil is easy to OBJ
tain at 3 1-S to 31-4 cents. Lubri-
cants are strong with probabilities
of early advances.
Coal Strike Q Factor.
Fuel oil is considerably below con-
tract prices made earlier in the year
and an increase in open market bust
ness is noted. More inquiries have
likewise been received by Tulsa refin-
ers as well as North Texas plants
and better feeling is existing because
OF coal strike threats which may stop
or hinder production. 1t is expected
that some buying by the railroads will
take place at current prices. Posi-
bility Of a coal strike at least in
some parts of the country Is reacting
to the fuel oil market. Otherwise the
product is weaker with its waning
season. Quotations at the end of the
week were barely at dollar a barrel
being $1.02 IL to SLOT IL a barrel
where a few days ago It was freely
quoted at S1.05 to S1.10 a barrel.
Further decreases depend altogether
on the coal strike situation or else a
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