American Wool Supplies.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15707, 28 September 1916, Page 6

American Wool Supplies.

The cablo message published in this jssuo stating that there is a shortage of two hundred million pounds of wool confronting American clothiers, evidently refers rather to future than present conditions. It is stated that the shortage is duo to the poor domestic clip and the difficulty of purchasing abroad, and it is added that dealers predict unprecedented increases in prices. American papers of August dates admit the stringency of the British embargo against the export of merino, crossbred, or English, wools to the United States, but no immediate shortage was anticipated. On the other hand, it is stated by tho "American Sheep "Breeder," which naturally takes tho side of the grower, that most of tho .mills are said to bo well supplied with wool, in some cases having enough on hand to last until January Ist. So far as the first 6cvcn months of this year arc concerned, tho position was better than it was last year. The Boston Chamber of Commerce reports that the receipts of wool, in pounds, from January Ist to August Ist. 1916, as compared with the same period in 1915, were as follows: —

1916. 191 ii. Domestic 131,624.90G 109,060,714 Foreign 189,953,419 177,439,554 Totals 321,578,325 286,500,268 During tho samo periods the exports of woollen goods in pounds -were: — 1916. 1915. 208, 100, 554 158,452,782 Besides being ablo to increaso her oxports, the United States has been able to manufacture more largely for her own requirements sinco tho war began. In Dalgety's "Annual Wool Review of " Australasia" it is pointed out that tao war has saved the American manufacturer from the avalanche of foreipn

goods that was steadily pouring in under tho Wilson-Underwood tariff. Since August, 1714, importations have dwindled constantly, and from an import of 2,559,241 square yards of cloth in July, 1914, tho figures fell away to 639,291 square yards in September, 19.15. Dress goods dropped from 4,993,202 square yards in July, 1914, to only 563,565 square yards in September, 1915. Imports of wool tops dropped from 1,054,9351b in July. 1914, to 12,1121b in September, 1915, while wool yarns decreased from 75-5,9561b in July, 1914, to 33.1451b in September. 1915. The same authority shows that the United ■States and Canada purchased 564,133 bales in Australia and New Zealand during tho 1915-16 season, and it is tho absence of a prospect of obtaining wool from these sources during the ensuing season that has, no doubt, given rise to the statement that there will be a shortage of two hundred million pounds to bo faced by American manufacturers. So far as wool prices in the United States aro concerned, it was claimed in August that Boston was the cheapest market in the world. Domestic wools were quoted at 13d to 22$ d for greasy and washed wool, and 22£ d to 45d for scoured. .Regarding the embargo on tho export of British-grown wool to the United States, tho Boston correspondent of tho "American Sheep " Breeder" gives what is claimed to be a "fair statement'' of the situation from the American standpoint, as follows:—"There is still a very strong '•'feeling that much of the obstruction " being placed in the way of American " buying of wool in London and the •'colonies is due rather to an effort to " restore the prestige of London as tho " great wool market of the world than "• to any exigency caused by tho war. "Considerable bitterness is growing up " in the trade, which tho recently announced 'black list' has not tended "to remove, as it is believed that "Yorkshire is jealous of tho success of American manufacturers in winning " and keeping control of tho home mar- " ket, in the faco of wool embargoes " and dyestuff blockades. Many wool " men claim that England is trying to " build up a great surplus stock of •' wool, with which to compote with the " Germans for tho markets which have " been practically lost to both since tho " beginning of the war." This view is evidently expressed from a feeling of soreness rather than from a study of tho facts of the case. One thing appears to be certain, that the end of the war is not going to depreciate tho value of wool to any extent, as Amorica will be a. large customer as soon as tho embargo is lifted.