Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-06

rather disappointing. The increase in tie
winter packing has been a disapppoint-
ment, for the reason that the majority be-
lieved that there would be
decrease. Then it was argued two
months ago that the summer packing
would show a considerable increase, and
while it is now very generally conceded
that the outlook does net promise any in
crease, the fact that there was prospect
early in the season for gain in this par
licular, deferred many from buying, argu-
ing no doubt that if we were to have an
increased production during the summer,
values would naturally tend to a lower
range. 1t is a fact undisputed that
stocks abroad of everything in the
hog product line are small, while the
minor distributing markets of our own
country are carrying only enough to meet
current demands. This is evidenced by
the character of their purchases at manu-
featuring points. Some claim, and quite
probably with reason, that the new de-
parUure in the beef shipping line is not
without effect on the hog product trade.
But at the same time beef is not pork,
and does not and cannot take its place
among our greatest consumers, the laboring
classes, for the reason that the latter Is
the cheaper. In other words pound Of
pork will furnish more nutriment than
the same amount of beef. All this being
granted, the reduced stocks at minor
points and reduced production, present
and prospective, it does seem reasonable
to anticipate that the consumers will
awaken to the actual condition and con-
clude that the product Of the hog is worth
all that is being asked for it, with indica-
cations more favorable tO increase than
diminishing rates OF values. To be sure
the labor troubles at various points
throughout the country and the quiet pre-
vailing in many large manufacturing in
dustries tend to a reduced consumption,
but we must not forget that the aggregate
stocks of product are not larger than q
year ago, the production much smaller and
as we consumed all of last years stocks at
| relatively high prices, it is but fair to pre-,
| sumo that all will eventually be wanted
this year, and as We promise to produce
less there does not seem to be any tangible
reason why good prices should not prevail;
| this, too, on Legitimate basis. There
| seems but little reason to doubt that tho
| stocks at Chicago are concentrated in few
and strong hands, and to a considerable
extent by men who are thoroughly posted
on the situation, men who know what the
| pros ective wants of the trade are. It is
| a very difficult matter to pay
the present prices for hogs and
sell the product at a profit
at present market quotations. At the same
| time our packers are anxious to cut hogs,
and several packing houses now idle would
be opened up if the receipt Of hogs would
admit, evidence of itself that producers
have faith in the future of the market, so
that looking at the situation in all its
| phases, there is little on which to base any
serious retrogade movement in values.
| According to the result of recent vote
from May to Sept. 1, the board of trade
rooms will not be opened on Monday I'm.
til 1870 o'clock, one hour later than on
other days.