Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-01
THE TREND OF TRADE
Items Of Interest in a Years Work
at Liberty Stock Yards.
OUR POsTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
White Lead Trust Gathers in Pittsburg
Manufacturers,
AND PRICES ALREADY ADVANCED
OFFICE OF PITrsBURG DISPATCH, Z
TUESDAY. December 81 1889

OFFICE OF PITTsBURG DIsPATCH,l
TUESDAY. December 81, 1889.
The total receipts of through cattle for the
year at the East Liberty Stock Yards were,
in round numbers, 179, 900 head. Local re-
ceipts were little below 100, 900 head. The
receipts of hogs were not far from !, ,250, 600
head, and sheep 75O. 900. The largest run Of
through cattle for the year was in the last week
of August, when the totals were 9, $40 head. The
smallest was in the third week Of June when
only l5O through cattle were reported. This
small number was on the heels Of the Johns
town food, when the through cattle were di-
verted to other routes. The largest run Of cat
tie for local trade was in the second week Of
October, the total for that week being 500
mead. The largest hog receipts for any one
week the past year were AZ, 625 head, in the sec
ond week of January Next to this comes the
second week OF December. with 81, $50 head.
Comparison of Prices.
The heaviest run of sheep and lambs was on
the first week of February, the total for that
week being 22,550 The Iightest run was on the
last week Of November, the total being $50
head.
Comparing prices with year ago, it Is dis
covered that prime cattle then sold at range
of "a 50 to 81 80 and to-day the same are about
30 per cent lower. On January l, 1889, the best
selected hogs were quoted at SIS IS. The same
quality are selling this week at 81 90. and this
week or two ago. The price of sheep and
lambs varies very little from ruling rates Of q
year ago. Best wethers are quoted at 81 80 to
IS 15. A year ago the range was the same,
Our Mail Service.
The Pittsburg Postofiee is fair index to the
prosperity Of the city. Postmaster Larkin re-
ports a steady increase in business each month
of the past year. The gain has equaled 10 per
cent in 1889 and so per cent for the four years
past. The gross receipts in the stamp depart
ment will aggregate over 100000 for this year.
During the five years since Mr.. Larl1n took
control the force has been increased so per
a 1ce vans os forc gae nave
the work Is done by about the same number as
a year ago. The present force comprises 81
clerks, "a carriers, 20 boys 20 agencies, show
ing total of 226 persons whose services are
required in the distribution Of our mails.
The White Lead Trust.
An interview to-day with one Of our leading
dealers in white lead and other painters ma
terials has developed few facts Of interest
concerning this important department. Of our
industries. 1t seems that there are seven firms
in this city engaged in the manufacture Of
white lead. The aggregate output of these
seven Arms daily is not less than rs tons, or an
average of over ten tons for each firm.
A few months ago White Lead Trust,
whose capital IS repuGed TO De over SoO,VOOOUO,
began the work OF taking under its wing the
manufacturers of this city After persistent
effort the last of the white lead firms of the
city surrendered to the trust some two or three
weeks ago and this industry, so far as Pitts
burg is concerned, is now operated by one CEN
trail power, which controls the lead industry all
over the land.
Competition Blamed for II.
Said the dealer in painters supplies: II have
been very much opposed TO trusts of all kinds,
but competition has been so sharp for the
year past, that manufacturers of white lead
had their profits wiped out almost entirely.
Since the trust has taken possession. there has
been an advance Of zc on white lead, and this
advance furnishes a reasonable profit to manu-
facturers and dealers. As it was before
irresponsible dealers who broke up every little
while would come in and cut prices. thus
demoralizing markets. have been converted
from my former views and now believe that
trusts are necessity in the present situation Of
trade, when competition has become so sharp
and margins are so uncomfortably close"