The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-21
STEAKS ARE HIGH
Prices of Beef Take Big Jump
In Chicago.
Restaurant and Hotel Men
Charge 1t To
A PACKERS COMBINE.
Figures Show That the Pro-
Queer Is a Gamer.
Greatly Increased Export De-
mand Is Responsible.
| PACKERS COMBINE.

Chicago. July 21-Beef in Chicago
has been on the upward trend for two
months, and the prices this week are
stronger than ever. Live stock dealers
are paying an average price per 1oO
pounds of S5.55, while the same amount
of beef one year ago was bought Tor
S495. This is likely to cause a gen
eral elevation of prices in Chicago res
taurants well a strong plant from
the proprietors of such establishments
that there is a packers combine bent
on raising the price of native steer beer
for purposes of private gain.
RestaurateuFs who have been making
this assertion during the last Few days
err widely in interpreting the situation
rightly. There is no combine among
Chicago packers and live stock men
There is, however, a great demand for
cattle and sharp competition IN making
purchases from farmers and other cat
tie raisers. The export trade in cattle
has jumped up marVelously the last
few months, and this combined with a
shrinkage in supply has raised prices.
The farmer is evidently the gamer not
the Chicago live stock men and pack
erS.
The figures tell a simple story of al
most unprecedented good times among
the agriculturist who sells cattle. Here
is an authentic table concerning prices
which are being and have been paid
the farmer for his beef.
Average price during this month,
July ..........-...... .............$ SIS. SIS
Average price during July one year
year ago --.------ $50
Average price in July during last
20 years --.--..-.---.--.- 4 80
Gain per 100 pounds over last year. so
Gain over average price of last 20
years ....... Observation-Disclosures. rs
These prices are quoted from the act
ual figures governing purchases of 1000
to 500 pound beef cattle, which is good
common stock. That the export OF cat
tie has increased rapidly since the last
of April is indicated from the follow
ing figures, which are also compared
with figures for the same months a year
ago.
Shipments from Chicago of export
cattle for the fiscal year ended June 80
for months indicated:
June Observation-Disclosures. .23, 1874 20.223
Since July, 1898, however. this export
trade has been smaller than during a
similar period of the year previous. The
total number of cattle shipped from
Chicago during the last fiscal year was
6.S79, and the total number of the
fiscal year previous was 240, PSI The
last two months show a remarkab BILE in
crease, however. and this large foreign
demand has helped put up the price
of beef This would not be true were
the supply as large as it is under nor
NAL stock conditions. But it is now
evident that many farmers and live
stock rafSerS were compelled to go out
of the business on account of adverse
conditions which were inaugUrated
along in 1896, when the panic was at its
height. These stock farmers are now
endeavoring to meet the increased de-
mand and get back to old conditions.
The big export trade has made COM
petition keen among buyers; the farm
ers have raised their prices and they
are getting what they ask.
That the struggle to buy cattle is
general throughout the country and
that higher prices to cattle raisers are
in force at the four large markets of
the United States is indicated by the
increase in receipts, caused by the big
foreign demand and in a measure per-
haps on account of local influences
Leaving this week out of consideration
as the figures are just piling up-and
taking the last two weeks, with COM
parsons of one year ago, the following
table tells its story of activity:
Last Week Year
week. before ago