Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-17
COMMERCIAL And FINANCIAL
Activity Of Provisions is the Feature Of
the Day.
FAILURES AT BOSTON CAUSE WEAKNESS
Wheat Wenkcns ON Government Re-
port, nut stendies on netter EN-
port Inquiry, Closing Eighth
LOwer-Corn Drops,

CHICAGO, Dec. 16-Provisions were con-
spicuously active on the Board of Trade
today, weakening on heavy proht-takng
precipitated by the Boston financial diff
culties. May pork closed 2Oc, May lard 12l5c
and May ribs 7isd1Oc under yesterday.
Wheat weakened on the government report
but steadied on better export inquiry,
May closing &c down. May corn closed Is
Ghc lower and May oats unchanged.
The activity of provisions was the fea-
ture on the board today. The pit crowd
was large and with few exceptions those
who composed 1t were sellers for proht,
an operation with which they fattened their
purses animatedly throughout the session
to the detriment of the price. The liquida-
tion was set going by the Boston financial
larly in pork. The shipping demand was
as good as ever, the hog supply small and
prices at the yard firm. Brokers were free
sellers of May lard and holders let out
lines of May pork and ribs. At the decline
the investment demand asserted itself,
steadyng the market for q time. May
pork having dropped 20c, regained half the
loss but let it go again May pork sold
from $10.4 to $lO55 and closed 20c under
yesterday. at $40. 4O May lard from SIS to
$50, closing 121sc down at IS 565 and May
ribs from $3.50 to $50, with the close 7ls@
1Oc lower at s5.59l5 .52k.
Wheat was weak the greater part of the
session because the trade thought the gov
ernment report bullish; the Boston finan-
cial Generalization also had depressing
effect. The pit was quiet after the usual
Saturday manner. The South African news
was variously regarded and the export de-
mand early not pressing Receipts as usual
were light. May opened asqkc down at 80
G69Sc and sold down to 6Skc. Here the
market received some support from buying
against puts under which the price had
slumped, and held steady for some time.
Foreigners, who were the principal buyers
throughout, towards the close made their
influence felt and as their moves were be-
lieved to reflect bullish deductions from the
tangled South African situation, the locals
raised their bids bit and shorts did some
covering. The shipping demand also i'm
proved late In the session. May advanced
to 699sc, at which the option closed, lac
under yesterday, with the tone of the mar
ket rather firm Seaboard clearances in
wheat and flour were equal to 100000 bu.
Primary receipts were 557 600 bu, against
], ,04S, 800 bu. last week. Minneapolis and Du-
luth rel orted 1856 cars, compared with 1863
last week and $40 a year ago. Receipts
here were 10 cars. 10 of contract grade.
Corn was easier, n condition due to freer
country offerings. The market was dull
and of little Importance, nearly all the
trading being in the hands of profession
ais; The shipping demand was rather slug
gish. Clearances were 601, 400 bu. and re-
ceipts here 26S cars Local stocks are ex-
pected to increase 100000 bu. May ranged
from 327sc to 33c, closing h@Ac down at S3c.
Nobody seemed to notice the oats market,
so trivial was it. May closed unchanged
at 241sc. Local receipts were 105 cars.
Some increase in stocks here is expected
Estimated receipts Monday: Wheat, go
cars; corn $50 cars; oats, 125 cars; hogs, |
40,0 900 head.
The leading futures ranged as follows: