Evening times-Republican., 1903-12-24
The Supply Was Too Large For
the Demand and Caused
the Break
CHOICE GRADES WERE STEADY
stockers and Feeders Were Neglected,
Demand Ruling Very Weak-Hoss
Sold at Best Prices Of the Week, the
Supply Being Quickly Disposed of
The Market Reports.

| Chicago, Dec. 4.-Catte-Today's
run was far above expectations ant
ntained enough plain to fair steers
COWS and heiters to cause break o.
about 10 cents for that class from yes
teriay's best prices. Some strictly
choice fat sold at steady prices. but al,
steers that in any degree We're coarss
or plain sold slowly at about 10 cents
off. Stockers and feeders were neg
iected, demand ruling very weak. while
calves were In good demand. the sup
ply being slim. General trade was un-
steady as compared with yesterdays
booming market, when the export de-
mand for desirable classes brought a
sharp bulge.
Demand was good again for beef
cattle. Statesmen are afraid that this
sudden bulge in the market will re-
suit in loosening things up in the coun-
try and will cause a flood here later
on that will counteract all the i'm
prove made this wesk. Shippers woul ]
be able to see that good prices Will be
maintained Ii supplies can be held
down to proper limitations. There is
never as coed a demand during the
holiday season as at other times. and
next week would be bad time to
dump in an excessive supply.
Hogs.
The arrivals of $4,000 were rapidly
- ~, 10 ba pf
the week. tho the general quality of Of
ferings was hardly as good as earle.
in the week. Prices averaged about 2 u
cents higher. The general tone is
holding firm from start 10 finish.
Marketing of light grades continues
heavy. supplies being proportionately
large. and has been active for heavy
weights for the past ten days. Quality
poor. Demand was slow from the
start. Local demand was Indifferent
and eastern buyers wanted but few
light weights. Local and outside de-
mand has been active for heavy
weights for the past three days.
Sheep.
Demand is strong. best lambs selling
up to $50. best western ewes at $40.
ana mlxSu WetueIS dbh O.
$50, all of which sales were 10 cents
higher. General tone OF the trade was
firm and strong.
A better tone to the general trade is
apparent than at any time this week.
All good fat handy weight stock want
ed. the best ewes selling up to S3.3oe.
$40. and the wethers that sold here at
$3.50 were such as would have gone
more slowly at $40 early this week.
Western ewes averaging close to 100
pounds that were held at $3.4o. and ma
tive ewes averaging 101 pounds that
sold at S335 were of n very choice class
most of the native ewes selling here at
s3.00@330. and only fair class OF
ewes for slaughter at s2.75. Ewes OF
big weight are still relatively SLOW
sale. as there Is no such urgent de-
mand on export mutton account as last
wear at this time, when the scarcity
Of sheep in Australia and New lea-
land was causing such broad demand
for American mutton.
Good to choice lambs have advanced
In the past few days. Plain and me-
dium classes of lambs were not In ur-
gent supply, most of the small local
butchers holding out of the trade, as
they report the general demand for
lambs of the class very slack at this
time.