Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-05-01
CATTLE BARELY STEADY
Today's Light Run Was suf-
ticient For the Demands Of
a Slow Market
CHOICE LOTS WERE FIRM
CHOICE LOTS WERE FlF
The General Market, However, Was
Slow In Opening and Prices Inclined
to Lower Lovels-smaller Receipts
of Hogs Than Expected Caused Ac-
tive and Higher Market.

A few choice lots brought firm prices,
but the general market was barely
steady.
Beef markets In eastern cities are
heavily glutted with offerings and
prices there have fallen sharply. while
packers have big stocks of beef In their
coolers which await outlet. They claim
to be in position wherein they are
unable to handle liberal offerings of
cattle and the sudden Cutting of the
whole trade now calls for a halt in
extensive shipping operations on the
part of country dealers.
In the local beef trade conditions are
unsatisfactory, due in part to the
transfers strike. which threatens to
spread to many big houses and while
packers are able to deliver meats, the
general duliness OF labor activities has
cut down the local demand very ma
terally, while the springlike weather
is also having a detrimental effect on
consumption. The public's palate has
a strong liking for strawberries and
cream at this time and the inclination
to patronize fruit and vegetable mar
kets freely is another restrainer to beef
eating.
The market. facing as 1t does, the
different nverse conditions, is in poor
shape to withstand any but very mod
crate supplies, and after the heavy
losses which country shippers have
suffered in the past two weeks. 1t is
hoped by the trade that they will curb
consignments to suit the situation now
ruling.
Hogs.
With much smaller receipts than ex-
pected, all buyers were out early and
active competition put values higher.
Various causes have contributed to
the decline the past week. Provisions
have had sharp break, and packers
campaign in the pit, temporarily at
least, Strength, recently injected by
heavy eastern buying has been lacking
Had this demand held up to the volume
Of two weeks ago, 1t would have been
a better market Shipments this week
are approximately but 42,200, against
4S,400 last week and 49,5O0 the previous
week. Disturbance in grain markets
strike activity and increase In the price
of pork loins have been disturbing in
fiuences The decline has been effected
despite decrease in receipts No ur-
gent demand has appeared from any
quarter and packers have been agrees
sively bullish.
Receipts at western markets have
been lighter than last year, but
are fairly liberal, the total showing
close to 100000, against 296.0 900. last
week. Quality has been generally good
and the high average weight has help
ed the decline along. Advices from the
country indicate no scarcity, but, on
the other hand. promise a summer run
in excess of that of 1904 while killing at
western points since March /. Is put
at about 100000 in excess Of the same
period last year.
Sheep.
Demand was slow and prices weak.
Feeders are unloading muttons with
all possible celebrity and that the fu-
ture course of the market will be
downward is safe prediction. The
unloading process Is being carried on
too rapidly for the welfare of the pro-
Queer. Feeders are evidently running
away from gross stuff with undue pre-
cipitancy. One hears good deal about
the bad condition of the live mutton
market, whereas surprise ought to be
expressed that 1t has held up as we'll
under the flood of offerings the heav-
lest ever known at this season of the
year.
A. few Texas sheep have been mar
keted at ST. Louis, making SIS per cwt.
a high price. This, however, generally
t1sv
Killers pay such prices as an induce
ment to start a run: then when they
get the markets full they experience
no difficulty in hammering values.
Owners of grass sheep would display
better judgment by holding them a few
weeks, thereby adding to their quail
ity and giving feeders a chance to clean
up instead of rushing into competition
with them. Sheepmen have an UNI
profitable fashion of overlooking mar
kets, and if lot of grassers are rush
ed from the southwest it is not i'm
probable that plenty of them will sell
as feeders within the next thirty days
at lower prices than feeders will be
worth later in the season. This is
good opportunity for the exercise of
little common sense. Arizona will
probably be late and there will be
plenty of opportunity for Texas to
market.
No gap is now expected in mutton
supply between fed and grass stuff,
but one may occur later after killers
have broken the market for grassers
enough to shut off the run and a high
market in July would cause no sur
prise.
Chicago Livestock.
Chicago, May L.
Cattle-Estimated receipts for today.
$4,000; steady; good to prime steers