Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-24

Si!IdSV, lev s7.-Sdtt16 OeII!d11O
was tame. Receipts were but a few
hundred q there was the usual lack
OF inquiry on the part of all buyers
which is noted on the closing day of
the week. The market is closing the
week in bad shape. Prices have been
forced of the latter part of the week
until all early advances have been lost
ana been succeeded 10 some degree by
declines.
Compared with a week ago the gen.
eral price basis Tow shows sriai
change, market resting only l042o
cents higher in most cases compared
with low spot early last week, aitno
some OF the traders still quote a l5Q
25-cent advance.
The decline has come more swiftly
than recent advances. 1t was chopped
OF in two days, while il required more
than a week for the market to so up
from low TO high notch. Difference in
tine required to switch the situation
from one of fairly bullish aspect TO
gloom again is thus indicative OF the
tlrner grip which buyers have upon
the market now as against sellers
short-lived merry session when they
CoCSSSo Pi1CeS.
Reasons given for the slump vary
greatly, u the claim that beef trade
las lit downgrade again is given most
c~redence. Reports from the east are
quite gloomy and packers. too, are in a
position which they claim justifes re-
~trenchment in buying. High early week
purchases killed out poorly n killers
have laid in wait for g chance to even
up scores. Shipping demand has been
chief supper in the early markets each
day this week and only on Monday
were the killers forced to follow the
ace set by eastern buyers. Other
days the local interests simply held
of until the time was propitious and
then hammered the market a-plenty.
Their bear actions, too, have come in
face Of a considerable slump recently
Significance of the lessened need for
beef now that poultry has first call in
consumptive channels. All poultry is
cheaper now than at Thanksgiving
time and consumption of it is bound
to be considerably increased in the
next ten days, which naturally is hav-
ing a bearish influence in beef trade.
Killers are feeling the effects already
ard are predicting bad conditions mex
week.
Reflection Of the weakened consump-
tive situation in steer trade next week
can not be averted unless the run is
light. and particularly next Monday.
when market will be open as usual.
| despite the Christmas holiday in other
lines Of commerce, and closing Of pack
ers' plants. The trade is hoping for
| a run of $1,000 or less mex Monday,
bu, estimates run up 10 10000. Supply
~ 1a~-@- ,Jo, <AI1@-i~~
tad f~eak in the marke, in recent days
can only nave the effect Of further
weakening the market unless there APP
pears unusually broad shipping de-
mand, which. in view of depressed beef
trade eastward, is quite unlikely.
The disastrous fire in Morris & Co.'S
plant will naturally hinder operations
of this concern In the cattle trade for
some time to come. and prospect, is for
s-lal buying by this house. which is
another good reason for short shipping
next week
That the recent slump will prove
only Of temporary duration in event Of
q light run next week is the firm be-
lief among traders, but it usually fol-
lows that the market is worse between
Christmas. = faith in the ability Of
the prices TO rome back again to bet
ter levels is firmly held.
Hogs.
Hogs were about steady, comparing
prices with those at the close yeste--
day. There was an absence Of shipping
orders. and not much deman from
scaipers. A top OF s..a5 was reported
for prime hogs, a figure which prob
ably could not have bee secured at
the extreme low time Of yesterday.
Despite the falling of in receipts for
the five days. packers are closing the
week pretty well supplied as a result
Of a reduction of more than 10000
head in shipments for the correspond
ing period, and commission men are
sounding a note Of worning to country
feeders and shippers in regard to mar
ketings early next week. The market
here next Monday will be in full swing.
but there will be no killing done that
day, and stock received that day will
have to be slaughtered on the follow
ing days of the week, when packers
may be expected to take advantage OF
holdings from Mondays purchases 10
depress prices. The safest thing TO
do is to keep Mondays receipts down
TO the smallest volume possible.
Combined receipts at eleven markets
the first five days OF this week 40s GOO.
against $4,000 a week ago. 10000 a
year ago and $4,000 two years
Receipts thus far this year total 49,
$4,000, which is 3.37s,ooo less than a
year ago and S,2s9, 900 less nan two
years ago.
Sheep.