Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-12-21

Chicago, Dec 21.-Packers were slow
to come into the hog market and early
strength was partially lost. One load
sold at 1925, the highest Of the day.
Eleven markets had 1000 more hogs
Wednesday that the previous Wednes-
day, 37,1OO more than a year ago ana
24,100 more than two years ago, or TO-
100 Total thus far this week 394,0UV,
or $4,000 more than the same time lass
week, $4,000 more than the like period
last year and $4,000 more than the cor
responding three days two. years ago.
Total for 1911 to date 24,3O4, 600, or 81
$4,000 more than the same period IN
1910 and s5,416,O00 more than the cor
responding time in 1909.
Cattle.
Demand for heavy steers kept them
strong, and they were % cents higher
than a week ago.
The trade should get only light sup
plies from now on until after Christ
mas, but there is no assurance that any
blu, light volume of steers will be
needed. Hence it will be we'll for coun-
try shippers to eliminate q lot o. the
mid-week price gains in doing business
a
the market week hence.
Run at $1,000, Wednesday. OF the ex-
pected eG,ooo to $4,000, was cause Tor
all the pyrotechnics exploded IN. the
market. Had there been few thousand
more cattle things would have gone oil
ferently A supply Of $4,000 to 2o,oeo
6oubtlessly would have filled all the ac-
tual trade needs, but it not being at
hand, and the buyers having urgent or
ders, they simply had to submit to
grand series of shake downs all over
the yards. Buyers insisted that the puik
of cattle sold considerably more than
o5 cents higher than Monday. but sell
ers who were all inclined to cover up
the biggest end of the advance In quot
ing trades, did so with purpose. They
would keenly regret another excessive
supply here next week, which doubt
less would land unless conservatism. in
operating was strongly preached.
Steers getting the big end OF the rise
were the kinds with weight and some
decent to good finish. That class was
conspicuously shy and shippers anu
BUYERS who needed them simply had 20
60 against the sellers own game, IN
contrast to the niserably poor situa-
ton which prevailed during the greater
part Of Monday, tho fortunately
this condition was bettered before the
close that day.
The fact remains, however, tina.
while the mid-week receipts sold at
levels close up to those in force week
ago, biggest share OF the weeks re-
ceipts were bought at wide discount
Sharp fuctuating markets are bad
| ones for the country operators
| They wipe out profit in a good many
| instances when decline follows big
marketing, and when there is a sharp
" advancing market it is the minority
rather than the ma jority who benefit.
Naturally the demand is irregular
under famine" runs. and the
only possible beneficiaries to any
marked extent are the buyers OF ths
stuff at market. ~
There is need for better regulation OF
cattle marketings.
Supply situation plainly indicates
relative scarcity of fat pullocks for the
winter season, and there is strong e"l-
dence Of this in the daily recelpts
which comprise such slim quota OF
really well-fed cattle.
Even tho the corn price Is high there
is still no genuinely good reason why
feeders should pile up big Monda!
run at market. and then, when tnt
prices break, shut of supplies for tbs
mid-week trade in an endeavor to holt
the values from further drops.
Sheep.
Sheep and lambs sold at about yes
terdays close.
Extreme finish Wednesday was de
cidedly weak and country shipper
should not get excited and overload tn
market in it's present uncertain con
dition. General quality was only tai
and there was a ccarcity OF strict.
prime lots Outlet for medium lots wa
rather narrow and especially so ate
weakness developed. Range OF price
was extremely wide and no narrowiRi
is expected in the price range unles
fewer in-between kinds and NOR
} choice lots show up. 50, II