Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-17
WEATHER IS CAUSE
Local Market Lower Now Than ANY
in the East or West.
BUTTER PRICES ALSO MAY FALL
Washington Believed Sure to Feel
Effects Of Dissolution Of
the Elgin Board.

Eggs are cheaper today in Washington
than in any city in the United States.
Egg prices took a tumble this morning.
dropping from about 35 cents a dozen to
- cents. and prospects are that the low
price will continue during the greater
part Of the winter
The price reduction followed a meeting
yesterday Of all the prominent retail egg
and butter dealers of the city, held at
the office OF the Washington Market Com
pany at Center market. At the meeting
1t was unanimously decided to put the
price eggs down to point below any
other market. east or west, and to MAIN
tain the low prices indefinitely. AS a
consequence. this morning huge signs at
all market stands where eggs are sold in
formed Washington housewives that eggs
of the storage variety-were to be had in
unlimited quantities, at % cents a dozen.
Retailers and cold storage men today
said that the reason for the marked drop
in egg prices was the unseasonably warm
weather and the tremendous stocks of
eggs held in storage in the west. Millions
of dozens of eggs. it was stated. are held
by storage companies in Chicago. Indian
apolis and other middle western points,
and warm weather, combined with the
high prices asked up to the present time
by the owners of the eggs, has forced re-
auctions.
Stock Purchased Last Spring.
The larger part Of this storage supply
of eggs. it was stated. was bought last
Apri! and May. at prices ranging around
30 cents. Add to this the storage
charges, about cents a dozen. and the
freight, about cent a dozen to eastern
points. and it is easy to see that some
hn6 &c
they make small profit at % cents.
Washington's supply Of storage eggs at
the present time is about 5000 cases. This
supply is not more than sufficient for a
week.
No large supply of new-laid eggs is
coming into Washington from nearby
points, and dealers who handle this class
of eggs are maintaining prices close to
the levels that have prevailed for some
time. Strictly fresh. selected eggs re-
tailed this morning at 45 cents a dozen.
though few dealers who cater only to
the most exclusive trade are still keeping
their price up to 30 cents dozen or even
higher. The storage eggs that are SELL
ing at 90 cents a dozen, however, are
good stock.
Butter Prices May Decline.
Local dealers were interested in the re-
ports from Chicago in regard to the disso-
luton of the Elgin butter board and the
boards failure to fix prices for the week
at yesterdays meeting. 1t was the gen.
eral opinion that this action Of the butter
board, taken In the hope of heading of
minimizing the effects of the govern
ment's prosecution Of the board, would
ultimately result in lowering the price Of
butter in Washington.
washington sells by the Elgin quota
tions," said an officer Of the Washington
Market Company today. Therefore this
market is bound to feel the effects of the
dissolution of the Elgin board sooner or
later-that is. if the board is actually
dissolved. Just when the effect will be-
gin to be felt here is something that no
one can say. Millions of pounds of but
ter are held in storage in the west. and
this stock will surely be dumped over
board If Indications seems to favor any
noticeable lowering of prices. Elgin
prices received here yesterday indicated
a drop Of one cent a pound. This, how
ever. will not affect local retail prices, at
least for a time"