Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-09
q year ago for the same week.
Packers Grieved.

q year ago for the same week.
Packers Grieved.
Packers became rather jubilant over
their success last week in raiding the
hog market only to be disappointed In
their efforts to continue those tactics
this week. The sellers have had turn
this week and recoveries Of a full
quarter were made this week. Mondays
trade was largely on basis OF last
Saturday but since then have gradual
ly come up to where the closing for the
week is about the best.
A few opinions of those in position to
be heard on the hog situation are given
below as diversion from the regular
weekly routine comment.
Hog scarcity will be Of temporary
duration" said w. A. Miner. the Colo
RADIO stockman Of Greeley. Every
where in the United States and Canada
farmers are bending their energy to
raise porkers Western Canada is ship
ping hogs both to Chicago and the Pa
cific coast. Colorado, Montana and
Idaho are breeding on large scale
and unless something interrupts this
program the &C hog will soon be fact.
The region west Of the Missouri river
where alfalfa and small grain can be
raised in large quantities Is destined to
be an even more prolific producer OF
pork than the corn belt, and our hogs
will be grown under much more favor
able conditions, both as to feed and
climate. Getting into the hog business
in anticipation Of continuance Of an
SC market indicates lack Of sagacity
The west will grow hogs because they
are more profitable than either cattle
or sheep"
Packers are obviously masters OF the
provision situation and willbe all sum
mer There is no incentive for outside
spectators to operate and the little
fellows have burned their fingers play
ing with that candle times innumer-
able consequently they are inclined to
stay out. If the hog run was the only
dope" they had to go on they would
be betting on higher prices, but with
the big houses apparently In full charge
and considering diminishing consump-
ton, prohibitive retail prices and other
adverse influences, the man who usu'
ally takes change on the future under
normal conditions is disposed to keep
his money in his pocket.
A well known Milwaukee packer who
few months ago thought hogs were
on the toboggan for six and halt
cents a pound appears to have changed
his mind and has the following to say
in relation to meats supply as an indi-
cation what course live porkers may
take:
II am bull on provisions from a
supply and demand point OF view" said
Patrick Cudahy. "On the first of No
vember, 1913, the stock of meats on
hand in the FIVE packing points that re-
port on the first Of each month was 49,
900 900 lbs more than at the same time
the previous year. We packed between
Nov. 1 and May l practically the same
number Of hogs, yet our stock OF meats
at the same points was only 100000
lbs. more than 1t was only May l, 1913,
showing the consumption Of meats
during that period to have been 10000
900 lbs greater than the previous year.
During May year ago the stock OF
meats at the five points increased 90
900 900 lbs, while this year they show a
decrease Of 100000 lbs, and all this
in the face of poor trade talk, which
seems to be in everybody's mouth;
everybody has It, somewhat as chill
uren take the measles.
Meat Supply Less.
~ think the summer packing will be
very much short of year ago, and
pork product will be scarcer than it
ever was before. 1t was an over supply
Of bulls five or eight months ago and
an overbought market that Is the
cause Of the low prices we are having
today, and an oversupply of bears and
an oversold market is what will give
us high prices later on. We have now
on hand in the five points 30,0O0,00O
lbs. Of meats less than year ago and
100 ,O0O,00o lbs. less than two years ago.
During the year Of 1912 the worlds
stock Of lard reached 100000 ties on
the first Of August, yet on the first Of
November it was all cleaned up and
sold at 12c per ID during the month OF
October Of that year, showing that
there yet may be great possibilities In
lard.
There is talk of hard times. vet
wages today are at the highest point
they ever reached. We are having some
strikes, but they are not for wages. but
to see who shall be boss"
Since values have reacted from the
recent low point the feeling in the
hog market seems to be much health
Ter, still packers every time they get
the chance will undoubtedly pursue
bearish tactics and fight any likely adj
vance In values.
Supply figures for the combined
market centers this week will show a
decline Of $4,000 under a week ago and
almost 125,OO0 for the same period a
markets have about held their own.
Chicago's total, unofficially, is 1925
head today's receipts estimated against
1876 a year ago and compared with
100000 estimated for the week.
Eastern Sheep Few.
Outside of Chicago the sheep run
this week has been light which proved
a prime factor in giving boost to
mutton values. Buffalo is nearly off
the map in a ovine sense and Jersey
City is getting very little live stuff due
to belated movement of Virginia spring
lambs. Springers have increased in