Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-01-28
PRICES IN CHICAGO ADVANCE
BECAUSE OF SMALL RECEIPTS
At WESTERN MARKETS.
PERIOD OF LIQUIDATION
Believed AT AN END
Cattle Hold Steady at Recent Declines
Lighter Receipts Needed to Ad-
vance Market-Bulk Of Offerings
Butcher Stock Unsuited For Packing
Sheep and Lamb Supply Moderate.

Chicago, Jan. aS-Hog prices rose
today on account of the comparative
scantiness of receipts thruout the west.
Evidence is accommodating that liqui-
dation of hogs is over and that the
residue of the crop is in stronger
hands. II is significant that while re-
ceipts have beer unprecedentedly
heavy all around the market circle no
material increase has occurred in mea:
stocks and packers are showing con-
Germ over the prospect for filling their
cellars. On the basis of current prices
hogs are costing around 1000 per cwt.
Dressed with head and feet off and
with ribs at 1885, lard at 1l.07 ana
hams and shoulders at i20oMt406,
there is substantial profit in the cut
ting operation. Packers are resisting
the advance strenuously, but the mar
ket has got away from them. owing
to keen outside competition. and when
ever an opportunity TO put up droves
at 200 IT.25 has presented they have
been greedy buyers. Hogs have a
worth the-money appearance and an
500 trading basis in February is con-
tidentially expected.
Eleven markets received LAG, 900 hogs
Thursday, or S1,7o0 less than last
Thursday, $4,000 more than year ago
and .2.200 more than two years ago.
Total thus far this week $4,000 or 49,
600 less than same period last week.
$4,000 more than like time last year
and $4,000 more than corresponding
four days two years ago. Total for
1916 to date 3.533,oo0. or $4,000 more
than same period 1915 and 1.21S,000
more than corresponding time 1914.
Cattle.
Most Of the cattle offered were
butcher stock unsuited for packing
house needs.
What the market needs is a period Of
lighter receipts, al least until weather
conditions improve. During the pas,
two weeks an excess over actual needs
has developed and the excess always
fixes prices. Since Jan. the six west
ern markets have received $4,000.
against $4,000 last year and with a
decreased s.ecsef demand the excess
has gone to the Cooler. Had seasonable
temperatures continued beef distribu-
ton would have been healthier. but IL
would have been a case Of too many
cattle anyway. The early January ad-
vance OF so cents 10 100 was an effec-
tive bait in attarcting steers to market
and had % per cent of them been held
out in the face OF what the weather
man did it would have been better for
al concerned. Beef cost has been out
Of line with that Of pork and, especial
~ in mild weather. the cheaper COM
modify gets preference. Fresh pork
lons have been wholesaling at 11m
liz cents and other cuts in proper
L-
fers selling pork to beef and has been
pushing that meat as trimmings is less
and net profits are greater.
Eastern beef orders have been cut il
two since the rise In temperature and
branch houses down that way claimed
to have plenty in coolers. OF course.
information from such sources is al
ways TO be taken with the proverbial
gain of salt. but high temperatures
and muggy atmosphere at mid winter
never has facilitated beef distribution
and never will. Dressing results have
been poor. much of the run yielding
but 54956 per cent of beef and as con-
dition is lacking carcasses lack keep
ing quality. The market has had v;o-
lent reversal Of form, 1t IS true, blu.
much of it is logical.
A 5o-cent decline has caught nearly
everything since the gay" time early
last week, when the trade was hopeful!
Of continuance of healthy market ali
winter. Depreciation ranges from 401
10 cents per cwt. Middle grades have
been swatted hard and even the best
cattle have suffered.
Sheep.
Sheep and lambs did not appear to
be overpientiful.
Receipts have been held down re-