Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-16
TRADERS FEAR
RAILROAD T|E-UP
HOG PRICES ADVANCE BECAUSE
OF PROBABILITY OF
STRIKE.
SELL At. ADVANCES OF
TEN AND FIFTEEN CENTS
Top Of SIS Per Hundredweisht Again
Attained-cattie Offerings Lacking in
Quality Sheep and Lambs i" Good
Demand-Review of Market Condi.
tions-Current Quotations.

Chicago, March 16.-Prospects of
railroad tie-up that would shortly cur
tail receipts brought about an advance
today in hog prices.
Eleven markets received $500 hogs
Thursday, or 1890 more than last
Thursday. 14,200 less than year ago
and $500 more than two years ago. To-
tai thus far this week 100000, or $1,000
more than same period last week, Az
600 less than like time last year ana
$4,000 less than corresponding four
days two years ago. Total for 1917 to
date 1881. 900, or $4,000 less than same
period 1916 and 161 900 more than cor
responding time 1915.
Cattle.
Cattle offerings lacked quality.
The strike situation was viewed
variously. In many quarters bellef
was strong that a general railway
strike would not be called even tho
indications still pointed to walk out
One situation viewed as favorable to
rail peace was the stronger market for
rail securities in Wall street( many in
the trade believing that the railway
their ability to patch up an agreement
than has the public.
What will happen to the cattle mar
ket should a strike .bescailed is conjec-
tural. 1t will be remembered that last
August, when previous negotiations
between employers and employees were
coming to the breaking point, packers
raided the market in bold manner,
just following a period of wild buying
during which time it was believed i
strike was imminent. Next week
should strike be called there is dam
ger that violent reversal from bullish
action recently will be shown.
In trade circles the belief was strong
that too many cattle may come here
next Monday as result OF owners
fear of rail tie-up shortly thereafter
Inquiries as to prospects were many
and while the supply situation is now
definitely proved to be one of general
scarcity Of marketable cattle all over
the middle west and likewise in the
southwest the fact remains that too
many could be landed here in one day
should the country feel disposed to get
a bit panicky in view of the strike de-
velopments
If there is walk out of tralnmen it
will affect the eastern lines first, but
should there be serious difficulty In
moving trains to seaboard a piling- up
Of beef in local quarters would neces-
sarily have severe effect upon current
record prices.
Supply figures alone well explain the
sensational prices now prevailing and
survey Of supplies to come for the next
six to eight weeks makes certain con-
tinued high values and even greater
advances providing the railway strike
is averted and war with Germany does
not seriously upset economic condi-
lions generally over the United States.
Chicago run in four days this week
at $1,000 stood against 36.00S a week
ago and $4,000 a year ago. while the
tonnage of beef has been relatively far
lower than in many years at this sea-
son, and same has been true of the
western markets receipts.
Sheep.
Sheep were in good demand.
Well finished light weight Nebraska
fed western lambs topped at 1885,
other choice Nebraska fed lambs aver
aging eighty-seven pounds selling up
to 1870. Best of the Colorado-fed
lamb supply sold at 14.75, the bulk OF
the Collies. consisting Of medium to
strong weights, that sold on killing ac-
count, going at 14.so114.65. while Wis
consin and Michigan shearers secured
half dozen or more loads of strong
weight good shearing lambs at 14.40.
A two-car string Of tidy weight fed
western lambs in bad fleece condition
and rather low dressers went at 14.3S,
against 1925 yesterday, and heavy.
ends from a few loads Of Colorados
sold downward from 1925.
Chicago Live. sock.
Chicago, March 18. - Cattle-Esti-