Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-19
EARLY GAIN or Is CENTS EN-,
TiRELY LOST BECAUSE OF
LACK OF SUPPORT.
PACKERS WITHHOLD BIDS
AND REACTION ENSUES
Cattle Offerings Scarce and Prices
Rule Strons-Modetate Offerings Of
Sheep Hold Values at Last Weeks
High lsvels-Review Of Market Con-
ditions-Current Quotations.

Chicago, March 19.-Demand from
shippers brought about transient ad-
vance in hog prices today, but packers
held off and forced a reactip Ar
carly advance of Is cents was lost.
Receipts of hogs at Chicago for las
week totaled 800, an increase OF
22,4o0 compared with the previous
week. a decrease of 100 compared
with tse same week last year and an
increase of $4,000 compared with the
corresponding week two years ago.
Average weight of hogs at Chicago
for the week was estimated at 2oI
pounds. the heaviest since last Octo-
Der: three pounds heavier than the
preceding week, eight pounds lighter
than same week last year and twenty
seven pounds lighter than correspond
ing week two years ago.
Top hogs at Chicago for the wees
made 1910. equaling the previous
weeks record, against l0.02h a year
ago and 100 two years ago. Average
price made new record of 1915, or
10 cents higher than the preceding
week, 5000 higher than year ago and
80 higher than two years ago.
Eleven markets received $4,000 hogs
Saturday. making $4,000 for the week,
or $4,000 more than the previous week.
$4,000 less than same week last year
and 5000 less than corresponding week
two years ago. Total for 1911 TO date,
1890. 900. or $4,000 less than same Pc
Rod 1916 and $4,000 more than cor
responding time 1915.
Cattle.
Cattle and sheep were scarce and the
market held strong.
Light weeks receipts OF $4,000. fol-
lowing a run OF only 1866 the previ-
Gus week, emphasized the shortage Of
marketable beef over the country. and
small run of 143,9Oo at seven western
markets. against 13S,I0O the previous
week and $4,000 a year ago. likewise
gave strong demonstration that else
where than in Chicago territory sup
plies are far under normal for this
season.
Premature midwinter marketing OF
short fed steers brought out by record
prices then established and the climb
ing cost Of corn, has simply created a
scarcity of beef that can not be over
come until grass -fattened stuff Is
available months off Meanwhile mar
ket must continue to rule uneveniy
higher unless the economic conditions
of the country are badly flattened out
by impending war. and as well from
the railway strike situation now fac
ing the crisis. 4a
Whether decent-sized run OF cattle
is to be had at the outset this week
will depend wholly upon railway con-
ditions. - zs
Forecasting immediate future events
is dangerous policy. The market can
go either down or still higher, de-
pending upon condition of demand.
Eastern shippers are completely
blocked out owing to embargoes on all
eastern railroads. Local demand ne
cessarlly viii be light while rail-
strike lasts. since 6seef can not be
moved with regularity.
Trade belief is that II a general
strike Is called there will soon be at
least a fair percentage of normal traf-
ic, since II Is probable that many OF
the trainmen will not follow the orders
OF their unions and quit their posts.
Coolers will soon become bare If a
series Of meager supplies is had at
market centers during strike period.
and once conditions are normal great
breadth Of beef demand vii! have to be
filed.
Sheep.
Sheep and lambs were in moderate
supply and prices ruled firm.
Conditions are decidedly favorable
for an upturning trade. The fear OF a
strike was doubtless largely response
bic for elevatiag the lamb top at Buff
falo Saturday TO 1915. a new record
but the fact remains that dressed trade
conditions are better than q wee. ag2
and that demand for handy weight
lambs for Easter IS due to develop
the latter half Of this week. Colorado
feed lots, while not depleted, have been
so heavily drawn on already that the
marketward movement during the mex:
sixty days is reasonably sure to be
light and we'll distributed. No one In
the trade believes that the high spot