Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-16
MARKET SLOW AND LOWER BE-
CAUSE OF CRIPPLED CONDITION
OF SHIPPING FACILITIES.
TRADE SLOW AT PRICES
CENTS UNDER THURSDAY
Cattle offerings Not overplentiful and
Market Turns Steady - No Urgent
Call For Sheep and Lambs-Review
of Market Conditions-Current Quo
tations at Stock Centers.

Chicago, Feb. 16.-Weakness in the
hog market today was ascribed largely
to the crippled condition of shipping
facilities.
Eleven markets received 131, 900 hogs
Thursday, or $1,000 less than last
Thursday, 5000 more than like time
last year and 1920 more than two
years ago. Total thus far this week.
COL 900, or $1,000 more than same pc
Rod last week, 1000 more than like
time last year and $1,000 more than
corresponding four days two years ago
Total for 1917 to date, 5.129,0oo. or 1885,
600 less than same period 1916 and $685.
600 more than corresponding time 1919.
Cattle,
Cattle We're not over plentiful.
The market is in shape for further
breaking. Lent opens next Wednes-
day. and while the traders do not anti
ciDate lenten abstinence as severe
bearish force, it must be reckoned
WITH while as the season advances and
prices for eggs suffer logical decline by
reason of increased receipts at con-
suming centers, substitution of eggs
for beef is bound to have effect in
checking the demand for the latter
product.
For weeks past the shortage OF cars
has been a price sustaining influence.
Were cars enough available the run OF
cattle, and likewise hogs, this week
would nave Deten far heavier than iiis
terialiZed.
Hundreds of feeders want to ship
and can not get cars. This is the re-
port from Iowa and South Dakota and
also is true of Nebraska, which state
has been sending an increased number
of cattle this way in recent weeks TO
take advantage of the fat premiums
prevailing here for heavy beeves, as
against the river markets
Four days rim this week stands 81
200, against 3S,031 week ago and 49,
500 a year ago, while at the seven mar
kets $4,000 cattle have been received,
against 14O, 900 week ago and $4,000
a year ago.
Figuring supply prospects for next
week, the shortage Of cars must be
given consideration. Railroad agents
declare they have week end orders Tor
perhaps twice the number of cars they
can furnish. The extent Of supply de-
Ponds entirely upon cars, but :hould
conditions as to rolling stock availaH
bility improve, the trade Is likely to get
too many offerings to sustain values.
Killers are biding their time to ham,
mer prices and make no endeaVor to
conceal a keen desire to level values
sharply lower once the opportunity is
presented. That they can break the
choice weighty steers severely Is. how
ever. not believed on the selling side.
Sheep.
There was no urgent call tor sheep
or lambs.
The Blanchard and Columbus Can
ming Company's western lamb offerings
were the best here and city butcher
offered s1490 for one deck, but at that
time the seller wanted SIS. Previous
to today no westerns sold above Sl4.So,
altho Colorados and natives have pass
ed that price. Other westerns to
packer reached s14.S0, while shippers
took several loads at SASS and few
others made s14.50@14.60. one 'trins
| at s14.4O was identical with others yes
terday at that price. Some which
made s14.S5 yesterday were unable to
repeat. The Latta fall shorn westerns
landed steady at $685. and averaged
two pounds heavier. Feeders went at
! sl3.50m14.
Chicago Live Stock.
Chicago, Feb. observation-disclosures