Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-30
PRICES BREAK SHARPLY ON
NEWS THAT SWlTCHMEN ARE
BACK AT WORK.
NORMAL CONDITIONS
IN RAILROAD YARDS
Cattle Quotations Upheld by Scarcity
Of Arrivals-Sheep Receipts Moder-
ate and Values Are Maintained-Re-
view of Market Conditions-Current
Prices at Stock Centers.

Chicago, July 30.-Hog prices broke
sharply today as result of return
| to normal conditions in the railroad
switching yards here.
The weeks receipts at 100000 were
second smallest since September, 1916,
being 1880 below previous week and
| 1900 smaller than corresponding week
a year ago. General quality this week
was better than previous week and
good for this season of the year.
AS we'll as receipts being SO small,
shipments from Chicago last week at
$500 were smallest in nearly a year.
Notwithstanding the lack of shipping
competition the market advanced 55G
80 cents compared with previous Sat
urday. The top stood 10 cents higher
and the average so cents higher than
previous Saturday.
While the hog market advanced so
sharply last week, pigs closed little diff
ferent than a week ago, but earlier in
the month pigs advanced so cents to
s1.0O, while the general hog list OF
prices showed little or no change.
The estimated average weight OF
hogs last week at 232 pounds was same
as the two previous weeks, being heav-
lest since last August. This weeks
general average price at $3.50 was
highest since third week Of last month,
standing 1886 above a year ago and
$s.45 above two years ago.
Eleven markets this week received
IS, 900 fewer hogs than previous week
and Al, 900 more than a year ago. While
receipts for 1917 to date stand 1,540, 900
smaller than a year ago, the total at
1852 900 Is second largest since 1908,
comparing with the corresponding pc
Rod in previous years.
There is considerable speculation re-
garding probable market conditions
this week, with the strike situation the
factor In the trade.
Cattle.
Quotations on cattle were upheld by
the scarcity OF arrivals.
Too many cattle everywhere and bad
dressed beef conditions have been re-
sponsible for the sharp reaction on the
bulk and the palmer the stuff the slow
er the trade. Eastern buyers bought
some offerings on early days, but did
very little at the finish. Packer buy
ers bought with fair freedom the first
half OF tho week, altho they insisted
on concessions after Monday. but after
the close bid indinerently on every
thing available.
Reports Of lack Of rain thru the
northwest and prospects Of q more NJ
beral run of grass cattle within the
next few weeks are having a bearish
influence ON prices. Chicago was not
alone in the decline, AZ elsewhere in
| the west the market Ii in bad shape.
Spread IN prices will get still wider
owing to the prospects Of more grass
stock. Other conditions which enter
into tho present situation are the
scarcity Of packing house labor and the
hot weather, which makes cattle fill
and outs down the dressing per cent
Of all classes.
A let-up in tho run would act as q
tonic for the trade, but from present
indications owners are going to market
their holdings with freedom regardless
Of market conditions In an effort to get
away from high feed bills and dry
weather which II hurting the grass in
many sections.
Despite the severe decline in the gen.
eral price levels, a new record top OF
s1415 was noted on two loads Of IN
ished branded Herefords from Missouri
which averaged 144s pounds while 147S
pound Angus and 1929 pound Herefords
from Illinois reached 314.10, against
s14.05, the former record made the pre-
vious week. =
Sheep.
Sheep offerings were not numerous
and prices were upheld.
Weeks receipts at $500 compared
with 54,1O0 the previous week and g.
6s3 corresponding week year ago.
This weeks run may be unusually light
owing to railroad strike conditions.