Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-03-26
DECLINES At OPENING FAIL TO
HOLD AND MARKET sTEADiEs
At SATURDAYS LEVELS.
RECEIPTS
CAUSE OF DECLINE
Better Demand After opsnins and
Market Receivers - No Urgent Call
For Cattle and Market Turns Weak
Small Demand For Sheep and Lambs
-Review Of Market Conditions.

Chicago, March 26.-Liberal receipts
eased hog prices todaX a little at the
outset, but the effect soon wore Off.
Receipts Of hogs at Chicago for the
week totaled 11o,1 100, the lightest since
last September, a decrease OF $1,000
compared with the same week last year
and 1880 compared with the CORE
spending week two years ago.
Average weight Of hogs at Chicago
for the week was estimated at 2l2
pounds, the heaviest since last October,
five pounds heavier than the previous
week, min pounds lighter tina same
week last year and twenty-five pounds
lighter than corresponding week two
years ago.
Top hogs at Chicago for the week
made a new record of 1925, paid on
Wednesday, against 1910 the .preced-
ing week, 900 a year 6 and 6.9212
two years ago. Average price at 1900
made a new record. standing rs cents
higher than the previous week, $50
higher than a year ago and $40 higher
han two years ago.
Eleven markets received As, 200 hogs
Saturday. making 3S1, 900 for the week,
the lishtest since last September, 1861
900 less than the previous week. $4,000
less than same week last year and
105, 900 less than corresponding week
W. years ago. Total for 1917 TO date
7,777,000, or 1850 600 less than same
period 1916 and Sc, 900 more than cor
responding time 1915.
Cattle.
There was no Urgent call for cattle
and The market weakened.
Scarcity is the keynote of the situa-
ton. The embargo period caused no
accumulation at interior points. fur
nishing additional evidence. if it were
needed, that feedlots have been de-
pleted. A light April run is o the
market horizon, but the fact must be-
recognized that prices have attained a
lofty altitude n further material
gains can not be expected. Spread
widening is probable, owing to scarcity
of long-fed bullocks. the gap between
common killers and prime heavy bull
looks being now close to 800 per
hundred weight.
All things considered. the market
has done a good stunt the past week.
Supply has been light, for which the
embargo On transportation consequent
on the strike threat late last week was
responsible, but the rail movement has
been restored TO normal volume, and
altho the advance early in the week,
which was due solely to temporary
scarcity, has been wiped out, the
market is in no need OF an a%pologist.
Killers are naturally reluctant to &C.
quire much beef at current prices and
the retailer is in similar mood. A
high level OF prices always has meant
a super-sensitive market and there Is
no reason why the rule should be sus-
pended at this juncture. The weeks
local receipts are close to $4,000, only
5000 less than last week. despite the
embargo, and not far from seasonal.
$4,000 having arrived a year ago, while
two years ago only 81, 900 reported.
The seven principal western markets
nave received 119. 900, against 147, 900
last week and 10000 a year ago. so
that. while supply is below normal, no
famine condition exists.
Sheep.
Sheep and lambs were not in great
demand and the market was weak all
day.
The trade this week has set a string
OF new high price records for the
future to shoot at. On the high flying
Thursday session Colorado Mexican
and fed western lambs sold up to 1885.
while a large slice of the weeks sup
ply OF good choice wooded lambs sold
up to 15.00@16.25. with some Of the
best 90-pound fed western and Cole-
landing within this range as
well as the more desired handy
weights. Colorado and Nebraska were
the leading contributors to the weeks
supply. shipments from local territory,
other than from the big railroad feed
ing stations around Chicago, being so
meager as to furnish conclusive proof
OF the practical depletion Of supplies
in cornbelt feed-lots. while not enough
natives showed up to really test their
value. Tidy weight shorn fed west
ern lambs sold Friday up to 1855, fill
ing a niche in demand for Easter