South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-27


ion is that there will be little land
change hands until after the settle
ment OF March, when IL will be
known how many defaults have oc-
CURED in contracts already made
Merchandising continues TO re-
feet the tremendous buying power
OF the middle west, despite the in
reference dealt by the coal strike
Nevertheless il is impossible to
foresee the effect If industry receives
many more similar blows, because
il Is difficult to understand how
practically all industry and nearl-
all sources OF revenue, corporate
and individual can be curtailed for
any considerable time without great
ly reducing trade. Apparently the
Offset to this influence is the recog-
nized shortage of practically ev-
cry human necessity, which leads
people to believe that no matter
what happens there will still be
eager buyers for all available mer-
chandise during the next few years.
Hog Prices Decline.
The decline In hog prices has hit
the farmer hard, the average price
in November being S1420 at Chi
cago for live hogs. compared with
$40 a year previous, while the
average price for December is con-
siderably lower. The receipts of
cattle at the pi4n,.pdl markets in
the last month showed an increase
of two percent, calves 2S percent
and sheep three percent, while the
average price for cattle is slightly
higher than a year ago. The aver
age price for sheep and lambs is
slightly lower.
The heavy movement Of cattle
from the drought sections Of Mon
tana, Wyoming and Kansas towards
the southwest for grazing grounds.
which are in good condition, has re-
suited in considerable paper being
offered by cattle loan companies OPP
Grating in this market. but not in
excessive quantities.
Crops in northern Illinois. Nichi-
gan. Wisconsin and Iowa are going
into the winter I'm good condition.
the blanket OF snow furnishing pro-
lection against extreme cold wealth.
ct. In northern Indiana the snow
IS not so prevalent and more wiz be
necessary to protect the wheat from
freezing Most of the corn crop is
husked and in the crib.
Heavy lumber Demands.
There continues 10 be q good de-
mand for lumber all through the
middle west, II being double that Of
1915 in the Chicago district alone
Lumber has experienced a marked
advance in the last few weeks in a
wholesale way but dealers report
that the higher prices have not de-
terred the consumers from buying.
The coal strike which adversely
affected the iron and steel industry
by making il impossible 20 accu-
muIate any surplus pig iron. has
worked q great inconvenience to
manufacturers and machinists.
Grain and milling concerns have
been taking a considerable amount
az money lately owing 20 the high
price of their commodity and also
a request OF the grain corporation
that miners requisition a lot OF
grain which the corporation had in
storage. The lifting OF the embargo
against Canadian grain is not ex-
pected 10 affect the milling situa-
tiou here 70 any material extent.
Bank exchanges az the Chicago
clearing house for the first is days
OF December aggregate St,699,661,-
600. an increase of S336.Se3. 600.
compared with a year ago. while
exchanges az 90 OF the leading clear
ing houses in the seventh federal