The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-29
Morning Grain Gossip.

a majority OF the grain traders, particular
ly those who are interested In corn. They
is time for break Of and 10 cents on
top of the recent decline. The corn trade
is confronted with a somewhat larger
movement, dependent upon ability of the
railroads to furnish cars and motive power
and upon weather conditions Disposition
on the part of the farmers to sell is also
not sold heavily on sharp declines in
values. A readjustment of values is on,
however. and it would be no surprise to see
fair. declines in the next three or four
weeks. Export buying of oats last week
was heavy and largely for France. the ag-
gregate being three million. Local profess
Saturday, when liquidation movement
started. The country sold oats freely on
the bulge and cash premiums declined
sharply. Considering the weakness in corn
net declines of A@11ac for the week on
oats were small. The visible supply is be-
low the average, b9t there is an impression
oats should corn prices be on the decline.
Primary receipts, corn for the season to
date aggregate 3, ,59I 600, and oats; M @ 9o'oos.,
600 bushels. Last year corn, 34,232, 600 and
oats 167, ,203. 600 Exporters were buyers of
cash rye, securing 10000 bushels in the
west. The break In corn, however, caused
a sharp break In the futures and the close
was lower. Cash barley closed lower and
the undertone was weak.
State of Trade.
New York, Dec. 29-Bradstreet's today
says: Holiday trade surprising all prev
ions years, veritable orgy Of buying, 1t rs
reorder business. less than seasonabie quiet
in primary zines where buying for spring
or beyond proceeds despite the stock taking
period. improved production and shipment
of fuel, permitting of enlarged industrial
activity, drop in the food price level, In
the face of marked strength in commodities
as a whole reported mainly due TO the IN
fluence of alleged boycotts of high eggs
hT1%f hrIf " n
prices automatically reducing consumption
and a very low total of year end failures
more than usually busy week. year end
conditions considered. Accompanying these
features We're renewal of reports OF scute
car shortages affecting shipments OF corn
from the country and of lumber from large
producing ceDters quieting down OF stock
speculation previous to the holiday with I
money rates us per cent maxlmum) and
unsettled exchange market conditions con-
tinued liquidation of Liberty and foreign
bonds with rather more streagth in rail
road and Industrial issues due to better
feeling as to the outlook for the trnnsporta-
ton industry, aggressive strength OF crude
iron and steel prices. lower prices for hogs
due to the largest receipts in any week Tor
a year, quieter conditions in some primary
lines such as raw wool and woolens with
no curtailment of strength In prices how
ever and new high quotations made for
freely where offered for spring or beyond.
conspicuous. tho perhaps not important
exception to the generally profitable trade
in holiday goods was the late break down
OF prices for Christmas trees which seem
to have been a subject of marked ,cula-
tive interest at New York and some other
large cities OF trades hitherto reporting
quiet and in some lines weakness notably
hides and leather, it may be said that hides
are even weaker, some large sales being re-
ported by big packers at the west Rela-
lively small supplies of leather available
are credited with being supporting ele-
rnent In this line but quotations are easier
where transactions, largely between dealers
have occurred. There is much talk but not
entire agreement on the question OF shoe
prices which are reported being shaded in
some markets on medium and low grades
but firm on high grades while in others
output is claimed to be all sold ahead as
far as spring and no weakness perceptible.
The close of the year finds much discussion
as to the future of~prices on other lines
but even less of agreement>as TO quotations
going lower Immediately notwithstanding
the efforts Of state and national authori
ties and efforts to inaugurate plans for
lessened or as 1t is termed in some circles,
unnecessary buying. That there paay be
pause in wholesale trade and some weak
ness in price due to yresales, seems not
improbable, but whether this win Dermeate