Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-05
WHOLESALE COST DOWN FROM
$40 5 CENTS DURING MONTH !.
JUST CLOSED.
LOSSES SUSTAINED BY
PRODUCERS AND PACKERS
Review of Market Conditions of the
Month by American Packers-Hiah
Corn Affects Pork Production
Frozen New Zealand Lamb Low
ers Price Of Native Product.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Chicago. June 5.-American meat
packers. in reviewing the meat stu
alton of the country, point out that
wholesale prices Of beef, continuing
their decline during lay, decreased
from 3 to cents a pound and. at
the. end Of the month, were not far
from the level prevailing when the
United States entered the war three
years ago. Livestock producers are
losing money on their cattle. and
many packers report losses on beef.
At the beginning Of May the pro-
spect indicated that the conditions
arising from the railroad strike would
be restored to normal, with a fair
trade and satisfactory prices. But
accumulations resulting during the
strike exerted a depressing influence
on prices practically thruout May.
Other depressing factors were i'm
portations of New Zealand lamb,
shipped here by the British govern
ment, the existence in second hands,
OF beef bought from the government.
and an oversupply OF dressed beef
in eastern markets.
These circumstances. coupled with
declining values for hides and fats,
were reflected in lower prices for cat
tie. Receipts were fairly large and
the cattle were unusually heavy,
with the result that the supply OF
beef has been quite large relative to
demand. Wholesale beef prices fur
nish an interesting contrast to the
price trend in many other commodi-
ties.
Popular demand for the choice cuts
of beef still results In AN unusually
large differential between the price
of meat from forequarters Cess exi
pensive) and meat from headquarters.
This spread" has narrowed slightly
but nevertheless remains abnormal.
The Pork Situation.
An improvement in the foreign ex-
change situation at many continental
points resulted in more export trade
to the continent than has been the
case for several months, Inquiries
ran more to meats than to lard.
There were no very large orders.
and the Improvement Is slight; but
the outlook for export trade to the
continent is certainly better.
Opinions concerning the prospect
OF exports to the United Kingdom
are not wholly in agreement. It is
asserted in some quarters that the
British will be out OF. the market
turnout tho summer, except for oc-
casional odd lots. Those holding this
view believe that British stocks will
be adequate until fall. Others assert
that British stocks are sufficient for
only a short period. but that re-
Punishment will be made from stocks
already bought and stored here, and
that the British Will contract for no
important deliveries before Septem-
Der.
The British were practically out OF
the trade during May, with the con-
sequence that the premium on light
hogs-the kind sought by the British
was gradually wiped out.
The present high price Of corn may
result in free marketing of hogs by
the farmers. Present hog prices,
some farmers feel. do not justify the
payment of the high prices demand
ed for corn. Furthermore, the high
price of labor, corn and other feed
also has resulted in a noticeable re-