The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-04-12
live STOCK MARKET
IS SHOT TO PIECES;
PRICES SLIDE DOWN
BY WILLIAM r. SANBORN

Western live stock markets were
all shot to pieces on account of the
switch and yardmen's strike last
week, and this was especially true at
Chicago, where the strike originated,
later spreading to various other cens
tiers. The Chicago strike has been
in effect for two weeks now, and the
hope of combining it to that city, held
during the first few days, proved fall
lacious.
One would naturally suppose that
very light receipts would stimulate
prices, and did until the strike caused
eastern outlet embargoes. The sim
pie fact that the Armours bought no
hogs in Chicago during the entire
week throws sidelight on the situa-
tion. The coolers supplied the home
market and as there was little chance
for outside shipment the Armour
house killed the leftover stock in
their own pens and their own small
daily direct shipments, and let it go
at that
Sold on Declining Scale
This explains why the few hogs re-
ceived at Chicago and other western
packing points were sold on a declin-
ing scale-lack of transportation for
the product. Hogs slid down % cents
at Chicago on Saturday, with receipts
CT 5000 head, the largest of the week
and of these $500 were billed direct to
Swift from Omaho, leaving but COM
parative handful for dozen other
packers.
Shippers were entirely out of the
market during tfa week. Not sin
gle sheep or lamb was on the Chica-
go general market on Saturday, all
that came in being shipped direct to
Swift & Co. and one other packer.
The days average at Chicago on
hogs. $14.40, was the lowest in two
m/nths, and the weeks average price
at S1450 was 70 cents below that of
the previous week which was $500.
The average price just year ago
was 5000 and in the same week in
1918, $3.50. Chicago had top of
$15.75 on Friday for light butchers,
the best of which sold at S15.25 on
Saturday. This was just $3.50 below
the Tuesday high. The western coun-
try has been advised to stop shipping
live stock.
Hogs at Omaha.
Omaha was demOraliZed on Satur-
day, the range being from S14 for the
early top to $11 at the very bottom,
very few going at either extreme, the
bulk selling around $3.50. Omaha re-
ceived nearly four times as many hogs
and cattle IS cid Chicago last week,
and five times as many sheep.
The eastern markets all advanced
literally last week, owing to shortage
in supplies Pittsburg had top of
$40 on hogs last Friday and of $1d25
on Saturday. the latter price being up
s115 from the previous Saturday.
The losses for the week in the west,
however, more than offset the eastern
gains, the tops on Saturday showing
losses Of $1.75 at Kansas City; $3.50
at Omaha and Sioux City, and 81 per
hundred weight at St. Paul.
Nothing Doing at Indianapolis
There was no trading in hogs at In
dianapolis on Saturday, not that there
were no arrivals for about 5000 head
anne in by rail and truck, previous to
the announcement of an embargo by
the roads. But there was no trading.
owners and agents deciding to hold
their stock over rather than to take
the cut prices offered by killers, and
shippers were. of course entirely out
of the market, for they couldn't ship
= to any point on the map.
Heavy hogs sold as high as S16 25
good mixed mediums up to S16.75; and
fancy light butchers up to ST on Fri
day, from which prices shippers were
offered a drastic cut on Saturday. Our
regular market page tells the story OF
today's markets, and our news col,
umns will inform as to the strike out
look at the time of going to press.
Car Lot Oats Strike S1.o6.
The speculative fever has finally ad
vanced No. oats to S1.06 on track
at Chicago. and No, 4 mixed corr tC
$165 per bushel. The May option has
been steadily climbing on both corn
and oats, corn having sold at over
S168 and oats over 95 cents on Sat
urday, for next months delivery.
The grain corporation contracts with
milers expire on July IS, and it is
thought that trading in wheat futures
may not begin until that time, though
it is possible that the bars will be
let down on July I.
hi,.o,.. C.1l