Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-01
SHARP DROP SHOWN
IN POULTRY PRICES
Many Local Dealers Report
ed Dissatisfied With Thanks
giving Trade.


satisfactory some few, it is stated, hav-
ing actually met with losses. Losses ap-
ply more particularly to poultry dealers,
however, some of the dealers having
been unable to clean up supplies of tur-
keys they had for the Thanksgiving
trade.
But there will be no repetition of
such losses during the approaching
Christmas holiday trade" observed a
merchant, when most supplies probably
will be received on consignment instead
of being bought outright"
Early in the season 1t was realized by
local dealers that the Thanksgiving
market price would drop, and many of
them held back in the matter of order
ing supplies, each waiting to hear from
the other. An important factor in con-
nection with the business, 1t is stated,
involved announcement from managers
of chain stores Of prices at which they
would offer supplies, and when their
announcements were made the prices
were about fixed.
Turkey Price Range.
While 80 cents was the price advanced
by certain chain stores, others continued
to maintain higher price, some hold
ing as high as so cents, while As cents
was the price at which many merchants
offered top quality birds. Others
dropped to IS cents, while some few
turkeys were sold just before the close
of the holiday market at 80 cents.
1t is not definitely known just what
quantities of turkeys merchants had on
hand at the close of the holiday market,
but among the trade 1t was suggested
the carried-over stock totaled approx
mately 300 barrels. Much of this, it was
stated, was poor and thin stock con-
sumers did not want at any price, but
dealers anticipated getting rid of them
without sustaining total losses.
Some Of the best of the leftovers, it
Is stated, found their way to storage
plants to be held for the trade between
now and Christmas and some of them
may be offered during the Christmas
holiday trade. In several instances, ac-
cording to reports, haulers, refusing to
accept low offers. returned their truck
loads OF turkeys to their farms to be
further fed and fattened for the Christ
mas trade.
1t is confidently expected by most
dealers that prices for the Christmas
turkeys will be trifle higher than the
Thanksgiving prices.
But one can never tell about prices"
observed a dealer, there being so many
things to happen which may make a
change in market conditions"
1t was admitted by the merchant
that dealers had no idea a month ago
that prices would drop to a low market
for the season just ended, and many
purchases were made at a fiat price.
Others feared something would hap
pen, it is reported. and refused to &C
cept supplies other than on consign-
ment.
While the Thanksgiving holiday sea-
son Is just about over, said merchant,
it is not too soon to be giving thought
to the Christmas holiday market, which
is just three weeks of. Merchants feel
confident that trading during the
Christmas holiday season will be much
ended, mentioning the outpouring of
Christmas savings as an important fac
tor.
Effect Of Weather.
Lowering of the temperature Friday
night and yesterday resulted in dealers
in the commission house district and
along the farmers line being driven to
cover and caused q partial desertion Of
the farmers line. It was next to i'm
possible to keep vegetables in the open
from freezing, with the result that deal
ers on the farmers line, with no pro-
lection other than an occasional small
fire, took day of.
Most of the commission merchants,
taking time by the forelock, moved
their perishable commodities indoors in
time to prevent losses, few of them,
however, delaying the moving beyond
the appearance of the danger period
Losses, 1t Is stated, were not heavy. 1t
Is feared by dealers that some of the
periShable fruits and vegetables may be
frosted in transit, but such losses, If
any, it is stated, will fall upon the COM
panies transporting the supplies.
Cold weather kept retailers and con-
sumers from the wholesale district
practically all day yesterday, resulting
in very few sales being made. In the
outdoor retail district dealers had
"barkers'' on duty to advise persons
within their hearing that fruits and
vegetables were to be found inside the
stores.
Business in the wholesale district
continued quiet all day yesterday. Com
mission merchants had supplies of
fruits, vegetables and other commodi-
ties in quantities more than equal to
any demands retailers might make at
prices substantially the same as those
which prevailed for the holiday market
trade, as follows:
Butter-One-pound prints, 431a a441a;
tub, 421za43h2; store packed, SoaS2.
Eggs-Hennery, So; fresh selected,
57a58: current receipts, 52a53.
Poultry, alive-Turkeys, young hens,
28a3o; old toms, IS; Spring chickens,
large, 25a26; medium, IS; broilers, 80;
Leghorns, 22a23; fowls, 24a25; ROSTERS,
20; ducks, Isaac. Dressed-Turkeys,
young hens, 36a38; old toms, 80; Spring
chickens, large, 27a26; medium, 26a27;
broilers, 35a38; Leghorns, IS; fowls, 27a
%; ducks, 2Sa3o; ROSTERS, %; capons,
4oa45; keats, 70a80.
Meats-Beef, 20a22: veal, 24a26;
lamb, 24a27; pork loins, 22a25; fresh
hams, 20a22; fresh shoulders, 18a22;
smoked hams, 25a26; smoked shoulders,
1Sa20; bacon, 25a26; lard, in bulk, Is;
in packages, IL.
Live stock-Calves, Is; lamb, 121aa13
Cold weather for the week end also
made dealers at Municipal Fish Mar
ket and those in business in the whole
sale district sit up and take notice. It
was not that the cold would damage
fish, but it was fear Of oysters being
affected by the frosty weather that wor-
ried dealers. Every precaution against
the freezing of the bivalves was taken,
and very few were frozen.
Appearance of cold weather resulted
in increased demands for oysters, deal
ers reported, and Notwithstanding the
fact that oystermen were of on their
Thanksgiving holiday vacation, it was
stated, supplies were received in guam
titles more than enough to meet de-
mands. Dealers continued to sell Sc
lects at $2.50 and standards at S2.25 a
gallon, shell stock selling at a wide
range Of prices.
Close of the weeks business found the
butter and egg market in a firm condi-
ton, the cold weather affecting eggs
which we're unprotected, and continued
cold may result in producers holding
back supplies, which may result In
higher prices.
Butter and Egg Prices.
mThe egg market Is due for q drnr -