Omaha daily bee., 1891-10-04
The CONDITION OF TRADE.
Some Little Improvement Noted in Local
Business Circles.
PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE BRIGHT.
Omaha's Jobbing Trade Continues in
q Most Satisfactory Condition
In All Lincs-Moncy Will
be Plenty.

Business in a general way is commencing to
pick up, although the past week has not been
entirely favorable for the advancement of
trade by reason Of the few days Of extremely
unpleasant and stormy weather. The local
trade shows more life and dealers themselves
appear to be more confident In the future.
The iobbing trade Of the city is good
and most houses are kept pretty
busy in filling out orders. The out
look could hardly be brighter than it
is at the present time. Crops in all the terri
tory tributary to Omaha are abundant and
money must become plenty as they are mar
keted.
Local dry goods iobbers report liberal
orders OF all seasonable goods, and that the
retail dealers without excep ion are prepar-
ing for an active winters trade.
In New York tho Bulletin remarks that
there has been an Irregular business in
staple cottons during the week under review.
The transaction Of buyers on the spot have
been very moderate throughout, but in
some quarters business accruing through
orders by mail and wire Is reported to have
reached very fair dimensions, while others
again have found buyers Indifferent. In TIE
aggregate the trade has shows "a falling off
from the experience OF late Neeks, and from
reports coming to hand from the west and
northwest, TINS Is IN no inconsiderable de-
gree attributable to the prolonged spell
of warm weather checking business
generally. With a change to more
seasonable conditions agents look for some
Improvement and expect the demand TO be
better sustained during the closing months
of the year than usual. Stocks of brown,
bleached and colored cottons are in good
shape generally, with some makes so well
situated that further slight advances in
prices have been made. The demand for fall
prints has slackened materially, put still or
ders during the week reached a fair total, and
with most lines sold far ahead prices are
firm except in an occasional instance where
styles have altogether missed buyers tastes.
The print cloth situation has been simpliied
by the manufacturers decision to postpone
action on the wages question, which is read
here to mean the abandonment of any inten-
tion to reduce wages. There was an exception
ally good demand for cloths during the week,
and stocks at Fall River and Providence have
been reduced to Az, 600 pieces. Business in
ginghams and fine woven wash fabrics for
spring has broadened. considerably. but in
the absence OF any general display of stand
ards, is still much below nominal dimensions.
For fall wear, stocks of standard dress ging-
hams are well nigh run out in most makes,
but fine dress styles are scarcely in as good
shape. The iobbing trade has also shown
effects OF the weather, while large local re-
tailers report an unsatisfactory week. Cur
rent reports from other distributing centers
are quieter than Of late, but none the less
hopeful with regard to future prospects.
In local grocery circles there is not much of
general interest to report. The volume of
t:ade is good and conditions generally very
satisfactory.
In New York distributors have been COM
planning somewhat of reduced trade the past
week, but speak with confidence of an early
return OF custom, and asrsoon as that is felt
1t is expected a call will be made upon bulk
parcels for a general renewal of as
sentiments. Cost of all leading sup
plies remain reasonable and in some
Instances there appears a tendency toward
rather lower level, if anything. For Brazil
grades of coffee the feeling of uncertainty
continues, and operators generally are given
TO much caution in all negotiations. 1t is
Iontended still that localities drawing upon
rIew York either directly or Indirectly
are at present carrying comparatively mod
crate supplies, and while recent arrivals may
fill some OF the iT Immediate necessities, buy
ers are really waiting for a chance to come
in upon an apparent safe basis. Two or
three times lately it has looked as though
trade was about ready to improve, but a flop
on price developing, knocked the promising
features and upset apparently propitious
negotiations.
Omaha hardware jobbers are receiving a
very fair share Of trade and look for consid-
erable Improvement when the corn crop com
mences to move freely.
In New York q pretty good business is
doing and reports in most cases have cheer
full form. About all seasonaole lines of stock
are now meeting with attention and the out
let is gradually broadening as the various
DEPENDENT localities are opening up demand
pretty we'll on time. Some difficulties are
found in the way OF collections, but rarely
any serious trouble, add it is believed the re
turns on the c:ops will first settle consumers
wants and in turn permit dealers to cancel
their Indebtedness. A good export trade is
doing and there seems 10 be much confidence
that it will gradually increase. Nails lack
general animation. Wire stock does fairly
well, including quite a deal on export orders,
but grumbling lou2 and deep may be heard
over cut, with no reform in condition of trade
at present suggested.
Ono of tho most important features In local
business circles last week was the opening
OF the Omaha grain market. Heretofore
business has been done privately in the diff
ferent offices of the grain dealers but the
opening of the board is bringing tho ope-
rators together and establishing a market.
The Omaha grain inspection is giving gen
eral satisfaction, both buyers and sellers
looking upon it as being very fair and just to
NIL parties. There are buyers here who will
take all offerings of grain in any quantity
from one to one hundred cars.