The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-04
GROCERIES,


GROCERIES,
This large and important branch of Savan-
nah's commerce seems to have been holding its
own fairly well during the past year. An impe-
tus bad been given the trade by the large crop
OF cotton which had been marketed at fair
price the previous season.
Last year the season opened with a bright
prospect for a great crop, but subsequent
events proved that It was rather a detriment to
a satisfactory business. Only that the trade
rests upon the frmeSt possible foundation In
point of good credit and ample capital il would
have been very seriously impaired.
or course Savannah did very heavy business
in this line during the year-in fact larger than
1t ever enjoyed in its history. Still, as a whole
1t was not satisfactory. This was due in great
measure TO the twin causes of over-product ion
IN the cotton and lumber trades and consequent
low prices AS both OF these interests are so
closely allied with the trade it was natural that
any depression in either would have its effect
upon groceries and provisions
Added to the above causes for depression we're
the nnanclaI disturbances and the StringencY in
money, running throughout the greater part of
the year That has also operated to retard
collections and in way that was to the last
degree unsatisfactory. and go imperiled credit
as to cause jobbers to exercise great caution in
all transactions and almost render necessary an
entirely new basis of credit.
That the country merchants did not make
money goes without saying. Indeed, q great
many of them have had to be carried over, and
expect to close out last seasons accounts from
the proceeds of this years crop.
The increase, however, in the total volume of
the year business in the general grocery trade
was probably 10 to is per cent. Some of our
large houses made money Notwithstanding the
many obstacles presented during the year
Ihey did 1t by extending their territory and
hnding greater outlet for their stock in
trade.
1t was demonstrated last season that Savan-
nah firms with the world as field were able
to compete Tor business anywhere AS n re-
cd in
Gus contracts for several months ahead in the
northern market, especially in the line of
canned goods.
In this connection the business has made
quite an acquisition in the Oemler Oyster Com
pany, which has just completed plant on
wilmington Island with a capacity for
packing 100000 to 100000 cans Of
oysters per year. These goods will
find their way over great expanse of territory
even as far as the Pacific coast; in fact. orders
have been booked for the next seasons pro
duction The canned goods trade, which has
come to be one OF the leading features of the
grocery business. was very satisfactory.
especially to those having heavy stocks in the
early part of the season, as prices then ruled
higher than Tor the past ten years. In point of
fact about all stocks were SO well cleaned up as to
cause considerable scarcity. This was owing TO
the failure Of crops the previous summer.
The coming season, however, is not looked
forward TO with such bright prospects as its
predecessors. Some goods are lower than
they ever have been. Among these are in
cluded peaches beans. etc. owing to the heavy
crops this summer. Some goods, it is said. are
below the cost OF production, which is due
to the same causes which affect cotton
Over-prod is the trouble. But the chances
OF an ADVANCE ore more In favor Of canned
goods than cotton, by reason of steady and
healthy consumption. By their cheapness their
use is encouraged as a substitute for other ar
ticles OF food which may appear higher to the
economical housekeeper At all events they
are cheaper than ever before, even in the
q n N a c,.It
of the tariff.
The movement of flour was not increased To
any appreciable extent. Still there was steady
and healthy business doing.
The increase in the sales and consumption of
sugar has been very heavy. Fully 50 per cent
of this was due to the Mckinley BILL which, of
course, cheapened this necessary article to the
extent Of about S315 per cent.
In cofees the high prices restricted consump-
ton. Substitutes were resorted to.
The tobacco and cigar trade has grown
largely with the grocery business and is now
one Of its necessary adjuncts The importa-
ton of fine goods has been very heavy and
dealers in these articles have not confined
themselves to the territory adjoining but have
of the union.
The liquor business has also been quite steady
and increased fully Is per cent.
In other miscellaneous goods there has been a
healthy movement throughout the year and
although dealers have had to cope with keen
competition they have managed to meet all
cuts or prices wherever found. and have sue
cegded IN holding Their own all along the line
The trade has had little to complain of from
the transportation companies during last year
as pretty much all the railroad lines have en-
deavored TO meet the requirements of shippers
The wharfage question, however seams 10
cause considerable annoyance to the trade and
great many dealers complain that at times IL
becomes SO onerous as to literally constitute an
embargo on business, particularly where the
trade has TO meet the close competition of the
large northern and western business centers
While the rate of wharfage is not so great on
bulk goods 1t is very heavy on the lighter
articles ana fancy goods necessarily handled in
the course OF business. Frequently the proper
ton OF wharfage amounts to fully % per cent
OF the freight charges, while the average on all
goods Will reach 20 per cent. of the
freight. Jobbers generally claim that the
charge for wharfage is, strictly speaking, an
imposition on the merchants of this port, as
such charge. they alege, is not made in any
other port OF this importance in this country,
and that through freights to interior towns 8
not subjected TO any such charge on goods pur-
chased north.
twas thought that the opening up of new
territory by the new lines of railroad would add
materially to the trade, and while it has in a
measure realized these expectations some
dealers have had cause TO regret covering the
I territory too well.
HIDES.
In the early opening of the season there was
every reason TO believe that the hide and leather
market would improve, and that prices would
ADVANCE, which they did, but the advance was
only temporary, as the panic last fall COM
pletely upset matters and caused several heavy
failures In the trade in the eastern markets all
OF which naturally caused severe depression
and prices to recede, until at last the lowest
prices known 10 many years were reached. The
receipts OF hides continue steadily to fall of
at this port as well as at the interior towns.
The cause Is mainly the competition of the
western dressed beef companies, which have
about driven the native article from the mar
ket, and there is less Strengthening of Georgia
and Florida cattle in consequence. There were
shipped from this port 1874 bales of hides.
moving as follows: To Baltimore 2703 bales,
to Boston 1896 bales, to New York 1870 bales,
and to Philadelphia 159 bales.
WOOL.
There is not much TO be said about the wool
business, as 1t was altogether unsatisfactory to
most OF those connected with the trade except
the sheep farmers, About the usual clip of
l,2OO,OC0 pounds was rapidly marketed and
those who were early in their shipments got
the best prices for their product, while others
who waited for the market to advance were
disappointed, as the best prices paid during the
season were paid at its opening early in NAV.
The purchasers of wool OF this market made no
money, owing TO the strong combination north
and east, which was aided by the stringencv of
the money market. The Mckinley bill had the
effect of keeping foreign woods out of the
market to some extent, but this
was OF very little assistance TO
the domestic markets owing to the unsettled
financial conditions and consequent depression
In the New England market, ana also from the
fact that large eastern mills had loaded IN the
previous season in anticipation of the passage