Omaha daily bee., 1894-03-25
Trade of the Week Fictle and Fluctuating-
Politics and Iiuslnesa. =

Trade of the Week Flckie and Fluctuating-
Politics and business.
Mr.. w. H.. Robertson, Omaha manager Of
the mercantile agency of II. G. Dun & Co.,
speaking Of trade in Omaha, says:
Trade this week in general has been a
good deal like the weather, tickle and
fuctuating. Groceries, hardware and dry
goods report an excellent trade, furniture
not so good, boots and shoes fair for a part
of the week and good the remaining portion
of the week. Crockery. liquors, leather and
drugs nothing to boast of. Commission
houses have had a precarious week of 1t
owing to the extreme changes of the weather.
The country at large appears to have fallen
back a little and a degree Of uncertainty
as to the future is again noted at most
financial %centers, Omaha included among the
rest. The impression is gaining ground that
the latest proposed tariff legislation will be
enacted and this has had an effect upon
stocks and business generally not to the
advantage of trade. 1t is conceded that when
the bill is enacted, whether in its present
shape or with notifications, IL 1t is enacted.
that the country will Immediately adjust
itself to the conditions which 1t is thought
the bill will bring about. One thing or the
other is what the commercial world Is pray
ing for, but as 1t is not likely that the
legislation will be completed before July /,
the feeling among business men is quite
general that no sharp turn toward recovery
may be expected until that time.
Politics have too much to do with business
in this country. Every four years a presi-
Dental election paraly2es trade and the
conditions are such that, unfortunate as 1t
may be, everybody is more or less
affected by the legislation Of the
national government. AS the proposed new
law will not go into effect Immediately
after it is passed it is quite probable that
the recovery for which we all hope
may be delayed until late in the fall.
Nevertheless, locally the state and the city
are in good shape. The blizzard OF this
week was a surprise and will cause some
losses to cattlemen and probably damage
fruit in certain localities Of the state, but
the heavy fall Of snow in the semi-arid Sec
tion will probably assure us a good crop
of spring wheat, and will leave the ground
in excellent condition for spring work OF
all kinds. Retail business in the city shows
some Improvement as the spring advances.
On the warm days of the present week shop
ping has been quite active and the working
people who have been in enforced idleness
during the severe weather have been able
to earn wages and sDent IT,
1.-The notable event Of the week was the
irrigation convention, This was a most in
teresting, and 1t Is to be hoped, profitable
gathering Of the representative men of the
vast region TO the west of us, which de-
ponds for its future upon the proper de-
VelOpment and use Of its water courses.
In this country 1t takes a great deal of pre-
liminary talk to create a sentiment which
shall finally crystali2e into legislation or
actual investment. This Irrigation conyen-
tion and this irrigation agitation has been in
progress now about six years. but the ma
tional government, which must ultimately
take immediate control Of the great irriga-
tion problem, has not yet been aroused to its
full duty. This city is immensely inter-
ested in the development of the arid and
semi-arld region, 1t was. therefore. in ac-
cord with the fitness Of things that the con-
yention should be held in Omaha.
The next and perhaps the greater meeting
of the week was that at which subscriptions
were made 10 the canal enterprise, TO men
who are most deeply Interested In the future
OF this city II must have been an inspiration
TO see a small body Of citizens like that
gathered at the Commercial club on Tuesday
night cheerfully and promptly subscribe
nearly or quite 500, 900 10 begin this im-
pnrtant undertaking. ! take 1t for granted
that the scientific engineers who have passed
upon the feasibility Of this scheme are thor
oughly competent for the duties that were
imposed upon them ana that the people Of
Omaha have a right to rely upon the reogs-