Omaha daily bee., 1895-08-04
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
Some Lines Of Goods Moving in a Jobbing
Way.
COUNTRY COLLECTIONS CONTINUE SLOW
vnIue of Merchandise on the side OF
Eirmer Priccs-Snics IN Some
Lines show Gains over
Last Year.

Last Year.
While showing no general improvement
there are evidences of a more promising
character TO be found in the local wholesale
market. The cheering features develop
in various ways, but the most noteworthy
are those which embody an increasing con-
fidence In the future Of business, owing to
the absence of any serious crop damage,
and the placing of a larger number of or
ders for goods than a year ago. 1t has
been found during the week that a great
many dealers at points in the interior of
the state, who have been extremely indiffer-
ent. are commencing to show interest sufi-
Client to induce them to seek Information as
to the values on merchandise and the
variety and style Of goods on the market.
At the Same time a great deal of caution is
being manifested both on the part of buyer
and seIer, and there is little chance of an
abatement of this feature of the trade un-
til the corn crop OF the state has matured,
or, at least, until II Is past all danger of
damage, While the fact that the crop has
reached he present stage of its growth
without serious mishap Is sufficient to en-
courage merchants, 1t is not equal to, the
complete restoration of confidence ana no
one is inclined to buy. any very large stock
of goods, nor do jobbers seem inclined to
push sales as hard as they might,
a very encouraging feature of the week
is the decided Improvement in general trade
conditions that have been heralded from
all directions. The commercial, Industrial
and agricultural interests of the country
appear to be enthused by the encouraging
prospects that are before them. The army
of the unemployed Is becoming daily re-
duced la numbers. A bustling activity that
has not been present IN years is reported
In most all sections of the country and
capital and labor are harmonizlng their diff
ferences and working. In greater unison than
great announcement to the business men
In this section. as 1t bespeaks prosperity
for Nebraska and an active business so
failure Is effected.
Farmers have had their time fully occu-
pied by the harvesting Of small grain and
the retail trade in most all sections of the
ste < suffered In consequence during the
past week. one Of the results of the small
arcc of the slow collections that have pre-
vailed for some time past. The marketing
Some me rs sihd" IN sr tbe m rroP rs Of eFp peIleci ions o0 wI Inf
whether the effect will be sufficiently pro-
nounced to be OF permanent benefit remains
to be seen.
DULL SEASON IN DRY GOODS.
1t Is a little early in the season to expect
much. of the dry goods trade. Local job
and placing them In shape and getting the
men out on the road with samples of the
new fall and winter goods. Owing to the
hesitancy on the part of merchants to place
orders until the outcome of the crop is
better known, jobbers have not been in so
much of o hurry to start their men out
and trade ia the dry goods line Is rather
quiet and devoid of any very interesting
August opens with the dry goods market
IN a very strong position for plain goods,
reports indicating a generally oversold con-
dillon in both brown and bleached makes.
Coarse colored goods are hardly as well
situated, but still leading lines are firm.
Printed cotton fabrics are very firm.
WOODEN and worsted goods remain at
about steady prices.
Wool blankets are held at flrmer prices
than n week ago. While prices on many
li5es of manufactured goods have been ad-
the raw materials more than makes up for
the Increased price of the finished product.
In other words. If the manufacturer I'D
chased at the former low prices they would
at present prices be manufacturing goods
at n loss.
FEW CHANGES IN GROCERIES.
Trade during the past week in the gro
Gerry line has shown slight improvement
over what 1t was two weeks ago, but it
does not come up to what jobbers would
AS to the market, there have been very
few changes and none of very much i'm
Some lines of farinaceous goods are a
triile easier, particularly oatmeal.
Cheese has experienced a slight. decline.
Evaporated apricots are quoted higher
on account Of the light crop.
The market on prunes Is in a stronger
position than n week ago. The French crop
Is very light and French prunes have lately
beer, purchased in this country for export
W nv IllNs lpStlHtI II the DIOS-
pect that the California crop will not be
large. has created more interest in this line
of dried fruit.
HARDWARE TRADE FAIR.
The hardware trade of the week past has
been of a fairly satisfactory character,
though there have been no new develop
ments IN the general situation. More or
less trading Is going on ali the while in
seasonable and staple lines of goods. moth
t bSsin wsty IS fpIs arseT f absn yet ve ese a NS1uw so@ of
houses report their present business as
being fully % per cent larger than a year
The market is holding its own end APP
parently acquiring a little more strength all
the time. Occasional advances are to be
Nails continue to attract a good deal Of at
tentlon and are In good demand. The
under good control. and an advance of 10
cents was recorded during the week.
Rope mas advanced u cents in the course of
Tun ROOT AND SHOE TRADE.
The past week has been rather devoid of
Interesting features; In a general way
somewhat routine character. In the east
the factories, many of which have been
nna0yeo rc sSMm 'S oper rat nsui but 5q fGr the n moEt
part with only a few orders In hand.
COAL WILL BE CHEAP.
Some little time ago mention was made
seems to favor the belief that anthracite
coal would be cheaper this season than last.
NOW tnat the season IS lar advanced there
is little room for doubt as to the correct
ness of this prediction. Supplies of coal
at eastern points of production are very
large and the market in a thoroughly de
moralized condition. From the producers
point of view the market has not been so
unfavorable in a great while as 1t is at
the present moment.
Omaha coal dealers have been enabled to
lay in their stocks at a lower figure than
last season. Last year the impossibillty of
holding up prices In the face of the large
competition was demonstrated TO the fun
satisfaction of local coal dealers and this
year there appears to be a disposition
among the members of the trade in Omaha
to put prices down to the lowest point, to,
commence with, that the state of the mar
ket will bear.
WITH THE LOCAL RETAIL TRADE.
Wall Paper Men Interested in the