Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-06
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
Local Jobbers Generally Report Very Fair
Business Doing.
COUNTRY COLLECTIONS NONE TOO GOOD
Winter Goods Going Into Consump-
ton More Rapidly Thnn Year
Ago-south OmRha's Un-
usually Busy week.

From the jobbers standpoint business Is
progressing hcalthfully. Collections are
steadily improving, which means that the
retail merchants are selling more goods
for cash, but there is plenty of room for
still further Improvement along that line
Money Is becoming a little more plentiful
In the country owing to the forwarding
to market OF fat stock. The cold weather
has greatly Increased the demand for all
kinds of seasonabe goods in the country
and merchants without exception report a
large trade in such lines as caps, gloves
and mittcns, boots, rubbers and arctics,
underwear and heavy clothing OF all kinds
Business in these lines Is much better than
a year ago at this time, largely as a re-
suit of the severe weather which has ar
rived at an earlier date this year than
usual.
While there is no boom in business, local
jobbcrs express themselves very well
pleased with the Improvement that has
taken place within the past thirty days,
and no one appears to be disposed to find
any fault with present conditions.
In the line of hardware there is much
healthier feeling discernipie, AID the vol
umc of business doing is very fair for the
season. Extensive improvements or build
ing operations of any Importance are not
to be expected at this time. or until after
there has been more complete revival
of all other industries, so that 1t Is GER
tainly encouraging to be able to report
very satisfactory movement OF goods com
ing under the head of hardware. The
breaking up of the pool controlling the
price of nails and the consequent drop
in the market has had a beneficial effect
upon the sales. Some idea of the influence
exerted by the pool may be gained from
the fact that thirty days ago the price
of nails was $l.5O per keg higher than at
the present time.
GROCERIES AND DRY GOODS.
The grocers all report very good busi-
ness doing in all sections of tributary ter
rltory, but more especially in some of the
western states.
At most jobbing points, especially in the
east, the reports are that the dry goods
trary that 1t is decidedly Gul. In many
localities this Is ascribcd to the condition
of the weather. AT this point. however,
demand for heavy goods has been stimu-
lated to an extent that has rendered the
total volume of business doing Of very fair
proportions
In the line of boots and shoes a good
deal of activity has been manifested All
local jobbers reported most excellent
trade for November, while the present
month has opened under most favorable
very light, and the early arrival of cold
and stormy weather created an urgent
demand for heavy goods. Overshoes and
lined boots and felt goods of all kinds have
The jobbers of rubber goods especially
have been enjoying n very active trade
selling goods. but of securing the goods tC
sell. a few weeks ago 1t was impossibl,
look at rubbers. The retailers seemed tC
think that the hot and dry weather was
feel like taking too much risk in the mat
ter. The consequence that the mill!
were without orders and stocks were al
lowed to remain at the low water mark
The coming of cold weather found stocks II
all sections of the country depleted, ant
to secure goods The big factories in tn,
east are running, fun force and straninl
still some people may have to do withou
rubbers for a time.
SOUTH OMAHA DOES WELL.
The past week has witnessed great ac
tlvlty in the stock market at south Omaha
consequent upon the largely increased re
celpts. No great gain had been. anticipated
in the volume of stock coming forward th
month. so that the sudden increase in thu
run was something in the nature of a sur
prepared to take care of everything received
and the receipts; large as they were, wer'
all absorbed on the day of arrival
South Omaha have been much too small al
the time and the packers have been forcet
TO supply the demand for meat products
Such an increase as the past week wit
could be maintained right along.
COUNTRY PRODUCE.
The market on country, produce has beer
review As usual, immediately after
holiday, the demand for poultry ha
Deen very small ana tnbt or IL
self removes good deal of trad
from the market. The egg market has beer
very firm and fresh stock scarce at an!
price. The butter market has been stronl
and the last of the week the creamerie
notified their patrons in the city that the!
would advance the price Immediately to
point which will make good creamery but
ter cost the consumer 20 to 2S cents pc
pound. Such an advance seldom fails to re
duce the consumption, and retail dealer
look upon the move as a most unwise one
as II drives consumers to the use of cheape
grades OF dairy butter or to butterine. t.
the great detriment of the creameries ant
the dealers In fancy creamery goods. 1t 1
pointed out that feed is very cheap an,
labor low, so that the cost Of producing
creamery butter can not be very much II
excess OF what II was a month or two ago