Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-29
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
Jobbers Report Fair Movement Of Season
able Merchandise
STORM IN THE COUNTRY HINDERS TRADE
Shortage in Havana Leaf Tobacco
Sends values Skywnrd-Clcnr
Havana Cigars VIII lie Scarce
IL the War Continues.

In a general way business during the past
week disclosed the quiet conditions usual to
a week having a holiday in the middle out
OF town customers were in limited atlcnd-
auce and there was generally falling OF
In the volume of business doing in nearly
all lines At the same time the jobbing trade
of the city has been in very fair condition
and the feeling seems to be one OF great en-
couraEcment 1t is not believed by anyone
that the business depression can long con-
tlnuc, but, on the contrary, that there must
be steady improvement until normal con-
ditions are reached once more. The large
crops stil remaining in the state are a
source of confidence, as IL seems impossible
that they can be marketed even at the very
low prices ruling at the present time with
cut causing a very sharp increase in every
line of business.
The retail trade in the city the past week
was fair but not large in the aggregate.
The Intervention of the holiday cut down
the total volume of sales very materially,
and outside of few lines of merchandise,
which are especially in demand at this
season, there was considerable inclination
toward dullness. The trade IN snoes ana
clothing has been very ruod the cola
weather helping both, while the ice and
snow has given speCiai impetus to the
demand for rubber goods. on the other
hand. the general dry goods trade has been
only fair. In the country the storms have
been some dctrimcnt, as tncy have kept the
farmers at home.
At South omaha business has been rather
quiet in the live stock markets. as Is IN
Variaby the rule when there is holiday to
be rcckoncd with. Shippers are afraid to
take chances by shipping in stock when
there Is n holiday near at hand, Knowing
that the market Is subject 20 sudden breaks
at such times, especially If tie receipts hap
ccipts have been light the past week. and
the amount of business dong corresponds
ingly small The packing houses are sull
hampcrcd by the scarcity of cattle, and
are forced to buy good n;-ny train loads
ir other markets to keep Eeir houses run
more keenly felt from now on for some
weeks, as the season for range cattle Is
about al an end and there WIFI not be much
but Nebraska shipments to depend upon.
quite a good many cattle have been taken
out into the country ana placed on feed,
ripe for market, and when they are ready
It is question If there, VIII be enough to
HAVANA TOBACCO ADVANCES.
Local dealers and manufacturers are
commenting upon the rapid advance in
Havana goods and those with light stocks
I'm hand are not especially pleased with the
prospect. The war I'm cuba, with the sus-
pension of work on the plantations and the
embargo which General Wcyler has placed
upon the expectation of tobacco, has re-
duCed the stock of Havana wrappers and
filters in this country to very small
quantity.
Is held i'm few hands that know its value.
Last week sales of Havana wrapper were
made in chicago at the rate or ~ per pound
or at $525 per bale. the ordinary price being
5000 to $3.50 per bale.
During the past week good many manu-
fncturers advanced their prices 10 per cent
on clear Havana cigars Quite a number
of Omaha dealers, however, in anticipation
of the advanced placed liberal orders at the
Old figures. AS general thing the retail
price has not been advanced, but the retail
trade can hardly stand much further hard
enng of the market without putting up
their own prices, unless they are willing
to do without any profit at all
Local manufacturers who have been
watching the course Of the market figure
which will reduce the consumption and
thus lcngthcn out the supply. Some are
two before the supply will be entirely ex-
hausted, by which time the rebellion in
Cuba will either be put down or the
embargo raised