Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-05
CONDITION OF 0MAHA'S TRADE
In soms Departments a Falling Of, il
Others Material Gain.
COUNTRY COLLECTIONS GENERALLY FAIR
Cold Weather started up Retail Trade
and the storm viii Give it stilI
Greater ImpetuS-Bnnk Clear
fnRs show Up We'll.

much the same last week as II was the
week before, and no marked change is an
ticipated until after the coming OF the new
year. That there is plenty of business do
ing is shown by the bank clearlnes, by the
reports OF individual houses and by the gen
eral air of prosperity noticeable in the trade
centers Of the city.
In the last two weeks the jobbers have
done good business as the outcome OF the
retail demand that was quickened by the
more seasonable weather that marked the
close OF November and the opening of De-
cember. And now al the beginning of the
last month of the year jobbers find that
their stocks have undergone a material re-
ducton in spite of the many new goods
OF seaesonable character that have been
added from time to time
1t was only reasonable to expect that
business in jobbing way would slack up
after stocks i'm the country were once nut
In reasonable shape To some extent these
expectations have been realized and here
e. Gnd th re- let Up il the country demand
be admitted that there has been no such
railing off In jobbing operations as is usual
most remarkable that trade should hold up
80 well and now that real winter Weather
has set In 1t will not be surprising IL busi-
ness even IN staple lines continues active
right to the holidays.
In the meantime the near approach of the
holiday season has stimulated business in
all departments devoted to such goods as
are generally in demand at this time of the
The storm the latter part of the week
created decided change for the better in
retail trade circles. The Improvement was
especially noticeable in the demand for al
kinds OF footwear, while the clothing stores
came In for no small share OF the benefits.
The retail trade as a whole is in much bet
ter shape than 1t was a month ago. and as
a rule retail merchants appear to be very
well satisfied.
Bank cleartings. showing large gains over
the record made year ago, only tend to
prove the assertions already made to the
satisfactory character and far ahead of
what II was few months ago.
JOBBERS AND MANUFACTURERS
c. +. Began left the middle of the week
on a trip to the Black Hills and more dis
tant points in the interest of L!ninger *
Metcalf Co.
Visiting travelling men remark that busi-
ness In Chicago, generally speaking, is dull
and Ia some departments of the wholesale
trade there is a good deal of complaint
The Nebraska chcory fields this season,
though not turning out as well as last year
owing to lack of rain the latter part of the
summer, will produce n thousand tons of
dried roots.
Mr.. Metcalf of the Linlnger & Metcalf Co.
has returned from an extended eastern
trip. He found all the factories behind
with orders and everyone anticipating the
largest trade ever known for the coming
season.
Paxton & Gallagher company are arrang-
ing to increase their floor space by putting
IN shelving on the first floor, the lower story
of their building being eighteen feet so that
there is plenty of space for carrying out
such scheme.
Branch & Co recently received a box of
poultry from the country and on opening it
up found a pair of spectacles. 1t is a serious
question in their minds whether the shipper
intended that they should sell the spectacles
on commission or whether he sent them that
they might see the market more clearly
The Western Electrical company has
secured the contract for the equipment OF
n complete electric light and power plant
at Osceola Osceola is one OF the most pros
porous of the towns in the state and no
money or expense is to be spared in MAX
ing this one of the most complete electric
plants of its size in the country.
California oranges are just commencing
to move forward TO market, the first of the
season having put in an appearance at this
fornians estimate that this seasons crop
will bring them in S,o1,CcO. Ii will cost
amount, as they have to pay the freight.
Hardware people are very much inter
ested in the rumors of negotiations looking
TO the consolidation of the wire nail and wire
rod interests. To effect such a combination
the seven big factories must all be brought
in, and in addition large number of small
10 be the people most difficult to deal with
and the collapse of the wire nail pool year
ago was due TO their action.
Christmas business has started out well
in Omaha and gives promise of exceeding
put in large stocks OF holiday goods in an
they have not been disappointed. The peo-
pie in the country have more money TO
last thres years and retailers knowing that
fact have and still are buying freely.
Retail Implement Dealers Of Nebraska and
Iowa will meet in convention at Council
Bluffs January IL to 10. Between 800 and
bO0 dealers are expected 10 be present at this
meeting. The NEE ting of last year, which
attended and the interest in the work in
hand has rather increased than decreased
during the year. Prominent jobbers and
manufacturers from all sections of the
country will be present.
The Chicago Journal of Commerce says
stimulation has manifested itself in Me-
braska. and commercial agencies have made
special report on the fact that jobbine
tions prompt Omaha trade has shown
great influx of steady orders. For some
pursuing a very conservative system and
the demands now coming forward are
over, trade is sun active and in several
metal lines manufacturers are yet b hind
in shipping orders TO leading jobbers.
The coming Of the winter season usually
witnesses "A large increase In the begging
10 contend The business man is beset from
him to buy tickets TO this or that bail or
entertainment or contribute goods for this
or that fair or charitable institution, or join
this or that movement for some one elses
benefit. In not a few, instances these de-
mail as the business man is promised the
patronage of the begging organization in a
way that carries with II threat to boy
colt him II he fails Ia comply with the de-
mands made upon him.
Work is pros ressing as rapidly as could
be expected on the creameries at Leigh and
linwood. The plants under construction
viii cost about $1,000 each, and Will be sup
the Sharples company OF this city The
same company has been doing large bus-
ness in Utah, where there appears 10 he "A
good deal Of interest OF late in the cream
cry business. Parties are figuring on build
ing a creamery at Elba, Neb Those who
are well informed in the matter say that
there is no danger of this business being
overdone in Nebraska, as the demand is
far I'm excess OF the supply. Denver is now
buying creamery butter in Nebraska and is
paying Elgin prices for IL on board the
cars at the shipping point
The hardware jobbing houses of the coun-
try are now making their contracts vita BIZ
cycle manufacturers for the coming sea-
SON As a general thing the well advertised
makes are naturally receiving the prefer
ence Hardware people think that wheels
will be handled more generally through
hardware houses next season than ever be-
fore, though dealers who make a specially
of wheels would hardly be expected 10 see ii
that way. II would, however, seem TO be a
settled fact that the hardware trade OF the
country appears bent upon capturing the
wheel trade and making that a part of their
regular business. IL Is said that the price
OF wheels VIII be less next year. though the |
material cost more, (which means that man
ufactuPers are prepared 10 do business on a |