Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-19
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
Jobbers Have Only Good Reports to Give
Out Regarding Trade.
LOCAL RETAILERS FAIRLY WELL PLEASED
Country Buys Freely of All Manner of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tax Creates
Important Changes I'm values
-BnnL Clearipgs Large.

The general business situation as regards
local trade was most encouraging last week
In spite of rainy days and all other him
ORANGES. The large crowds OF country peo-
pie that visited the exposition, especially
on Nebraska day, created free buying In
all retail departments and more than made
mp for the loss Of business that might have
resulted from city shoppers being kept at
home by rain.
Bank clearings for the week were large,
running considerably above the million-a-
day mark and Indicating beyond all SEM
olance OF a doubt the excellent condition
OF business operations I'm general.
The jobbers and manufacturers of the
si'y continue to do a most satisfactory
YDnslness and II is so long since any COM
paints nave been heard that their sound
mas been almost forgotten.
Values About Steady.
Prices on wholesale groceries remain
will be anected by the new revenue law
and on a few other classes of goods that
are constantly huctuating with changing
conditions. Tobacco is one Of the lines that
has already felt the effect of the revenue
law and while several of the larger manu-
card. still all those that have are taking
up the fun amount of the tax, which is
tories. it is expected, will do the same.
STho duty of ~ cents per pound on tea
tIaused the market on spot stocks to. be
h-oN'b W - Ntiito W q Nlt say tlih
pAwas a week ago. Futures, however, are
not affected as yet.
July ], will exert a wide influence on all
goods other than food products, which are
sold under a copyright trade mark, or reg
istered brand, This embraces a great many
articles that are used in everyday life,
-saeh as ink, matches, soap, both laundry
dred other lines OF that sort. 1t is esti-
mated that the tax will increase the cost
of goods from 5 to Is per cent, but it is
causing no sir in the market nA the
stamps will be placed on the articles taxed
and the consumer will pay for them,
naturally be expected, fell off last week
about ~ per barrel. Oatmeal Is also on the
downward grade, as Is shown by the weak
condition of the market.
The sugar market, as anticipated, is
strong and the indications are that it will
remain that way for some time, as the
hpronsumption is increasing.
No other changes of any Importance are
reported, but jobbers say the demand for
all classes of goods Is enormous and the
indications are for still further improve
ment along the same line.
Work Day and Night.
Hardware continues to be in good de-
forced to work night as well as days in Or
der to fill their orders on time. The gen
eral tone of the market is firm, especially
on seasonable goods, but only two %quotable
advances are reported for last week. One
was on wire cloth, which went up 10 pei
cent, owing to the excessive demand and
short supply, and the other was on rope,
which increased NC per pound after remain
ing steady for n week.
Dry goods houses are at present receiving
their fall stocks and it is evident from the
quantity of merchandise arriving that they
are expecting a heavy demand from the
country. Jobbers say that Nebraska day al
the exposition helped them out in good
shape, as a great many merchants took ad-
vantage of the low rates and came here,
not only for pleasure, but for business as
well. Country dealers without ar exception
are looking for a big trade and are no,
discouraged in the least by the heavy rains
of the last few weeks.
Rubber goods continue to be in good re
quest. but dealers report a slight falling
off in trade for the last few days. Tn,
shortage out through the country in the
supplies for immediate use seems to have
been very largely made up and consequently
There are more orders being received, how
ever, and they are more liberal than fol
several seasons past. MaCkintoShes espe'
cially seem to be growing in popularity.
There is very little of interest to report
in the boot and shoe trade. The demand
continues to be active and travelling mel
report no great difficulty in getting orders
- where they can find a dealer who has no
a Merchant In that Condition. It seem;
that retailers have more confidence thii
year than usual In the future of business
and for that reason have been willing I,
place their orders at an early date. Abou
all that a travelling man can do now will
the majority of the merchants Is to Grove
In a few of his leading lines. Jobbers, how
ever, are very well pleased with the trad
they have been having and look for a con
tinuance of their present prosperity.
The lumber trade is beginning to pick up
although the oull season usually lasts mucl
later than this. The strong condition of thu
market Is largely the cause of the improve
.-ment and country dealers seem anxious Il
place their orders at present prices: The
indications are that an advance Will take
place in the near future, which explain;
the promptness on the part of the countr
merchants.
Fruit md Produce.
The strawberry season Is now practically
over, as only a few oregon berries are lief
on the market and are being quoted at $40
H2,Ib. For some reason blackberries anC
raspberries have not been coming in a:
freely as usual at this time of year anc
thus far have not been of extra good quail
ity. Blackberries are quoted at $2.00p2. 25
black raspberries at $3.50 per 2i-qt. case ant
red raspberries at $500 per 24-pt. case
Gooseberries, huckleberries, peaches anS
aprlcots are all on the market, but not IL
any large quantities as yet,
The egg market at present is weak ant
Is being quoted at SlPc, which Is NC lowe
than a week ago. The drop Is caused b.
the light demand and the large supply. TIL,
egg market, however, has averaged abou
1c higher all this spring than 1t did a yea
ago.
No change is reported in the butter mar
ket.