Omaha daily bee., 1899-08-06
0NAHA'S CONDITION OF TRADE
JobS,;s Report a Fair Movement Of season
able Merchandise.
DULL SEASON IN SOME DEPARTMENTS
People Absent on Vacations Reduce
sales i'm All Retail Lines-Lnrge
Number OF New Buildings Co
Ing Jp in Omaha.

In a retail way this Is the dulest season
OF the whole year, and, while IL may seem
somewhat paradoxiCal, 1t Is dullcr than
usual by reason OF the business prosperity
that prevailed during the first SIX months
OF the year. During the years when mer-
camille pursuits were less profitable people
felt obliged to .tay more closely at home,
out this year 1t seems as If every one and
MS FAMILY are INDUCING In the luxury Of a
summer outing. This takes away from the
CITY a large amount of the very best trade,
and the retailers are feeling the effects.
Inc loss of trade from this source Is far
greater than might at first seem possible,
and 1t reaches practically every department
of business. In spite of this drawback,
however, there is a very fair business doing
IN a retail way and merchants are not dis
posed TO lind any fault with existing condi-
Down in the jobbing district business is
as lively as any one could ask for the first
week in August. Recent rains have made
the country merchants very optimistic as
TO the corn crop and they are feeling that
an active business the coming fall and win
ter IS assured. Accordingly there is a man
Hest disposition TO place liberal orders and
"a Willingness to place them earlier than
Usual, Jobbers say, that there never has
been a year when the prospects at the be-
ginning of August were more hopeful. The
present remunerative prices at which live
stock Is selling is of no little assistance in
promoting trade. as a large amount of
ready money is placed in circulation by this
means.
one thing that is of great assistance to
local business is the activity in building
and IN other permanent improvements,
which furnishes employment to an army
or labortng men.
Building Boom in Omaha.
The amount of building that Is going on
IN Omaha rs really surprising. on every
side there are to be seen residences of the
better class in the course of construction
and PREPARATIONS are being made to start
work on a good many more. 1t Is said
that some who had contemplated building
this season have given 1t up on account of
the sharp advance in all kinds of building
material, and with the idea that prices will
best informed as to the conditions prevail
ing In the various building trades is that
tho period of high prices rs only just com
menced and that tt will last for some time
to come. Moreover, that instead of being
sower, the prospect is very good for still
man notes that a general advance in prices
for doors and mill work will follow close on
the heels of the advance made in the manu-
facturers minimum price to jobbers, an ad-
vance which the former were forced to
make because of the steadily increasing
cost of lumber suitable. for cutting-up
purposes. the higher prices for window
glass and, in fact, an all-round increase in
the cost of manufacture.
The situation in regard to a supply or
dry white pine shop lumber has become
a serious one to THE many manufacturers
Dry factory lumber Is not to be had except
here and there, and on such purchases the
prices are set 10 the limit by the seller.
Early In the season the chief activity in
the lumber market was on the coarse
grades and not a. great deal OF attention
was paid to good lumber, but the east has
been buying good stock freely at northern
mill points, not only lumber that is avail
able FOR immediate shipment. but also stock
tlon of the seasons output of factory plank
has been contracted for in advance.
New Supply is Limited.
Western factory operators have, been
hoping that as the season advanced the new
cut would furnish a more liberal supply of
shop lumber, but they are now beginning
to realize that such will not be the case.
shop lumber ITO supply the, wants OF the
factories, but the supply will be SO Limited
One hears many instances cited these
days as showing the efforts that are being
made to secure factory lumber. A few
days ago one Wisconsin concern announced
that In six weeks it would, have 1,25o;o 600
feet of factory plank for sale, and within
s ~ 1t had sold the entire lot at 81 a
3,SI better than. ever received before;
taotory plank K ii osshhkesh, &faetories on the
mississippi river are buying all the good
aumber In lower Michigan, thus showing
that freight rates are not a consideration
under present conditions. j..
There has been considerable complaint all
season reaarding a short supply of mGldi ms
respect DO not show much Improvement
The capacity of the molding factories seems
to have been taxed to the utmost to supply
The current demand, and in hardwood mold
1ngs particularly, the high prices for mold
eng stock have resulted in a steadily adj
vahoing market and one which is expected
ITO hold strong throughout the season.
Many factories have been increasing their
capacity to turn out moldings by the adding
OF new machines. and for this reason the
supply may be, a little more liberal this
fall, though 1t Is not likely to be enough
do raault In any lower prices,