Omaha daily bee., 1899-06-25
CONDITION OF OMAHNS TRADE
Rains Too Much in Some Sections and Not
Enough in Others,
VALUES ON MOST LINES ARE STATIONARY
Merchandise of All Kinds Nov es
Freely Considering Time of Year
and other Circumstances
Mill wages Advancing.

and other Circumstnnccs-
Mill wages Advancing.
Business last week suffered somewhat
from too much and too little rain. In
Omaha and immediate vicinity the heavy
rainfall had a tendency to keep woud-be
buyers at home. This was true in a con-
siderable portion OF eastern Nebraska and
western Iowa. In consequence the retail
trade on some days was none too good.
While the eastern part of the state has had
too much rain, the country from Kenesaw
west has suffered from extremely dry and
hot weather. Advices from some localities
are to the effect that eve.. the grass shows
some signs of drying up. Merchants ac-
cordingy are buying very spar.ngly and
the Omaha iobbers natura ly feel the efects,
In spite of these drawbacks business in
Omaha, both wholesale and retail, has been
in fairly good condition; .,.--,,--
Demand for most kinds of merchandise
Is far in excess Of what 1t was year ago
and trade In general may be summed up
as being in a very healthy condition.
generally on the side of Stronger prices
Hardware Market Unchanged.
Hardware did not move quite so freely
last week as 1t did the week before for the
territory I the W weather Is SO dTy as to cause
the future of trade. At the same time
'SN''a
jobbers have been kept quite busy.
Market values have not shown any
thing is certain, they are no lower, As
a rule jobbers are anticipating a sharp
advance soon after the first of the m month, m
take place. Wages at some mills will be
Increased as much as 20 per cent. This
extra cost in the manufacture viii have TO
be added to the selling price of the
finished article. 1t has been customary
with the mills to close down during the
month
pairs. This year the mills are all behind
with their orders and all that they can
spare for cleaning up are the nights and
Sundays. 1t is the first time in a good
many years that the mihs have been too
AS. a matter of course the employees are
fully aware of the situation and they have
vance in wages. With the employers it was
a question of giving in or fighting. 1t
the cheaper way out of the dilemma.
Hardware men seem to feel that it IS
really unfortunate that the market has
made such rapid strides upward. They say
that If there could have been a moderate
advance Of. for example, 25 per cent, the
yancing steel blllets from s1i5O in
January up to ss1 in June every one feels
that there must be a reaction. The ques-
tlon is, when the top will be reached. One
thing would seem to be reasonably certain,
back in the very near future, as it is
claimed that the furnaces and mills have
present year output SOlu III advance.
Grocery Trade All Right.
Sugars remain practically the same as a
week ago, no change. whatever having taken
place in the price of either raw refined.
The demand. If anything, shows improve
ment. In canned goods the market this
week has been in strong position on pas,
Tr string beans. pineapple and small fruits.
for several years, and the packers are just
commencing on string beans, the price this
last year. Spot corn is getting We! Very scarce ]
and the market steadily advancing. stand
matoes are rmer &c to Se estent Of p &c
dozen, but sales in some instances are
as II there would not be enough
tomatoes left until the, new pack is avail
able. The new pack of California fruits is
Packers and growers are stiii apart as to
prices on green fruits, and in consequence
packers have withdrawn from the market,
while those who are quoting prices are ask
been bought for ten days ago Oatmeal and
beans are tirmer, Cheese. on account of in
pe as % @ 6y 9W
on dried and evaporated fruits is practically
enough Of spot stock, With nth tn, SS exceptioa ta
Of prunes and raisins, to cut much figure.
The market , on American :, sardines is
tions which they were making. This is due
supply of old stock. The volume of trade
fast week in the grocery line was good,
some houses reporting a larger volume of
sales than the previous week.
Dry Goods Market Stationary.
Local jobbers report a satisfactory move
ment in dry goods for this time of the year.
AS noted week ago, no great activity can
be looked for in this particular line just al
sons. Prospects, however are favorable
for good fall business to open up later on.
Tine conditions in the market gensrally
showed no change last week, at least none
of any Importance. In ract. there have
been no alterations in tha dominant in
fiuences to work any change in the market.
Building Helps Lumber.
Locally there is a good lumber business
doing, largely account of the number
south Omaha: There is also moderate
jobbng trade in the country. Trade~is fully
as large could be expected considering
the season and general conditions govern
ing business.
In the boot and shoe department trade
this season of the year The rainy weather
has naturally been benefit to the handlers
OF mackintoshes.
A fair amount of business ia doing in
fruits and produce. The big rush in berries
is over with, and the trade is now conn
PEELED to fall back on California fruits. 4
fruit jobber remarks that 1t is certainly an
indication of good times when California
oranges can be sold at $4.50d5,0O a box the
price at which they are now held II is
that have been almost entirely neglected
some seasons are selling quite we'll For
example, lines, which sell wholesale n
~ per box OF about eighty, are becoming
quite popular with the hotels,
Nruy NnnL nENtrn.V