Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-06
CONDITION OF OMAHA'S TRADE
>BOth Jobbers and Retailers Wait for Warmer
and More Settled Weather.
MARKETS SHOW UNUSUAL sTEADlNtss
Outlook for Future Business Consid-
cred Exceptionally Good and
Dealers In All Lines Are
I'm Good spirits.

period with jobbers in most lines. there
We nevertheless, a very rair demand last
many merchants arrived in the city as
came In the week before, but those that
on me market as a rule placed heavy
oroers Quite a few opening stocks were
sold, which helped 10 swell the total volume
or business. Not much immediate business
Is expected, though, for the next few weeks
IN such lines as dry goods. boots and shoes
and clothing. What is needed to make
those lines move freely is warmer weather,
for as yet retailers have not sold any great
quantity of summer lines. No complaints
are heard, however, as everyone figures
and II the season Is late IL will simply
make the rush of business more pro-
both jobbers and G retsileTs feel hat the
outlook for future business could not we'll
be more promising. Farmers are making
good progress with their spring work, aud
find the ground In excellent condition. with
anything Xix normal weather from now on
dealers figure that confidence in future
business will increase, which will also tend
to stimulate immediate business.
so far as the. markets are concerned
there Is very little to be said. There has
not been a single importan; price fuctua-
tion In either direction since last report, so
steady. About the only feature to the
trade seems to be the difficulty TO get
prompt shipments Of desirable lines Of sen
sonable goods. This is true in dry goods,
carpets. hardware, gas and plumbing fix
lures, furniture and some lines Of foot
wear. In fact the demand for practically
all lines seems to be equal to or in excess
Of the supply. AS long as that is the case
loPbers say there is not much prospect OF
values seeking a lower level.
Groceries steady and Active.
The grocery market has been unusually
steady the last several days. The demand,
however, has been fully as good as usual
stock during the month OF March this Year
than they did a year ago. The sugar mar
Ret is in practically the same position. it
ing taken place. In farinaceous goods there
Is no change to, note except in DR. d peas,
oats, beans and other lines Of that class
ere selling in the same notches they were
The NSenned goods market continues
strong ~ all lines, but no quotable change
has tax place. This Is particularly true
ing IN soma Smsit ~ at st q rapid q r wai'h are Oee0m-
Dried fN8ats are moving out very rapidly
and desiENble, stocks are becoming very
prunes and l4Prieots The market may be
quoted firm Nput prices alc about the same
as The fse fic wG m9 KEY Tf is affecting aFG; considerable
attention owiNk to the threatened shortage.
It is stated h the bulk Of the Japan crop
goes to the Philippine islands and to South
Africa, which nuts of the supply to this
country. Stock. in the south are becom-
ing well cleanedN up, and It is claimed that
only the larger mills have much stock on
hand at the preSent time, and they are
taking advantage Of the opportunity to
stlll further advance would cause no sur
prise.
Black Iron a Little Higher.
Local hardware jobbers are now enjoy
ing an active demand for all kinds of sea-
sonable goods. The lack of settled, warm
weather has caused business to drag a
little up to this time, but every warm day
brings In a good batch OF orders; Jobbers
now look for an active demand for the
next several weeks.
About the only change in the market
worthy Of mention is an advance in black
sheets amounting to about 10c per hundred
pounds. Other lines are selling In about the
same notches they have been. though the
general market Is In a very strong position.
Jobbers continue to complain regarding the
difficulty they have. in getting. goods, and
as they are many times unable to give their
customers prompt, service. The market,
however is as well supplied as any in the
are experiencing the same trouble.
The talked Of advance, in wire and nails
to take effect April l. failed to develop. and
no immediate change in the market is
looked for.
Dry Goods a Little Quiet.
SO far as immediate business is concerned
the dry goods market was a little quiet last
W ths c,tv CC whieb sormye rev H 1eaIers c wef : ia
TO the rush that was previously experienced.
Trade, however, kept up much later than
plants to offer. Several opening stocks
were sold last week. which helped TO stir
things up rom little TILE co; AetSSrd ra to T oJPst s
far has only been of moderate proportions.
There has hardly been enough warm
for lightweight goods. Jobbers. however,
are taking advantage OF this opportunity
bic sortinR up business S a little later ON
which they are sure will come.
Just at present travelling men are giving
most Of their attention to advance bust
ness. Representatives OF Omaha houses
are securing the country taking orders for
fall shipment of blankets, underwear,
knaiQFV- and that class of goods IL ia said
Mat they are meeting with exceptionally
good success and are selling a good deal
this time.
There has been no particular change in
shs Continue mStEeH S IN q I sood rs Strong S Sositions U S1s
desirable lines are hard to get. Prices,
though. remain about the same as they
wers a week ago.
Spring Goods Move Slowly.
The weather thus far this spring has
been decidedly unfavorable to an active de-
inand for lightweight shoes. Retailers have
sold comparatively little r.ock and as a
up orders. What is needed is warmer
weather. and as soon as that arrives botn
Ing business; IL Is thought that trade is
being somewhat delayed from the fact that
ever before, and most people will. OF course,
not put on. oxfords until more settled
weather arrives than has been experienced
good demand just before Easter for ladies'
lines, but since that time trade in the
country has been quiet.
The rubber business Is also about at a
standstill. Leather goods men need warm
weather and rubber goods men need rainy
weather. The rubber men, though, are
looking for spring rains to set In within
a short time, which they hope will create
a good demand for s~ummerweight goods.
Travelling men for local rubber houses
have met with good success In landing
fall orders, and IL Is reported that the
bulk Of the orders for footwear have been
placed. Merchants as a rule cleaned out
their last winter stocks In good shape, and
for that reason were willing to buy an
which helped was the fear or an advance
in price April 1. II failed TO put I'm an
appearance and now no change IL looked
for before November /, and present prices
may hold good until January 1.
Fruits and Produce.
There was a fairly good demand last
week for fruits and vegetables, though
there was not as much call for the high
priced lines as there was Just before Easter.
Such vegetables as radishes, lettuce, green
onions and spinach are coming on the mar
ket a little more freely, but the demand
Is fully equal 20 the supply, and prices
have not changed materially, though the
tendency Is downward Strawberries are
also coming In, and by the middle OF the
month II Is thought the stock will be IN
shipping condition. As yet practically
pothing has been sent 20 the ountry trade.
In another column the prices at which the
staple lines Of both fruits and vegetables
are selling Will be found.