Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-08
CONDITION OF MAHESTRADE
Volume Of Business Last Week Rather
Light Owing to the Storm,
SUGAR MARKET A TRIFlE LOWER
Slow Movement of Farm Said
60 He R~etardinE Collections to
quite an Extent, but No serI-
Gus Trouble IL Expected.

Gus Trouble il Expected.
Unfavorable weather last week caused
both Wholesale and retail trade to slacken
all branches, but taking into consideration
the fact that at least two days trade was
taken out of the week the total volume of
sales was fully as large as could be eN-
pected. No one, however, is doing any
complaining. for it is expected that the de
made up this week. Advices from the
country are to the effect that a large num-
week and that large orders for spring lines
will be placed. Special railroad rates will
be in force, which always brings a crowd
The only disturbing element in the trade
situation seems to be the slow movement
of farm produce. Very little grain is being
shipped out of the country and as a result
farmers are short. to some extent, of ready
money: That has a tendency to cut down
the volume of retail trade out through the
country and alsoto retard collections. This,
no wever, Is only a temporary condition ana
within q, very short time IL Is thought
rate and that collections win show a big
Improvement. The outlook for the future Is
considered very encouraging and jobbers
In all lines predict the heaviest run of
spring trade that has ever been expert
enced and unless there should be a crop
failure fall business will also be a record
breaker.
The markets have not huctuated to any
extent this week and in fact there have
been very few quotable changes worthy. of
mention. Prices are firm all along the line
and goods are hard to get from the manu-
facturers. That is partly due to freight
congestion, but more especially to the fact
that manufacturers have more orders than
they can fill
Sugar Market n Little Lower.
The grocery market as a whole may be
said TO be in a very, strong position, put
this is the season OF the year when, the
consumption of sugar shows a marked DE-
crease. This year is no exception to the
eased off a little. The decline for the week
amounts to about 10c per 100 pounds. Raws
are also lower. Several of the New York
refineries have closed down for the annual
The bean market is also a little easier
and may be quoted 5Q7hc lower than a
week ago. The cold snap, however, may
have a tendency to advance prices.
The cheese market Is very firm and fancy
October made goods are, rapidly W
scarce, so that the market is in a very
Trade in canned goods was rather
| limited last week, as buyers only bought in
small quantities to supply their, immediate
wants. The market. however, is firm and
would doubtless advance prices.
Dried fruits are also without material
change so far as quotations are concerned
but trade is reported on the increase.
The rice market showed new additional
| strength last week and prices have been
marked up hQhc on best grades and hc on
Rope, both sisaI and Manila, is a little
lower than It was a week ago.
Other staple lines OF groceries carried
by Omaha jobbers are selling in just about
the same notches they were a week ago.
Dry Goods Market Very Firm.
There was not any great rush of buyers
on the dry goods market last week, owing
probably 10 the severe storm. With any
ever, the city will be full of buyers and
jobbers expect to do a rushing business
all the week.
The market situation has not changed
materially since last report, but at the
same time as the season advances 1t be-
is a big scarcity of desirable lines of cot
ton, wooden and silk goods. Buyers who
have recently returned from New York say
sold up, and that they cannot be bought
at any price. Even the orcers that were
| filled promptly, so that jobbers are having
a hard time filling their orders. This is
true particularly OF such lines, as fancy
shortage next fall will be even more pro-
nounced than this year If good crops are
harvested. When such conditions exist
prices are naturally very firm. The cost of
raw material has also been steadily ad-
vancing. so that the outlook for continued
firm markets for some time to come is
considered very favorable.
Hardware Not as Active.
The hardware market was not partic-
ularly active last week, but jobbers think
1t was largely owing to the severe storm,
which put a stop 10 all out-of-door work.
In a short time, however, spring business
will be in full swing and the general i'm
preston is that there will be a demand for
all the goods that Jobbers can secure. The
difficulty that they are having In getting
goods is the only thing that is causing
them any great amount of worry, but all
other markets are I'm the same fix. 1t looks
now as though there would be considerable
building done in the territory tributary to
this market, and If so there Will be a big
demand for builders tools and supplies.
There have been no changes In ruling
prices during the week under review and no
important changes are predicted for the
Immediate future. The market, however,
Is in a good, strong position; with the de-
mind fully equal to the supply.
No Change in Rubbers.
There has been no material change in the
rubber situation. So far as local Jobbers
have heard there has been no price-cutting
going on. Retailers, however, are still in
-clined to hold back their orders I'm the hope
that there will be some reductions later on.
Those who are best posted on tne situation
say. however, that retailers will be disap-
a more secure position than II ever was be-
fore and that the chances of lower prices
The leather goods trade was also a little
uuiet last week. Very few merchants were
in the city and travelling men also sent in
favorable weather. however, a more lively
market is expected. Wholesalers are be-
ginning 10 send out a few of their advance
to ship any great amount.
Fruits and Odu
There was quite a brisk city demand last
week for fruits and vegetables, but the
country demand was rather limited. 1t
was. of course, most too cold TO make ship
ments of perishable goods, Green stun is
now beginning TO arrive on the market
quite freely, such as beets, onions, radishes,
parsley and lettuce. The quotations will
he found in another column.
There was quite a demand last week for
apples. but there was no material change
I'M process. Oranges are In better supply
than they were a Mort time ago and prices
are lower. The quality is also said TO be
better.
THE receipts Of eggs were quite liberal
last week. but prices did not show much
change. Poultry, however, was in mod
crate supply and as the demand was quite
liberal prices frmed up considerably. The
butter market was very quiet, the demand
being rather light for even this time OF the
year, and as a result. prices are weak.
WEARE COMMISSION COMPANY.