Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-18
CONDITION OF ONAHIS TRADE
0utlOok for Spring Business Bnco raging to
Both Jobbers and Retailers
GENERAL TENDENCY or PRICES UPWARD
No New Developments I'm Rubber
Goods Situation, Prices Remaining
Firm, but Merchants seems to
he Holding Back Orders.

- tlH 0At nature which now occupies the
minds Of Omaha jobbers and manufac-
tqrers. They all agree that the situation
cogl1 not well be improved upon and that
change conditions they will sell more spring
goods this season than ever before. Spring
buyers are already beginning 10 arrive In
large numbers and this coming week Is eX-
pected 20 bring In many more, as the trans
portatlon bureau has now commenced
operations. The merchants who have
visited the market so far all have a very
favorable report 20 make regarding the
trade they have had this winter and Of
what they expect for the future. The size
or the orders they place would also indi-
cate that they have considerable confidence
In what the future Will bring forth. Travel
the road and say that nearly every mer-
chant In the country tributary 20 this mar
het is counting on paying Omaha a visit
some time this spring and that a big pro-
portion OF them will place their orders be-
fore leaving. Travelling statesmen also say
mat u Is surprising 10 see how rapidly
Omaha is coming 10 be looked upon as the
home market for northwest merchants. as
well as those In the western half OF Iowa.
The quick shipments that they can get
from his market seem to be one OF the
principal reasons for their preferring
Prices on most commodities have not
nuctuated 70 any great extent during the
been a few changes worthy OF mention.
The general tendency Of prices Is upward,
rather than downward, and values seem 20
be on a good, firm foundation.
Sugar Market a Little Higher
The sugar market advanced 10 cents per
100 pounds last week and the market may
be quoted strong at the advance, with an
upward tendency. Raws are also frmer in
London, while the demand In New York
has shown considerable Improvement.
The bean market is stroT.y and active at
the last advance, while fancy hand-picked
Deans. free from stains, command u pre-
MUM. Rain-damaged and discolored stock
sells lOgSO cents per bushel lower than
Nprv nfrnnp and hnIdara p 1apkiug for
considerably higher prices, owing to the
lack OF rain.
largely occupied the attention Of buyers
last week. So far as the market on corn
Is concerned the opening prices do not SHOW
much change from last year except that
sellers are very Indifferent and Will not
= consider any shading Of their prices.
Standard peas are 2l4d5 cents per dozen
lower than they were last year, while toma-
toes are about the same.
The dried fruit market - not very ac-
are ali firmly held. That is particularly
true OF prunes. Evapo ated apples are a
little easier, but those best posted are of
the opinion that prices will go no lower.
The rice market is still very strong and
even large buyers ind It almost impossible
TO. secure any concessions. Still higher
prices are generally looked for in the near
future.
The coffee market is in Just about the
same position II was a week ago. Tea is
being held at very strong prices. although
the market at present Is rather dull. the
AAa4t III general HhANlnk al NnE ELQGk OF
hand thai II will need for some little time
The prospects. for the future, however, are
that prices will rule higher, as marketable
Bulk pats declined u cent last week. but
hve-pound cases and the rest of the line re
mains unchanged. The demand for syrups
year, but the market is quoted the same as
was a week ago. Reineries are only tax
ing orders subject to from fifteen to twenty
days delay in shipment.
The demand for staple lines of g~rocerie:
,ast week was OF very satlsIactory proper,
year. tobbers find that their sales for this
1ret half of January are considerably aneaC
OF the same period a year ago.
spring Dry Goods selling Freely.
Fully as many buyers arrived on the dr.
goods market last week as were expected
for so early in the season and they placed
very nice orders. Advtces received indicate
that there will be many more here thu
fact. Is considered very encouraging anC
tobbers all expect TO break the recorC
ahnssode ,u " I n1 sales d9T eHrr Tbs use ar ar
activity. however. IL caused by the ship
ment or goods sold in advance of IN,
season, The distribution extended to al
departments, Including spring wash goods
white goods. laces and embroideries.
The market for cotton goods still retaini
its strength. Pepperil wide sheetings ad
vanced lie per yard last week and compel
ing lines were also marked up. All de
scriptions of colored goods may be quoted
strong.
Several large orders were placed las
week with manufacturers for blankets
domets and other fail specialties.
Market Good and Firm.
Present Indications are that the havdwar
market will be In much the same condi
ton It was last year. BY that local jobber
mean that the way things look now the!
will continue to experience a great dea
OF difficulty In getting goods as rapid!
as they can sell them. which will caus,
much ANNOYANCE 60 everyone, from tn
as goods are scarce prices viii naturaii,
be good and firm. Since last report Their
have been no very important changes Il
Is a general tendency TO harden prices nj
along the line. That being the case. mer
chants who are well informed believe them
ASelves safe In placing their orders al pres
The volume of business last week wa
fully as good as could be expected 10
January and everyone seems TO BE- wei
pleased with the general situation. TIL
outlook for the future is even better thai
II was a year ago, as reports from tn
country indicate that much more buildin.
will be done In 1893 than in 1902. Farmer
amount Of hardware so that iobbers hav
no fear but what their sales will show
nice Increase orer last year.
Rubber Prices stIn Hold Firm.
There have been no new developments 4
the rubber goods situation since last re
and firm, the same as announced a wee
ago, and those best posted on the situatio
say that there Is no prospect OF a demoral
cation OF prices. The worst feature OF
is that II has caused merchants to hol
back their orders, awaiting development
so that travelling men are unable to do an
great amount OF business. But while meI
chants are delaying their orders, they VT
OF course have 10 buy sooner or later. an
as jobbers are confident there will be n
break in prices. they are not worried owe
the situation.
The leather goods trade Is IN very salts
factory condition, Travelling men are pick
ing up a good many orders on the roa
and merchants are also dropping IN tow
and leaving a few orders. As a genera
thing, retailers have cleaned out thel
winter stocks In very good shape and ar
now ready 10 place liberal orders for spring
Fruits and Produce.
The demand for fruits and vegetables wa
exceptionally light last week for even thi
time OF year. but an improvement Is locke
Tor this week. In view OF the light deman
there was no particular feature TO IN
market and prices also remained PRACTICAL
unchanged. The quotations IN anothe
column viii show the prices now IN fore
on the different lines.
The receipts or eggs were more hberl
last week and as a result the market weak
but the supply and demand u poultry hel
about even and prices remained u~nchange,
II WEAHE COMMISSION COMPANY.
I1O-111 Board OF Trade. Omaha, Neb-
T.N.nhnnA MEWn