The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-31
JOBb|NG AND
MANUFAC7
Of A YEAR
Supply Depot for a Commercial
Empire Growth and Develop
'ment of Jobbing Trade.

Supply Depot Tor a commercial
Empire Growth and Develop
'ment Of Jobbing Trade.
It is not so long ago that MinneaA-
oils was not taken into the account
when northwestern jobbing was under
consideration. The city was widely
known as producer Of flour and lunl-
Der but did not distribute very largely
in the territory from which the raw
materials for her mills were drawn. st. |
Paul had reputation as being a whole !
sale market and Minneapolis was slow
in overcoming a condition which had |
dated from early days.
But things have changed. It is
very conservatively estimated that Min
neapolis wholesale trade has doubled
in the past decade. And during that
period there has been very marked
development of Minneapolis manufac-
turing of general character (outside |
of the old staples Of flour and lumber)
and many Of the large manufacturing
establishments are in the class that
sell direct to the country trade; in
other words, they job their own prod
uct. In this way Minneapolis has
come to be the greatest wholesale point
west of Chicago and the supply depot
for one of the richest agricultural re-
! gions in the world.
The past year has been by no means
sensational one in wholesaling, but
the jobbing trade Of the city has in
creased in volume by percentage es-
timated between Is and 20 per cent.
| Some houses have done considerably
| better than this. The growth has been
healthy. It does not represent over
stocking of country dealers or haste to.
sell to irresponsible parties. On the
contrary the general policy Of the year
has been to increase by selling more to
the better class Of trade and thru cul-
tivating assiduously the legitimate ter
ritory belonging to the city.
| one feature Of the years business
has been the railroad building which
has caused the founding Of large num-
Der Of new towns, all Of which became
the homes Of new business undertak,
ings and necessitated the laying in Of
new stocks In North Dakota alone
i ifty-eight new towns were established
during the latter half Of the year. In
most of the Minneapolis territory crops
were very good. Prices have ranged
at level to maintain fair profits.
! Some of the figures compiled by Wal
lace G.. Nye, secretary Of the public af-
! faris committee of the Commercial
club, suggest the volume Of Minneapo-
lis trade for the year; as, merchandise
received 439,020,0lS pounds and
hipped 74S,274 1853 pounds; machinery,
received 6,l96 carloads; shipped, 4,760
carloads. Sundries, received 1915
cars; shipped, 9,601 cars. Total car lots
received 2SS,6S7; shipped 267, 345. s
The year has seen great activity in
the iobbing Of building materials of all
kinds on account Of the enormous vol
ume Of building operations both in the
city and thru the northwest. In this
as in other branches of wholesaling the
jobber Of specialties is coming to the
{ front and eastern houses are rapidly
opening branches in this city for the
wholesaling of special products. An ex'
ample Of this is the United States
Radiator company Of Dunkirk, N. Y.
which has occupied new warehouse
and is already doing large business
The year comes to a close with the
trade in most excellent condition and
with prospects for the coming year bet
ter than at the opening of any year
in a decade.
Many of the statements of fact and
condition regarding the jobbing trade
apply with equal force to manufacture
ing. The gain in volume Of manufac-
turing business has been fully equal
to that in jobbing and in some special
lines far greater. A recent estimate
of Minneapolis manufacturing placed
the total annual product at fully $780,
OOO,OOG-and this figure is certainly
conservative. For miscellaneous man
ufactures have been increasing in Min
neapolis at most marvellous rate re-
Gently. Cases Of doubling of. plant ca
pacity and working force have not
been infrequent. And the range OF
goods produced is widening each year
The growth Of the Minneapolis Stee!
= & Machinery company affords gooi
example of the development of manu-
featuring industries in the city. This
concern now employs nearly 1000 mer
which is 100 per cent more than il
had on it's rolls eighteen months ago
For months it has been shipping al
average of 1900 tons Of structural
steel month. During the year it
has shipped enormous engines to Mexi
co, Washington and China, the first
two being respectively 800 and CSC
horsepower, and has entered the gas en-
CINE business and now has five gas pro
ducers and engines in successful oper
alton. =: . - ...-
The furniture industry has shown
general expansion. Salisbury & Satter
lee company is just completing an add
ton providing 10000 feet Of floor
space; Levin Bros. have occupied q
large factory and greatly increased
their business; the Grau Curtis company
has occupied a new building-and Sc
on. This story might be continued
thru many lines Of business, but these
instances will serve to illustrate thu
rapid growth and prosperity of thu
:. Minneapolis manufacturing industries
? X EE3-s-.E NJ n s#sys-s. 4 g.... 81.