Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-03-04
CONDITION OF OMAHA'STRADE
Jobbers Pleased with Opening Spring
Conditions.
BIG INCREASE IN FEBRUARY BUSINESS
strong Advance I'm Sugar In Antici-
patton of Canning season-Fish
Demand f. Large-shOe
Trade Better.


The trade is pleased with the conditions
at the opening of spring. Last week
showed an excellent business, both orders
by mail and from statesmen. February
showed a large increase in volume OF bust
10 u,I he good feeling enxendereS by big trade
conditions over the country are such as TO
give the jobbers confidence that the year
rain and snow on their wheat and there is
now no danger Of a drouth. Farm work is
seetons T az tbe country having their
their stalks cut and the ground ready for
blowing. As rule the local wholesale
Prices have been firm on coffee. There
has been considerable activity IN the option
Increases, the market is gradually and
steadily hardening and jobbers would not
be at all surprised by higher prices. A..
Every man in those departments OF the
grocery houses which handle fish has been
working day and night the last week to
came with the Lenten season. Mackerel
and smoked white fish and In fact all lake
FISH are scarce and predictions have been
made that they will advance 80 cents per
half barrel In the next thirty days.
strong Advance I'm Sugar.
The sugar market has been exciting. In
doubt S' the price OF Of rsw ;i has been ad,
vanced to 10 per cent and refined sugar
was advanced lOc per 100 pounds the midi mid,
not be lower again soon, and may be
higher, In fact, they expect steady in
mate of the "e Cuban ban crop has ' been reduced
from 100000 tons to 100000 or lOO,D
tons. On account Of this, the fact that
wet weather has prevailed in Cuba the
greater part of the time for the last two
months and the fact that stocks in the
hands of refiners are light, the holders of
raws are not anxious to sell at prices
which have been ruling
There is no change to report in the
nfNN too, hut Nnh dc
of all kinds continue to move freely, the
demand covering almost the entire line. In
the line of dried fruits the situation is not
materially changed. but every item in the
line shows strength, apricots, peaches and
prunes being particularly in strong posi-
ton.
Throughout California they have had an
abundance of rain during the past two or
three weeks, and the outlook for this sea-
sons fruit crop Is as fine as they have
ever had. The crop of 1905 doubtless will
be well cleaned up before new goods can
possibly reach the market, so that the new
goods will find an active demand the min
ute they are available.
The rice market Is perhaps a little easier s
that the mills haven't much stock left, and
desire to clean up
Fall Shoe styles Coming.
Shoe jobbers are expecting a showing of
new fall styles and naming of prices in
about week. Fall styles are said to be
about the same as spring. 1t is thought
that there will not be any great change
in prices when the fan lists are announced.
Leather continues firm Advices from the
Boston market say there is an easy feeling
in raw hides and more confidence is needed
to keep leather up. This confidence will
come, the eastern people think, this week,
for the statesmen of the manufacturing
houses have gone on the road. Jobbers, in
reckoning up advances, say sole hides have
advanced 1e5 per cent in the last year.
finished calf 40 per cent, vici Kid % per
cent green calk skins 6s per cent, sole
leather 40 per cent and sheep skins 50 per
cent. Trade the last week has been fair
and nrCQs have changed
John Muir & Co. of New York say q
the cotton market: with the present
an 100000 crop this year would be re-
garded by the world as a calamity, while
as matter s OF fact the south has on only
this. 1t is foolishness to think at this
early date that the next crop will be a
bumper; Y Is more conservative to believe
that 1t will be a good average crop and no
more than the spinners of the world de-
Ihand; We are. therefore, unable. viewing
the situation from this standpoint, TO see
anything at present conducive to selling
contracts short in this market but, to the
shape themselves in such a way as tC
produce very much higher prices and witt
this idea In view prefer the long side"
with Dry Goods Houses.
All former records are left behind by
February's sales in dry goods. So fal
this year the number of merchants who
have visited the market has been larger
than at any previous time. showing tha
the spring excursions instituted by th'
jobbers and manufacturers are growing II
popularity. The visitors have been goot
buyers, and those who have not come II
have sent large orders by mail and through
share of the demand. The merchants hav,
purchased freely domestic and stapl,
prints and gingham and the better, grades
OF woven and wash fabrics and dres!
goods. Hosiery and underwear have alsC
been in demand. Cotton goods are strong
and no immediate change in prices is ex
pected.
The question to be decided in the eastern
markets during the coming weeks il
whether wool dress goods or worsteds ar,
to be the predominating feature for fall
AS there are no evidences in the market u
present that point to a strong revival o
wool goods in the plain and fancy styles
view that the 1906 fan and winter seasoi
will again turn to worsteds, mohairs an,
broadcloths. The latter. of course, ar
selling at present in liberal quantities 70
the coming season, and being taken II
all shades and weights from medium t
heavy.
on such lines that have been placed be
fore the trade import orders have bee
placed cautiously. On serges, broadcloth
and plain and fancy henriettas the foreig
extent than was the case last year at thl
time. These are the only classes of good
of which this is true.
Changes in Hardware Prices.
AS usual with the advent of spring
prices are up on hunters canvas good
Grindstones are to ] per cent lowe
cent lower on Disston's saws. Trade ha
been exceptionally good to the local hard
ware men. Mail orders have been vi
usually good. one house recently receive
$50 mail order for general supply of hare
ware.
Trade has been unusually good in paint
oils and glass. orders increasing perceptibl
over last week Linseed oil is on cent
the raw product being quoted at 10 cent
with boiled oil selling for A. cents. Tul
pentine remains at II cents, and leads cor
tinue 10 sell at last weeks quotations. tt
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