Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-04-21
TRADE CONDITIONS IN OMAHA
Increased Trade Over Last Year Reported
BY All JobbsrL
ERA or GREAT PROSPERITY SUSTAINED
Beneat of Heavy Precipitation in
western Territory Felt Imme-
diately and Good Results
Are only BeEuh.

u
reached, although the volume OF sales IN
all lines is greatly in excess OF those Oh
Weather conditions have played an i'm
portant part in the trade during the last
week, and the general e1eCt OF the VIDE
spread precipitation has been hlghly behe-
ucIal Many lobbcrs report that their trade
has been STIMULATED by the large uoWntall
OF rain and snow, and he irosts IN Ne
braska and Iowa have had little, II any, ell
feet as a deterrent upon shipments.
There has been but lew changes in prices
on any commodities during the period
under review but the general tendency In
all lines Is toward higher range in prices
and the hardening Is felt Unfortunately.
The greatest enect of weather conditions
mas been noticed most among implement
dealers, who report great qualification be-
cause Of the general rains and SHOWS from
the Missouri river valley TO the Rocky
mountains. The drouth OF the present
spring season had caused a slight falling
on in orders of some particular imple-
ments and caused anxiety among Jobbers
as to the outcome. This anxiety has been
dissipated, however by the recent heavy
precipitation, which will have the greatest
possible beneficial effect upon future orders.
Up 20 the present time the buggy trade
mas been very large and difficulty has been
experienced in securing supplies TO meet
the unusual demand Manufacturers are
lar behlnd in all buggy orders and this IL
due TO three reasons: First, the large
trade has contributed to the congestion;
second, the car shortage has delayed ship
ments and, third, manufacturers have been
unable to obtain materials for construction
me bHsgy trade promises to continue
indefinitely in its present good position
and the usual spring depreciation in orders
VIII not be witnessed this season from
present calculations. The trade In wagons
mas become stagnated, as this is the period
When wagon orders have all been filed
| ana trade will not pick up until this sum
and cultivators are moving well and the
trade Is far In advance In this respect over
last season. Plows are generally sold out
| as farmers have obtained their supplies
and are putting them In use, but the de-
mand for other light farm machinery has
| improved to great degree.
Improvement in the late car shortage
is reported by hardware jobbers, but the
| congestion In trade in many lines OF COM
nails, screens and wire fencing are becom-
ing more depleted each week, with little
| apparent effort on the part Of manufac-
turers to relieve the situation.
rms congestion has been apparent for
several months and is becoming most
acute as shipments fail to arrive. The
cause is due to the absolute failure of man
ufacturers to keep up with the orders re-
ceived and orders for wire fencing for de-
orally refused Cars are to be had in
greater number than at any time since the
jobbers are having difficulty IN keeping
stocks complete on account OF the immense
volume OF trade received. Standard nail
doors are becoming scarce. The great
trade in sporting goods has increased dur
ing the last week and as the open season
approaches the trade gives promise of
being the best In the history of local job
bers in these lines Base ball goods are in
good demand, but golf goods are leading to
date with the greatest increase. The de-
mand for firearms has declined appreciably
since the beginning of the closed shooting
season and will not revive for several
months.
Dry goods jobbers report that the mar
ket in cotton goods is ruling strong and
prints. There has been no Quotable change
in prices during the period under review
and the trade for current and future ship
ment has been quite satisfactory. Local
houses report great increase in the vol
0I aoe over t9nt OF Ss year Sp
Conditions affected by the weather in
other lines of trade are also reported by
shoe jobbcrs, who report that the trade in
rubber goods has not been materially at
fected by the recent heavy rains and SHOWS.
A few new orders for immediate shipment
of rubber goods have been received on ac-
count Of the late rains, but retail dealers
are fairly well supplied with this line OF
recent months, due to the unusual dry
weather conditions prevailing Shipments
OF shoes of all descriptions and grades are
the same period and continued good bust
ness Is looked for. While few country
merchants have called on the trade during
the last week, owing to the unfaVorable
weather conditions, orders received from
travelling statesmen have been unusually
heavy. Stocks in some grades, particularly
In the lighter stun, are greatly depleted
on account of the inability Of manufac-
turerS to fill orders given several months
ago. The advancing market I'm leather and
other shoe materials, together with the fact
that manufacturers did not anticipate the
great trade Of the year has caused the
been inclined to delay buying materials on
the present high market and have there
fore, been unable to keep up with the rush
orders occasioned by the heavy trade of
the spring season. Prices have not ad-
vanced on any of the standard lines of
shoes, but general frmneSs is felt in the
would not greatly surprise jObbers.
Fruits and fresh vegetables have become
very scarce, even Including home grown
green onions, on account of the recent cold
weather, which has delayed picking. Rad
lSnes are scarceT and are selling at con-
supply of new Alabama cabbage in the
market and sweet potatoes have arrived
for the first time in three weeks, with no
plentiful mostly from Arkansas, Mississippi
and Texas, with the Arkansas berries Tul-
grades The lemon market continues to
advance In spite OF the cold weather, which
fact is caused by the shortage in supply
OF foreign stocks as the New York and
eastern dealers get the bulk OF California [
shipments and leave little for local job |
bers. Mediterranean sweet oranges are IN |
the market for the hrst time this season /
and Will relieve the present high state OF /
the orange market. There has been no |
tinue TO rule firm. The potato market Is /
advancing but without material change TO |
the retGh trade, ana stocks come princl- !
pally from Wisconsin and Minnesota. The /
well known bliss Triumph" potatoes are I
In the market and are meeting with ready /
sale, being OF good quality end having the 4
appearance Of new potatoes. Apples con- /
tinue to be very scarce, the Ben Davis |
being the only variety for sale, and even /
this brand will soon be out Of the market. /
Wax and string beans Of unusual quality 1
are IN plentiful supply.
Complaints have been made by several |
grocery houses over the collections since /
April /, which have been light In general |
This condition In collections Is not apparent /
only IA Isolated cases and the general tone ,
OF collections is easier. Shoe jobbers re- /
port that collections since April / have /
greatly improved ami that continued Inn /
provement is anticipated. Merchants are |
discOunting many Of their orders and .
money stringency is not apparent
The sugar market Is very active ana /
strong. with higher prices prevailing FOR /
both raws and refined, on account OF The 1
extended drouth which has DreVaIled .
through the sugar-producinE sections OF .
Cuba. The drouth in Cuba has been more +.
extensive than at any time for several /
years and the crop Is curtailed TO a great
extent II Is reported that twentv-eight (
centrals have stopped grinding during the
last week and as result holders are ask
ing considerably higher prices this week
than were asked week or ten days ago.
The foreign market is higher also. IN sym
pathy with the American and Cuban stu
alton, and every indication at this time
points toward a further increase on re,
fined sugar which Is likely 70 occur at any