Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-01
okAnA ANp ~ NEW rnAR.

Omaha has Just closed what in many
respects is the most notable year Of
material progress in its history. The
expansion of the city's interests, COM
mercial and Industrial, in every direc-
ton has been steady and in some lines
rapid. The balance sheets at the end
OF the year show a distinct gain over
the business Of 1905. The bank clear
ings amount to s504.8ss, 7s4.sO; the
manufacturing plants report gross
output valued at s195, 100000; the
iobbing establishments of the city re-
turn a volume of trade amounting to
$50, 200. These figures are elo-
quent, showing that the assertions OF
omaha's growth during the last year
we're founded on the solidest of facts.
1t would be difficult to determine
which Of many factors that enter into
omaha's prosperity is most responsible
for the excellent conditions that exist.
Each line has shown growth and
shares with all the others in the sum
total. Probably the most notable adj
vance has been that of the grain busi-
ness, Omaha now ranking sixth in the
list of the great grain markets of the
United States. This showing is very
fiattering for a market that is but
three years old. The live stock and
packing house industries also show
substantial growth, Omaha retaining
its place as third in the world. The
manufacturing and jobbing interests Of
the city report gains in business Of
from 10 to rs per cent, while the
growth of the retail trade has been
such as to astonish even those who are
engaged in It. In this latter line
Omaha Is simply coming into its own.
While the last year has been one of
satisfactory progress in all directions,
It by no means indicates that Omaha
has reached the zenith of its activity.
Plans already formulated warrant the
assertion that the year 1907 will be
even more noteworthy in all material
ways than was 1906. Extensive build
ing projects are assured for the year,
promising employment at high wages
to an even greater army of men than
we're on the payroll during the last
year. Every manufacturer and every
trader In the city has the assurance of
continuation of the business that
has taxed their capacities to the ut
most. New enterprises are coming
into existence and are receiving such
substantial announcement as war
rants the belief that before the close
of another year they will have added
greatly to the Industrial and CONNER
cial importance of Omaha. The great
transportation companies of Omaha
have been appraised Of the Importance
of Omaha as point for the concen-
tration and distribution of business.
To accommodate the growing business
/ of the city they are expanding their
facilities in all directions and thus are
enhancing the value of Omaha as a
strategic point In the worlds COM
merce. Concessions are being asked
from the railroads which IL granted
WAll put thC lily q lohS Wdyo ahCdu.
OF the local improvements a word
only is necessary. The year was dis
tinctly one of home building, many
hundreds of dwelling houses having
! haen added IN those already in exist
ence. No other year in the history of
Omaha has been so notable in this re-
gard. Public improvements have been
such as we're necessary to provide for
the accommodation of the rapidly in
creasing population of the city. Much
more might have been done, but was
left over for the season coming. Great
activity is certain in this line during
1907.
Viewed from any angle. the year
1905 was one of credit to the city
and its enterprising people. and the
year 1907 dawns with the brightest
/ Drosnects ever faced nv Omaha