Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-01-01
OMAHA'S 1908 RECORD.

Another year of growth for Omaha.
Another array of figures to which the cit
zens will point with satisfaction, as show
ing the steady increase in wealth and i'm
portance of the city of their choice. In
every way a distinct advance over the rec
ord of 1907, and "A steady maintenance of
all prestige formerly gained
Most eloquent in the story. perhaps. is
the showing made by the record of transac-
tions of the clearing house banks. Although
1908 is certain to be catalogued as a year
of general business depression. owing to
the panic of 1907 and the disturbances re-
sultant on the presidential election, in
Omaha the volume Of business, as shown
by the totals Of banking transactions, far
exceeded that of 1907 and of any other
year. save one, since the clearing house
was established. total volume of more
than $500, 100000 in clearing house transac-
tions, or above 100000 a day for the busi-
ness days of the year. is surely an encour-
aging showing, and indicates the immense
amount Of business that is done In Omaha.
Commercial and Industrial.
Jobbers and wholesalers show an in
creased volume of trade, their business be-
ing several millions greater during 1908
than the preceding year. The year witnessed
| a steady increase In the territory supplied
| by Omaha houses. Conservative merchants
say that the trade would have been tre-
mendously increased over 1907 figures but
for the fact that all over the west. as In
the east. the policy of buying for Immediate
consumption was followed. A great increase
is anticipated for the coming year. The
factory output, as well as that OF the
packing houses, is satisfactory. and shows
a healthy activity. Omahas Importance as
a manufacturing center was Increased dur
| ing the year by the establishment of two
| large cracker factories and the addition
of milling facilities far beyond the former
capacity OF the city. The discrepancy in
receipts ana shipments of grain is very
largely accounted for by the fact that
much of tEat not sent out of town was
used by the local milers,
! Building and Real Estate.
In building, the year exceeded ALL save
! one of the city's history, and very nearly
| approached that one. 1t was not thought
| likely that the record of 1907 would be
equalled but 1t was PASSED, proving that
| the growth of the city for that remarkably
| prosperous year was but normal. Building
already projected for 1909 promises activity
! fully equal to the last year, and It is not
| improbable that new record will be set in
! this regard. Real estate transactions were
not so numerous in 1908 as in 1907. and yet
| the total volume of business done was very
| satisfactory. The sales were mostly of
small lots of ground to home builders. The
fact that fewer foreclosures were made dur
| ing the year than in 1897 indicates the
healthy condition that prevails in Omaha $
real estate market. N J-..
| Social and vital.
! Forty-seven new concerns In various lines
opened their doors for business in Omaha,
and these all report closing their first cal
endar year here with good business. The
social and vital statistics of the city are
| equally satisfactory with the commercial
and Industrial More marriages and fewer
divorces than for 1907; fewer fires and
| smaller losses, more births and fewer
deaths; fewer arrests and less crime: more
children in the public and private schools
prosperity among the churches and a gem
eral growth In all desirable ways is shown
by the figures The Bee prints this morn
ing. Altogether the record is one the citi-
| zens may well feel proud Of