Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-16
OMAHA DOING
BETTER THAN
BOOSTERS SAY
Spillane Finds Busi-
ness Conditions in.
Good Shape.
UNIQUE METHODS
Social Trips by Mer-
chants Prove an
Asset.
Special TO Indiana Daily Times
and Philadelphia Public Ledger.

OMAHA, Neb., Sept. 16.-Twelve
men representative of Omaha's
varied interests met at the Chamber
of Commerce and reported to your
correspondent on the business situa-
ton in this city. The men were:
c. o. George, real estate, director Of
the Chamber Of Commerce Of the United
States.
c. II. Pickens Of the Paxton Gallagher
Company, one of Nebraska's largest
wholesale concerns. dealers in groceries,
hardware, automobile accessories, sugar,
coffee, etc.
o. c. willis. manager Armour & Co.
Paul Kuhns, president Chamber Of
Commerce and president Conservative
Building and Loan Association
John L. Kennedy, president United
States National Bank.
E. NJ Reynolds Of Eldredg dge- Reynolds
Company, dry goods and mems furnish
tngs.
A. c. Scott manufacturer heavy road
machinery.
D. P. Hogan, president Federal Farm
Bank.
Roy T. Byrne Of Byrne- Hammer Dry
Goods Company. wholesale dry goods.
E. T. Rector Of Fairmont Creamery
Company, which operates in many States
and pays out 25,O0O,O0O a year for cream
alone.
= C. H Wright, president Grain Ex-
change.
A. B. Currie, wholesale coal
HOUSING SITUATION
COULD BE IMPROVED.
Mr.. George said the housing situation
from 50 to 1OO per cent above the pre-
war level. At the same time there was
many empty warehouses which indicated
there was no surplus Of materials or
goods in hands of distributors.
Mr. Pickens reported the first eight
months of this year showed quite an in
crease in grocery -aIes over the same
months last year Hardware sales we're
about co per cent Of normal, but steady
and increasing improvement in TINS line
was evident. The whole outlook in the
various lines OF goods he handled WAS
more promising than earlier in the year.
Collections good.
Mr. Willis explained that his business
was affected by International conditions.
The man with the dinner pail cut big
figure in the consumption Of Armour's
products. For the first six months Of
this fiscal year the business had been
poor. Then there had been a big I'M
provement only to be followed By slump
in the last three or four weeks. Pack
ers products were not moving freely
today and prices were not satisfactory
Mr. Kuhns explained that the build
ing and loan associations Of Nebraska
covered practically the same field as mu-
tual savings banks IN Eastern States.
In no period over the last twenty or
thirty years had they made a backward
step, although for a little more than
year they had shown little increase in
deposits, until recently. There was some
building Of small houses IN Omaha, and
he was quite optimistic as to next year.
FARM AND LIVESTOCK
-. PROSPECTS LOOK UP.
Mr.. Kennedy said farm and livestock
interests had suffered more than any
other industry. CattIemen were not will
ing to sell at present very low prices.
He thought the whole situation better
and looked TO the future with a lot OF
confidence a good change had come in
the condition Of the country banker He
used to be afraid of asking a statement
from his client, but not now
Mr.. Reynolds reported the sales in dry
goods and mems furnishings greatly in
excess Of last year, but less in dollars.
The public today was getting better
goods but at a lower price than formerly.
The merchant today had to give to the
public what it wanted at a price 1t could
pay or he would not be able to sell goods.
Ninety days ago there had been slump
in collections. Why, he could not un-
derstand. Now they were satisfactory
Mr.. Scott explained that he was inter
ested in great variety of businesses
His tent and awning company was one
OF the largest in the world. In sales this
company showed 35 per cent increase over
last year, but its prices have been cut
in half He made clothing for packing
house men. This was slow just now as
it was governed by the state of the pack
ing house industry. In road machinery
his business showed 20 to 25 per cent in
crease; this would be cheering but for
the fact that State governments all
around Nebraska were not paying their
bills. He anticipated a big amount of
~. road work for next year. He also handles
Packard cars. This business had picked
up wonderfully. In the last few weeks
his sales had been in excess Of the previ-
Gus six months.
FARMER LOANS
IMPROVING.
President Hogan said the farm loan
situation was improving. This bank now
was lending about 100000 a month to
the farmers. There was a large de-
mand. Farmers he said, were inclined
to criticise the railroads sharply for the
prevailing high freight rates.
Mr.. Byrne said there had been steady
improvement in wholesale dry goods since
May. Now it was IS per cent Of last
year in volume and 65 per cent in price.
In some articles there was a famine.
Ordinarily he would have 10000 or 1900
dozen work shirts on hand now. Today
he did not have a dozen. Not per cent
Continued Page seVen.)