The Omaha guide., 1957-01-11
Business Activity Strong
In Omaha During Year '56

during 1856 Is based on informa-
tion furnished by the Business
Research Bureau of the Omaha
Chamber of Commerce, directed
by Wilbur F. Limpp)
Business activity in Omaha
during 1856 held strong in the
total picture, despite adverse fac.
tors in certain areas. and "compe-
tition" with record-breaking 1885,
In those areas where slight de-
clines we're noted as the books
closed on 1886, the changes are
attributable to drought conditions
in the four-state area of which
Omaha is the hub, and which re-
flected a lesser farm income in
the past months.
For example, the value of man.
ufactured products in Omaha is
reported down 10 percent as COM
pared to last year-but up 1907
percent over 1916 in a ten-year
comparison.
This business indicator includes
livestock received and processed,
The decline, although offset sub
stantiaIly by other manufacturing
in Omaha, shows the effect of
fewer livestock receipts here and
the lower market price that pre-
vailed.
Despite these factors, reports
from authorities on the livestock
market indicate that Omaha will
continue as the Worlds Largest
Livestock Market and Meat Pack
ing Center" leading again over
Chicago.
Grain receipts and shipments
no longer are considered depend
able economic indices because
government storage of grain in
rural areas has changed substan-
TALLY the pattern Of shipment
from the producer to the consum-
er.
The number OF livestock ship
ped, although recorded as a U.nus
in the Chamber Of Commerce re-
Port, actually is an asset to the
community because that in itself
shows more handling and pro-
cessing locally. rather than mere
ly shipping the livestock through
to other markets.
In other areas Of business ac-
tivity. substantial gains are re-
ported for the year.
Building permits, while COM
piled on different basis in 1856.
and therefore lending themselves
TO no direct comparison, show that
residential construction remained
at a very high level throughout
1856, and set new records in nom
residential construction.
Contrary to the national trend
OF a nearly four percent increase
in retail sales. consumer buying
decreased some 21z percent in
omaha-reflecting again the less
favorable crop conditions and
prices in agriculture In the mid
west.
Wholesale sales increased Ava
percent over 1855. giving evidence
to Omaha's continually growing
importance as a distribution cen.
ter, and the establishment here
Of still more firms engaged in
wholesale business activity.
Completing the picture OF
Omaha business activity in 1856
are a number of other basic eco
romic indices--all of them show
ing strong gains that offset those
declines already pointed out.
For example. bank clearings
and bank debts, up IL percent
and o percent respectively, over
record-breaking 1855, are proof
of continuing healthy local eco
nomy.
The increase in postal receipts
(up g percenD and electricity pro-
duced "a gain Of 10 percent) also
lend firm support to the local
economy.
Businessmen in Omaha, looking
to recent years, recognize that
activity here in 1856 continued
strong and steady in the total pic
ture; and although the year 1856
set no sharp gains as did 1855,
continued progress for our com
munity was well-established by
the record OF the past IL months.
A man usually leads with his
chin when his mouth Is wide open.
Seems to me that dieting Is