4. 4 t j . ' i IK 4 - a - t - .V ... I k, THE OMAHA DAILY HEE: Fill DAY, JANUARY 1. 1904. DTfTTDDQ WLTTPLT WET I An AtiOUVO DDnPDUOC! AMF. DDAQD-flDlW iWtW milD UGJID J1 a Int. 1XH. s . I A v. A I VI (Continued from First Page ) $73,100,000 for 1301. The pT cent of Increase over 1900 In 62. Tho total of manufacturing products lit figured nt $1S9,583.050 (Inclusive of parkins houses and exclusive of the smeltery), as against $150,275.(00 for 1902. Tha per cent of Increase over 1901 Is 45.75. The abolition of the bridge arbitrary In July, reducing- the rates Into Iowa one third and practically doubling Omaha ter ritory In that iitate, was expected to add greatly to the volume of business, espe cially In lines where the weight was great for the value. It has had a good effect, but this was largely offset by the floods nd poor crops, which cut down the pur chasing ability of the section. The Great Western came too late In the year In Oc toberto much effect the year's total, but the new road opens up some new towns and Increases shipping facilities. The new grain late, wliiuli will On so much In the future, have had little effect on the business of 193. The extension of the Fremont, Llkhorn and Missouri Valley road Into South Dakota through Boyd . county has helped In the year's business. The floods In the south and east helped Omaha trade by putting Kansas City and other Jobbing centers temporarily out of business. It also helped by delaying ship ments from the east. This slowness of de livery has been noticeable all through the year, and while It made the local houses much trouble, it also brought many addi tional customers who became disgusted at the long watt necessary. Very heavy orders were received by some houses from western Nebraska, where business la usually not so Important. The money In that section is due to the excellent crop, which in part offset the depression In Iowa. Except In table crockery and glass, no new lines of Importance have been added to established houses, but many secondary lines have leen placed in broadening departments. Division of the Business. In the Jobbing list, groceries lend in amount of business, the total being $18,400. 009. The per cent of Increase is figured at 15, which Is not the advance made in several other lines. Grocery houses were among those which profited by new business In Iowa and by excellent conditions in tha west. Salesmen have not been Increased, but the house force has grown largely. The feature of the year perhaps has been the unprecedented high price of canned corn, which has advanced from 60 to fti per cent above the opening cost. Agricultural Implement houses are cred ited with $13,750,000 business and an in crease of 20 per cent. The Sattley Manu facturing company and the Racine Buggy company were united in the summer, but this did not cut down the market, as they handled different lines. The Deere Plow company obtained the Barker hotel for a warehouse and will early move In. The feature of the year was the extreme short age of binding twine, which I likely for 1904. Boots, shoes and rubber goods are next In line, with a total figured at $8,623,000, as against 17,500,000 for last year, or 15 per cent. Rainy weather caused large rubber orders. Dry goods Jobbers dealt with high prices on cotton goods. The total of business has been figured at JO. 060,000, an increase of 10 per cent. This was due In part to the higher cost of the goods, but also to bet ter qualities ordered by the customers, these being most profitable to tha houses. Iowa business Increased. New lines were added during the year and house men were sent out to a larger extent than formerly. About eighty salesmen sold dry goods. Hardware and heavy Iron is credited with a per cent of Increase of 6, and a total value of 15,775,000. This was In part due to Increase of prices by Chicago and other eastern Jobbers. Flood delays particularly contributed. Salesmen haVe not Increased, but over 250 men are employed in this city. Paper and woodenware Is next in the list with 10 per wnt Increase and (5,600,000 f business. A comparatively large part of this Is on the Pacific coast. The Rlbbel Paper company Incorporated during the year. Furniture and carpets show the large total of 14,062,500 as agalnBt 13,260.000 for 1901 An increase of salesmen has been made and more territory covered. One house has attempted to erect an eight story building at Ninth and Dodge streets and hopes to do this year. Pumps, engines and fittings are. not credited with any Increase of business, but have the large total of $4,000,000. Wholesale lumbering brought the firms engaged over $3,477,600, which Is an ad vance of about 7 per cent. The McShane Lumber company was incorporated with a branch in Texas and office In Omaha and will operate sawmills and Job lumber. Fruits, vrgetables and produce sold for about $3,000,0(0. As near as can be figured this Is the large gain of $500,000. Drugs and druggists' supplies show no Increase In total business, partly attribut able to unsettled labor conditions In the west. A gain was made In nearby terri tory. The total Is figured at $3,000,000. Liquors and cigars added to the Jobbing total $2,9',000, with the Jiandsome Increase of 17 per cent. Orders have been some what delayed by lack of bottles. Oils, paints and glass are figured at a Jobbing total of $2,750,000 as against $2,600, 000 for last year. The Midland Glass and Paint company has largely added to Its department of stained and bevelled glass. Produce Business Grows. Butter, eggs and poultry combined have made a 10 per cent Increase over 1902, the total being $2,200,000. Omaha Is becoming a butter center and In the west there are no cities except Lincoln and Atchison which lead it. Creamery butter Is made largely from cream shipped from the state and surrounding states and there Is a very large business In process butter. The packing houses are the largest concerns. The Hygel Creamery company has ob tained a permit for the beginning of a large plant to cost $30,000. A small cream ery plant was added in the fall by Perry, Bauer & Ennls. Coal and fuel was wholesaled to the amount of about $2.000.0uO, which Is little If any Increase on 1901 business. Condi tions have been unsettled by strikes and prices high. Harness and leather goods made the excellent increase of 15 per cent, showing the total of $2,CO0,OU0. A better grade of goods was demanded In some sections. Flour, feed and mill products made prac tically no advance, the total standing at $1,So0.0uO. There was a considerable In crease In grain handled In elevators after the reduction of the grain rates, but this cams too late to affect the year's busi ness. A larger Increase In these lines Is predicted for 1904 than In any other. Syrups and Jellies increased In total 10 per cent, with a tptal figured at $1,lC0.0u0. Stoves and tinware added largely to the total. Wing for all houses $1 OOO.C00. tut added nothing to Increased business. Creamery supplies were Jobbed to the amount of $&80,ou0, an Increase of 10 per tent. Wall paper and decorations are compara tively small la total T80.000 but they mr de one of the largest advances, S per cent 8me extra territory accounts for this and shipping difficulties from the east.' Hats, caps sad gloves Increased uterly 10 per cent with a burlness of $'160,000. Musical instruments approximate In vol ume $600,000 of business with 10 per cent of gain. Millinery Jobbers sold $"100,000, but did not Increase much over 1902. Vinegar and pickle goods totaled $500,000, but showed no Increase; fish and similar products sold In round numbers $3.0 000; tents and awnings Increased 7 per cent and the value of business was $27.6f0; and Jewelry valued at $273,000 was sold, this being 10 per cent advance. Crockery and queensware, while being one of the smallest Jobbing businesses $250,000 showed far the greatest Increase 150 per cent. This was due to the establish ment In February of the Omaha Crockery company. This Is the only house handling exclusively these lines. Three salesmen were employed at first and five will start out January 1. A large increase of terri tory end business la probable for 1904. Manufacturers Doing; Well. Among the manufacturers, confectioners and claarmskers increased their busings the greatest amount, practically doubling It. This In face of a reduction in salesmen, at least by the D. J. O'Brien company, ac counted for by greater selling ability d'.ie to longer standing in territory. The gain la laid to the Introduction of specialties which hvc become popular and to the better grade of goods bought. Exclusive of grocery houses thirty-two salesmen were on the road. In the neighborhood of 413 men were employed and $87,000 paid for work. Animal foods and remedies show the large Increase of 20 per cent with a total product of $2,400,000. The George H. Iee company built and occupied a large build ing on Harney street. Clothing manufactured amounted to $1, 320,000, which was a gain of 10 per cent. No new territory was worked. Bngs and similar products to the value of $1,380,000 were produced, as against $1. 200.000 for 1902. Brewing and distilling did not Increase very largely, the total being $12,025,000. The Willow Springs brewery expended $70,000 on Improvements, which when finished will Increase the plant one nnd one-hnlf times. Tinware to the amount of $1,000,009 was turned out, but no advance In business made. Crackers wore made to the amount of $003,550, which Is the large advance of 13 per cent over 1902. Brick and tiling made totaled $H).000, but this Is not an advance. Sash and door business received the ad dition of a 60x157 three-story building on Nicholas street, built for Adams & Ke;iy. This nearly doubled their capacity. Bar fixtures and hotel manufactures will be and have been manufactured since Octo ber by the Western Bar Fixture and Hotel Supply Manufacturing company, which was Incorporated by John Hochstrasner and Herman Kunde, and began business on Harney street. REAL ESTATE BUSINESS GOOD Volume of Transactions Satisfactory and Nature of Deals Unusually IOnconraglna;. Real estate men hold that 1903 must mnv as one of tho banner years In the history ot umaha. A substantial and satisfactory growth Is evidenced by the instruments wnicn have been filed In the office of the recorder of deeds. The value of farm land In the county Is constantly advanc ing, and farmers are In better condition financially, as evidenced by the fact that tho farm mortgages In 1902 were 189, as against 133 for the Dast vear. The eltv". showing In particularly pleasing In the numuor or small hpmes that have been bought and improved bv la.hnrlnar mon with tho funds they have saved out of meir wages. Dealers report that three fourths of them are cosh customers. nd of the remainder not a few take up their notes oerore they are due. As between the city and county the ap portionment of mortgages filed and re leased is shown In the following tables: CITY MORTGAGES. Month. r ilea Released No. Amount. No. Amount. January . February March ... 1-1 1.210 153 $ 189.966 "1 186.955 133 1 147 IKS 151 139 148 138 16 131 1X8 162.040 1X9,640 249,565 268,705 206.676 609,520 180,096 2'0.89O 334.670 129.065 169,877 166 154 139 154 154 167 215 183 124 176 175.630 157.655 J 30. 520 1 So. 11.6 1411.545 170,370 240.265 239.595 140,225 173, OHO April May June July August .. Seotomher October ... November December Totals ...1.877 $2,124,626 Total amount released Total amount tiled 1,858 $2,929,597 $2,929,597 2.124.625 Releases over filings $ 806,072 FARM MORTGAGES. Filed Month. No. Amount. No. Amount. January 9 $ 26.7(H) 9 $ 10,375 February 11 16.650 19 51.5nO March 40 115,945 18 84.990 April 18 tU.3,5 29 40,575 May t 9.100 11 23.690 June 6 15.870 13 29.650 July 7 6,6(1) 6 10.100 August 9 12,670 7 12,760 September 11 25.630 11 24,,'liO October ........ 3 4.125 4 1,975 November 7 7.100 10 11,700 December 4 7.370 7 3,000 Totals 133 $311,105 143 $264,665 REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS. jKnuary ....$ 261,042 July $ 984,993 February .... 4'.3,471 August 320,07 March 669,607 September .. 621,167 April 624,641 October 770,5x6 May 496,506 November .. 638,5n2 June 602,796 December .. 6G0AM) Total ..$0,992,367 BANK CLEARINGS FOR THE YEAR Increase of Over a,MM,000 Per Month Koted for the Business of llMKt. Omaha bank clearings for 1903 show the heavy Increase of $32,93,771.S7 over those for 1902, which Is, however, $174,315.49 ltss than the Increase for the preceding year. A comparison of the clearings for 1902 and 19o3 follows: 1903 i902. January $ S2.9:5,oo0 43 $ SI. 332,419 75 February 27.931.700 60 23,676.020 60 March 85.448.546 26 82,4f9.i;t9 08 April 33.8hS.710 at 3o.li.ll. 8 -6 34 May 32,57.l;V 06 Mo SM lCw fcl June S3 681.071 43 28.973.9v S 84 July 83.362,371 73 19.142.267 60 August i8.KM.iti5 70 27,96,090 7ti September 31.727,440 VI 8o,0;io.888 92 October 36.5H2.720 71 33.697.S29 82 November S1.S32.20-' 58 30.636.934 67 December 33,168.4.8 75 Jl.o66.tHj 65 Totals $393,806,547 14 $361,511,776 77 With the totals for the last sixteen years at hand It will be seen that not since 19 S have the clearings reached as high a figure as this year. A tabulation is appended, but In the years from 1887 to 1893 the clear ing season extended from October 1 to Sep tember 30. In 11)93 the schedule was arranged to run with the calendar year, so the two quotations for that year are flmt, up to October 1. and. second, the months of Oc tober, November and December. From 1894 on the calendar year Is Included In each total: l $274 441 089 10 lsKS. 132.014 m 64 19 4t'2.5) 3d 00 h 4Ho.l:'4 91S S4 K!,l 442.il7.79 70 J1! M51.?M 02 JJ v ttMHS 745 M J? 1 i(-4 071 l 4X3.472 168 i SM.:6 477 74 4a M 1 W SWi 7 R7 SIS &.i P28 l iW.4a2.1l70 Si 313 135.11 Oi 3:9.043 HK8 91 3H1. 611, 775 77 393,fOi,547 14 PROSPERITY AT P0ST0FFICE City's Baslneas lirontK Reflected Increase of Receipts from the Malls. la The rapid and significant growth nt the business of the Omaha postofMce during the past year is very effectively told In the following figures. The Increase has been grdual and steady, though there Is not In cluded in this report the holiday postal business, which If at present available to be determined with any degree of accu racy, would materially swell the rectlpta and general business of the office. The postmaster's report shows the following business transacted at the Omaha post office during the year 1903: REGISTRY DIVISION. 1903. Letters and parcels registered. 42,337 Letters and parcels delivered.. 65,346 Registered pouches received.. 13.021 Registered uouches dlsnAtclied 11 0R2 192. 82. sr; 75.41: 12,8i;5 12.311 Registered packages received. 261, 028 302,597 Registered packages dis patched 241,393 288,313 Registered pouches in transit.. 322 Philippine Islands (re-dis- patched 10,000 12,311 Stutn schemes in use 19 H. P. O. trains supplied 40 Separations (R. P. O. and pouches! , fij MONEY ORDER BCHINES3. Amt., 1903. Ami., 1902. No. of mnrev orders Issued 63,294 $ 484,808.73 $ 448.637.45 No. of money orders paid . .272,594 2,2S3.128.40 2.I81.C26.S7 No. of remit- . tances ree d. 23.813 3.352.551.40 3.064.250.12 Total handled $6.120, 488.63 $5,684.314 44 , , . 1903. 1H02. bale of utamps, envel opes, postal cards, etc. $460,277.67 $412,642.76 Amount collected on second class matter.!.. 47.79S 95 43 199 B"i Box rent 1.927.40 2,000.00 Amount $310,003.92 $458,S42.32 Total number of employes, 96: number of letter carriers, 87; number of railway postal clerks, 130; number of rural free delivery carriers in the state, 600. The number of substations continues the same, four. The station formerly located at Twenty ninth street and Woolworth avenue has been changed to Twenty-ninth and Leaven worth streets for greater public conven ience. The change occurred December 15, 1903. OUTPUT OF OMAHA SMELTING Nearly Thirty. Four Million Dollars Added as Resnlt of Year's Operations. ' The world's stock of metals was in creased $2,817,000 each month during the yeir 1903 by the Omaha plant of the American Smelting and Refining company. The total output of this plant for the year Is $1,820, 271 less than for the year 1902. but the total for that year was $7,000,000 more than for the preceding year which was the greatest up to that time. The gold refined during 1903 is $3,357,328 less than during 1902; the silver is $139,904 more 'than during 1902; the lead Is $710,173 more this year; the copper Is $375,188 less 'than during 1902; nnd the blue vitriol Is for 1903 $62,169 more. In pro duction the amounts are: Gold Silver Lead Copper Blue Vitriol..:. ....$10.191,081. 00 .... 13,352,397.00 .... 9,8IO,!i3.00 ,.. 9O.522.C0 376.S88.00 Total ! $33,809,961.03 BUSY YEAR FOR THE FIREMEN Many Alarms, Fonr Fatalities and Borne . Heavy Property Losses Recorded. The year 1903 was a busy one with the Omaha- fire department. Chief Salter's records show a total of 421 runs, more than for the previous year by about thirty. The close of the year finds the fire ap paratus In good condition, two new fire houses in course of construction, one nt Eleventh and Jackson, at a cost of $40,000, and the other at Twenty-seventh and Jones, to cost $15,000. During the year there were five deaths in tha ranks of the fire fighters, four being the .esult of an accident nt a fire. Fifteen were slightly burned by Pre. but no deaths resulted. Two horses were killed by lightning and six burned to death. The force now numbers U7, Including o!Ii cers and firemen. More big fires oecunad during 1903 than the year, previous, those involving a loss close to $10,900 being: Bennett depart ment store fire, June 18, loss. $9,600: Mid land Glass and Taint company, August S, loss, $59,000; Klrschbraun & Son, 1409-U How ard, commission house, October 2?., lo., $26,000; Allen Bros., wholesale grocers, and Pacific Storage- company. 902-918 Jnnns street, November 26, loss (estimated), $160, 000; Model mill, 4301 North Thirty-first street, December 13. loss (estimated), S10,0u0; noeue & Kunyan warehouse and factory. Thirteenth and Grace streets, December 17, loss, $38,000. The following tabulation of the property and Insurance losses for the year Includes all losses but that of Allen Bros., Pacinc Storage company and Model mill, which have not yet been adjusted: Number of alarms 4.1 Value of buildings ""'$3 py ',97 Value of contents i'l Total value $6 3 044 Loss on buildings., " $70' 141s Loss on contents 171 r,7 Total loss Total amount of Insurance... Insurance over loss ...$2I1,5'15 .$4.0'l.,fl8 Loss to Insurance $ 231 S7 Loss over insurance (not insured). ...$ 9758 Total loss 211.665 The total loss for the year, including the Allen Bros, and Pacific Storage company's plant and the Model mill, is, approximately, $401,666, as compared with a total loss ot $166,164 for the previous year. POLICE WERE KEPT MOVING Petty OflTeaders swell Total of rests for the Vear to Lars; Kninber. tr. Chief of Police Donahue finds that crime Increased slightly in Omaha during 1903 over the previous year. The most marked Increase is noted In the number of arrests made. Local offenders were quite acti and several important captures of crim inals wanted In adjoining states also were made. Among the more important arrests which may be mentioned are these: Burl Handy, colored, spprehended June 10; wanted at Kansas City for murder; extradited June 26. C. J. Compton, apprehended July $ while hi the act of disposing of goods stolen from the Ohlson A Light Clothing store at Carroll. la.; extradited August 2; convicted and sentenced to three years' penal servitude. Charles P. Griffith, ar rested September 9 as a grip thief; ascer tained to be an escaped convict and re turned to the federal prison at Leaven worth, Kan.. October 26. James R. Reed, charged with the murder of Glenna Hynes; arrested September 27 and held to the dis trict court. Count Julius Dun1alschek. alias Julius DeAgmvff. alias Julius Cunt, apprehended at Rochester, K. and re- 1900. I!1. 1:112. I9t. turned to Omaha October 15 on a requisi tion warrant; held to the district court on the charge of forging the name of Rome Miller to two checks and cashing the same. Richard Johnson, Charles Smith and Frank Wells, alleged to have held up and robbed Motorman Flantiagan and Conductor Valen tine of the Park line on the night of No vember 7; held to the district court In bonds of $1,000 each. Frank L. Ford, alias Frank L. Hutchinson, the "humorous burglar"; arrested at Argentine, Kan., December 1; returned to Omaha December 5 and ar raigned on six charges of burglary; held to the district court December 15 under bond of $3,000. The report for 1903 as compared with that of 1902 Is appended: 190. 1903. . 155 199 . l.M $.tv2 . 157 113 9 4 47 61 535 88 118 121 43 49 2,120 1.732 I 72 (16 , 33.975 82.874 I 6.78 6.5S1 . 4,862 4.699 207 381 . 314 711 I jr.0 418 2 5 46 76 115 94 .14 oS 62 45 21 13 IS 12 12 9 13 11 .$20.34.1 $17,040 $14,071 $12,639 Accidents reported Arrests made Buildings secured Runrlarles frustrated Bodies taken to morgue Destitute cured for Fires attended Insane cared for Lodgers nconmmodatrd Lost children taken to parent Meals furnished Miles traveled by patrol wage Patrol calls Nuisance nnd dead animals re ported Prisoners taken to county Jail Packages stolen and recovere Rnnawav horsps stonnert Hick and Injured taken home.. Sick and Injured taken to hos pital Ptray teams cared for .... Stray horses taken up .... Suicides reported Suicide attempted Shooting affrays Stabbing affravs Stolen property reported.. HEALTH OF WHOLE CITY GOOD Record' for HlO.'t Show Increase Birth Rate and. Decrease In Deaths. In "One of the healthiest years ever en Joyed by Omaha." is the way Health Commissioner Ralph sizes up 19M3 from his standpoint. There were more births and fewer driths than during 1902, while con tagious ai.'d perlnuB dlscares were surpris ingly few, nearly all being tho ordinary heritage of childhood. Smallpox showed only fourteen cases, against 809 in 1902, and none since September. During the year the health department gave especial attention to the subject of milk supply, inspecting 130 dairies and examining 3.000 cows. Out of forty-four chemical analyses made eight were found to contain adulter ants. In each Instance the offending dairy man was arrested, tried in police court nnd found guilty. Three of the cases were ap pealed to the district court, where the findings of the police magistrate were sustained. The tests for butter fat, the nutritive portion of milk, showed In some cases as high as 41V4 per cent. One of the additions to the routine of the department for the year was the installation of the culture tube test for diphtheria as opposed to clinical diagnosis. It is absolute, and as a result seventeen suspected cases were found not to be diphtheria at all. Following are the mortality statistics by months: RIRTHS. Males January , 74 Femalps. Totals. 67 141 reoruary , 7(1 March 89 April 7(5 May so 147 132 '37 136 137 ,lti 157 141 148 153 HO 1.761 Totals. 80 84 105 85 62 60 84 80 03 73 84 1 85 (13 61 65 66 76 73 70 75 (; 70 803 June til July t . August " :;sT September 71 October ,.73 ' November 87, December tn - Totals . . .955 DEATHS Males. Females. January on 45 39 February 45 Murch 64 April 50 May , j June 32 July 45 August 50 September 27 October 40 November 45 December , 47 61 35 24 28 39 SO 36 S3 37 38 Totals 308 437 946 Below is the comparative mortality record for ten years: BIRTHS. ' Males. Females. Totals. 1903.... 1902.... 1901.... 1900.... 1S99.... 1X9S.... 1897.... 1896.... 1895.... 1894.... 1893.... &" 1,764 804 763 1.627 885 824 1.709 S0 852 1.812 ....... 910 H 1,726 845 780 1.S26 ....... 956 819 1.95 934 935 1.909 971 929 1.910 898 910 1.89S 991 9u9 1,900 DEATHS. Males. Females. Totals 1903 1I2 )91 19i0 1899 189 1897 1X96 1895 1894 1893 60S 677 636 663 644 510 625 482 575 633 632 439 945 602 455 445 543 427 435 447 645 514 632 1,079 901 l.t 1.187 937 9i0 929 1.123 1.149 1,184 BUILDING OPERATIONS FOR YEAR Slight Decrease Dae to the Labor Troablea During the Bnlld Ingr Season. The total value of improvements for which permits were Issued by the city building department for 1903 shows a small decrease as compared with the preceding year, the figures being $1,093,957 against $1,097,826, according to the statistics com piled by Chief Clerk Grotte. During the first six months of the year building was at a practical standstill, a general lockout of all building crafts last ing from March to July. The last six months show an unprecedented gain over the same months for years, being mostly for dwellings and r small buildings. The outlook is prpmislng for a great building season In 1904. The largest single permit Issued was for the new power house of the Omaha & Council Bluffs Street Rail way company, the estimated cost being $76,000, situated at Fifth and Jackson streets. The Hoard of Education has In course of erection the Monmouth school at Thirty-third street and Meredith avenue, to cost $40,000. The Franciscan Monastery of the Poor Clare, at Twenty-ninth and Hamil ton, $30,000, Is under erection. The city of Omaha erected two fire engine houses, one at Eleventh and Jackson, costing $30,000, and the other at Twenty-seventh and Jones streets, to cost $15,000. Permits were Issued for the Grace Baptist church at Tenth and Arbor streets, costing $5,000. and for the rectory at All Saints' church, Twenty sixth and Howard. $8,000. Among the other large buildings erected were the Nebraska Telephone Exchange building. $40,000, at Seventeenth and Doug las: Adams & Kelley. Twelfth and Nicho las, warehouse. $20,000; George H. Lee, warehouse, 1116-17 Harney, $12,000 ; 8. F. Neble, Twenty-fourth and Grover, printing house, $10,000; Willow Springs Brewing company. Third and Hickory, storage and rack rooms, $30.0uO; Chambers' danring academy. Twenty-fifth and Farnam, danc ing school. $20,000. Stores erected were as follows: Krug building. Fourteenth and Harney. $10,000; Stors building. Fourteenth and Howsrd. $15,000; Mets Bros.. Twenty-fourth and Cuming. $.000; alio Sixteenth and Vtcton, $.3,000; Western Real Estate Trust, 1406 Douglas, $15,000; Hayden Bros., 1616 Douglas, 130.000. Residences costing $3,000 and over: George T. Shepard, Eighteenth and Wirt, $10.0jO; H. C. Plunket, Chatham flats, 110 South Thirteenth street, $30,000; Mrs. Benjamin Gallagher, Thirty-eighth and Jnckson, $30,000; Omaha club addition. Twentieth and Douglas, $10,000; Dr. C. C. Allison. Thirty ninth and Harney, $20,000; J. Slofhburg, Twentieth and Dodge; A. Martin, Twenty second and Dewey avenue; F. L. Loomls, 3024 Pacific; E. H. Howland, 1519 South Twenty-ninth avenue; W, F. Stoecker, 626 628 South Seventeenth. M. J. Kennard, Thirty-first avenue and Douglas; P. J. Crea don, Thirty-fourth and Dodge; Dr. C. S. Shepard, Eighteenth nnd Cass and Twenty fourth and St. Marys avenue; William Rochford. Twentv-second nnrl r)nmrl- n. ficar C. Williams, Thirty-third and Dodge; w T. J. Hoyle, Thirty-fourth and Dodge. Following Is a summary: Number Month. of Permits. January 28 February 16 March 70 April fii May 15 June 33 Estimated Cost $ 22.997 77.125 95.490 83,040 4.590 36.625 56.225 1(17,830 2O8.075 126.155 136.785 120,000 July 69 66 43 40 August .... September October .... November December . Total ....$1,093,967 COUNTY FUNDS PROSPEROUS Showing; Made by the Treasurer for the Year Indicates Plenty of Money, A perusal of tho following report of County Treasurer Elsasser will disclose how richly the tax agitation of the last few years has bomo fruit. Collections and disbursements of 1902 and 1903 compare thus: 1909 1903 7.? collections $652,905.70 $715,172.10 Miscellaneous collections 1S5.S09.83 1S3,304.43 Totals $838,775.53 $8118.476.63 raid state treasurer 172.282.67 128,023.67 County warrants paid.. 371,100 40 410 023.21 Pa d city of Omaha 36.364.19 48,3ns 61 la d city South Omaha. 2.035.60 10.191.41 laid school districts.... 151.394.59 135,767.46 To,a'9 $733,167.35 $732,917.26 Statements showing valuation, levy and tax are as follows: I Banks I Total Tear. and Per IRall'ds.j sunal. Total Real Estate. Total 1903 mr 1901 1900 1899 1X98 1897 1896 1895 1X!4 1893 1892 $1.4fi6,676:$5,972,840j$18,163,278$25,6ir2,793 1.474.841 6,750,01 18,143,3281 17.800. 465 .'5.368,181 1.297,375 1,298.026 1,236,211 1.250,045 1.224,678 1,239,687 1.340,648 1,434,664 1.471.774 1,732,538 '4.621,327 4.453.243 4.382.6U3 3.946,485 22,381,792 21,745,973 21,626,214 21,023,552 21.070,1(73 21,669,706 22,502,630 24,701,140 25.475,32 26,737.091 17,262,730 17,243,611 17,077,067 17,166,503 17,683.111 3.905,470 3,976,694 4.061,131 4.417,901 4,587,797 4,781,457: 18.441.499 20.2S3,2;;9 20.887.535 20.956,634, LEVIES. I Mills Consoll- Btate. County. dated. 16 8-10 22 8-10 1902 4 1-2 15 (j i.v 7 1-2 17 2-10 24 7-10 H- 16 9-10 25 15-100 7-S 16 7-10 24 45-100 IM. 7 6-8 14 21 6-8 l'? 7 2"5 16 M0 296-100 J8" 6 7-8 15 21 7-8 18H3 C S-i 15 21 3-8 1893 -.jr..:....! - J-S ' 16 7-10 22 96-100 TAX. I I I Mlscel- Year. County State laneous Total I Tax. I Tax. Taxes. Tax. 1903 1902 1901 $430.126.92,$163.616.76;$S8.601. 09 $672,344.77 494,681.06 11.634.08, 12.543.59 10.546.33 10.072.20 9.6X6.41 9.604.64 9,366.06 12.066.26 63,416.69 64,667.28 67,628.24 69.096.87 669,630.82 626,243.41 609,474.68 613,068.37 665,697.56 686,640.25 638,191.72 611.390.65 694.331.61 699.342.08 660,029.01 550.032.64 1900 18H9 1S98 1897 1896 18!5 1S94 1893 1892 637.126. 661 543,899. 30 486,169.66 615,185.31 468.391.13 69,842.50 60,830.30 60,4.16.63 60,396.39 43.732.08 44, 006.19 48,696.24 538. 938. 00 640.337.46 10.262.081 644,633.99 I0.KO2.SI0 10,666.60 O90.667.2' COLLECTIONS. Miscel laneous. $ 42,670.79 9.114.87 6.035. 96 10.694.78 7,527.74 19,711.89 62,844.12 6.9110.28 6,89.43 7,464.01 8.4S2.27 . 7,018.29 Taxes. .$ 28.898.01 . 126.680.70 - 31.428.88 . .82,2(18. 07 ..132.53S.29 . 128.817.42 . 29.347.11 . 18,029. 12 . 13.866. 2i . 14.343.51 . 16,973.9) . 143,040.84 December, 1902 January, 193 February, 19('3 March, 19(0 April, 1903 May, 1903 June. 1903 July, 1903 August, 1903 September, 1903 Octoher, 1903 November, 1903 Totals ..$7)5,172.10 $183,304.43 DISBURSEMENTS State, t .$ 8.876.79 . 5,607.22 . 25,8(12.56 . 6.706.68 . 7,163.30 . 28,043.21 . 27,455.96 . 4.913.87 . 4.232.40 . S.048.53 . S, 266. 60 . 3.507.16 December, 1902 January, 1903 February, 1903 March, 1903 April, 1903 May, 1903 June, 1903 July, 1903 August, 1903 September. 1903.... October, 1903 , November, 1903 Totals $128,623.67 ASSESSMENT. 1903, Omaha lands Omaha lots Omaha personal Omaha banks , Omaha state DOUGLAS COUNTY. $ 1,03.).495.0) 13.170,o2r.OO 4,726,115.00 617,773.10 238.083.94 Total $19,707,488.04 South Omaha lands $ 684,770.01 South Omaha lots 1,131,997.00 South Omaha personal 96.'U74.00 South Omaha banks 165.274.63 South Omaha state 73,918.12 Total Country lands .... Country lots Country personal Country banks ... Country state $ 2,919153.77 $ l,721,i2.(M 499. 613. (81 283.571.0) 11.1X2.49 ' 460,423.02 Total.. Banks ... State .... Total.. Personal Lands ... Lota $ !. 9T6.151.31 VALUATIONS, 1903. $ 694.230 24 772.445. 0$ .$ 1.406.676.32 6.972,840.00 .$ 8.361.617 . 14.801.661 18,163,278.00 Total. ....$25,602,793.32 ON CITY ASSESSMENT ROLL arlr One Hnndred Millions of Prop erty Will Be Listed by Tax Commissioner. During the past year the work of the taxing authorities of the city has been complicated and vexed by the operation of a new revenue law and litigation against many of its provisions. The end of the year finds the labors of the tan depart ment Incomplete, save as to real estate, and except In this one regard accurate totals cannot be obtained. The real estate assessment rolls for 1904 as they left the hands of the Board of Re view show a footing of $71,559,179, this against a total of $71,984 900 as finally made by the Board of Equalisation last year. According to ths tax commissioner, there has been much equalisation of real estate values during 190$, but such changes hsve not greatly affected the total. That part of the city lying between Dodge and Leav enworth streets was rearsessed personally by Commissioner Fleming, the general re 'suit be Lag an Increase ef values la tha exclusive residence district in the west end and a decrease of residence property close to the business district. For 1904 the city will lose In assessments $26,391,220 for the railroads and about $0,000,000 for the Pacific Express company, these valuations bring placed last year and immediately provoking litigation, still pending, which makes It Inexpedient to at tempt to assess these properties the same for 1904. Deducting these two large items from the personal property assessment roll last year the amount remaining was about $2,00",000, according to the tax commissioner. For 1904 he thinks the total will run from $30, 000,000 to $35,000,010. meaning an increase In other line of about $5,000,000. "I think the new law will result In the addition of tS.OOo.ooo worth of property to the personal property llst," says the com missioner. "It will come In the way of moneys, mortgages, shares, stocks and bonds, never before taxed. Mortgages, I think, will amount to nbout $1,600,000 In value. The work In respect to personal property is incomplete, but I think the grand total assessment will be near $100,-000,000." MARRIAGES AND DIVORCES Fourteen Hondred Coaples Meek Wed lock and Four Hundred Seek Release. Four hundred and fifteen petitions for divorce have been filed in the district court from January 1 to December 31, 1903, as compared with 314 for the preceding year, an Increase of loi. If these figures may he taken rs a crlterlon,vtwo out of every seven married couples are looking for their free dom from the marriage bond. One thou sand four hundred and fourteen marriage licenses were Issued during the past year, as compared with 1,319 for the year 1902, being a gain of ninety-five. Following is the 1903 record by months: January Kol July 87 f ehruary 101 March 9! April 129 May In.'! June 168 August 91 September 141 October 146 November 126 December ......... 126 COST AT COUNTY HOSPITAL gome Incomplete Data for the Year Shovra Expense of Keep Ins; the Inmates. Superintendent McCleneghan of the Douglas county hospital has gotten to gether some figures which show the num ber of Inmates and the cost of running the Institution. Mr. McCleneghan assumed the superintendency May 1, 1903. There is nothing at hand from which to ascertain the exact number of Inmates at that lime. On July I the number was 173: August, 154; September, 162; October, 168; November, S14; December, 215. The running expenses of the institution for the six months ending October 31, 1903, was $7,007.74. Running ex pense? for one month Is $1,167.93; for one day, $38.93. Cost of keeping one Inmate one day, 16 cents. These figures Include all the expenses but those incurred for drugs. They also Include the living for the em ployes of the hospital. The salaries paid the employes for the month of November, 1903, amounted to $669. CLIMATIC CONDITIONS FREAKY I'nnsnal Amount of Rainfall During; the Year and Temperature Above the A vera it e. A general summury of weather condi tions at Omaha during the year 1903 shows that the precipitation during the year ex ceeds the normal, or average annual fall, by about two inches. This is the first year with an excess of precipitation since 1898. The month of May was remarkable for the number of days with rain (twenty-one), and the total for August was 12.50 inches, of which 7.03 Inches fell on tha afternoon and night of the 26th, breaking all pre vious records for twenty-four-hour rain fulls. This monthly full has been exceeded but once since the establishment of tho sta tion, vlx: June, 1883( with a fall of 12.70 Inches. While no temperature records were broken, there was an excess In temperature during the year averaging approximately M degree per day. The lowest temperature recorded was 15 degrees below sero, on Feb ruary 18, and tho highest was 98, on July . The severe cold wave on April 30, with a minimum temperature of 27 degrees, or .Warrants. Omaha. So. Omaha $ 46,622.66 $19,218.90 $ 190.00 8,359.20 1,396.01) 68,038.09 7,073.46 1,960.88 2C 718.76 874.88 19.326.95 3,090.50 1,183.62 76.263. li 1,042.81 97.180.76 11,637.12 1,875.41 38,167.43 ' 15,580.86 3,041.34 1,635.31 i.622.30 6.172.97 134.50 7.170.11 4,247.19 $410,023.21 $48,308.61 $10,194.41 Schools. $ 4,080.20 24,323.32 16.246.49 7.3(6. $6 3.187.43 7,939.26 6.153.27 31.373.47 2(1.632. 69 5.026.36 6.310.76 4.187.93. $135,767.46 within one degree of the record, was calam itous owing to Its lateness in the season. Fruit trees were in full bloom and fruit growers thought the crop was completely ruined, but, while this did not prove to be the case, the wave did Immense damage. Notwithstanding the fact that there wus an excess of temperature for the wholo year, the spring was wet, cool and cloudy and tho planting season greatly delayed, and owing to this delay a large portion of the corn crop failed to mature. The highest wind velocity during the year was at the rate of fifty-two mlies per hour, from the northwest, on January 7. A wind storm did considerable damuge at points in the southwestern part of the city on May 26. Temperature. Precipitation. Normal. Mean. K'nrmul Tntal. January i February 2 March .86 April 61 May 62 June 72 July 76 August 74 September 63 October 63 November 37 December 27 27 6.69 0.1(7 21 0 711 1.12 40 1. 30 0.68 62 a 13 2.01 61 4.37 o.32 68 5.67 1.31 76 4.75 2.67 72 3.34 12. 30 i3 2.91 2.50 66 2.47 1.19 3S 1.06 101 24 1.01 0.1 For first 22 days. L. A. WELSH, Local Forecaster. FEDERAL "COURT EXPENSES Wheels of Justice. Tarn Heavily and Require Much ftrrastns; Dnrlns; Year. The report of expenditures through the office of the United States marshal for the year 1903 for maintenance of the court machinery is an Interesting one. The ex penses of the court have been somewhat In exresa of last year, but a much greater amount of work has been done. In the class designated pay for bailiffs are Included all the expenses of outside Judges called here to assist Judge W. 11 Munger and the bills for the subsistence of Jurors engaged In tha trial of federal rases. In cluded in the miscellaneous expenses are tha salaries of tho court stenographer, the court messenger and the cost of transport ing the court records to and from Lincoln, the bills for blanks sod books for the offices of ths circuit and district clerks and such other Items as are authorized PUld s be la. - .AW- all the further noted that the ea court officers. Including deputy marshals and deputy clerks, are paid direct from Washington, and these amounts do not figure In the following report, which ; merely a record of the transactions of th court here at Omaha. The showing for the year 1903 Is as follows: Salaries. Fees and Expenses Earning. January 1 to March 81. ...$1,437.43 $3. (192 36 .wprii 1 10 .nine to j.711 ;n 4.114.04 July 1 to Sent 30. .... 1 019 19 Oct. 1 to Dec 31. .... 1.850 00 Total $5,61491 $11,13$ 61 6.623.61 Excess of earnings over expenses Estimated. Disbursements for 1903: Salaries, fees nnd expenses I $,514 91 Fees of Juorors 16.220 50 Fees of witnesses IS 984 49 Support of prisoners 1,221.75 Pay of Bailiffs 963.00 Miscellaneous expenses 1,938 16 Total $41,832 83 Circuit court: Cases docketed during 1903, 176; cases disposed of, 36; old esses disposed of during tho year, 60. One of tho most Important cases disposed of during the year was tha Oreat Western railway case, admitting that company to the use of the bridge and terminal facilities of tho Union raclflo railway company. District court: Cases docketed. ITS. Of these 100 were criminal. About $0 per cent of the cases docketed have been settled. Petitions In bankruptcy filed, 101. of Which about 60 per cent have been disposed of. MONEY SPENT ON THE PARKS Fnnd at Disposal of the Board Did Sot Warrant Any Kstenslva Improvements. No improvements of especial not wera made in the public parks during the year owing to lack of funds. Tho principal work of Improvement on tho boulevards has been on the east part of the West Central boule vard, which now is open to trsvel from. Woolworth avenue to Farnam street. In connection with the year's work the com missioners, with money provided by the county, macadamized Thirtieth street from Fort street north to the city limits. 1 no imuunn expenuea upon ins various rarioua parks and boulevards to December 1, by the attorney general. are as follows: 1 Hanscom $4,244.3$ W Rivervlew 3.164.07 Elm wood 915.46 Miller 730 85 Bemls 616.70 Curtlss Turner 1,267.79 Fontanelle 868.90 Kountze 83.27 Jefferson square and Capitol avenue S7S.49 Florence boulevard 1,813.95 Eleventh street 1.808.87 South Central boulevard 958.13 West Central boulevard ,6S0.2 Thirtieth street macadamising 7,482.38 Total expenditures $30,630.60 This does not Include the general f.ind from which tools and general supplies are purchased. Receipts park fund to December 1.. $17.811. SI Receipts road fund to December 1.. 23,831.11 Total receipts to December 1.... $4 1,642. 42 MILLIONS GOVERNMENT Internal III Revenue Collector Flad Total Swelled to Larce Sana. Compared with the corresponding period of eleven months during 1903, the receipts of internal revenue at the offlca for ths district of' Nebraska show an Increase of $294,742, It should be borne In mind that a reduction of certain classes of revenue became effective July 1, 1902, and tha higher rate prevailing during tho first six months of 1903 accounts for the lists, beer' stamp and documentary stamps, showing a higher aggregate during 1903 than In 1903. The details of the collections for tho eleven months and twenty-four days end-, lng December 24, 1903 (omitting fractions of a dollar), are as follows, with the report of the eleven months and fifteen days for 1902 in an adjoining column: 1903. 1902. Documentary stamps Proprietary stamps ... 28,944 691 Totals $2,710,817 $2,214,327 GROWTH AT PUBLIC LIBRARY Increase In Popular Use of the Books by Omaha Citlsens Is Steady. Figures supplied by Miss Tobltt, tha librarian, show that during 1903 the public library continued to add to its equipment at about the same ratio It has advanced In previous years. Attendance and issue records disclose tho fact that there has been no diminution In the use of tho facil ities afforded. These are the statistics: Tot u! number of volumes acessloned to date 76,r5 Total number of volumes withdrawn to date 14,471 Total number of veilumes now in tha library 61,501 Number of volumes adil.l In 1903 3.085 Number of cards Insued In 1903 $.833 Number of cards now in use 18. .83 Books issued for home use 200,4:'2 Books issued for reference SS.t.90 Visitors to reference room 19,710 Visitors to reading ronni , 43.2:18 Visitors to Bvron Rued room 8,73." Visitors to museum 22.28s CUSTOMS HOUSE RECEIPTS Business , for 11X11 Compares Vary 'lgar stamps 73.790 03,242 I obacco stamps 4.720 6.477 I pedal tax stamps 79.883 77,727 V lenovoted butter stamps. 14,660 4 61 1 V. Favorably with that of 11MV9. The work of the United States custom house at this point compares very favor ably with that of last year. Figures are not obtainable from the fact that tho fiscal year closes June 30. Receipts of customs are not materially different from hist year, although the withdrawal of ths tea tax of 10 cents per pound mad a reduction In the customs receipts tn Omaha of $50,000. This tax reduction went Into effect January 1. 1903. This loss was com pensated by the extraordinary growth of a new Industry originating in the great packing house of Cudshy Co., snd this balance was made up by their Importation of crude glycerine, which comes directly to this city. The Cudahy company now Imports millions of pounds of this product. Collector B. H. Barrows points to the Important fact that the merchants of Omaha can receive their Importations direct and In bond from any foreign port, right here in Omaha, without their being subjected to delay at tha seaport customs offices, such as New York, Philadelphia, etc. Millions of dollars worth of Imported goods, such as cigars, laces, dress fabrics, and every character of foreign Importa tions, are received In Omaha annually, that were they cleared directly at this port, and they can be with the same readiness that they are at the seaport customs offices, would add very materially to ths Impor tance of Omaha as a port of entry. As an Instance, for the fiscal year end- ; lng June 30, 1903. the total customs re-t eel tit s for the entire United States wssV, $2M.000,!O0. while receipts from Internal revenue throughout the country were but $230,000,010, showing tha customs receipts to be $&4,tog,(i la exerts of tho revanu ro-eelpta, 4 1 1 1 V I n