EDITORIAL SHEET , A PAGES 11 TO 20.
H H
L/J
ESTABLISHED JUNE 10 , 1S71 , OMAHA , srXHAY MOWNTXCJ , D I5CI3M HKU ! M , 185)1) ) . SIXGLU COPV ITIVU C13 NTS.
's ' Most Prosperous Year. I
PROSPERITY FOR JOBBERS
Improvement Noted in Practically All De
partments of Trade.
LOCAL MANUFACTURERS ARE DOING WELL
Only Kavoriilili' Itcimrln llrnril from
.lienVlio liny mill Si-ll .Monry
1'lriUlfiil mnl L'nllrodmiM fiooil
IJvcrj'imp Well I'lt'iinc'tl.
The close of the present calendar year
calls attention to the fact that 1S99 has been
the most prosperous In the history of the
Omaha Jobbers. Times have steadily Im-
piovcd throughout the year in all the west
ern country , so that consumers have had
mt'iiey to buy both the necessities nnd luxu
ries of life. With this Increased consumption
has como a corresponding e-xpannlon in the
retail trade of the territory tributary to
Omaha. The wideawake Jobbers looking for
business , u is hardly surprising that this
nhoiild have been for them a banner year.
During the more active months It has been
nothing unusual for a Jobbing house to re
port an increase In the volume of sales from
25 to 50 per cent gain over the corresponding
spending periods of the previous year.
This prosperity has by no cneans been In
the nature of a surprise to the Jobbers , as
( buy were generally predicting at the com
mencement of the year a large Increase.
Home , as a matter of course , were inclined
to ascribe the good business of the expol-
tloei year to that enterprise , but the jobbers
themselves had faith In the growing popu
larity of Omaha as n jobbing center and
were ready to believe that the city would
nut only hold all that had boon gained , but
would make big additions in IS'JU.
The facts showed they were right. Kvery
year seems to bring less Inclination on the
part of the western merchants to go past
Omuha In search cf merchandise. They have
found that they can got better terms , bettor
treatment , quicker delivery and greater sat
isfaction , by purchasing In Omaha than by
going farther from home. All this Is grati
fying to the Jobbers of this city , who ap
parently have every confidence In the ru-
ture. \
Local manufacturers have shared with the
Jobbers In the general prosperity , and In
nearly all lines there has been n steady ex-
jianslon. The larger manufacturing enter
prises , such as the packing houses , ftmclters ,
etc. , are familiar to everyone and the
ivholo city knows that they are prosptrons
und employing an army of men turning out
tralnlonds of merchandise every week , but
scattered all over the city are small factor
ies and shops , each doing a moderate bust-
ness , employing , however , in the aggregate
a largo number of men. Those little fac
tories , which mean so much to the city , have
hern prosperous as well ns the largo ona
ar.d the employment they have furnished has
materially contributed to the general pros
perity.
YEARLY BANK CLEARINGS
\ Stfiutv IitcrrnKf * In Slunvn nit a Xciv
r - ISiiwlHMorf ( ' ( insistent irlfU
Safi * llllHllll-NN .MolllOllN.
Adjustment of methods made during the
year Just closing preclude the possibility of
intelligent comparison of the records of 1899
and 1S9S In bank clearings.
Prior to March , 1899 , South Omaha bank
transactions were run through the Omaha
clcariiiK house by means of a system of
estimates necessary because of Iho difference
in tUne between tlio clearing hours In the
two cities. Thcso estimates were usually
too full. Dissensions among the bankers of
the two cities brought on a controversy that
terminated In a refusal of the Omaha banks
Interested to accept any estimate whatever
and of the South Omaha banks to clear
at all.
About Juno an amicable agreement was
reached whereby most of the South Omaha
clearings are again ru through the Omaha
clearing house. The tendency of the con
troversy lias been to diminish the sum total
of Omaha clearings for the year materially ,
although It Is well known an Increase exists
in the actual business transacted In that
respect.
Inspection of the figures given for each
month below discloses the effects of the
controversy , showing a decrease for the year
as compared with the last , but It also shows
that since the rcadjusknetit there has boon
n steady increase. A few months more will
round out the year under the new regime ,
when a bettor comparison can bo made of
the Increase In Omaha clearings. The your
ISflS was , tinder the system of clearing then
In force , the banner year In Omaha's history ,
The comparative figures for 1S9S and 1899
follow :
Months. 1SB. isra ,
January J22.937.090 7U J30.51fi.2iI7 1
February 20,783,331 91 2UG3.772 73
March 21,676.137 50 1S.76SS12 31
April 23.S16.622 if 10 92fi.S > 2 61
May 25.333,153 6:1 : 19r2I.G33 07
Juno 21.172.503 G3 21.003.997 22
July 25.9M.SIO G2 2 : > , &SO,51.r > GO
August 25.7VJ,113 Cl | 2.1,7(11,611 ( 17
September 2S.059.1S1 II 2S.4J3.29I 7S
October 32W,52939 30,052CM 75
November 31.335.57i 2u 27.0U.52" ) S6
December SI.250,939 92 25.96 > i.03 ! 73
Totals . JJ10.M1 ,52861 $297,432,36336
The yearly record of the clearing honso
Blnco It was established In 1885 l.s shown
by the following table :
Year. Clearings. Year. ClcnrlngB.
IShT , . $ : , iri''S.fi001S93 31G,41GS72
IkNi ; . 82C 0.3701faj 2ll.73ll.lM
is.S7 . 137:206I1S95 : ! 190,611,2'IS
JSSS . KG.007.003.Ulifi 210,111,3111
JSSD . . . . . . 2U1.2SO.I6C1S97 213 3SS.79S
ISM . 215.lit2.l5i' ) ' I8SM 319.f > ' ! I.KM
1VH . 221.12S KTi IM > ! ) 297,432.165
1SUJ . 272.)39C9J
BUSINESS AT THE POSTOFFICE
lli'i'i > l ? < N Arc Aliout Hit * Same UN
Thoiiu of lln- r\jionl-
tloii Year.
At the Omaha postolllco receipts during
thi exposition year of 1898 far exceeded thoao
of any former period of equal length and
it was expected to stand as a rocord-
btcaUer. The past year , however , has given
It a i1 lose race , und In some particulars has
In en better. The following table shows the
business of the year 1899 :
Sale of HtampM ami envelopes. . . , $ 339.12S ! > 2
Itox rent . 2.00S 2)
$ 311,130 72
Muni'y ortVr ImsinoKt-i :
37.123 donii'tuli1 orders Issued . J 270.ICI ss
2.2 ! > 3 fort lull orders Utfiiod . 27.1S1 57
nomiltaiH'pH rrci'lvod . 2.771.S74 7'J
I'Hi.llt duuutflkorderx paid . ] ,59aT ( > 5 2)
b ! > 2 foreign urdt-rw paid . lS,71i > 81
] , i-tt'is ami p.irot'U rugUtored . 2 > > ,9li
I'.ici-lviHl for delivery . (9.77) (
Kil'itiivd poneliuM riu'vlviMl . H,9iH
IJr l-'irod pouchi'w dlsimtched . 10.7U7
K Klsurid pouohoa handled in transit 221 ! . 1 % )
Duri'it ; the year tlioro was mallud as be,1-
riut-ilusri mall matter 2aS5,16S pounds , at 1
cent per pound. maklliK a total amount col-
le , tc of $2U.S51.GS.
During 18'.is ' tlu- vale of fctamp * ntul box
aggrcguted $357.67195 ; money orders
paid. $1,375,151.12 : Issued. $300,303.87 ; re
mittances re-eived , $2,5GI.3l3.rG ; letter * and
paokacrs reglKtere'l. 27.On , " , ; recr-lved. 17.910 ;
registers In transit , 210,930 ; through regm-
tor pouches , 11.577.
INTERNAL REVENUE BUSINESS
Ovrr n ( luarli-r .Million Diillnri In-
'ri-HNi * DurltiK llu * TUMI
Yt'itr.
During the last twelve months the In
crease in Internal revenue collections at
Omaha was $2S1D35.96 , as compared with
the same period tf 1S9S. A largo decrease
occurs In the collections on Hat goods and
Hplrlts. In the former classification Is In-1
eluded fines and penalties. The decrease in
the tax on spirits Is duo to the fact that for
two months during the last summer the
distillery huro wns closed to make repairs.
Collections on the different classifications'
are :
1S9S. 1SB9.
List $ 103.5XS.no $ SS.OI7.ri2
Uter S30,2I2.W : .ll.l.S.'M.M
Spirits 8,0,14. , W.fil 2.053,52t.i7 (
Cigars 81XM.iV ! fl9.2Kl.ri'
Tobacco 3.G33.7.i fi.2Si.l (
Special tax 117,352.ai 1S2.IK7.M
I'luyltiK eards 7(2 ( 3.21
Mixed Hour 31.S2
Documentary 3.W.3S9.I3 M9.51fi.3S
I'roprlelury 20,29I.O > 1 11.0 > 2.GI
Totals J3.031.7C3.4S $3,311,719.11
CUNDITION OF THE WEATHER
t'licoinnionly Ii-l lull ! fill llratiil l-'ur-
iil.xlicil Oiiiiilin DurliiK tli *
I'axt Year.
During the year 1S99 there were tie great
extremes of heat and cold In Omaha. Thei
coldest day came In January and the hottest
In September. The precipitation was sulll-
clent to mature an abundant crop. The nc-
companylng table shows the weather condl-
e-
tlstlcs showing a decrease In the number of
Icaths mid an Increase in the number of
births. Only SG3 deaths occurred during
the year , a smaller number than for any
year in the last decade. On the other hand ,
the citizens have , replaced the dead with
the living at a ratio of nearly two to ono.
During the year thcro were 1.GS5 babes born
d of these 851 were boys and S3 1 were
girls. While this Is an Increase of sixty
over the preceding year It still falls far short
of each of the seven years previous to 1S9S.
The following table for the last eight years
traces the record :
Roys. Girls. Total.
1S99 . 1 SI I lG&'i
119S . 815 7SO 1,623
7 . 956 919 1.905
G . 951 955 3'JOI
1SJH . 971 92 ! ) 1,900
1S9I . Si8 : 910 1.S9S
ISM . 9DI 9K ) 1.9CO
ISM . Pil 903 1.S5G
The most significant fir ares for the year
are those regarding deaths , which roach the
lowest point In 1S99 touched since the cen
sus of 1890. The lowest previous record Is
929 in 1896 , that number being sixty-three
more than In 1899. The record for the last
eight years Is as follows :
Mains. Females. Total.
1F99 . 170 390 W )
S . MO 427 937
1i > 97 . fill135 010
! S9ii . -IS2 417 921
a . 573 r.tr , i.m
1S91 . C35 511 1,119
IS'J.1 . G52 u32 1,201
1SS2 . GH 513 1,199
Contagious diseases found Omaha a less
congenial abode In 1S99 than even during
the preceding year. There were twenty-
five cases of smallpox early In the year and
ono solitary case Is mow In progress. Those
of last winter , however , were of a mild
form and none resulted fatally. In diph
theria there were only 105 cases , a less
number than previously recorded since 1890.
The figures on this disease show a notable
decrease In mortality during the last six
years , duo , U Is claimed by physicians , to
the Increasing -uso of the antl-toxlno treat
ment. The alight Increase In the death
rate this year is regarded as simply an In
cident without any particular significance.
The decrease In the mortality rate la shown
by the following table :
Cases. Deaths. P.O.
ISM . 93 14 .141
1S9-I . US 16 .1CS
1S97 . 219 39 .179
1MX1 . 2U- 47 .123
1SJ5 . 1H -II -353
1MU . 139 EG .40. )
MILES OF NEW PAVEMENT
Arm of I'orinaiiont Siirfni'i'N In
.iilil UurliiK SriiNonHiliult | Hit ;
1'rrt atlliiir Material.
During the lost year 2.414 miles of-pave
ment were laid In Omaha , a considerably
less area than In 1S9S. when 3.805 miles
were put down. That year , however , was
an exceptional one In this respect , and ran
far ahead of Its predecessor. Of the total
pavement laid during the last year 2.355
miles were of anplmlt and elghty-nlno miles
were of brick. Of the 82.500 miles of pavn-
ment In the city the proportion of materi
als is as follows : Asphalt , 29.7G5 nilhn ;
brick. 10.995 miles ; Htono block , 21.671
mllra ; macadam , l.GCG miles ; wooden block ,
15.109 miles. The total coat of Omaha' i
!
pavements amounts to $5,036,772.0 ! . The
work done In 1899 Is as follows :
IViiltol uve. . 10th to 20th $14,705.0S
filming. 22nd to 40th 33.SI2.3I
IK-wey avo. , 39th to 40th 1.S03.W
Dndtge. 3lHt to 31th 4,723.Ii )
loth , Farnam to Jackson G.191.61
Hartley. Kith to 10th 2.2S7.I1
Mason. 31st to 33d 5,129.0 *
22d Loavenworth to Mason -1,033.02
23th. Farnam to Dodge -t.47G.S3
32d uvi * . . Paven-port to Fnrnani. . . . 7.926.47
3ith Fariuim to Dodge -1,690.61
Wth , Fnrnam to Dcwoy ave 3bf > ) .51
21th , liojd to Aimw ave. 2,353.90
Various lnterni > ctlon 3,719.07
Total. . . . . .mflSl'.OS
\ Si'iulliii : I'ri'luhl to .Manila.
SAN FRANCISCO , Due. 30. The transports -
ports Tartar and Valencia will probably be
soul buck to Munllii with freight. Thcru
tire now about I.CO > ton of frelifh : waiting
on thu KOvrniment dock nnd no iU\uiK'r to
taku It. The Sheridan ! already engaged I
to s.iII from here on the 4th proximo tm i
KonUIn to take foraue from theru for
Manila.
BRISK DEMAND FOR REALTY
Increase of Over Thirty Per Cent in Volume
of Transfers ,
COMPARATIVE FIGURES TELL THE STORY
\ < > < nlili > Inort'iiNP l Current
of It en I KNtntr .llnrlKiiU'-N Over
liiiNt Vrnr Kni'tM Aliiiut
Tuv l.i'vlew.
One of the most hopeful signs of Omaha's
prosperity haw been the gradual but per
ceptible awakening of activity In real cs-
' talc transfers and better prices secured for
' property. Tenement property for both rcal-
] denco nnd business purposes has been In
I active demand throughout the year , and
' the tenant class has been sorely pressed at
times to llnd comfortable quarters.
| ' ' Hentals sustained a rather sharp ad-
vnnco during the year and reslJcnces In
sections for ycara avoided by best paying
tenants have filled up with reliable and
, responsible people. Not only have all vacant -
| i cant storerooms been llllcd. but n tendency -
, dency has been constantly growing to crowd
two or three modest business enterprises
Into one storeroom.
Kfforts to locate a number of manufac
turing establishments or' their agencies in
the city have disclosed a painful lack of
available buildings suitable for wholesaling
nnd Jobbing on proper trackage nnd In good
localities. Thin need Is so Imperative that
i the Commercial club lus several times con
templated Issuing an address to capitalists
setting forth that capital supplying such
J ' structures at a moderate hut assured rental
> price would be of distinct advantage to the
city. Several largo real estate sales Imvo
been made during the year to concerns
which propose to establish large Jobbing
warehouses In central localities , with more
promised for the Immediate future.
A comparison of the aggregate volume of |
real estate transactions during the year
just closed and the one Immediately pre
ceding shows an increase during IS'JO of
i ever , ' ! 0 per cent , as follows :
I 1SDS. ISM.
I January $ I07W ! $ ( ; 7Mi ! > 2
'February lirr.fiiK 74U.374
Marrh ooJl.OM ( ilH.M !
April r n,7SS ] , W4,070
May S51.593 rt2,7 : .
' .luno SH.GCS ns4l31
.July 362,565 973,817
August 4r.7r. 4'9.oi
September / 533,197 Kb , I2'J
October 221,030 507,241
November "SIVTCS 475.7JS
December S97,7i > 5 B03j ! ) |
Totals t .171.5S2 { 7,333,712
liooil ShiMVlnir In .Miirlpnm'N.
The mortgage records In the olllce cf the
register of deCL's for the years 1893 and 189'J
Indicate a healthy financial condition of the
city nnd county , clearly establishing that
while a large volume of obligations has
been contracted , the balance Is on the
! right side of the ledger , as more mortgagej
have been satisfied than contracted. The
' comparison with the previous year is llke-
! wise gratifying. The following figures tell
' the story In exact detail , giving the number
of mortgages illed , number released and
I | the financial amounts by the months for
' the year 1899 , and with comparative totals
i for 1888 : '
I ISM. ISM. 1S9S 1SSS
' ( Month No. Amount. No. Amount.
January 120 $ I'G.bKl 112 $ ] | 5,7.V ) SI
February. . . . US 153.170 107 112.501 SJ
March 151 2il.3UO 133 147,075 Kl
.April . 174 210,201 139 167,110 15
May ] i 177.ini 10 ! ) 151.05 17
I Juno 151 294.215 130148,27171 ;
' .July 15'J 175,302 S9 152,01900
August 121 2S3.952 123 251..V.1 00
September . . . Ill NW.7 < iU 130 103,231 0)
October 13 $ 272,794 111 lSi.205 25
November . . . 13H ISOGil 12 130.2VS 10
December . . . 110 181.000 101 129,16301
(
Total UU J2.GG9.277 77132 J2.1J7.1S2 24
1 The foregoing figures include both farm
and city mortgages. Tlio last four days
of December are estimated , the figures hav
ing been taken from the records four days
prior to the first of the year. The estimate
is made by Thomas F. Crocker , register of
deeds.
The following figures show the mortgages
that have been released or satisfied during
the year :
1S99. 1S39. 1S9S 159S
'Month ' No. Amount. Xo. Amount.
January 170 $ 898,191 111 $ 211,121 G7
February . . . . 150 371,423 137 201.07350
Minvh 147 677,273 145 27,737 ( ! 21
April 202 012,717 ICO 373,02231
Mav 20. 537,338 113 209,1197 3J
.luno .A 148 200.S4S 178 513,9.2 3'1
July 192 475.805 1.11 220Sr2 75
August 275 537.5SJ 123 G27.034 C'J '
September . . . 251 514.SM ! 13 ! 2l3GViO )
October 231 411Hti 131 263.3SS ft )
November . . . 17G 23S.G31 181 233 3X9 00
December. . . . 183 312,500 123 330.C3S O'J
Totals . . . .Z334 Jj,571,701 1,712 $3.833.109 9
The forrgolng comparison of released
mortgages in 1899 over 1898 tells plainly a
Etory of prcsporlty. It shows that nearly
$2,000,000 more has been paid toward satis
fying outstanding debts than was paid In
the previous year , and It was not hiicli a
bud year cither. In comparison with years
previous. In number of mortgages taken
up there is also an exeesK of over GOO In
favor of the year that has Just closed.
Another sign of prosperous conditions is
the fact that but few farm mortgages have
been Illed In comparison with previous
years. The greater number and greater
volume of documents executed have been on
city property , mainly in cases where largo
enterprises are Involved and where thu
money borrowed was Immediately turned
Into sorno Industrial or development chan
nel. The agriculturists seem to bo espe
cially prosperous. Just for a sample , In
the month of Juno this year only five farm
mortgages were filed and the total amount
was only $5,197.
Compin-ill I VK I'Mjjiir.'N on TIIM-H.
A table showing how the county levies
and taxes have run for the last ten years
has Its own elements of Interest. Making
allowance for n law which permits tlio
assessing of the county at one-seventh to
one-tenth actual value and considering also
that by this plan the assessed vnluat'on '
has been made to grow less nnd less , the
burden of taxation In 1899 was lighter than
ten yeara ago. Following Is the table :
A MH CNN mi-ii I Valuation.
I llnnks I Total I Total | Total
Year.I nnd ' J'er- I Heal | ASSPSM-
lUallr'dn.l Monal. I ICsttitc. ; mem.
1SW $ 1.233,211 ? lSi2Gd3' ' $ 17.213.6111 $ 21.020.211
Ibl'S 1.250,015 3.9I8IV , | 17.077.0U7 ! 21.U21.652
IbW 1.22I.WSI 3,903,470i 17,105,50,1' ' 21.070.U73
$ 1.SKM1S7I 3 , ! > 7fi.59l | 17.GSI.llli 21.0VI.705
l,310.fitS -1.061,131 18,411.Ml ( 22,802,010
i IhUl 1.43I.GGI 4,117,1101 20.2S3.239I 21,701,11' )
UKJ 1.471,771 4,5i7,797 | 2U.SS7.535I 25.475.33.
1S 2 1,732.53 * l,7S'1.457i 2',9"j5G3l | 25.737fl91
I 1W1 1,4311,756 4.92G.3SG 20.710,427 25.Ki.iS13
1,500,592 I , ! I.U9 | 2 < ) ,101,1S7 | 2l.li23.SM
,917.112 ! 20ga,39l ( | 26,010,5W
it.Tu-ir '
, * -
j I IConsoII-
Year. I Stale. | County. | dated.
? " " -
1SW . . . .I S2'S | 109-101 2315.100
.
i ; > i
li j7 7 (1-M ( 1" i in , i ji
iwri I 7 5 ii : : j r-8
1M6 7 2-k 1G 7-10 , 23 Ufi-lOJ
1S91 1 ti 7-k , 15 I 21 7- ! >
G fl-SI 15 | 21 3-S
( ! 2-Sl 1G 7-10 22 C5-10) )
r , 2-s | 133-1
1S9J fl 1-7 11 6-7 IS
IS1 ? ) 0 1-7 11 V-70 ISSO RG-70
'I'llS ,
MlltttCl. I OlItMde ! Tntnl
Year. Tax. I of
Tux. | Omnha. | Tux.
ism } G4.wni : : tn s io.i72 ( 201 $ 5,1,0 % s * $ ! i3oi.x ( 37
IS0.1B9 5 , P.tiva 111 R9.K43 FiO 553.0,75(1 (
1S07 615.1M5 31 nuni oi GO.MW 30 6. . .iin r.
1VM tWKl ! ) IS H.8C5 fl | l .4S ; B1i KW.lt > ! 74
1S95 K5VK5H M ) 12.0M 2G OO.B'JC Ml 61 1,8 ! 0 Oi
45 ! 10.2K ! OS | 43,732 \ 691.331 fil
w in.tit ! no , ii.no : in r. : i.i : 2 ns
27 1 lO.ftW Bl | 4S.G'tj ' 21 G5'H2.l ) 01
1N.11 B12.7.T 17 10,223 S2 , SJI.IHli 22 552,5M > 21
1MM 4IV,709SS | s.707 ftl , iM.Nli S7t'1,2S3 70
1SS1 G2U.21S 1 ( ! | S.9MS1 , 2V)7li2 ) 519.279 11
BUILDING PEHMir RECORD
Slight Knlllnu ( IIV I'rtini ( InCOIINIruc
tion I'l-rliiit Diirlnu ; tlif lira iif
i.MicislUtin : lliillillniJ.
Thp Issi-o of building permits Is nol an
Infallible Index to thu amount of buildlin ;
done In the city during the year , tor the
reason that the permits understate the cost
of the structures for which they issue. Be
cause of the fact that the fee for the Issue
of a permit io regulated by the cost of the
building as given , applicants or permits
Invariably underestimate. It ! s also a fact
that few men succesd In erecting the buildIngs -
Ings planned fcr the money originally esil-
maU'd. The olllco of the building inspector
figures that the aggregate amount repre
sented by the building permits does not ex
ceed 75 per cent of the actual cost of the
structures erected. The showing for the
year Is necessarily dwarfed somewhat by the
fact that during the years 1SD7 and 1SOS the
permits wore Issued for the expensive , but
temporary buildings and Improvements on
the exposition grounds , the 1S9S proportion
of which would reach about $500,000. This
figures for 1S9S and 1899 are as follows :
Mouths. 1S9S. 1m
January $ 8S.I11 $ 45.UO
.February 123.120 M.CMI
.Miin.li 12I.SH ) Ifi.ins
AprM I5S.7-10 I22.2IG
May tl4,0 ! > CI.PUl
.Illrio 75.332 ! , .l,230l
July 57,571 157.715
August 89,100 14I.23D
Septumbcr -li.OCO 11:1,2 : ; : .
October 310,7m ' , ! > , ! K > j
November 25,410
December 30,125
Totals $1,881,237 Jl.Olo.G'JI
The coming year promises to surpa s the
present or any o ! its Immedlalo predeces
sors In the record of permanent and ma
terial improvement , as plans have already
been announced for the erection of a num
ber of large wholesale houses.
LIBRARY IN CONSTANT USE
Hoinr ClriMilntloii InorriineN
lli % Yvnr liy More Tlimi Seven
l Volume * .
During the past year the shelves of the
Omaha public library have been used more
generally than ever. In the twelve months
ending December 7 , S93 more volumes were
loaned to patrons than during the same
period ono year ago. The attendance at
the reading and reference rr.oms and the
Byron Reed room on the other hand shows
ti slight decrease over the two preceding
years owing to the number of vlnltors In
the city during the two expositions.
In addition to the books In home circula
tion , 13,508 volumes were sent to tha pub
lic schools on the order of teachers. This
plan was Inaugurated December , 1S38 , and
has proven a success. Of the books in gen
eral circulation also , 59,737 were used by
Juvenile uubacribcrn. The table showing
monthly comparative circulation is hero
given :
1S9S. ] ' 99.
January . 19,231 17G:1
February . 19.218 17.11)7 )
March . 13,910 -.3-- '
April . 17,107 17,517
Mav . 13.971 15,510
Juno . 11.779 13.G21
July . 13.010 13.ii ! )
August . 13b27 13,031
September . 12,433 :2,7 l
October . 12,27- 1I.9J1
November . 15,437 1G.3S7
December . 15.2JG 1G.5J
Totals . lt3GG5 191.25S
The number of visitors In the other de
partments , compared with one year ago , Is
as follows :
1S9S. lbU9.
Reference roori . 2GGS * ! 23,215
KundliiK room . 52,134HS7ii
Uyron Reed room . 12,193 ] 0WJ (
Museum ( opened May G ) . 2,2'il
In the reference room 31 , GIG volumes were
used In 1S9 ! ) , compared with 37,082 In 1898.
In the Hyiou Heed room 2,199 hooka were
used.
The following miscellaneous information
. connected with the library will bo of intcr-
'cst ' :
Total number of volumes accessioned
to date . G1.15G
Total number of volumes withdrawn
to date . 9.5G7
Total number of volumes now in
library . 51,789
Number of volumes added in 169 $ . 2,33 ( !
Number of volumes added in ] Mi9 . 3,911
Total number of cards Issued 1K9S ,
new and ro-roglstratluim . 4.G93
Total number of cards Issued 1S99 ,
new and iv-reglstratlonx . 3.9S7
Total number of cards now in use . 13,03 ! )
FIGURES OF FIRE DEPARTMENT
Year 181)1) ) ) In a Itreoril-llri-nUor for
I'adilltli'N nnil Injiirli-N anil
I OHN of I'roniTt ) .
The two largest fires of the year were
these of Allen Ilros. , Ninth and Jones , the
loss heliiB S121.000 , and that of the King-
man Implement company , Ninth nnd Pa
cific streets , causing a loss of $113,000. The
loss for 1S99 doubles the record of any pre
vious year. There were -111 fires in 1899 ,
while the greatest number over before In
ono year wns 383 , In IS9S. The total loss by
( Ire for 1899 was $372,706 ; loss over insur-
j anco was $49,778 ; tlio loss to Insurance
I companies was $322,928. The figures for
1S9S show a total loss of $116,320 , the lotig
over Insurance $8,023 ; lufca to Ir.onranco
companies , $107 , < ' . ' . " .
The apparatus used by the department
has not been materially Increased during the
year. Twolto hose companies , four engine
companies , three hook and ladder companies
nnd ono chemical company arc hoiued In
thirteen buildings. The department lias now
168 men , compared to 110 a year ago.
In the matter of casualties 1&9S was a
record breaker. Tlio meat disastrous flro
was at the Labor Temple , Seventeenth and
Douglas streets , March 21. Four llvos were
lost and seventeen persons injured. The
flrc at Allen Ilros. ' wholesale IIOUBJ , Juno
17 , caused the death of ono fireman , and In
juries to nlno others. At the lire Inthe.
Mcrcor chemical works , 1112 Howard street ,
August 9. four firemen lent their lives and
two were painfully Injured by an clostrlo
light wire. The total number of deaths
uuaod by lire loct year was sixteen , five
iiing Dromon. Deaths from the game cause
during l&VS veru only four. Tlio total num
ber of person * . Injured by fire during IMiU
was forty-seven , of whom eleven wore fite-
inen.
CROW III IN OMAHA RAILWAYS
Illinois Ocntnl Bccom3 a Factor in City's
Transportation Affairs.
ONE OF THE BEST YEARS EVtR KNOWN
llolloriui'iil of Itu.-iitlicdt ,
anil 'IVriiilimli unit I'rusiiccllv
liuin i > % i-iuiMilN Ciiil Alrim
Much I'mt < Miur ( < * Oniiiliii.
Local railroad men are unanimous In de-
clearing the year ISO ! ) satisfactory In every
respect. The last year lias witnessed the
accomplishment of nut eh which should
work to the welfare of Omaha as a distribu
tion center.
The odvrat cf the Illinois Central opens
to Omaha u vast territory tributary to the
lines of this great railroad system , esten ling l-
ing to Chicago , southeast to Louisville and
south to New Orleans. The line to Omaha
properly begins at Tara , on the main road
six miles west of Fort Dodge. The distance
between Tnra and Omaha is 130 miles. Tlia
Blades on the line nowhere exceed twenty-
six feet to the- mile nnd the curven are very
light. The rails are of elghty-Ilve-pmt'.l.l
alcel , the roadbed IB thoroughly ballasted
and the physical condition Is of a high
standard. IJy tht > Induction of the Illinois
Central Into Omaha Minneapolis and St.
Paul are brought nearer to this rlty by some
thirty miles by reason of the cotmeetlci
made between the Minneapolis & St. l.ouis
j and the Illinois Central at Fort Hodge.
|
liilini rai-lllc AlVuti-M.
The last year has also been of great Im
portance with the L'nlon Pacific. Improve
ments In the caulpmcnl rf the system have
bccii numerous , the passenger nnd freight
service have * been enlarged and the running
of fast trains hns been brought to a nicety.
Several mlllli n dollars more will bo ex
pended on the lo.ulbcd to bring H to the
condition of perfection which the executive
officers have In mind. Arraugcoicnta arc
j under way for a route which will In same
way obviate the use of Sherman hill , a
steep grade , precluding the possibility of
fast tlmo through Wyoming. A cut-cff will
also be completed dm ing the coming year
which will avoid Piedmont hill , in western
Wyoming.
During the past year the Oregon Short
Line and the Oregon Kail way & Naviga
tion company , thu western branches of the
Union Pacific , have come under the direct
supervision of the parent system by the
transfer of Union Pacific stock for the out
standing stock of these two systems. Sepa
rate executive heads are maintained over
the three systems , but It Is believed that
this will gradually superseded by the
entire system coining under the control of
the executive olllcoie of the Union Pacific.
The Union Pacific's now union depot at
Omaha was opened December 1. Its coat
with the attendant Improvements in track
age facilities passed the $300,000 mark. The
main building is 350 feet long , and an aux
iliary bulldnig 200 feet in length Is imme
diately In the rear. The union depot is
used by the Union Pacific , Chicago & North
western , Chicago , ! tock Island & Paclfio.
Si ux City & Pacific , Chicago , Milwaukee &
St. Paul , the Omaha & St. Louis and the
Illinois Central railroads. The number of
regular passenger trains using the now
depot dally Is : Arrivals , forty-five ; de
partures , forty-three.
The Ilurllngton has within the last yonr
made several great Improvements to Its
system In Nebraska. Surveys have been
made for extensions of its line to Hart-
vile , \Vyo. , and to Brush , Colo. These ex
tensions extend south from Alliance , Neb. ,
nnd are Identical as far as Bridgeport , on
the Platte river. Then one line branches
off and follows the northern banks of the
Platte to Hartville and the other proceeds
south to Brush. The line Is already com
plete and in operation as far as Bridge
port.
port.A
A now factor in Omaha railroad circles
has boon brought in by the Inauguration of
operations by the Omaha Bridge and Ter
minal company , which owns a bridge across
the Missouri river , connecting Council filulfs
and Omaha. This company is temporarily
furnishing the Illinois Contra ! access to
Omaha for its freight trains and also pro
viding It with freight facilities with Its
warehouses both in Council Bluffs and
Omaha.
The Omaha , Council Bluffs & Suburban
railway , while not a railway In the strictest
sense of the word , partaking more of the
nature of a street car line , will be In opera ?
.tlon during the coming months. Work
hss already progressed toward the laying of
rails from Omaha to Council Bluffs and
thence to Lake Manawa , and equipment for
a modern electrical railroad has been
ordered.
\oi-dnvi-Nlrrn S > Nil-ill.
The lines of the Northwestern system the
Chicago & Northwestern , the Chicago , St.
Paul , Minneapolis & Omaha , the Fremont ,
IClUhoru & Missouri Valley and the Sioux
City & Pacific han enjoyed a year of un
precedented prosperity. Thcso Northwestern
linen , together with the Missouri Pacific ,
have enlarged and Improved their depot fa-
ellltlro at the Webster street station. The
Northwestcrn's now construction completed
during 1899 , opening up now trade territory
for Omaha , exceeds all others. Now lines
constructed during the last year and now
ready for operation are as follows :
Miles.
KIrkman , la. , to Ilarlan. la G.IW
Hurt , la. , 'to Sanborn. Minn 92.70
Wall Lake , la. , to Mondainln , la. , nnd
Buyer , la. , to Dtmlson , la SG.10
Sanborn , Minn , , to Vesta. Minn 20.40
Jlankato , Minn. , to Nrw Ulm , .Minn. . . . Ul.GO
Wabeno , Wis. , to end of track (5.23 (
miles 'beyond ' Leonu , Win. ) 11.82
Total 250.13
On the Chicago. St. Paul , Minneapolis &
Omaha :
Mudcim , "Minn. " , to Fairmont. Minn. . . . 29.33
IHngTmm LuUo , Minn. , to Jeifers , ' .Minn. 1S.S7
Total "jsiso
Craml total , 29S.G2 miles.
The addition of these 298.02 miles will
make the total approximate mileage of the
Chicago & Northwestern In operation with
tbo beginning of 1900 , 8,283.02 miles.
OlllIT lIllllrilllllH ,
With the Chicago , Milwaukee & St. Paul
nnd the Chicago , Hock Inland & Pacific the
year has been profitable. Like all the other
roads operating out of Omaha the capacity
of their freight and passenger facilities lias
been taxed during the last few months to
the utmost.
The Missouri Pacific and the Omaha & St.
Louis are improving the physical condition
of their systems and during the ensuing
spring their lliu'H will bo laid with now
cighty-flvc-pound steel rails. Thcso two
were accorded unusual passatiger patronage
during the year.
It U given out unreservedly that two
more railroad ccmpanlog expect to extend
; their line * to this city the Oreat Northern
und thu MlnncapollH & St. LouU. The
former road , through iU prcbidenl , J. J.
Hill , bus lung bt-cn .inxiout , to get a foot '
hold In Omaha , and the first step has bin '
taltrn In securing control of the Sioux City
& Northern , whli-li Rives the Great Nt rthern
access to Slt.ux City. A route has been
surveyed from Sioux City to Omaha on the
Nebraska side of the Mlsiourl river , nnd It In
presumed that the Oti'at N rthcrn Is back of
ibis movement. The building of this short
npur from Sioux City to Omnhnvulil make
thIB cly ! the aouthcrn terminus of that great
railroad and rctincetlotm with sauihern roads
hero would Rive the Oroat Northern a widely
enlarged Held for operation.
The Minneapolis & St. Louis also sh nvs
on Its maps a proposed line to Omnha , tlio-.inh
the conntetlon mai'e possible at Fort Hedge
with the Illlncl * ) Control may delay Its com
ing. This line to O.nnha Is nn extension of
the line fr m New t'lm to Storm Lake , la. ,
133 miles , now In progress of construction.
Grading to Storm Lake hns been completrl
and most of the tracklaylng Is already
finished.
YEAR IN OMAHA CHURCHES
yoniilinni'incitnnli IIM < Ili-cn Mniti-
unit Mordfimi" * Ilini1 ll.'i'ii
1'nlil ( Ml.
The rhurehe * of Omaha have uniformly
prospered during the lojt twelvemonth ,
many Improvements having been made and
mortRapc-s paid off.
The First Baptist church accomplished
a unique but bug'nessllko stroke by goliiK
Into partnership with the IK-th-Rden church ,
on Park avenue. The pastor and location
of the Hoth-Udcn congregation were ac
cepted , w'-llo the name of the "First Bap
tist church" wns retained. - The property
of thr old First church a lot and building
at Thirty-fourth and Farnam streets and
three lots at Fifteenth and Davenport
Htrecto was turned Into a common fund , and
there ! s assurance that the e-nsolldatlou
will be for the good rf all concerned.
The Methodists load all denominations In
the number of their cuurehw. although both
the Itcmnn Catholics and the 'Rplscopnllans
outrank them In aggregate membership. The
Methodists have e ntrlhiifii largely toward
the On-aha ho p'tal end the Ueicjncss' h mo
Tito average annual salary of the Metho
dist clergy is ? SOO. and every pulpit In the
city Is now regularly occupied.
The total membership of the ten ISijis-
copal churches In the < -lty Is approximated
nt 15,000. tlnugh only 3,000 are regularly
received crmmnulcants. The Clnrhson Mem
orial hcBpltal Is largely supported by this
denomination and it Is also the patron of
Urownell hall. j
The year's record of the Catholic , Presby
terian , Congregational and other denomina
tions also show material gains financially
and numeric-ally.
Ono now church edifice has been erected ,
the St. Paul's Herman Lutheran , at Twenty-
seventh and Parker streets. Tlio new parish
opens Itn work auspiciously under the pas
torate rf Rev. F. C. Knlef. In addition to
the usual church and Sunday school sorvlce.i
a parochial school has been established.
German is spoken from the pulpit.
A number of alterations and additions
have been added to St. John's Collegiate at
Twouty-llfth and California streets.
YOUNG MEN NEED MORE ROOiVi
CliriNtlim .VMNOt'liition Mi't'tH i\pciim-x :
'llli Money to Simrr TiMvnril
I'aylnu : v
The Young Men's Christian association
has passed a most prosperous year , nnd the
organization Instead of seeking additions Is
looking rather for facilities to care for mem
bers already enrolled. On December 1 the
membership was 1,161 , an Increase of 13G
over last year.
A profitable term's work is In progress
in the night Miihool. where Instruction Is
given in fifteen branches , with a total en
rollment cf 307. Samples of work were
bent as n part of the educational exhibit at
the International convention held In Grand
Kaplda. Mich. , and live of the class con
tributions received honorable mention.
The reading room , containing n library of
1100 volumes and 125 leading daily , weekly
and monthly papers nnd magazines , wa-i
largely patronized. The bathrooms were
made use of during the year by 29,500 per
sons and 12.5GS persons worked In the gym-
naalnm , compared with 8,012 In 1898.
Twenty-two ontorlalnmunts were given In
the gymnasium , In which 7,220 yotins
athletes took part. The figures on the
gymnasium attendance Include only fioveii
montha , as the athletic -work was transferred - |
forred to tlio Ames Avonuc park during the ,
summer. I
The most notable accomplishment of the
year la the. Initial effort toward paying off
the mortgage of $75,000 , assumed when tlib
building wan erected. In addition to the
Interest 52.000 wns paid on the principal and
similar payments will bo tnndo annually.
The interest rate on the mortgage has nlfl'i
been decreased from G per cent to116 per
cent. All moneys iccotveit hereafter from
rentals will bo used for Insurance and repairs - I
pairs and the balance for the payment of
principal and interest. Incidental expenses
will bo mot by membership teas and enter
tainment courses. Kocclpls from member
ships and subscriptions amounted In 1S99 j |
to $11,3G2.77 , while the expenditures footed j I
up only $11,279.50. Tlio membership is now
the largcnt in the history of the association.
SEWERS BUILT DURING YEAR
I.III-KI- ( ) | H > i-alloiiN Are Iliuli-rliilu-n ami
Aliout Kour MIIN of Dralnni : ! '
C'llllHtriK'tl'll.
About four miles of sewers were laid dur
ing 1899 , compared with 1.377 miles In 1898.
The money spent for drainage during the i
year is approximately $50,000 , contrasted !
with $ G,1G3.01 one year ago.
The principal undertaking has been to
drain tho'low district In North Omaha ,
which has previously sultcrcd severely In
net weather. The purpose has bcon to tap
tbo oourco of the old North Omaha creek
and divert the How to the northward , carryIng -
Ing It to the outlet through JUvorvIew park.
.
The work designated as unfinished la nil In '
an advanced state. Ilxpomllturcs for the
year are as follows : (
I
Olilii. t'UKt to Sixteenth $1.18913
California , 1,32710
Ami'tf nvi'iuiu 1CM ill
Thirty-ninth at rent C | ( GO
Thin y-olulith street , SOI Gl
Alley between Chicago mill Ons3. . . . S70 2' )
Thirty-fourth Mtruol 611 31
*
Total J M(3 (
UndiiUlied work ( cgtlinrUo < l ) : '
North Omaha sewer $35,000
Lafuyotto avenue 3/1
Thlrty-Kccond nvcnuci. . . . ] ,5n
Mutton Ktreel , 1,20)
( 'iillfornlu Direct , IV )
Hawthurna avenue up ,
Foriy-ulBhth Htreot culvert. . . . a.Goa i
Total f 12,033 i
I'nlil-ln CnnUal < if i7.5 , . ,
TRKNTON , N. J. . Dae. SO-Thu Amulgii- \ !
mated Copper company fllod u corilfl. ute '
today with th vci-retury of Mute- netting out
that ll entire < - < i < iltn | ntoc-k of J'wui.ooj
bad IMTII | mld la In cusli The n rtlllt-uti-
i wi Hlj.'ii"d l-v HI-MI ; , II Uoucrs , \ i < . iircHl-
I .If nl ai.il \\illiuin O ItU'k. ' It-Hi r , h.-i n- (
tai y I |
PAST YEAR IN LABOR'S ' FIEID
Increased Prosparity Ettjyetl by tbo Men oi
Botie and Sinew.
STEADY AND ACTIVE DEMAND FOR HELP
l liiilmr 11ns Urimu
Durlnir ( In * ti'nr front UVITJ-
I'olul of Vh'fv , 1lell > > rliitt UN
Cnmltf Inn mnl
Nothing better attests the prosperity of the
Inst year nmt the bright promise Tor ( he
year just opening than the decided growth
In tlio faults of organised labor. The yrnr
ISPS Is reeosnlwl ns one * of cncournglNS
growth among tlio labor unions , but is'i'
has surpassed It. Merliatilea nlid laborers
were nil employed nt good wages , and evi n
unskilled laborers have been ucnrce atid
the demand active.
No serious Industrial troubles occurred
during tilt ? year. Striken were threatened or
deelarcd by tlio palnteru , cnrpeulcra , leather
workers , job prtntero. pressmen , press feed-
eni and bookbinders , but all were settled
satlnfactorlly for the workmen with but
slight Interruption of work ,
Tito painters led off In April. demanding
better pay , and within a month all of tlio
principal employers but olio had signed the
schedule.
In Auqtist the carpenters demanded an In-
, 'rrasod wage sehe.lul ? . to take eltect Septem
ber 5. At the end of three weeks the con
troversy was settled In their favor.
October 1 the leather workers , comprising
the harncasmakcrs and saddlemakcrs , sub
mitted demands for belter pay. All the
sh'ips mot the Increase except ono without
demur , and after a stilke lasting a week
the. protesting llrm ucceilcd to the demands
of Its sixty workers.
Daring tlio same week the printing trades
moved for the nine-hour working day , and
after n brisk season of negotiation with the
employers , carried the day. although the
situation for n time looked decidedly threat
ening. The settlement was effected without
the loss of a day's work.
The Walters' union has had several sharp
encounters during 1S99 , In the course of
which they have ran against Injunctions of
courts and other embarrassments , but they
have terminated the year with a balance to
their credit.
( SrotvlniMMllMT * .
Material strength has been gained by or
ganized labor during thu year. Six local
unions withdrew from the Omaha Central
Labor union and assisted In the organiza
tion of the Trades and Labor assembly of
South Omaha. The hole left In the ranks
was scon refilled ? however , by the organiza
tion of the wood workers , gravel roofers ,
brlckmakers , bricklayers , und plasterer '
tenders , mailers , barbers , eleetrotypers and
stercotycrs ; , Federal Labor union and by
the reorganization of the bollormakors' and
bookbinders' unions , making altogether f-irty
local unions , representing a membership of
close to S.GOO workmen , an Increase of nearly
3,500 during the year.
A strong fight was made , during the
summer for Saturday night early closing ,
and during the hot weathdr there was no
buying anything In the line of merchandise
after C o'clock. This was effected by an
agreement , between a committee from the
Central Labor union and the respective
merchants. The early closing lasted for
about two months , when It canio to a sudden
termination , and since that time only ono of
the big Htorcs has observed the agreement.
It is said that the others have not done so
because of a misunderstanding. The
Central Labor union Is still at work on this
movement and Its ollicers seem to feel con
fident that they will be able to effect a re
newal of the early closing.
Labor Temple is a corporation organized
for the maintenance of union labor head
quarters and meeting places for the various
unions. H occupies a building , with four
largo halls , n reading room , card room ,
committee rooms and ofllce , and Is trying to
absorb the Thurston Hllles' armory room In
the samj building. The organization was
badly discouraged nt the tlmo of the fatal
lire In the block It occupied nearly a year
ago , but by the united efforts of the union's
represented in the corporation , coupled with
liberal donations from a number of friendly
business men , the Tcmplo has been refitted
and refurnished.
The unions which at present meet In Labor
Tien pi L are ns follows : Painters ( No. 109) ) ,
Woodworkers , Clgarmakors , Klectrotypors
ami Storeotypors , Tailors , Darbers , 1'rlnting
Pressmen , Printing Pressfecders , Retail
Clerks , Leather Workers , Bricklayers ,
Carpenters , Plumbers , Stage Kmploycs ,
Ilrickmnkers , Musicians , Electrical Workers.
Locomotive Firemen , Bookbinders , Mailers ,
Waiters , Horseshoors , Coopers , Stonecutters ,
Hackmun. Plasterers , Sheet Metal Workers ,
Machinists , IlakorH , Brewers , Boilermakers ,
Printers , Kodcr.il union ( unskilled labor ) .
Central Labor union and Building Trades
council.
Tlio Broom-makers , ( i ravel Hoofers.
Bricklayers and Plaster Tenders and the
Letter Carriers meet at other quartern be-
cause of the jack of room ill Labor Toniplo.
Organized labor Is looking forward not
only to greater prosperity for Its followers
during the coming year , but Is relying upon
unrolling within Us ranks many new unions
In lines not now organized.
"VVorlc of Hit ; l'oll < ! Dcpiirlnient.
The iiumbor of arrests during 1899 was
smaller than that of the preceding your ,
but Btlll much larger than In 1S97. In 1898
the total number of arrests was 11,039 , of
which 7,011 wore male and 1,697 were fe-
mole. The total number of arrests during
1899 were 8,160 , and they are divided be
tween male and female nnd Hcattorod
through thu different months an follows :
AHIUCSTS KOK 1893.
Males. Females. Total.
January 571 71 I5
February 4GS 41
.Marcli I7 ! > Mi 5:11 :
April EWJ U3 ' , . : > >
.May G21 1GO 7M
'June Sili ' 1)3 ) ! i"S
jJuly SOI 121 tl-T )
AtiKUBt f,71 7G U7
Huptombtir H13 M 1.11
October 4S 09 K > >
N'dvwntjor C29 101 Ki :
December CCO 70 G7U
Total .7.0J1 1,109 8.1W
Itrorllil * of tin ; CiiHloiu IloiDip ,
At the Omaha cuEtornH house for the year
1890 the value of goods imported aggre
gated $ 'JM,000 , while the exports reached
IHG.700 In value. There Is a handed ware
house hero , with Inspection and all thu fa-
cllltlcH of a port , HO that gools : may ho
vent direct from foreign ports and alt
dutlrn paid here. The Imports conslatuJ of
ware * and merchandise received by mer-
cliaiHH , while the exports wore prlnclpully
produvtK of the timultor.
F. B. Thlrkleld , health Inspector of Chicago
cage , pays : "Kodol ty ) pup la Cure cannot
tc rucutnmendcd too highly It cured ma
of ( .evero dyspepsia " It < ] ! $ ; < 'B ' what you
cat and cures Indlgciitlon , heartburn and
all fornu of dy pcj > i > la.