12
THE COURIER
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The recent rains have done much to
revive trade and the general feeling is
much better than it was last week. It
is a fit indication of the reeling in the
country to note the almost immediate
effect of the weather. As soon as
country merchants became fearful of the re
sults of the dry spell, they began curtailing
their orders and traveling men complained of
poor trade. Immediately following the rain, orders began coming in
and it was very evident that retailers had withheld orders, fearful of
the hot winds. Business both wholesale and retail is entirely depen
dent upon the weather at this time. Plenty of moisture means a
large crop, dry weather means a failure; hence rain means a good
business, drought poor trade.
Hand to mouth buying is still the rule. But stocks are pretty low
and a certain amount of buying is necessary to keep them up to the
demand of consumers. As the season advances and crop prospects
improve, buyers will gradually overcome their present timidity and
orders will be larger and more liberal. Merchants now realize that
a fair trade is all that can be expected for the next few months, with
an improved condition of affairs in the fall, depending of course, on
the crops. "
Reports from different points in the state are to the effect that
small grain has suffered severely and, in some places, is entirely
tirely destroyed, while the prospects for fruit are exceedingly poor.
Corn seems to be doing well. Farmers are busy plowing up poor
fields of wheat and oats and replanting in corn, thus increasing the
acreage of that cereal. Grass is dried up in many places and the
probability is that hay will command a high price next winter.
Shallow planted or listed corn has suffered some, but the deep plant
ed grain shows fairly well.
The report of the banking board shows an increase in the de
posits of the state banks and bankers generally continue to com
plain of the small amount of good loans.
The clearing house reports from the leading cities show an in
crease, for the month of May, of about four per cent over April and
are larger than at any time since January. Compared with the
copresponding month of last year there is a decrease of 26 per cent,
while April only showed a decrease of 25 per cent. New York
makes the poorest showing, heading the list with a decrease of 30
per cent, as against 20 per cent for the rest of the country. Omaha
shows a falling off of almost 88,000,000 as compared with last year,
but the figures of 2, are only a little over a million more than those
of this year.
To those who have carefully studied the business situation for
the. past year, this month will present the most interesting period
for comparison since the panic It was during this month laBt year
that business first began falling off and it will be interesting to note
the tone of affairs at this time. In June of last year the bank clear
ing of Omaha alone fell over 83,000,000 below those of May, while
in previous years there had always been a heavy increase over the
preceding month. Should the clearings for this month show an in
crease, however slight, over those of last month it may be taken as
a certain indication that business is improving.
comparisons, for the reason that the corresponding months of last
year antedated the panic. That period has now passed and it will
be only a simple matter of comparing results, in order to guage the
improvement or depression in business. It has been claimed all
along that business is steadily improving. That this has been so
aB far as the general tone is concerned, is certainly true, but it has
been almost impossible to compare the real ratio of increase in the
volume of trade, for the reason that there was no possible basis of
comparison. But from now on the result of each month's transac
tions should show a reasonable increase over the corresponding
month of last year. It should be remembered, of course, that the
country has been under a severe strain for the last twelve months,
and that even the slightest increase will be very encouraging at this
time. A very decided improvement is not expected until the fate
of the growing crop is more definitely decided and I would be sur
prised to find much improvement in the way of actual business dur
ing this month. At this time last year the depression of trade was at
tributed merely to the usual falling off incident to the summer
months and there was little indication of the panic to follow. In
consequence, credit was very freely extended and merchants did not
curtail their purchases. This year, however, credits are closer, and
merchants are buying less liberally and consequently the volume
of sales would naturally be less.
The labor troubles in the west are assuming quite a serious aspect
and while every effort is being put forth to bring about some sort of
a settlement of the strikes in the east, there seems to be little pros
pect of an early resumption of work in the coal districts. In the
meanwhile, the supply of fuel is running short and there is serious
danger of a coal famine. The labor agitation and the commonweal
movement may both be attributed to the general feeling of dissatis
faction and unrest which pervades the country. It is a notorious
fact that the labor element is less tolerant than any other. The
average laboring man is unwilling to bear his share of the burden in
hard times and without consideration for his employer, his losses or
his profits, insists upon his full wages and is unwilling to except a
reduction of wages, no matter what the circumstances may be.
The commonwealers have taken advantage of the general unrest and
are parading the country at the expense of the public. Decisive
action on the part of congress would settle, all these matters and
bring about a stable condition of affairs.
Congress is still wrestling with the sugar schedule and the time
is past when a settlement of the tariff question would benefit spring
trade. This session of congress has been a history of disappoint
ment, fraud and failure. The people have lost all confidence, are
disgusted to a degree and regardless of party; voice as one sentiment
the desire for an early adjournment The stockjobbing which
has become so notorious has distroyed the last vestage of hope and
confidence of the public, the Wilson bill has been doctored and
amended to such an extent that its passage would only create dkv.
satisfaction even in the democratic party.
Albeet Andriano.
Herpolshiemer & Co. offer their entire line of Boys Clothing at
off Saturday, Monday and Tuesday, and their entire stock of trim
ed hats at off and three days following this will be a grand
chance to buy a hat cheap.
For a good business suit try
Jeckell Bros, tailors, 119 north 13.
We have a fine line of trouserings.
Jeckell beos., tailors, 119 no 13 street.
Fresh cream candies at Hawke's Pharmacy.
Orange Glace at Hawke's Pharmacy.
When the ice man comes be sure the hame LINCOLN ICE CO.,
is on the wagon, they have no pond ice. 1040 O Street.
It has been extremely difficult, up to the present time to draw The bert 8oda woter 'm the city at Hawke's Phabmaot.
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