The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-09-29
"WELL, HOW'S BUSINESS?"
The Result of Numerous Inter-
views with Merchants.
THE REVIVAL OF TRADE-FUTURE PROS
PECTS-BOTTOM REACHED AT LAST.

Everybody, man, woman and child, In
this city, is interested in the question
whether or not the business interests of
the country are improving. Whether or
not the winter which is fast approaching
will find the same stagnation in all
departments of trade--mills stopped,
stores unfrequented by customers, shops
running with half the complement Of
hands, and they on half and one. quarter
time--men with their hands in empty
pockets lounging around street corners,
while their families are without the
common necessaries Of life--as has been
the case for the three dismal years last
pastor whether this gloomy state Of
things is to give way to long-looked-for
revival OF industry, trade and COM
meroe.
A STAR reporter was commissioned
yesterday afternoon to ascertain the
facts by series of interviews with prom
inent dealers in the articles mentioned
below, and to find out, If possible, some
thing OF the freight business both by rail
and steamboat.
The result of his labors are impartially
and truthlully stated here, and from
which the reader can draw mis- own con-
clusions.
His first visit was to the General Agent
of one of the principal railway and
freight lines oentering in this city. To
that oft-repeated query, "Well, how's
businessW the agent cheerfully replied
ave have noticed continual increase
of East-bound freight business over our
road since last April. Since the 1st oi
July it has greatly increased"
"How about West-bound freightW
"Well, the contracts made by other
lines have had tendency to keep it
down some, but the trade has been much
larger than last year. l should say that
since the 1st OF April up TO the present
time, as far as tonnage is concerned, it
is at least twenty-five per cent. greater
both ways than it was last year."
"lIow about the tuturep
81 know of nothing that is TO keep it
from gaining right along. Trade is on a
firmer basis, and the people are doing
business with more confidence than for
merly."
"You think confidence Is restored,
thenW
"Most certainly. There's a better
tone prevailing. Men now take hold OF
things, hoping TO do something and con-
fdent that nothing will be lost. Before,
they were nervous and hesitating. On
our road we have added to the working
force both in men and rolling stock, and
all this summer we have had no dull
times; we have all the business that we
can do with our present facilities. We
have nothing to complain of on that
score. We are not making any money,
il Is true, but that is not the fault OF
the business or want OF business, but
simply because all the railroads have
been fighting each other and are still
fighting about rates. There's where the
trouble is with us. l am convinced that
this country has seen the bottom Of hard
times, and that we are OH the upgrade
to prosperity. l see no trouble ahead. l
was on East a few days ago, and there
learned while at the general office Of our
| Company,that their statement OF the Sit
uation regarding the outlook cor.
roborates what / have told you."
doesn't the Centennial business help
you out In this calculationW
"No, sirI (emphatically1 the Cen
tennial business,if anything, has been a
detriment to us. Our trade has beer
such as would come TO US, Centennial oi
no Centennial, and relates to freight
traffic alone. Why, sir, in the last three
months we have carried over one hun
, dred and fifty thousand barrels of pota
toes. That is something unusual. AnC
that money comes right back here and i!
, distributed to the farmers in the i'm
, mediate vicinity OF this CITY,"
The reporter next visited number
> | OF wholesale dealers in
BOOTS AND SHOES,
j. and from each learned that satisfac
9 tory state of affairs existed regardin
u botn the present trade and the futur
S prospects.
/, Said one:
s Business, sir, is revlving. There
|, no question about that. The auction
!, sales are well attended, and prices ar
}. ruling very far and satisfactory, an
the sales are up to the standard. Their
, is as much life in our business as ther
~ should be at this season Of the year, an
L little frosty weather will make
. still better. l see nothing dishearten
E! ing, and l have every reason to belieV
II that times will. steadily improve. Thirt
= days ago, sir, we had both these larg
e floors filled with stock; but it is a
,1 gone.'
:, Toa
~ DRY GOODS
n man, one of the heaviest dealers O
!, Pearl street, the reporter next az
u, dressed that familiar question:
d "Well, how's business?"
He answered:
"The dry goods trade is looking Vi
Our house has as good trade now as
a ever had. And if it wasn't for the blac
n sheep that are continually crying "baa
- they'd all have good business. Bus
IL ness confidence is what we lack. Wit
G. us business has increased from twelv
a ana half to fifteen per cent. over wh&
il was AT this time last year. And th
prospects are Still better. Ii a man sit
down and grumbles all day and don
n r. work any, of course he'll make 1
) money. Ii you could root out all tt
o croakers, north and south, we'd have
] radical change, l tell you.'
! "How are your payments for good
: soid~
i