Evening star., 1877-12-31

MT, D. 1Opudya, HZTUeSS. saddle ana tfuuk
manufactures. 7th ss.. says trade is not to be
compared to last year in his line. Prices are
lower and demand Tor horse trappings has
diminished. The Christmas trade In fancy
articles has been about the same ~ one year
ago. There are too many engaged III the busl-
ness The Improvement in our streets has had
the tendencyto affect his trade. as the wear
During the past year the falling on has been 20
per cent. There can be no permanent i'm
provemeRt until District taxation is system
atiZed and national finances are regulated In
the interests Of the poor as wei as the rich.
Mr.. Horatio Browning, grocer, states that
his trade has been about the same as last year,
but prices have fallen, affecting gross receipts
materially. The holiday trade has been fully
equal to last year. The liquor and wine trade
has fallen OH very considerably, oecasioned by
the temperance movement and general in
clination TO discard its use at receptions and
parties. There can be no change for the better
until mechanical branches of industry revive
and laborers are set to work. In this way only
can beggars become buyers.
Messrs. jackson, Bro. a. Co, grocers, state
that their trade has fallen OF fully - per cent.
from last year. Transient cash trade has not
been near so good. and few new customers
appear compared to former years The liqnoT
branch of the business is much reduced.
Wealthy and fashionable persons now buy
chocolate for receptions and parties. and a
general economy is observed by purchasers.
especially by the poor and medium classes.
The MessrS. Bacon, grOcers, say that trade
has not been so slow for many years. Prices
are lower and sales have been curtailed con-
siderably. Staple groceries however, have
kept up, and profits considerably reduced.
Profits are greater when prices are lowest in
staple groceries. They see no immediate pros
poets for Improvement locally. unless Con
greSS does something to set mechanics and
labOring men to work.
GeTmon Crandall. bookseller. (whoSe store
corner Of 9Th and ID stS in consequence of the
remOdeling of the building was no opened
until the I'D says that, judging from the sales
subsequent, that had he been open a week
earlier his sales would have exceeded last sea
son. The inquiry was almost exclusively for
standard instructive books, and the lighter
literature seemed to be a drug.
j. 4. Parker, bookseller, says his holiday
sales exceed those of last year, nOtWithStand
ard works and articles of worth, and the buy
eTS were generally close in their bargains. In
quantity the sales were fully up 10 any for the
past eight years, but the prices being about -
per cent. below those of 1858, the receipts are,
of course, below those of that season.
Wm. Bal!antyne, bookseller, states that the
holiday trade was excellent, and a larger
proportion Of the better class of goods, stand
ard works in sets, were sold than for some
years past. Altogether. he was agreeably sur
prised with the amount Of sales
y. Saks ciOthieT, Ith St. says the holiday
trade was better than last season, but not
quite mp 10 1870. The season has been against
the clothing business. ana the continuation of
the scarcity Of money was perceptihe i'm the
increased demand for lower priced garments
While the number of pieces sold exceeds that
OF last year, there being decline of about 20
but little ahead of last season.
MeSSrS. John McDeFmOtt " Brothers. coach
makers, have made more sales than duringthe
previous year, but the prices having been
lower and the profits smaller. consequently
their receipts are not in excess OF the previous
year. They We're enabled to sell out their stock
and to put on their usual force of hands. The
outlook is quite encouraging, and they expect
a gradual revival of business.
Andrew j. Joyce, carriage manufacturer,
employs IS hands in anticipation Of a heavy
SlRNla u fl,..t I,.,.-1
been better this year than last, but that money
was very hard to collect. and that he had SuS-
tanned several losses through financial fail
UreS.
Robert II. Graham carriage manufacturer.
said that he would come out this year better
than he did last, for the reason that he had
done smaller but "A safer business He anti
cipateS a good spring. trade. but represents
that Just now business Is not brisk.
Benjamin III. SunemetZ, hrrier and halter
has done a good business. His sales in the
more expensive lines of his trade. such rs furS
and seal skin SacqueS, have been much better
than last year. Business continues good since
Christmas, and he is hopeful for its continu-
ance.
j. b. Bryan & Bro, grocers, have had an ey-
cellent holiday trade, which has fallen OF but
little since Christmas. The firm say that buSi-
ness continues to be good, but that money Is
very tight.
MIR. VIM. Y. Dalton. boots and shoes. 9O}
pennsylvania ave, says that his trade has
been better this fall than during last season
in the spring. The numerous failures of firms
all over the country must soon have The effect
OF improving the business OF the survivors He
thinks that the Fastening Of resumption is a
great cause of the depression i'm business.
Mr.. j. T. Mitchell, dry goods 9}l PennSylva-
MIA ave. says that this years trade has been
the best for four years. and has been incTeaS-
ing every month since the beginning of the
year. and thinks that next seasons business
will make even a better showing. Proper leg
islatiOn by Congress in relation TO the District
would have a beneficial effect in reviving huS-
ness. The assumption of suitable share OF
the city'S Indebtedness, and the removal the
personal tax, wOIld free business men from
some OF their heavy burdens and make the
outlook cheerful.
AT T.. NJ. Whitaker x Sons. booksellers 81
Pennsylvania ave, they say trade has been
good. They have no reason To doubt that next
year, with the settlement of political affairs
will see still further Improvement
w. G.. bIetZerOtt & Co, music dealers,
E5 Pennsylvania ave, say that their trade
during the last two months and especially dur
ing the holiday season has been much better
than they had any reason to expect. OF
large stock of pianos. secured by them for the
holiday trade, not one square SteinWay was left
at Christmas. They think that a healthier
condition of affairs has commenced and that
the Improvement, though it may be very grad
ual, will be steady.