Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-01-09
In A BUSINESS WAY.
The Past, Present and Future of
Some JObbing Interests.
A HEALTHY CONDITION OF TRADE
Noted in the Lines of Gents Furnishing
Goods and Headwear.
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY IN HARNESS
. HEALTHY CONDITION OF TRADE
UNUSUAL ACTIVITY IN HARNESS

OFFICE OF THE PITTsBURG DISPATCH
TUESDAY, January s, 1889.
The jobbing trade in gents furnishing
goods, as a distinct industry in Pittsburg,
does not date back further than 1880. Up
to that date this line was simply an adjunct
to the wholesale dry goods trade, or was
controlled by agents of Eastern iobbing
houses. About the time of the Garfield
Hancock campaign, the jobbing of mems
furnishing goods became one OF our distinct
industries, and now there are two firm de-
voted exclusively to this line whose business
together aggregates more than $500, 600 an
nually. This trade has in the main been
wrested from jobbing houses of New York
and Boston.
An interview with a member Of one OF our
jobbing firms develops the fact that the
volume of trade shows an increase the past
year of u to Is per cent o~verlSS7, which was one
of the best wears in the history of the trade.
Reports from both firms devoted 10 the whole
sale trade in mems furnishing goods, as well as
from dry goods houses, show a healthy condi-
ton of trade in this line, with an outlook for
the future in every way promising.
The total value of gents furnishing goods
1ODDeu mere the DaSJ year Il 6Sblllldt6O db G--VOOs-
0OO. more than one-half of which was controlled
by home jobbers.
a decade ago three-fourths of this trade was
handled by Eastern jobbers.
CLOTHING.
In comparisons of trade between 1857 and
1855 1t is well TO remember that the former year
was an extra good one in nearly all jobbing
lines in this city. The record which that year
made was one of the very best in our CONNER
cial history. Omens of labor troubles, and a
backward spring, in lSSS, had the effect of re-
tarding trade movements in many lines. If
stock had been taken midway of the year the
wholesale clothing trade of Pittsburg would
have shown a decline from the first half of the
previous year. Now, that returns are all in, it
appears the volume of trade for lSSS, was fully
up to that of 1887,
One of our representive clothing manufac-
turers and jobbers thus puts the situation and
outlook of his industry. I'VE do not claim for
our trade the past year anything like a boom,
nor did we desire it. The wholesale clothing
trade of Pittsburg has more than doubled in
the past six years, and we have had our full
share of this increase and are entirely SATISFIED.
We could easily enlarge our trade by pushing
out agents, but have little desire in that dIrec-
ton. being disposed to let well enough alone.
The trade for 1888 shows a slight advance on
1857, in or case the increase for the year being
5000. Our competitors appear to be doing
well. and you may say that the jobbing trade in
readymade clothing WAS never in a healthier
condition or had a better outlook than it has
now"
MEMS HEAD WEAR.
There are four firms in this city devoted ex-
clusively to the wholesale trade in mems head
wear. One OF these firms will be able to cele-
brate its centennial in lS9s, being the successors
Of a house established in lES by Robert Pee
bles. The estimate value of this jobbing trade
for 1857 was $4,000. In 1880 the trade was less
than half that amount. The record for 1887
showed an increase of fully % per cent over
1856. As the former year was the best in the
history of this jobblng trade. it would have
been glory enough in 1888 if the business had
held its own. a member of one of the firms
reports an increased business for 1855. over 1857,
of 10 to Is per cent. and expresses the belief
that the other firms in the same line could re-
port a like advance.
HARNESS.
One of the foremost manufacturers of har-
hess in the city reports that his trade has never
been as good this time of the year as now. Said
he: I'VE have had unusual activity for the
past two wears. At this time of the year we
generally look for a slack time. This season
has been an exception to the rule, and orr
hands are working full time with plenty of
night work. If you want to tell THE DIS
PATCH readers how the harness manufactur-
ing trade houriShes. 20 1 may say that the year
past with us has been one OF the best on rec
ord. and that our books will show an advance
OF % per cent over 1857. which was a very salts.
factory year in our lne.'