The Washington critic., 1889-02-16
ONE EFFECT OF THE BALL.

About this time every four years there is
sgreat hustle going on among the young
men Of this town for dress coats. Everyone
. seems TO be determined to go to the Inaugu-
ration bali and as the committee have issued
their edict as regards dress on that occasion
the people who expect to attend are making
preparations. Those who are lucky enough
to have a dress suit. but only use II in
frequently, are taking them from the war
drobe to give them brushing up. But the
impecunious Young fellow who dosn't
happen 10 have one of these indispensable
articles is having hard time Of It, Here
tofore when he went to swell ball or party.
he simply had to go to the men who make
business of hiring the suits and upon pay
ment Of 20 blossomed, out in as fine garb
as the man who owned q dozen suits. But
the law OF supply and demand Is incxorsblc.
Fivcdollars, and even more, Is now charged
for what IN other days could be got for two,
and this, together With other expenses, is
making the impecunious young man who
infests the Capital gtoan.
Areporter OF TgB CRITIC called to-day
upon. some OF the business men whose
trade is likely to be- affected by the bin,
and talked TO them upon the subject. A
weitknown tailor said "Our business is
always at It's best just Beforethe fnaugu-
ration, and we make good thing out Of 1t.
Everybody seems possessed OF the idea that
they should begin the new Administration
by getting new dress suit, aud suppose
within the past two weeks we have re-
ceIved' more orders for them than all the
other pert Of the year. -Four years Is
abouttbc average lifc of a suit, for though
they are sefdom worn out, the styles.chansc
and the people got tired of them. The
birers-out and the secondhand men yet a
good thing out, of this, too, however, for
they buy up the cast-of suits and fix them
up. a little. They are almost as good as
new, butthey sell for but littlc aud doubt-
less In many instances, they will receive
enough for the use Of them a few hours TO
pay the cost" .,.
The reporter next sought one of the men
who made business of hiring out dress
suits. He has large room over store on
Seventh street and the counters we're piled
high with coats Of all sizes and styles, low
cut vests and trousers to match. ''Yes, my
busiRessis booming,n said the proprietor,
though 1t is always good in Washington.
The demand is even at this early day very
great and already my regular stock has been
engaged by customers; so sent to New
York and had 300 extra suits shipped.
Doubtless this will be followed by larger
order, for ! have new patrons every day,
and the visitors from out Of town are yet to
be supplied.''
"Who are your customersS- asked thcrc-
porter. -- --l ts
''Why, the very best OF people, and IL Is
rarely the case," went on the dealer,
grandiy, "that we are not represented by
two or three SUITS at every large entertain
incnt given In Washington. The price goes
up every year just before the Inaugural
Ball, and have known 1t to reach.as high
us $40. don't think It will this year, how
ever, for there are now too many In the
busihess."
The dressrhakers are also very busy, and
are at work on some handsome costumes
for the bali A few of these cost as much
as $500, but they average about $50 They
seem to be cutting them lower stilf despite
the, edict Of Mrs. Harrison against the
decollete, and the country cousins who GO
to the ball will have some great stories to
tell ';aroundG the corner grocery stove at
home. "t-