Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-16
THE RETAIL TRADE.
ulcnmond Merchants Hold Hopeful Views
Of the Business Situation.
W INCREASE IN TWO WEEKS.
ms The Encouraging Report Of Many
Of Our Largest Dealers.
ALL AND WINTER PROSPECTS.
al Commercial Branches stimulated by
the Settlement OF the Tariff Question:
What Our People Say.
ZIG INCREASE IN TWO WEEKS.
ALL AND WINTER PROSPECTS.


business situation as affected by the re-
cent settlement Of the tariff question.
IN almost every instance a most en-.
covraging view was taken.
To-day this paper presents the impress
s'ons OF the retail trade OF Richmond
with reference 20 the commercial status
and prospects here. No less hopeful opln-
Ions appear 10 prevail in these lines than
were held amo~g the wholesalers and
3obbers.
There Is general concurrence in the
statement that business has greatly i'm
proved within the last two weeks. AMI
the revival is expected to continue
throughout the fail and winter. at least.
In the appended interviews are set forth
some very good reasons for the Increased
trade, and the cheerful words OF the
merchants are most convincing.
CAUSES OF THE IMPROVEMENT.
Some attribute the general improvement
IN trade TO the passage of the tariff bill:
Others think that good crops and the
coming of fall have brought about the
change; still others assert as their be-
lief that many couples are 10 be mar
ried this season. and that this has in
fused life and activity throughout the
Community; one or two declare that the
languishing interest in baseball has had
something TO do with the matter, while
The majority assign the change TO the
combined blessings.
Beyond all question the retail mer-
nf
larger stocks than usual In the anticipa-
don OF q heavy fall and winter business.
They have made judicious purchases this
year and are confident OF n successful
trade. They rely upon larger purchases,
because OF the fact that many people
are now In more needy condition by
reason OF having been out Of employ
ment and, therefore. not able to supply
their necessities as they arose. a large
proportion of this class Of our population
Is now employed. and their purchasing
power has returned TO them.
The interviews below with the retail
merchants forecast better times generally.
and they will be read with profound in
terest by all classes of citizens
Dry-Goous Meh Sungutue
In no branch of trade are the merchants
more sanguine than In the dry-goods line.
Richmond, in this respect. furnishes
great section Of country which extends
far into North and South Carolina and
Georgia. Here is what our dry-goods
dealers have TO say upon the situation:
The FOurqurean-Price Company. 81 east
Broad street: THE snap and vitality mus
early manifested in our line Of business
A.. /, ID
ing and fiourshing trade during the fan
and winter months. This conclusion is
warranted by the prevalent friendly condi-
tions now apparent to the most casual
pbserVer-viZ.; Abundant crops throughout
the Southland. the abnormal demand for
Necessary wearing apparel, caused by me
eDfSrced restriction In purchases Tor the
past two years. and the general revival
In all departments of industry, thereby
giving the masses the purchasins-po"e 10
supply the demand"
Messrs. Julius Meyer & Sons. Sixth and
Broad: There can Ice no contradiction OF
the fact that in our branch Of trade We
anticipate a most active and prosperous
season Because OF the lowering OF the
prices Of so many materials We sell our
people can buy more. while their salaries
are not in the least affected by the new
state Of affairs"
Miller & Rhoads. 81 east Broad: I'VE
have unmistakable evidence OF trade I'M
petUs. a. IA result of the settlement of
the tariff question and labor troubles. and
n full and complete restoration Of conf
denc. in all lines of commerce viii be a
natural consequence. The equitable ADJUST
ment under the new bill OF duties, etc.
ieyied on all imported goods, while lessen
Ing the cost 10 a considerable extent on
the necessities of life TO American con-
sinners has not the least semblance OF
diminishing wages, thereby increasing the
purchasing-p power Of the wage-earner
Ideally. the outlook for trade is excellent
The interest mamie sted in our approach
I,e Exposition, the splendid crops pro-
duced in all parts Of the State, the Ger
,dnty Of the establishment OF traffic
bureau In the interest of all shippers in
Virginia, and the disposition Of railroad
rdmpanies 10 sell round-trip tickets at
reduced rates to Richmond from all the
pHncipal points in the State are unmis-
tIable signs of prosperous dimes, we
take II, for Richmond and Virginia
{PRETTY GIRLS ARE SHOPPING.
Eessrs. Levy e. Davis, 3 east Broad
sueet ITO Judge from the number Of
pretty girls who have been In recently
buying their trousseaus. we must believe
times are TO be brighter soon. However.
trade will not be really active until all
OF our manufacturing interests are run
ming IN full force. Our peoples needs
are great, but they haven't the where
withal 10 supply them all. business
like ours, which is run virtually on
cash basis. Is in direct touch with the
peoy o. and feels directly any improve
ment In their condition. We feel very
hopeful of a good fail and winter trade"
Messrs Isaac SyCle q Co, l03 east
Broad: 1T is quite evident that there has
been an Improvement in trade since the
settlement OF the tariff question. We
found that Immediately after the bill be
came "A law our buyers went north, ana
were enabled 10 purchase almost every
thing al a lower figure than they would
have paid before They bought largely OF
goods that the new tariff reduced most
dress goods. cloaks. capes. curtains.
blankets, Kid gloves, etc With this adj
vantage our trade has almost doubled
in volume as compared 10 former years.
We expect to be kept busy all through
the fall and winter. and hope all other
merchants will meet with ike expert
eDces."
Messrs. julius Sycle & Co.. POI east
Broad: Business has picked up a good
deal lately. being fully as good now as
Il was this time last year We consider
the prospects for the fall and winter
trade very good"
WAS BETTER EVEN IN AUGUST.
Messrs A. Hutzler's Sons. 3l5 east Broad |
street: THE month Of August, considered !
the dullest OF the year, was an anomaiism !
On business being the first that showed |
decided Improvement over the transac- |
lions Of 1898. This condition has con- |
tinued thus far into the month Of Sep /
TENDER. giving the merchants confidence |
in the cheering prospects OF the future. |
New York being the commercial centre !
OF the country. many Of our impressions |
are responsive 10 the rulings OF that |
market Our buyer who has Just re- |
turned from the metropolis. reports that |
the local managers OF large concerns are |
buoyant with hopes OF an early revival of |
prosperity. The output Of the mills having |
been cut down in anticipation OF re-
organization Of prices consequent upon |
the new tarif laws. and importations |
being correspondingly light for the same |
reasons, the demand for desirable goods |
became far In excess OF the supply, and |
This cause also has added 10 the cheerful |
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