The herald., 1895-08-30
PROOF OF BETTER TIMES.
Figures Quoted Showing an Increase
In Business
An Interesting Talk With J. T. Steward
Concerning the Improved Conditions
Of Trade in This City-causes

There is little notice hung in the win
dow of J. 7. Steward at 113 North Spring
streer, which, though brief, is very sig
nificant In its purport. 1t reads as fol-
lows:
"This is to certify that my sales for the
month of July 1885, were 33 per cent
larger than for the month of July, 1894.
J. I. SHEW ARD"
"Sworn and subscribed before me. this
3rd day of August. A. D., 1895.
JAMES E. WISEMAN,s
Notary public"
When interviewed concerning the above
statement, Mr.. Steward gave very in.
teresting talk upon the present condi-
ton OF business and kindred topics,
which was substantially as follows:
II was induced to make the unique
staten snt of the condition of my business
which appears in the window over my
own signature, because OF the general i'm
preston which prevails that times are
dull in this city. As matter of fact,
they are far from it. as is shown not
alone by the books OF my own house, put
of several other firms in different lines OF
bur ness. The trouble is it takes longer
for people to learn that the finances OF
th country are improving than 1t does
loI Tue eHectS OF LILO lmPiovemeut " oe
substantially felt in commercial circles.
In the east we hear reports OF improved
conditions everywhere. Manufactures
are being opened, and, In fact all lines
of trade are beginning their wonted ac-
tivity. Such conditions In financial and
trade centers are almost Immediately
communicated to every part OF the coun-
try. We are feeling it here in Los An
geles. though most people are slow to
acknowledge 1t. When | made the an
nouncement. about which you have
asked, it led to discussion betwsen my
self and several other business men, as
to the real financial status of affairs To-
cally. They were led to investigate their
own books. and were sgreeabiy surprised
to learn that they, too, had done an in
creased amount of business since this
time last year. 1t is OF especial import
to note that one OF the dealers was jew
eler, line of trade that is the last to
feel the return of better times after pc
riod of depression.
perhaps the immediate caus, OF In
creased sales among local merchants is
the fact that this has been a prosperous
season among the farmers. There is no.
ticeable change in the amount and quail
ers during the past two months. Money
appears to circulate more freely and in
greater abundance than it has at any
time since 1892.
."ASide from the excellent crops OF
oranges and lemons which Southern Cal
ifornia has produced this year. and the
high prices received on account of the
failure Of the Florida supply, there has
been general increase in all kinds of
fruit. And the hay crop has been better
than that Of any previous season.
"All such things. when they com bine
with reawakening of industries in the
east, produce better times. The improve
ment noted in my own line is but SIM
gle instance of what believe is generally
experienced throughout the city. More
over. am convinced that business will
continue to improve. Fer example. my
books show an increase OF sales thus far
for the month of % per cent over the
sales for August of last year. Yesterday
they were exactly so per cent better than
on the corresponding day year ago.
'Such indications are encouraging in
the extreme. When people cease to talk
about the depressing times that we have
just passed through, and turn to their
own accounts and get evidence of a
marked improvement. then there will be
less croaking and more beneficial ac-
tivity."