The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-23
ron REDUoED FREreHr RArEa
Merchants Association VIII rake the Matter
Up After Its RnssenEer nate Campaign.

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Merchants Association VIII rake the Matter
Up AFTER uts Passenger nate Campaign.
With tho arrivals Of tho last few days, 1t can
be safely said that every part OF the United
States, in addition TO Canada and Bermuda, has
been represented by merchants and buyers in
this city. since the reduced rates secured by tho
Merchants Association went into effect. This
is so In spite Of tho fact that there are many
parts Of the country reached only by railroads
which so far have absolutely refused to make
concessions to the association. From these
points the merchants have travelled 10 cities
which are included in the Joint Traffic Associa-
tons system-St. Louis and Chicago in tho
West, Norfolk and Richmond In the South
and have come on from there at the
reduced rate. The Merchants Association
hopes before long to have every railroad and
steamship line in tho country on its list. and Is
working constantly to that end. Within two
weeks, several of the most obstinate roads have
yielded to the pressure and between certain
dates each year will give the reduced ratio to
buyers. which. 1t is thought, will result in tho
capture by New York of the entire business lost
In the last few years to st. Louis, Chicago, and
other busting Western and Southern towns.
Once the railroads are captured, the MGR
chants Association will turn its attention to
other things calculated to improve business con-
ditions In New York. and TO make 1t 60 attrac-
tive that other cities cannot compete success
fully with it The most notable project on tho
association programme Is to secure the reduc-
ton of freight rates. The association thinks 1t
can force the present high rates down so far
that 1t won't be worth a mans while, no matter
II he is a resident of the Pacific coast, to trade
anywhere. else but in this city. There is q lot Of
other work on the programme. and the things to
be done will be taken up one at a lime
Every day there is fresh evidence OF the hol-
lowness of the claims Of the calamity howlers,
who, have insisted that the country has gone to
the dogs and that business is never going to re-
cover. The Merchants Association makes a
point OF interviewing. all OF the buyers who
South the stories Of prosperity and returning
good times come in. They are TO be relied upon
because they are the statements OF business
men. Several merchants who were interviewed
yesterday gave characteristic talks.
III w y: Burger; dry goods merchant OF Nash,
disposition to regard this present talk about
good business as n fictitious boom. but, for my
self, / must say that l am certain of much bet
ter business for the fall and winter than ever be-
fore. i have positive assurances that 1t will be
themselves for a great deal Of the bad business
that has permeated this country for three or
four years. They have allowed themselves TO
sink into carelessness and let business look after
itself. Crops are fine now and are bringing the
highest prices. The tariff Is settled and will
help things to a considerable degree"
E. b. Kline, cloak and suit merchant OF st.
Louis, said: Il expect a very brisk business for
the fall and I have been buying in anticipation
of it The farmers are going to have money,
and as a consequence general conditions will be
much improved"
L. Lowenstcin, wholesale hardware merchant
from Charlestown, W. Va, said: The market
is in a much better condition than this time a
year ago. Goods are plentiful and varied and
prices are high. There is a better feeling and
merchants are not so anxious for sales as they
were last season."