The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1898-03-23
ADMIRABLE CONFIDENCE.

The announcement Of the Pope Manu-.
featuring Company last week that they
guaranteed to maintain list prices on
Columbia, Hartford and Vedette BIZ
cycles, as published in their 1898 cata-
logus during the season ending October
1st, had a clarifying effect upon the
trade atmosphere, and relieved the feel
ing of uncertainty and anxiety that had
existed for some time, among both buy
ers and sellers, as nothing else could
have done.
That company which holds undis-
putcd leadership as regards financial
strength, the amount of capital invest
ed, size of their plant, and the quantity
and quality of their product, should at
the very beginning of the season pub
licly proclaim their confidence in the
outlook for the years business and
their belief that discerning public
would demand and be willing to pay for
the best product of the cycle bailder's
art, is fact that has given the trade
cause for self-congratulation through
out the land, and will have tendency
to put to rout the pessimists who havs
been rushing into print with state
ments to the effect that no one knew
where the bottom of the cycle market
was.
The public has had experience with
these calamity howlers, and will not let
the Spring slip by, with it's beautiful
days and fragrant air, waiting for low
prices that can never come on the best
wheels. The bicycle has become a
staple article of commerce; to the vast
majority of cyclists, necessity, not a
luxury. Just as there is a demand for
jeans pants, shoddy made clothing,
brogan shoes and calico dresses, there
will also be limited market for cheap
and poorly made bicycles. But the
great middle class of American citizens,
who can afford meat three times day,
and sugar in their coffee, those in the
higher walks of life, and the leisure
class, will look below the enamel of BIZ
cycles before purchasing, To these,
quality will appeal as strongly as price,
and they will only buy bicycles made by
manufacturers whose reputation, facili-
ties and business methods give stability
to their guarantees.
Coming from the Pope Manufactur-
ing Company, this unequivocal agree
ment to maintain list prices on their
'0s product throughout the season,
probably carries more weight than it
would from any other source. BY 81
years of fair dealing, the Pope Manufac-
turing Company have gained the full
confidence of the riding public. The
public has come to understand that this
Company never acts rashly or unadvis-
edly, that they carefully weigh the
"pros and cons" of any step before TAX
ing it, but once having adopted policy
they have the ability and inclination to
carry it out to the letter. Thinking
cyclists will therefore conclude that the
Pope Manufacturing Company must
have ample and substantial assurance
that there is healthy demand for high
grade bicycles built of the best mate
rial and manufactured carefully and
correctly as to mechanical detail, by the
most modern and improved machinery
and well paid labor.
When it is known that up to March
LIST, the Pope Manufacturing Company
have shipped to their customers, over
5000 Columbia Bevel Gear Chainless
bicycles, this conclusion becomes a GER
tainty.