Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
.BUSlNESSPROSPECTS
Washington Merchants Having Larg-
er Trade Than Ever.
ALL HOPEFUL over TIE OUTLOOK
The Indications Point to a Very
Prosperous Year.
WHAT MERCHANTS SAY


line OF business, Notwithstanding the alb
sence from the city of so many of the more
wealthy patrons Of the stores, trade is re-
ported as keeping up admirably. and as be-
ing in excess of the summer trade here for
several years. A number of the merchants
have. during the past year, enlarged their
places Of business, and in every instance of
this kind they report that their enterprise
has been well rewarded with increased
business.
Many feared that the war might serious
ly affect their trade, but the experience
generally has been that instead of cutting
off the volume of business the presence CT
large body of soldiers at a camp hear the
city has added to the business done here.
A great many people come here to visit
relatives and friends in camp who are get
ting ready to go to the front, and their
stay in Washington has tended TO make
summer trade larger than usual. A re-
vival of confidence among the people gen.
orally causes them to spend money more
freely than they have been accustomed to
do for some time.
The Star has secured opinions from
large number of the merchants of the city
regarding their trade, present and prospec-
tive. The results are shown below:
Exceeds Amy Previous Record.
Mr.. A D. Prince of the firm of r. Harris
& Co., jewelers.: I'VE find that our June
and July business so far has been in excess
of any record we have since 1892. From
everything that / can learn the prospect
Is for an excellent fall trade. People have
more confidence in the future than has
been the case in the past; they generally
believe the war will soon be over, and this
feeling also tends to enliven trade Manu-
facturers tell me they are working their
full force getting ready for the fall trade"
l. Goldenberg, manager for NJ Golden
berg: I'VE have been established in Wash
ington but three years, but we have never
had such good season we are now en-
joying. There has never been such bright
outlook for the future. You see, every part
of our store is crowded, and we are ex-
tremely busy. 1t may be this Is the result
OF our Star advertisement this is not
Just the time when one would expect a
rush Of business
w. H. Houghton Of the Houghton Com
pany: I'VE nave every prospect for an
increase of business for the fall. Every
thirg indicates that. At present We are
busy in our line. The first six weeks of
the war affected business very much, but
now it is having no bad effect on trade"
Lively Fall Trade Expected.
w. II. Martin, manager for the estate of
NJ. W. Beveridge: the business outlook
for this house is exceedingly good, and our
orders have been as large as ever. We an
Der of people who come to Washington to
make their homes here is having a good
effect on business"
G. P. Langlois corner 18th and streets:
This is a bad time Of the year to judge of
business. So far as we are concerned, most
OF cur regular customers are out of town,
but l am looking forward to a fine fall
trade. We manage to keep our store filled
with buyers by advertising special bar
gains, but we will have to wait until the
fall for our regular customers"
Mr.. MertZ of Merits Pharmacy: This is
poor time of the year for general trade,
but we manage to hold our own by having
large number of specialtieS that can be
during the hot weather when SO many of
our regular customers are away from the
city. We look forward to good business
conditions in the fall"
Every Floor Filled With Customers,
Mr.. A. Kaufman, manager for Kann &
Co.: Il can best reply to your inquiry"
said Mr.. Kaufman. "by showing you
through our store. This is the worst time
of the year and the worst hour of the day
to get trade. and yet every floor is we'll
filled with customers selecting goods. Last
year we enlarged our store and the busl-
hess done by the firm since then has fully
justified that action. We are now making
preparations for the largest fall trade we
have ever had, and our stock will be Or
uereQ WIN tnaC expectation. we feared
the war might hurt business, but, on the
other hand, 1t has actually benefited trade.
Not only is business keeping up well, but
We find a constant demand for the better
grades Of goods"
Large Advance Orders.
Mr.. Richard 1saacs, buyer and manager
for Emmons 8. Smith: "Our trade has kept
up well, and we have placed several large
advance orders with the expectation that
the fall trade will be the best we have had
for many years. We are getting ready to
open several new departments in our fall
line of goods. My information is that
manufacturers are getting ready unusually
large stocks of goods, and correspondent
tells me that having just returned from
Paris. he found the exporters there max
ing unusual preparations for their fall
trade. with a special view to expectations
to the United States"
Trade Much Better.
Woodward & Lothrop, 18th and streets:
Business continues to be remarkably good
considering that 1t Is now the summer sea-
son. AS compared with the corresponding
period of last year, we find that trade is
much better, and we think the outlook Is
promising for fall business. The placing of
money in circulation in connection with
the expenses of the war has doubt had
stimulating influence on business. In
the war are likely to be continued at a
greater rate than was the case prior to the
war, and, of course, business will continue
to enjoy this advantage. For a few years
past there has been gradual improvement
in business conditions and the result of the
war will. In all probability, place the United
States in such an advanced position that
she must of necessity get the advantage of
an enlarged market.
Compares Well With Last Year.
Eiseman Bros, It'll and E streets: "Busi-
ness with US is encouraging, and, as COM
pared with last year. the results are very
favorable. While the present war has not
affected our trade materially, either one
way or the other, yet we look forward to
the close Of the war as likely to bring an
increased business"
Parker, Bridget & Co., 315 7th street:
"Our business has been very satisfactory
during the past year, and in comparison
with what we did last year, we can note
a very good increase This has been the
case in all the departments of our business.
OF course our proposed change in the To-
cation of our place of business and the con-
sequent reduction in prices in order to open
with a new stock may have had some in
fluence in the improved conditions which
we note"
Tendency to Increase.
Kings Palace S12-S14 7th street-"Rusa-