The age-herald., 1898-12-30
BIG INCREASE
 IN ALL LINES Christmas Trade Gratifying to the
 Merchants. THE BANKS ARE ALL BUSY Flooded With Heavy Deposits from
 Holiday Trade. THE BEST FOR FIVE YEARS Loveman, Joseph 6 Loeb Report Heav- jest Business Experienced Since Coming to oBirmingham-Oth
 CTS Tell Same Story.
THE BEST FOR FIVE YEARS

"Fhe banking business of Birmingham is fully 25 per cent greater in volume this Christmas than 1t was a year ago." said Cashier J. H. Barr, of the First National bank. 1
 ''The deposits greater. the general business of banking is better, everything about the banking business is improved. The outlook for the banks is undoubtedly hopeful. Birmingham is progressing, it is going forward at a gratifying rate, as the increase in business very clearly shows. It is big increase in the general volume of banking business-25 per cent within a year."
 Trade Has Doubled
 "Our trade has doubled in volume from what it was last year at this date,' said M Well, of M. Well & Bro., clothiers. "Our trade for December has been twice as great as it was in December, 1884, and the same was true of our November trade. We have no reason to complain, and we have every reason to be hopeful of the future. The doubling of our volume of business in one year is extremely gratifying, and is most satisfactory
 Greatest Since tine Boom
 "Our trade Is the greatest and most sat- isfactory we have enjoyed since the 'boom,'" declared Ferd Marx, the dry goods merchant. q astonished at the great increase over last year. We ordinarily do a fair business. This Christmas we are in the full tide of trade, are working hard selling good goods, and enjoying it all. feel good over our trade, and don't object to saying so."
 I've have done the best trade we have ever enjoyed in all our years in Birming- ham, declared Sol Caheen, of Caheens big alry goods store. "Our business is not only of much greater volume, but the class of goods demanded has been higher. People have the money to spend and they demand good quality, and do not object to paying fair prices. They ask only to be served and, though our store is filled with clerks and assistants, they have been work ed of their feet,' so to speak. They are glad of it. Of course we are glad. Above all things, we are proud of our trade just now"
 Best in Their History
 Ut has been the most satisfactory trade We have enjoyed since we came to Bir- mingham, ever so long ago." said Moses Joseph, of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb, the largest dry goods house in the south. 'The weather has been in our favor nearly all the time-the best of all imaginable shop ping weather: sunshine all day, and crisp, invigorating breezes. Our trade Christmas eve, l could not say was especially great for Christmas eve, but for the week and for this week, and for the whole season, I may say, our trade is the best we have ever had. Every department of our estab- lishment has been busy all the whe and continues so. There is not an individual in the establishment that is not as busy as can be, and we owe deep debt of grati- tude to our army of customers. We satis- fy them; they gratify us"
 Best in Five Years
 "We have had the best trade that has come to us in five years" said Dan Rogan of L. Rogan & Co.,, tailors. 'It has been eminently satisfactory. And one thing that is gratifying to us is the demand for high class goods Gentlemen's wear of the high est grade has been in demand, and the volume of our trade has been larger than for many years. Since Christmas 1892, we have had nothing like approaching this season, and we have no doubt that trade will go on expanding"
 ADruggists Satisfied 'We have had the best trade since 1S92'. said John L. Parker, druggist, who deals largely in Christmas articles. People have wanted good articles, and have willingly paid for them. We have almost sold out and are In receipt of new assignment of fancy articles. Our trade in choice cut flowers was never before equaled."
 "We do not keep any considerable stock of holiday goods,' said Robert Newman, of the Newman Drug company but our trade in perfumery and such other articles as we keep has been entirely satisfactory. We have done we'll"
 "The best Christmas we have had in many years," said Dr. Francis Nabers, of 1 Nabers, Morrow & Snnige the druggists. | "We are greatly gratified, and we find com | fort in the faith that next Christmas trade will far exceed that of this year. Our great ! stock of Christmas presents has almost | tirely disappeared; our customers have