The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1899-10-25

Labor Commissioner Cox recently sent
out inquiries concerning the comparative
condition of trade in 1897, 1898 and
1899. in five leading lines. 100 dealers
each in dry goods, clothing, boots and
shoes, hardware and groceries were inter
viewed, and the following information
was obtained and is CLEANED from the
report of the labor commissioner concern
ing the investigation:
Number of dealers interviewed ---- 500
Number of cities and villages where
located lO
Number who say that trade is better
in 1899 than in 1898 ------------ Aus
Number who say that trade has not
increased Do
Number who say trade is the samein 49,
that period 80
Number who say that trade in 1899
exceeds that of 1897 -------- 44S
Number who say trade has not in
creased in that period ---------- 80
Number who say trade is the same
now as in 1897 -- l3
Average increase in sales in 1899 over
1897, % per cent.
Number who report present outlook
for trade good - 356
Number who report present outlook
for trade fair ll3
Number who report present outlook
for trade poor 81
This shows that only 8 per cent OF the
500 interviewed report poor outlook Tor
trade, while "a per cent look upon pros
poets as either good or fair. This is sig
nificant. as it is certainly fair index of the
views of retail dealers in the entire state.
Certainly it shows a confidence In the
future from a class of people who base
their views on an experience worthy OF
consideration.
The causes given by these merchants
for the increase of trade and the hopeful
future outlook are, that labor is being
employed at increased wages, there be-
ing no idle men found who will work;
that money is easier, with lower rate OF
interest, and is more freely circulated
making collections good; that manufac-
tories are in operation, in many cases
running to their fullest capacity, night
and day; that there is general demand
for better class of goods, sure index
that consumers are more able to make
purchases and pay for them, and lastly
that there is a general confidence that
the business of the country is in pros
porous and substantial condition.
The discouraging outlook as expressed
by some, is the ruinous competition that
often meets the regular dealer, especially
in the grocery business, where men with
out experience and with limited capital
will often embark in business, the re-
suit of which so often brings disaster to
themselves and demoralizes the business
of others. Department stores are also
quoted as being very hurtful to the small,
Ter dealers. So called catalogue houses
are quoted as most detrimental to regu-
lar dealers, as inaugurating a system
which will surely ruin trade and in the
end react on the purchaser.
The statistics above are very signifi-
cant. Business is certainly phenom-
enally prosperous, and in this respect
Michigan is only fair index to the bust
ness condition of the country. From all
sources of information come the news OF
the largest volume of business ever
known, and when individual firms can
not make so pleasing reports, their mis-
fortune is not laid to lack of business in
general, but to local conditions or to de-
partment store or catalogue house com
petition as noted by Labor Commissioner
Cox.
Ninety-four per cent of the 500 mer-
chantsinterviewed look upon prospects as
good or fair.
Only very small number report bust
ness no better than one or two years ago
Labor is employed at increased wages
The prospect is bright all along the
line.
And nothing has happened but a re-
publican administration!