Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-01-13

early stage, the business done In ad-
vance orders. This was never possible
In other years, because, ! presume, OF
different business methods In the sew
eral bicycle houses. Figures for Decem-
Der business were rarely available until
the season was well advanced. We are
able this year 10 compare the hgures
for orders received up 60 Dec. 20, 1893,
with those for the same period last
year, with the result wonderfully In
favor Of this year.
agents seem practically unanimous
in prospecting that the coming year VIII
be an exceptionally good one. Not only
10 this indicated by their correspon-
dence which is in many cases enthusi-
astlc. but is amply borne out Nv the size
of sample orders. These show an aver
age Increase OF over SIS per cent, or In
other words that where an agent or
dered 20 bicycles last year to begin
the season with. he this year starts out
with nearly double that number, with
out any special inducements having
been made to place stock orders
These figures furnish a reply to
question frequently put 20 me, What
are the prospects for the coming sea-
not answer the query so well. These
are facts that permit only one inference.
Agents do not buy readily In a bad
year. They are In the best position 10
Judge OF the sentiment In their own dis
tricts. Their advance orders are the
outcome Of interested canvass OF the
several localities in which they do busi-
ness. They do not guess, ! presume,
-. 4v,t To-. o, no
by them In their business.
"As for 1899, the general opinion. also
borne out by facts is that last year was
the best bicycle season since 1896, which
was remarkable sales year. This
state OF affairs was also generally ap-
preclated. II was attributable probably
10 more prosperous times and the ces-
satlon OF hostilltles against Spain quite
as much as the low prices on high grade
bicycles, which reached the lowest
notch.
Another question recently put TO me
refers TO the effects the American BIZ
cycle company is going to have on the
sale Of bicycles. | have practically
answered this already. will add that
the cause Of the increased advance or
ders appears 10 be the result OF an
augmented confidence on the part Of
agents, due largely 70 the existence Of
the American Bicycle company. The
idea that prosperity alone could cause
the increase must be rejected. The
removal OF certain conditions strength
ems the market. Agents know they
can safely deal with a company whose
financial standing is not only above
question. but is material, not mystical.
nor taken on faith, Agents also know
from their acquaintance with the d.
rectors OF the American Bicycle COM
pany, with whom they formerly did
business while dealing with the COM
panies now included In the American
Bicycle company, that they viii be
treated with the same consideration as
In other years.
las the agent in forming his opinion
relies entirely upon public sentiment,
II is really the publics confidence that
Is manifested IN the large advance
sales. This Is bound 10 become moro
marked as the season advances. To
any thinking person Il must occur that
II ever II were advantageous to q con-
Germ TO exercise the greatest care for
the quality OF the goods issued from its
factories, II is 80 with the American
Bicycle company. ! believe the gener-
al public understands this ana approves
Il ~ careful system OF inspection snA