The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-30

Seattle has grown with a rapidty that
few people. even residents OF the city,
fully comprehend. Through Seattle. the
gateway OF Alaska, flows all but small
part OF the great tide of travel to and
from the gold fields OF the far North, and
in the rush and hustle incident to the
entertainment of thousands OF transient
guests the people of Seattle have to
large extent overlooked the steady influx
OF permanent residents.
But of this growth the retail trade of
the city furnishes an unfaiins index.
The fa. that the demand for all the
necessities of life is today more than so
per cent. greater than it was a year ago
tells a story that 10 the trained mind Is
more convincing, even, than the tale told
by the recently completed government
census The people of Seattle. as well
as OF the whole nation, are prosperous,
and TO that prosperity, no doubt, Is due
a considerable percentage OF the increase
IN retail trade. but the main factor has
undoubtedly been the growth of the con-
suming population,
a better index OF the prosperity OF the
people OF Seattle is the undlsputed fact
that during the past year there has been
a large and significant Increase In the
demand for the luNures OF life and for
staple goods OF the finest quality. Espc-
cially marked has been the growth of the
demand tof tft5h kuuuS anu tlpAulhs OF
the best manufacture This II the rnost
striking feature OF the clty's dry goods
ARA clothing trade for the year.
The trade in groceries was last year
by far the largest in the history OF the
city, although for more than three years
there has been heavy and cons antly
increasing demand from Alaska for sup
plies. The increase IN business over lss9
in view Of this fact WAS phenomeneHy
larEe. Thirty per cent Is the estimate
made by conservative wholesale dealers.
Leading retailers state that the Increase
IN their trade was almost equally large,
despite the fact that many large stores
were established on Upper Second ave-
nue. and Pike street during the year.
The features Of the years trade were
undoubtedly the universal demand for
the very best staple groceries ana the
finest table dclicacies and the small per-
centago OK loss Incurred through uncol-
iec.ihlc accounts.
THE Alaska business in groceries was
larger than ever before. fully bearing ont
Seattle's claim 20 being the best. and In
fact the cnly outhtung point for miners
and prospectors. The Indication are good
for a much larger trade during the COM
Ing year.
Demand the Best.
Tor dry goods and clothing the people
groceries. Merchants and ciotbiers agree
On declaring tAat their sales showed
surprising increase over lss9.
Il would have been satisfied with
business coGal TO that ~ last wear" said
one merchant 4 few days aEo, but my
highest expeditions were more than re-
aiige l. Our sales were fully 90 per cent
groatcr IN 1890 than Ia 1889. The striking
fnatgre % The trade Vas the great de-
nmua for the best dress goods and cloth
ing.
AS fnr the coming e-r I can say with
confidence that the outlook Was never
more promising Although our trade did
not fan on even during the recent pvesi-
dental campaign. tie e. election OF Pres
ideut Mckinley has had a most happy
eftee. On business generally. Under the
policy he has outlined a year Of even
greater prospc rity trau vas the last is
IL stare fer US"
Aithoush still in its infancy. seattle's
trade with the Orient last year had
marked effect on the volume OF business