The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-02-28

The Demand for Dress Suits said To-
Be in Excess of the SuppIy-PeOpIe
Who Temporarily Use Them, and
Why They Are ImpeIIed TO Do So.
Probably no class of trades people in
Washington look forward TO inauguration
with brighter hope, or better reason for
anticipating increased business and profit,
thon do those who retail wearing apparel
There are = number of houses in this,
Is there are in all other large cities,
where this is made a practice.
This practice does not apply only to
articles used by men such as coats, vests,
trousers. oyercoats. hats. boots and
shoes. hut it is said there is an establish
ment or two in the National Capital
where members of the sentler sex can be
rugged out III silks satins. fUrbelows and
feathers Of the most modern and fashion
able sort for q special occasion at mOder-
ate cost. The establishments that cater
to women, perhaps, have a more steady
trade than those that serve men. But
when Inauguration time comes around,
the patronage of the latter for the mo-
ment far exceeds that Of the concerns
that look to the wants of women
The theory on which this assertion is
based is a simple and plausible one.
There are thousands Of people from
nearly every State in the Union who visit
Washington at inauguration time Among
these, naturally, are many leaders in the
party to which the President to be in
Quoted into Office belongs These lead
ers range from Governors down to alder
men There are something like 20.C90 en-
ployeS in the Government departments
here. 4 great number Of them expect 20
meet their backing among the delega-
lions from their respective States.
They are not habItually dressed up
people They are a little shy in ward
robe In truth, under ordinary condi-
lions they are not particular as TO their
personal appearance But when II comes
To meeting the big men from home
important and prosperous. They do not,
hOWeVG care 10 lay out the expense Of
purchasing outright j good-lookIng out
ut They want their money that they
may be able TO invite their influence
or less valuable acquaintance, to the
theatre and after the show lunch, a cold
bottle or two, and d fragrant Havana
Consequently, they resort TO the man
who can temporarily tog' them out in
good shape.
This vesr Inc stores and. shops that rent
clothes are said 10 be doing an unusually
large business Why this is so IS not
{ explained. But il IS ass, rJed that the
supply OF IoanabIe cloth y for men,
though fully as large as II former in
/ augFIratiOus is far short = the demand.
/ The first impulse OF the WpuiO-be renter
/ * to get q fashionable dress outfit. /
( Is declared that there are few Il any,
! Of these suits now 70 be had They sup
ply has been exhausted, and those who
4 did not provide for themselves earlier
are turning 70 the less imposing cloths
and cuts There is shortage, also, of
Z these, and prices for the past few days
! have been in excess Of anything known
! While many Government employees
have been patrouizing these concerns
they are not the only ones who have
/ been doing SO. Not a few people who have
/ lived in Washington from babyhOOd, who
viii, in all probability. live here until
! they are called to the blue beyond, and
/ who do not work for the Government
. have been provided for BY these clothes
/ renting houses for the inaugural Occa-
! sion and helped 20 swell the contents OF
/ the Golfers of their keepers