The Washington times., 1901-09-29

enter commercial life. His continued rise
from thence forward is emblematic of the
house which he then founded. Step by
STEP slowly but surely, he laid broad but
deep the foundations of the long and hon
orable business career upon which his
sons have continued and erected mag
nificent business which is today known
throughout Washington as the emporium
of the people, the masses and the classes
"Great oaks from little acorns grow"
has never been better exemplified than
in the record of this house. Success in
the Monumental City induced his sons
to turn their eyes TO new fields to con-
quer; and when the opportunity came, but
eight short years ago, to begin business
In the Capital of the nation. it was
quickly grasped, and indeed led on to
fortune. Almost the first business ven
ture here began on the first floor of
small building located on part of the site
where stands the great six-story build
ing now but portion of this vast estab-
lshment. Less than fifty clerks were en-
ployed therein; but with the good judg-
ment to be expected from them, the
Messrs. kann selected these most judi
ciously, and the result is that nearly all
of these first employees are today still in
the employ of THE Busy Corner" oc-
cupying higher and more responsible posi-
tions from time TO time
In the winter of 1890 the members of the
firm took retrospective view of the situa-
tion and found that in spite of the acqui-
sition of new space, new buildings, and
new leaseholds from during the preced-
ing years. there had been a vast increase
in trade, much larger in proportion than
the amount of space provided to handle
the same. Every department was desi--
Gus of more room. Customers asked for
lines of merchandise which il was deemed
advisable to add. and so a campaign of
expansion was planned, begun, and before
June !, 1901, was most expeditiously and
successfully completed
The sequel was the acquisition of the
property on d Street, running to the alley
between Seventh and Eighth Streets, and
the new Smith BuildiEg-a building con-
structed for the identical purposes needed
by this firm. To set ont the innumerable
difhculties and obstacles that from time
to time came In the patn or this carving
out of their plans would take too much
time and space. Suffice il TO say that
with their usual grit. energyS purposefuI
power, they are today on the eve of the
fruftion Of all their plans. and success is
ready 70 crown their efforts. Their old
and their new buildings are now as one
Access may be had from the floors of
their establishment. Eight hydraulic
elevators of the newest and safest con-
structlon give access to every department
on the various upper floors
One thousand employees provide willing
nands to serve promptly every want-and
the comfort and convenience of the public
has been the touchstone of all this en-
terprise. As an evidence one can name
the large and spacious waiting rooms in
different sections of the building. the
branch postoffice for the benefit of pa
irons, the Postal Telegraph service. the
enlargement in capacity and convenience
of the lunch grotto. and the modern
methods of exchange of merchandise and
the refund of purchase money. Surely the
Busy Corner. which now covers nearly
the entire block, is worthy of the conf
dence of its thousands of patrons for this
firm fully realizes that each satisfied Gus
toner is its best advertisement.
Still another point is the enormous
sums of money spent yearly in adTertis-
ing in all the local dailies. proving their
liberality in informing their customers of
every bargain which is to be had from
day to day, and these without limit
The opening which goes into effect to-
morrow will probably be the best that
Washington has ever seem and according
to the many souvenir prices advertised
for this occasion the public will reap a
rich harvest.