The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-01
THE RETAIL BUSINESS The Montgomery Merchants Tell of Prosperous Times. TRADE IS ON THE INCREASE The Dealers Look Forward to a Good Fall Business. The Past Year, as Whole, Shows Receipts
 in Excess of Those Of the Preced-
 ing Twelve Months.

weather we have had, and to the very discauragtng outlook for a good cotton crop. which was staring us in the face for several weeks during June and July. together with a greater number Of our people being away for the sum- mer than usual. We feel good now. Everything points to a good fall and winter business. Crop prospects are better: our shoes are coming in earlier than usual and are far ahead of last years goods in point of style, finish and quality; and more of the letter grades are In demand. Our people are beginning to appreciate the advantages of good footwear and are more willing to pay the price than they've ever been. It does folks good to get out of town occasionally and see what other peopla wear. The customers who wear the best shoes and everything else for that matter. are those who have been away from home and mixed up with the world and had their minds broadened It makes them progressive. Why, there are men here who have not changed the style of their shirts for twenty years. Montgomery retail shoe stores are in the front ranks and will always be abreast with the times.
 We would make a request of those who have the means and the authority. to bring and establish manufacturing industries here which will furnish d weekly payroll. a large proportion of which would be spent for shoes. We are surfeited with fine hotel and street car accommodations-all we need is the manufactures.
 "As a body we have nothing to com plain about to any great extent. Give us good attractions at the Fall Festi- val to bring the crowds. let us show them what we have. and coupled with the energy and enterprise which has characterized its progress from the be- ginning the shoe fraternity will come out on top. well shod with the sole leather of deserved prosperity sewed fast with the wax ends of home indus try. guided by the bristles of uner- ring judgment. which will penetrate every obstacle and plant its feet ca the road-success. We will always make our influence felt.'
 MT. w. c. Pope. manager for Ham: The past year has marked a steady growth in this branch of Montgomery $ commercial life. Five exclusive shoe stores. three departments and various small shops furnish ample facilities to the trading public to supply all their needs in this line Three hundred lIlOuSAnQ QOlldTS lS d Sdlc CSllllldl le Ol the volume of retail shoe business done in this city and suburbs during the past twelve months. A large majority of this amount is. of course done by the regular retail shoe stores. which are all owned and managed by consci- entious. liberal minded and painstaklnG men. who are progressive and well
 posted in their special line. The uR steady condition of the leather market of two years ago. when such heavy drafts were made upon 1t for army shoes. has given way to normal condi- tions. and prices of leather which. oi
 course. visibly affects the price oi shoes. has again settled down to vaues | which obtained in 1896 and 1S97 The | introduction of various new processes for the tannage of skins has given tC ] the shoe-buying public a variety ot l stocks. which for beauty. softness anC | dnra biitY has never before been equal l led. The introduction several year: | ago of what is known as the Goodyear
 method of sewing on the soles of shoe
 has entirely displaced the old time | hand -sewed" shoe. and has given tC | the world a result in shoe making jus as satisfactory and at a little more | han one-half the cost. In the matte ! of style. the shoe manufacturers as 1 sisted by the original ideas of the ~c