Evening star., 1902-08-19
COMING FALL TRADE
Washington Merchants An
ticipate Large Increase.
PROSPEROUS TIMES
ORDERS LARGER THAN IN ANY
PREVIOUS YEAR.
People Who Remain at Home, Owing
to the Pleasant Weather,
Are Buying Heavily.

Washington merchants are jubilant these
| days over the most flattering prospects for
business during the coming fall and Win
| ter that they have ever known. They are
seeing visions of big trade on every hand.
There is every indication for the biggest
| trade we have ever experienced in WASH
| ington, and we expect that this fall and
| winter will be a record-breaker for the
merchants of the capital city" That is the
answer a majority of the leading business
men of the city made to a Star reporter
when they were asked as to the prospects.
The feeling seems to be general, and only
optimism is expressed by every one. There
are no doubling Thomases among the
Washington tradesmen.
The merchants are placing their orders
for new stock unusually early this season,
| and the orders are considerably larger :han
those of any previous year, which is evil
dence that they have confidence N their
predictions as to future conditions. Addi-
tions are also being made to the stores, so
as to accommodate the increased stock sup
ply, which will begin to arrive within
few weeks, and more convenient facilities
for handling the trade are in course OF
preparation Managers and buyers are
busy with their arrangements for the fall,
| and a noticeable activity predominates in
nearly all the principal establishments.
GApSCI xlunCuSC A1ooC.
Mr.. S. W. Woodward of Woodward &
Lothrop, in discussing the situation, said:
"Of course we expect an immense trade.
That is one reason for our erection Of the
large addition to our store-we anticipated
an increased business and wished to be
prepared Everything points to a large
business. The country seems to be in
prosperous condition, there is plenty of
money in circulation, and each man seems
to have more or less of it. In Washington
the building trades were never so active,
and that will enter largely into local trade
conditions. Our orders are larger this year
than they have ever been for any previous
season and we don't expect to carry the
increased stock over"
Mr.. Woodward's remarks coincided with
the opinion of Mr.. Balderson, manager for
the Palais Royal, who said: I'VE antici-
pate a larger trade this fall than ever be-
fore, and our orders for stock have been
correspondingly greater The people seem
to be in a better financial condition, and
are not asking for credit. The entire year
of 1902 so far has been exceptionally good,
and as we expect an early fall this sea-
sons trade will be much greater than in
former years. The month Of August has
opened in promising shape and business is
getting better right along. One indication
Of the confidence that business men gen.
orally have in the increased business this
fall is the fact that the wholesalers are
not making any strenuous effort to sell
SootS, DIS tIlcy W III years VI SHoil buSi-
ness conditions. The wholesale houses
seem to be very independent this year, and
are not worried about disposing of their
stock. They feel confident that If one mer
chant doesn't take their goods another
will. and they are not uneasy about the
final results"
National and Local Prosperity.
Mr.. Arthur Moses of w. H. Moses &
Sons said they expected the largest trade
they have ever had. The customers are
buying better goods than in previous years
and there are fewer requests for credit. He
expressed the opinion that there is greater
prosperity, both nationally and locally. An
other thing which will conduce to trade in
his opinion is the fact that the people of
Washington have not left the city this sum-
mer as in former years, but have remained
at home on account of the pleasant condi-
tion of the weather. AS consequence they
have saved more money and will have more
to spend for their real needs.
Mr.. S. kann of S. Kann, Sons & Co. has
just returned from a trip to New York and
other points north. THE business men every
where are confident of an immense volume
of business this fall said Mr.. Kann. They
have confidence in the present indications
and are buying accordingly. Personally our
firm expects large increase of business
| over any previous year, and We have made
arrangements with that prospect in view.
Our orders have been much larger for
both domestic and imported goods. l think
all the merchants of Washington will have
an increased business this fall and winter
for there seems to be an unusual condition
OF prosperity among the residents of the
city. The fabrics and dress goods this year
are very pretty, much prettier than ever
before, and that will conduce to more
trade"
Best in History.
The same opinion in regard, to increased
trade is expressed by Mr.. Cans, manager
for SakS & Mr. hot
have been busy providing more floor space
to accommodate stock and customers and
they anticipate the best season in the his
tory Of the firm. He also mentions the
fact that there are fewer requests for credit,
and he thinks the business of the coming
fall will be done almost wholly on a cash
basis. Unless all signs fall said Mr..
Cans, this fall and winter will be record
breaker for Washington merchants, and
We are getting ready to look after our
share of the business
Not Confined to Merchandise.
The merchants of Washington are not
alone in predicting increased business pros
poets for the District Of Columbia during
the coming season, but persons in every
branch Of trade express their confidence in
a marked augmentation Of local commerce.
Proprietors of establishments offering for
sale various kinds Of wares are making
preparations for the promising outlook, be-
lieving that the people Of Washington will
be able to buy not only necessaries this
year, but that luxuries, ornamentations
ETC., will also be in great demand.
Real estate dealers are in readiness to ac-
commodate prospective customers with resi-
dence property, and they anticipate many
sales with the coming Of the fall season
The local manufacturers have also felt the
pulse of trade. and are satisfied that their
commodities will have an enlarged sale
The hotels are arranging for numerous
guests, and, indeed, the proprietor of every
business enterprise in the city Is looking
forward to anticipated good things.
From Farming Districts.
The general prosperity of the country is
felt everywhere. and the people of the
United States probably have more money
this year than ever before. Reports from
the farming districts indicate exceptionally
large yields of products Of the soil, all of
which will conduce to the wealth of the
country. In anticipation of the prosperous
condition of the people generally Mr. Will /,
liam Hahn. the chairman Of the out-of-
town trade committee Of the Business Mems
Association. with his co-workers, is pre-
pairing for a special effort on the part of
Washington business men during the COM