Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
He Improves Conditions.

lie improves COnQlt1OUS.
For many improvements in the conditions of
the local trade and In the service which is given
to the wholesale grocers and TO the oil and paint
trade Mr. NlcoIai claims that he is largely re-
sponsible. When he came to this city twenty
years ago he found that visits to the trade were
made not more than twice week and then not
regularly, while 1t done through Baltimore
Office. His activity in setting up local plant
forced competitors to do the same, and the re-
suit is that the local trade Is served at least
once day and cftentmes frequently than
that. Also. during his previous establishment IN
this market he placed this market the best
kind of oils and al the lowest prices. and that
had powerful iniuence in bringing down prices
to reasonable basis. 1t is his intention at this
time to carry out the same policy and to supply
his customers with the best grades OF oil and at
the lowest figures.
Although some insinuatlons have been made that
Mr. NicOlai is working with the Standard Oh
Company in this field, he has denied the ale
cation strenuousy, and he is pointing out in sup
port that, while the other companies serving the
local market follow the policy Of the trust he is
taking up a line of his and is quoting prices
independent of the quotations Of the other com
panies. He is pointing out that In the seven
months that he has been established there has
been a reduction in the price Of OIL and he
maintain that his competition, among other
causes, Is responsible for that reduction.
Mr.. Nicolai Is regarded IN the oil trade general
ly throughout the country, as one of the best oil
In the business and one of the best judges
Of good OIL and he is using all his efforts In his
trade to supply only the best grades of oil and
gasoline. 1t VIII be acknowledged by the per
sons who traded with him ten years ago. when
he supplied many of the most prominent persons in
the city with oil and gasoline, that the grade OF
oil which he sold was superior in many ways to
that of others. 1t upon the grade of the oil
and upon the efficiency of the service given to
his customers that he built up the large trade
then. which enabled him to Withstand the blows
Of the great oil corporation who were lighting
the fattering proposition which they did. In the
months that he has been established he has
pursued the same policy and with the support of
tba fraip hp will 10 aS IN rails
the grade Of oil and In reducing prices as he was
before He is still young man, with large
perience in handling the trade, as he showed
when he In business before. and the success
Of his venture is assured from the start
The Only Independent Firm.
Mr.. Nicolai claims to be the only indepedent
wholesale dealer IN the city, he the orig
inal wholesale independent operator In this field
Just he supported and maintained in the
field as an independent factor in the market ten
years ago, by the patronage of the local dealers,
who reaped the advantages from the competition,
also, he expects now that he will be able to
hold the local trade, only through their help and
through their patronage and support OF him in
rying TO give them the best oil and gasoline at
the most reasonable figures. The claim made
when he began business that he could last no
longer than sixty days has been disproyed and
he has shown hts ability to carry cut his prom
ises and give excellent service.
In speaking Of his business few days ago. Mr..
Nicolai said:
II am compelling against two of the strongest
trusts IN the country, the Standard Oil Company
and the Consolidated Gas Improvement Company
OF Philadelphia through their auxiliary concern
here and they have been making all kinds OF
statements that could not remain In business fol-
any length of time. 1 have already shown my
strength, both when i In business for N.Y.
self before and since l have started this time and
1t only remains for the local trade to support
a local dealer, who Is a resident OF the District
and taxpayer here, to allow them to reap the
benefits OF greater competition
In connection with his business, Mr.. Nieolai is
using the latest methods and devices for insuring
to his customers fresh OIL in convenient shane
for the easiest handling. He Is making 1t point
to make regular calls his customers and to at
tending their wants promptly, and be hopes that
by such methods he will convince the trade that
he is working with them for their best interests