Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-14

Wholesale Trade
Wholesale trade Is of two kinds-that
which grows out of the sale of manufac-
tured products direct from the factories,
and that which results in the Accumulate ton
of merchandise from many sources into
tobbing stores for distribution to retailers
Both kinds exist In Washington. In the
northern part of the District is located a
large plant for the manufacture OF terra
Gotta. and the product Is sold locally and
throughout the adjacent territory The new
steel plant in process of construction at
Giesboro Point will be a factory OF a sim
liar character. Washington beer brewers
sell their product in the adjoining states
Lumbermen OF the District manufacture
much mill stuff which enters into building
operations In the smaller towns of Mary
land and Virginia Brick manufactured in
Washington have been sold outside the
District. Wholesale trade of this class is
probably the most profitable OF all end
upon 1t many CT the largest cities of the
country have been built up.
1t may be said in this connection that
Washington is fortunately located for the
multiplication of industries similar to
those already in opera ton. The transporta-
ton lines, now crowded with incoming
freight. composed of building materials
merchandise and the thousand and enc
commodities required In the sustenance and
upbuifding of a big city. are particularly
suited to bringing fuel from the coal fields
minerals from the mountains. wood from
the forests, sand from the plains and lime
from the kilns for such manufacture as ex-
lists in any of the cities of the Atlantic
coast. Along the river shores are miles of
low-lying land specially suited for the To-
cation of mills that would turn out a great
variety of products. While the attention
of the business community is now directed
n " hnI la trad md
nothing Is being said about a boom In In
dustry, the two are practically inseparable.
for it is only short step from the selling
of a commodity brought from a distance
to the making OF that commodity on the
ground where 1t is most nee ded
Increasing Outside Trade.
The development of wholesale trade from
stores carrying a large and miscellaneous
stock of goods is the problem especially
agitating the minds of Washington mer-
chants at this time This species of trade
has gained strong foothold in the city.
and is capable of indefinite expansion. as
the local business men shall gain control
of the territory which rightfully belongs
to them. Washington has now a whole
sale trade in paper, groceries. hardware.
notions and knit goods, liquors and tobacco,
the proportions and success of which are
surprise to those who investigate the SUBJ
tect for the first time. The proprietor OF
a local paper house states that his business
in 1905 amounted to $3.50 900 in sales out
side of the city. No less than forty-fve
statesmen operate from Washington houses.
and an estimate believed to be within the
actual limits OF trade places the outgoing
sales of Washington firms in the COM
modities used in nearby states at $40 COO 600
annually.
This is not q large showing as compared
with some of the rival wholesale centers
but it indicates that start has been made
which needs only the cooperation and con-
centrated efforts Of the Shippers Associa-
ton, about to be organized to assume
much larger proportions. BY a proper ad-
justment OF facilities for freight shipments
the wholesale trade of Washington could
be easily doubled without the additional
investment OF dollar in new lines of trade.
But the thing of greatest Importance at
the present time Is the actual enlargement
of wholesale trade by the establishment
Of new stores carrying special lines OF
merchandise. The retailers who look to
Washington for supplies are. broadly speak
Ing, keepers of general stores selling a great
variety of wares. Dry goods, notions, Shoes
clothing for men, women and children,
hats, caps. groceries. hardware and even
furniture make up the stocks these country
has not yet begun in the towns where these
men have their stores Their establish
ments more like the city department
store than anything else in the trade line
1t Is essential that such a merchant com
ing to the city from Virginia, Maryland or
the Carolinas shall be able to make up the
major part or all OF his supplies here It
is awkward for him to stop off at the capt.
tai to purchase notions, groceries and
paper and then go on to Baltimore or New
York for the balance of his stock. Wash
tngton should furnish him with facilities to