The Washington times., 1907-09-08
BOOM IN TRADE
DURING SUMMER
BREAKS RECORD
Twenty six Business
Lines in Washington
Delighted.
Master Builders an Ex-
ception-Experience
of Big Retailers.

The summer just closing has been the
best in the history Of Washington, from
a business standpoint.
This IS shown by a careful canvass Of
a large number of business men IN va
riOus lines OF trade by Times reporter
last week Twenty-seven different lines
Of business were included in the inquiry,
and In only one. thu building industry.
were conditions reported worse this sea-
son than IN previous ones.
The fact that the one execution did
ot have a like influence over all others
noteworthy, for in Washington the
gliding industry is the leading one. and
had not general conditions been excep-
tlonauy good, the building tie-up must
have had deterrent effect on all classes
CT business.
Businesses Investigated.
Hotels, transportation companies. print
ers. engravers. clothing stores. jewel
ers. souvenir stores, furniture dealers.
theaters. department stores. dry goods
houses, tailors, real estate dealers. saw
ings banks, electrical and automobile
supply concerns, china and glassware
stores. art dealers. shoe stores, mems
outhtters hardware stores, tobacco deal
e-s. bankers, suburban property dealers.
and e en- piano houses report an excep-
Onally good summer.
To arrive at a fair estimate OF the
state Of business IN Washington during
the summer it was deemed sufficient
to cover the several lines named. Most
OF the above were, OF course, retail es-
Establishments; some were wholesale and
some both retail and wholesale The
reports OF mercantile agencies were not
sought, but the interviewer gathered his
information at FIRST hand from the heads
OF the several concerns. Each was ask
ed questions about as follows:
What have you found the condition
OF ycur business to be this summer as
compared with last summer and previ-
Gus summer seasons7"
Have collections been better or
worse?"
Have the number q visitors in the
city on account OF the jamestown Ex-
position particularly affected your line
OF business?"
These and other questions, varied &C
cording to the nature % the business.
we're put to each of a large number Of
Washington business men with the re-
suit already stated.
Never Had So Good a Season.
While in general 1t may be said that
Washington never has had 50 good q
business summer season, A very fer
reported an average season. but not be-
low the average. and in these cases a
decided increase could hardly be ex-
pected-
The transportation companies, the
moderate rate hotels and the souvenir
dealers have Of course, been the chief
gamers. Every day hundreds OF
strangers are brought into the city. most
Of them on their way to the exposition.
The actual number entering each day
Is difficult to estimate; but the number
has been stated as varying from 1000 to
1900 daily. and. perhaps, last week at
a greater figure.
These tourists remain in the city see
ing the sights for from one 70 ten days
and thus put In circulation a large
amount Of cash. This, of course, in
directly benefits all. It is said that
Washington has gained more by reason
Of the jamestown Exposition than Nor
folk itself, for the reason that this
city has not gone to any extra expense
to care for the visitors. while Norfolk
has expended a great deal
But aside from this stimulant, Wash
ington has had a good summer The
direct effect OF the visitor IS regarded
only in small way. Some regard the
general prosperous condition OF the
country as sufficient reason for Wash
ingtOn's receiving her share. Others sug-
gest that the backward spring resulted
In making the summer months just so
much more active. Whatever may have
been the cause. the fact still remains
and stands out boldly that Washing
tonians generally have enjoyed par
tcularly prosperous summer season.
Few Found Collections Poor.
In a few lines complaint has been
made that collections have been bad
Business has been unusually good,
plenty of orders have been placed and
executed, but il has been difficult to
collect accounts Not a sufficient num-
Der of reports of this nature were re-
celved, however. to state that the con-
dition was at all general.
Another complaint was made that il
has been found difficult to get money at
the banks. that New York has attract
ed so much available cash that local
concerns were unable to obtain the
usual amount OF accommodation. This.
in measure. is true every summer. but
It is doubtful whether the condition is
much different than at other times
A good indication OF the general
healthy financial condition Of the people
is found in the statement OF certain
savings banks as to new accounts open
ed in the summer months. These showed
gratifying Increase.
General banking institutions say that
the volume Of deposits has been some
what larger than in any other previous
Continued on Tenth Psge)