The Washington times., 1909-09-05
WASHINGTON IN yam
OF PROSPERITY RACE
Merchant Declares Trade
Conditions Are Most
Satisfactory.

Prosperity Is 81 our threshold. We
nave had the best business summer in
three years, and there appears nothing
in sight TO prevent 1910 from being the
most successful year in our commercial
history"
Filled with confidence as the result OF
the general trade revival and seeing no
disturbing clouds on the business shori-
zon, Anton Stephan, manager OF the
w. Z. McKnew Company, sounds this
note OF optimism and bids Washington
merchants to prepare for greater things
than they cave dreamed OF since the
boom times preceding the financial furry
and trade depression OF two years ago
Looking at business conditions here and
elsewhere through the eye OF conservs-
tism, Mr.. Stephan sees ample reason
for qualification over the outlook for the
coming fall and winter. His prediction
that Washington's merchants will reap
their greatest harvest in years during
the nsXt twelve months is based on
more than twenty years experience in
this city's mercantile fields
Wants Factories.
As gratihed as Mr. stephan is with
the business conditions that have pre-
vailed throughout this summer. largely
because Of the lateness Of the special
session Of Congress. he declares that
greater things may be accomplished by
the Capitals merchants if this city
becomes a producing center OF import
ance. And, moreover, he sees no reason
why IL cannot be made SUCH pointing
out the possibilities for increased pOpu-
lation, greater circulation Of money, the
employment Of more labO- in the event
that mQn1lf.q curing rndUkfrrtaE
cOuraged 10 locate in the vicinity Of
Washington. Even as marked as Is the
present visitation of good times, the
possibility OF better times Is too obvious
10 be denied, he SAYS, with the devel-
opment OF this city's resources for man
ufacturing-
Mr.. stephan is nat an advocate of in
Producing manufactures at the expense
of the Capitals beauty and residential
character He would locate along the
south side Of the Potomac, where water
and railroad transportation facilities
would be adequate, factories intended
to produce such goods as are needed
by the South. Washington already has
great geOgrap hical advantages over
Southern States, he points out. and
therefore with manufacturing industries
at our door there would be no reason
why this city could not control the bulk
Of the Southern trade.
Good Times Here.
But aside from his belief IN $he futue
Mr.. Stephan is emphatic in he declara-
ton that right now the merchants,
large and small, have every reason for
optimism. OF this he says:
We need not alone accept the merch-
ants word that prosperity is here, We
can find it in the unusual business done
this summer. A summary Of the bust
ness done by this firm. and it is only
has
pered, shows that we did, during July
and August, months that are admitted
" dull. a business greatly in excess OF
those months in the past three years
This TO a business man IS ample testl-
mOnE of prosperous times
Further than this, there Is no rea-
son WHY 1910 should not be banner
year TO the business world From now
on Washington should present busy
aspect. People are returning from their
vacations, store shelves have been re
plenished with fall stocks, the demand
for goods of every kind is growing ard
trade generally is being stimulated o.
the liberal disposition TO buy
Another sign of prosperity Is IN the
fact that the Washington public now
buys goods of a better quality than
few years ago People demand high
grade goods. they are Wiling 10 pay
for them, and the merchants VINO per
sist in keeping their shelves STOCKED
with inferior articles find that they 70
main unsOId. Money, too, seems freer in
the hands of the people. and tney are
spending il more literally
Government Encourages
The liberal disposition Of the Gov
eminent seems to have carried with it
encouragement to the people. Certainly.
there is and Will continue TO be a great
benefit not only TO local business men
but to Washingtonians at large in the
desirs of the Federal authorities 20
make this a great and beautiful city.
The policy Of the Government TO erect
magnificent buildings and to guarantee
peace and security here has already had
the effect of attracting wealthy resi-
dents to our midst Many of these new
residents have erected grand residences,
bringing TO our banks plentiful deposits
of money, and in every way have begun
to look upon Washington as their home.
In addition 10 our desirable population
of Government workers, who in them
selves make a community Of which any
municipality would be proud, this
wealthy class gives US a stability not
TO be found i'm other cities.
Bearing in mind the present business
outlook and the potential wealth which
is behind this city's future development,
7 would say that Washington today Of
fers greater attractions. business and
social, than any city in the country