The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-11-05
LOYAL Attitude of Fair Shop
pers Defeats Attack on
Business Houses.
RAIDERS BLOCKED
BY LOCAL PRIDE"
Little Trade Taken From City by
Advertisements Promising
Great inducements.

Failure win be the reward OF those
out-of-town merchants who are attempt
ing TO invade Washington territory with
me idea CT capturing some OF its retail
trade. If the friendly attitude Of large
nuAlber of the Capitals best-known
women may be accepted as indicating
the direction IN which this important
trade viii continue to flow.
IN answer to the frequent attempts
coming from cities trying TO advertise
in the Washington papers. and succeed
ing IN at least one case, these women
shoppers-and they are the real aTbiters
Of the merchants success and failure
respond heartily that they are satisfied
with Washington's stores, and that there
is no justification for belief or state
ment that these shops. large or small
are OF lower standard than those bid
ding for public favor elsewhere.
II may be accepted with assurance
therefore, that ali the trade-divertine
influences that outside merchants can
bring-among them the powerful at
traction Of advertising prominently dis
played in local newspapers-win be Ct
little or no avail. in the campaign to
capture local trade Such campaign is
bound to fail. If the testimony Of the
shoppers themselves is the decidins
voice, because it is unsupported by be-
lief that merchants of other cities are
IN position TO serve Washingtonians ii
any particular better than they are nov
served at their own threshold
Shown To Advantage.
as the result OF a careful inquiry
made by representatives Of The Times
20 develop how much il any Of this To-
eel Afa ~ l.
tive influence Of Baltimore, Philadel-
pffa or New York, II IS shown that
Washington merchants are more than
holding their own. Moreover. the word
Of these washington women who in
this instance have discussed the sub
5ect Is given that they buy here for the
reason they can do no better elsewhere.
IN brief, those powerful trade magnets
quality and modishness in wearables
and reasonable prfces-are to be found
in all the high-elass stores included in
Washington's shopping districts.
In certain instances, women whose
husbands are affiliated with Washing
toms business life. say they shop here
more particularly because OF feeling OF
local pride;'' but while admitting this
they add that they have entire conf
dence in the quality. variety, style and
EeaSDlADtIAESs U EA-NS "a tAAI GrNsAAa u
fered for sale on local store counters.
There are also 10 be found among the
patrons Of Washington stores women
who. while residents OF the Capital only
during certain seasons Of each year. are
satisfied 10 do much Of their shopping
here. Because Of their frequent visits
to metropolitan centers and their op-
portunfty Of comparison OF fabrics
styles and prices, their expressions are
OF great interest, IN view OF the euer-
eetfc methods employed by out-of-towI
merchants to attract their custom.
Few Purchases Abroad.
one Of the women invited to com
nent on the subject has pointed Ou
that not q few Washington women nnt
II convenient and economical TO bu1
their gowns IN London and Paris wher
travelling abroad, but the volume OF thii
trade IS not regarded by Washington
merchants as sufficient to affect theil
business.
From all the women commentator
who have expressed views on the sub
fecf Of their relations with local uer
chants high praise is forthcoming be
cause Of what they describe as studied
effort 10 cater 10 their wants. not only
through the quality Of goods offered foI
sale, but also eor the attractive countel
and window displays ard the many lit.
tie ways of conducting to their comfort
Continued on Ninth Page)