Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-01
TRADE N 1917 RAS ].
| BEEN BEST IN YEARS
80 SAY MERCHANTS OF CITY, IN
REVIEW OF BUSINESS CON.
DlTlONS.
ARE OPTIMISTIC OF
NEW YEAR TO COME
Volume Of Trade Has Shown an In
crease in Most All Lines, and People
Have Bought Better Class OF Msr-
ehandiss - Interviews With Msr.
chants on Conditions.

COaNS8 on SO0OiSIOUos
Every fourth year business IS ex-
pected to take q temporary vacation"
during the course of the campaign OF
presidential candidates. and business
men prepare for slow times and
cramped money conditions. A general
slump was anticipated turnout the
country this year. and in some sections
business is said to have suffered by
reason of the battle for votes
Marshalltown. however, has not felt
thee effect Of the campaign While
OTHER cities and towns have made COM
plants that business has been injured
by campaign buster and high prices,
Marshalltown business men have not
been handicapped by lack OF trade or
because Of poor collections.
When all IL said, 1t is undeniable
that Marshalltown IL the best town IN
the country. Despite the serious oo-
stacles thrown in the way Of its pro-
gress in years past. 1t has withstood
I allShardships and progressed steaolly.
Volume Of Trade Shows Increase.
business men generally concede tnat
the volume Of trade in this city during
the past year has been greater tnah
during the previous twelve months
and better than in many years. some
merchants have enjoyed the greatest
business they have ever had.
II Is the general opinion OF business
men of the city that collections nave
been better, cash trade has been IN
creased. and there has been demand
for higher class merchandise. despite
high prices and the prediction that the
calamity cry Of the campaign woulo oe
reflected in the business world.
With a view Of getting the opinion
of the merchants Of Marshalltown on
business conditions, representative VI
the Times Republican called on many
ofgthe merchants during the month Oh
December to determine business conol-
lions as they actually exist at the pres
ent time. The result OF this canvass ~
beA shown by the comments OF the
h,A,nes. men themselves. All lines
sayo been included in this canvass
~ the following opinions were OBJ
tanned:
What Business Men Say.
I'D. Palmer, Of the Andrews store,
said: "Our business has SHOWN a srea'
increase over 1911. The early fall sea-
CON vas exceptionally good. The warm
weather probably affected the Novem-
her business to some extent, but the
month Of October was pne OF the most
exceptional in a business way we nave
ever entoyed Marshalltown IS IN bet
ter shape today than 1t has been 1or
several wears. Altho presidential
campaign usually has a depressing Ell
feet on business, up to the present we
haye seen no change and apparently
good business conditions will continue,
locally at least"
George L. Andrews. the grocer. says:
"Rusiness has been better than any
time in tho past ten years. Ihere mas
been a good healthy business condl-
ton turnout the entire year"
lie. Stanton, Of the Temple OF Econ
ony stated the condition briefly, say
ing conditions Of business the past
year have been exceptionally good. VI
course they might have been better or
they might have been worse, but am
well satisfied with a nice increase over
last year"
George McCord, the grocer, said his
business had shown nice increase
over 1911, and general conditions were
better than the previous year Collec-
tons have been better and cash trace
increased, he said.
Fred Pepper, butcher, says Busl-
ness the past year has been very sat
isfactory considering the high prices.
might say business has been excep-
tional in view Of the fact that this
was a presidential year. Obligations
have been met more promptly than
for,some years, and conditions at pres
emit are in good shape"
7. n. Bondage. hardware dealer
has found that the general hardware
business during the year has not been
any better than during 1911. but in the
building trade line there has been a
marked increase. 1.-THE fall business,
especially on Stoves" said Mr.. Bend
lage. "has been good considering that
we have enjoyed a late fall. Usually ut
this time In the year the stove bust
ness has closed, but the demand for
heaters 10 as good now as 1t was
month ago."
Business has been remarkably
good considering what statesmen have
been up against this year." says c. a.
Newcomer. Of the Sinclair Tea and
Coffee Company. There has been
rising market all the time. but bus
mess has been splendid. notwishstand-
ing this obstacle. can see nothing in
the near future to change the pres
'ent good condition materially, but
should there be turn in the conee
market the effect would be to create
a much greater demand. A road man
must be much better salesman today
than a few years ago to sell high
priced coffees. Some of our men have
met with great success, being able
successfully to cope with these OBJ
stacles; others have not been 80 sue
cessful. The years business has been
much better than we had anticipated.
Well posted men In our line have not
branched out in the coffee business,
owing to the high quotations. We are
more than satisfied with our business
this year"
G. F. Schmidt, hardware merchant,
says the late fall business has been
good, much better than other season
Of the year, but business for the year
has not exceeded that Of 1911. Mr..
Schmidt, however. expects business to
continue good generally.
=. r. Benedict Of Benedict & Brint-
nall, dry goods, is optimistic. Regard
ing the years business he said: our
business has been far better than 1t
was last year, in fact the business for
the twelve months has been the great