Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-01-01
90 SAY MERCHANTS OF CITY, IN
REVIEW OF BUSINESS CON.
DITIoNS.
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.
ehandiso - Interviews With Msr.
chants on Conditions.

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 thruout 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
thes effect Of tho campaign. While
OTTER 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, It IL undeniable
that Marshalltown IL the best town In
the country. Despite the serious OBJ
stacles thrown in the way Of its pro-
gress in years past, 1t has withstood
, llShardships and progressed steaolly.
Volume Of Trade Shows Increase.
Business men generally concede that
the volume Of trade in this city during
the past year has been greater than
during the previous twelve months,
and better than In many years. some
merchants have enjoyed the greatest
business they have ever had.
It is the general opinion OF business
men of the city that collections have
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 would be
reflected in the business world.
With view of getting the opinion
of tho merchants Of Marshalltown on
business conditions, a representative OF
the Times Republican called on many
ofsthe merchants during the month OF
December to determine business condl-
lions az they actually exist at the pres
ent time. The result Of this canvass IS
best shown by the comments OF the
BUSINESS men themselves. All lines
,aaye been included in this canvass,
und tho following opinions were oo-
tanned:
What Business Men Say.
JfD. Palmer, Of the Andrews store.
said: Our business has shown great
increase over 1911. The early fall sea-
son was exceptionally good. The warm
weather probably affected the Novem-
Der business to some extent, but the
exceptional in business way we have
ever enjoyed Marshalltown is In bet
ter shape today than 1t has been Tor
SEVERAL years. Altho q presidential
campaign usually has a depressing ef-
feet on business, up to the present we
have seen no change and apparently
good business conditions will continue.
locally at least"
George L. Andrews. the grocer, says:
Business has been better than any
time in the past ten years There mas
been a good healthy business condi-
ton thruout the entire year"
j. E. Stanton, Of the Temple OF Econ
only. stated the condition briefly, say
ing, Conditions Of business the past
year have been exceptionally good. Or
course they might have been better, or
they might have been worse but am
well satisfied with 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-
lions have been better and cash trade
increased, he said.
Fred Pepper, butcher, says: "Bust-
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
war presidential year. Obligations
have been met more promptly than
for, some years, and conditions at pres
emit are in good shape"
L. H. 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
wetf1ave enjoyed q 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 q
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 a turn in the coffee
market the effect would be to create
a much greater demand. A road man
must be a much better salesman today
than 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 It
was last year, in fact the business for
the twelve months has been the great