The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-10-23
ONLY THE CROAKER
TALKS HARD TIMES
Palatka Has EN-, But They
Are Not Numerous
This town is not so bad a town,
AS some would like to make it;

But whether good or whether baG
Depends on how we take it.
The price of sugar and a few othe
things have gone up as result of tn,
war, but little things like that do no
constitute valid reason for crying
hard times. Lewis Smith uses NOR,
sugar than any of us-he uses it il
his business-but the price of choc
olate creams remain the same.
There is difference in the lumber
and turpentine business, but this is
temporary. The crops are good
Some few men will get chance to
rest-they will not make quite SO
much money for a few weeks or
months, but with big crops and plenty
to eat, there is no excuse for crying
hard times.
Business is good in Palatka.
So good that Gay Brothers have
had to secure extra room to take
care of their increasing grocery trade.
Take September 18th, for instance.
That is the day when the straw hat
goes into retirement by common con-
sent. Did you notice the number of
new fall style mems hats on the
streets of Palatka on the 10th. Hard
ly man in town but had one. Fearn-
side and Brown, leading hat men
have had to put in second orders.
They couldn't supply the demand.
Warm weather now, but these houses
have big supply of fall and winter
clothing; it will go like hot cakes on
the first cool day. They say so, and
they know what they are talking
about.
Hard times, eh? Have you talked
with E. M. Earnest, the big dry goods
man? If not, you better. Here is
what he told The News on Tuesday.
"Our business is fine; | can scarcely
believe the figures. During the month
of September our business lacked
less than S. of showing a 25 per cent
increase over the same month last
year. We have not finished October,
but it is showing big daily increase
over last year."
Here's what a workingman said:
By the way, this working mans name
is George Hall, and he works at the
oucket factory. Eyes, l like Palatka,
and l find living considerable cheaper
than where | came from. | buy for
lash and have been trading at Prices
cash grocery. We have more and
oay out considerable less money.
Speaking of the increased cost Of
living in general Tom Cannon of the
Palatka Cold Storage Co. said: Fun
ny how some people will kick over
Lady said to me only this
morning, 4 never heard of such prices
or steak. When will it quit soar
ng?' She telephoned us the day or
,wo before to send her some of the
)est steak; we did so, and it was when
;he came to pay the bill, which was
20 cents per pound, that she raised
his 'holler' But the fact is that
here has been no increase in the
,rice of beef in this town in nine
years. Nine years ago steaks sold
rom y 1-2 to 20 cents per pound
md that is the price at which it is
old today"
During August the export business
rom New York showed a decline over
he same month last year, because of
he war. But what about Septem-
,er? For the week ending Sept. 10,
he increase over the same week of
913 was S2,636,417; the increase for
he week ending Sept. 26th over the
anne period in 1913 was 1921 1896.
Business growing some, isn't it?
The textile industries are showing
Jig business with the countries at
var. Why should they not, also all
ther industries. The strict neutral
ty of this country enforced by Pres
dent Wilson naturally make the war
ing countries turn to US for supplies.
several large underwear mills that
we're closed in August are now run
ing full and overtime. Sweater coat
last week were asked
o put in bids for 100000 garments
ach for both the British and French
Last week additional
riders for 10000 dozen cotton sheers
or export were put in. Carriage
uilders at Atlantic City report that
he war has brought big contracts to
all over the country which
ad been temporarily closed.
Don't croak. Steel men say they
xpect to see their export business
aised from an annual basis of 1,500,-
100 tons to 2,5O0,0O0 tons in a short
ime.
Same thing is going to happen to
very business in which Florida is in
crested, even turpentine, which was
t low enough ebb even before the