The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-06
TRADE WEEK FOLK
HAVE GREAT TIME
Three Hundred Visiting Mcr-
chants Buy Goods All Day,
and See Show at Night.
MANY ARRIVE DURING DAY
Success OF Big Undertaking Sur
passes observation-disclosures
Features on Program.

Southern retail merchants here for
Spring Trade Week. after spending the
day in the wholesale and manufacture
inS establishments of Richmond. had
three hours OF genuine enjoyment last
might ut the special performance Of the
musical play. "Forty-Five Minutes
From Broadway" at the C;rayce Scott
Bijou Theatre. 10y professional and
amateur talent. Local shafts OF wit.
dropping unexpectedly from the lips OF
the actors, drew many laughs from the
visitors 1T the expense Of Alvin NJ.
Smith, j. t. Palmatary. and others, at
whom they were aimed.
Much 10 the surprise OF the executive
committee of the Trade Extension
Bureau, which arranged Spring Trade
Week, tho stream Of merchants which
has been pouring iu;o the city since
Monday continued In almost untlnin-
ished volume Yesterday. 1t was antici-
pated that practically all the retailers
who attended tho affair would arrive
hero by "Wednesday night. For tho
merchants. headquarters were opened
vest erdaE, however, and the regist ra-
ton officials had the unexpected plea
sue of booking forty new arrivals.
The advent Of The latest Corners
brings the total number of Southern
merchants who have como to Spring
Trade Week up To about 900. South
Carolina, Georgia. North Carolina, md
West Virginia. and. OF course, Virginia
are represented.
Business IL irisk.
Having given the first day OF the
celebration to siEht-secing and making
friends. the visitors started out syester-
day morning to explore the commercial
district. and 10 reap some of the bust
ucss benefits Of the week The largo
wholesale houses We're prepared To 80
ceive them. in many cases having re-
T1.a.s ,-..1l
10 he on hand to welcome their South
oin customers. Retail merchants who
have known Richmond firms only at
long distance or through statesmen. al
though dealing with them for years.
were given an opportunity yesterday to
meet the local business men face 10
face. and 10 make II personal inspection
OF tho commercial houses.
While visitors and local merchants
nr" both ToicinE their enjoyment of
the amusement features of the week.
reports OF brisk sales are coming into
trade week headquarters from many
sources. Few Of the leo concerns in
the bureau have Jailed TO record un-
usually heavy business and 10 open
up new avenues OF ,rndc. Many yisl-
tors, coming primarily for pleasure,
have been attracted 10 business by nm
Inspection ~ the stock in Richmond
establishments
The number of women In attendance
has been q source of surprise to the
members OF the bureau. They are not
tho wives and daughters OF the visiting
merchants. but are prosperous and
wide-awakc business women who arc
alive 10 the possibilities OF Spring
Trade Week About nifty Of them have
registered.
This Is the las, day OF the trade
festival and promises TO be crowded
for visitors and hosts. To-day was re
served by the executive committee for
small entertainments which numerous
firms Will give. Several Of the large
wholesale houses viii serve luncheon
In their establishments; others have ar
ranged sightseeing parties, dinners.
automobile trips and theatre parties.
PLAN Larger Affair.
The success Of the present affair
has set the leaders Ia the Trade EX-
tension Bureau at work on next sum
m.r's Better Acquaintance Week. From
all accounts tile August affair VIII out
strip In all details either Spring Trade
Week or tho big event last year. The
advertisement the festivals have gained
by the two weeks already engineered
Is expected 10 he enough TO draw 1000
retail merchants here In the summer
W. Il. Broaddus. chairman OF the
executive committee. was enthusiastic
last night over tho outcome of Spring
Trnde Week
we began work or the plans for q
spring acquaintance week with some
missivinEs." SAID he. The uncertain
spring weather and peculiar business
conditions of this season OF tho year
made us doubt somewhat tho POSSIBLE
lily OF successful week In March In
spite OF d.scouragcmcnts. however. tho
bureau won't ahead with Its plans, and
is now rewarded with a success that
surpassed the most sansuine cxpec-
tations."
Amateur MfnStrels f0 RchcarSc.
meeting OF tho amateurs who will