Evening star., 1914-12-31
WASHINGTON BUSINESS MEN OPTIMISTIC
IN BELIEF OF PROSPERITY DURING 1916
AND ARE PREPARING FOR GREAT BOOM
Men in All Lines of Endeavor What They
Consider "Good Business Reasons" Why There
Will Be Splendid Trade Revivalin
New Year.

| turbed during recent months" he said
MY personal belief and expectation is
that 1915 and 1916 are to be fine COM
| mercial years. and that those who are
wards. My own business has been
| much better this year than last and
promises a greater increase for 1915.
| war or no war, politics or no politics.
Theater Managers Views.
That the very war itself is bound
to work Improvement in prosperity to
the United States the coming year is
the opinion of Fred G. Berger, manager
of the Columbia Theater.
There will be millions of dollars
heretofore spent abroad which will be
in circulation in this country" said Mr..
state of war will compel foreign coun-
tries to spend in the United States.
Moreover there will be some thousands
of persons, both native and foreign.
most Of them of the affiuent class, who
otherwise would be abroad. who will
spend the year within our borders. These
three things alone ought to make for
more OF less of a boom over the whole
country. and Of this increase 1t Is but
natural to expect that the District Of
S. n. Meyer Of Meyers Military Shop
is OF the opinion that the biggest boom
OF recent years is on its way and that
its effects will be felt within six
months. Mr.. Meyer bases his predic-
tfon on the fact that the United States
has harvested bumper crops the past
! year, which must be used sooner or
later, laying special emphasis on the
cotton crop. which. he declares, is bound
to be more generally released soon and
xx-h in nf fan hc Hyin he
on its way to both home and foreign
markets. The banks have plenty of
money. declared Mr.. Meyer, and their
statements are good. The very cessa-
bodings. he contends, will aid mate
rally In Fastening better times.
Topham Working for It.
II am looking forward to improve
ment and our business is working for
it." said George Topham OF the firm of
that name. 'The fact that our busi-
ness and that of many others in the
District showed considerable improve
ment during the two months just past
would indicate an improvement for the
future which, I hope, will be borne out.
The settlement of the freight rate ques-
ton is also bound to have salutary
effect"
II
business of Washington and the coun-
try in general should during 1915 run
ahead of their 1914 records is the
opinion expressed by Arthur Burt, 1343
F street northwest.
There have been numerous in
stances. some of them doubtless en-
larged upon." he said, "of the depre-
citation of business in certain sections,
but the known increase in the activ-
tiles of others should more than Offset
them"
In the Printing Trade.
William ]. Eynon. manager for Byron
S. Adams, printer and publisher, SIP
l11th street northwest, said:
washington will have a prosperous
year because it is city set apart from
other cities. and growing with the
growth of the country. prospering as
the nation grows in power and wealth.
Here in Washington we have mil
lions disbursed by the government in
dependent of commerce and trade f1uc-
are absolutely Independent of the busi-
ness and financial stringencies that are
experienced by the outside country.
THE government maintains a vast
army of workers here and pays them
regularly. The business men of Wash
ington are more dependent on these
salaries as spent here than on any out
side conditions.
The government must employ more
workers each year. and as the number
grows 1t means the growth of Wash
! ington, the spending of more money
here for necessities of life, amuse-
ments, charities and luxuries. AS the
government pay roll grows larger,
Washington business men share in the
increase through legitimate profits on
fhe growing hnSineSS
Arthur G. Bishop, vice president of
the District Title Insurance Company
and Washington Title Insurance Com
pany, 610 18th street northwest, said:
THE last two months has shown
every indication of a return to normal
business conditions"
r. B. Culley of T. P. Culley & Son,
523 11th street:
I'VE expect 1915 to be the banner
year since our advent into Washington
business circles.
From what we can CLEAN from OBJ
servation the banks have plenty of
money to loan at a fair interest and
are willing to back sane enterprises
more freely than they were two or
three years ago"
National prosperity and prosperity
for the nations capital are nearly syn
onymous in the opinion of Charles A.
Muddiman. And" said Mr. Muddi-
man, this nation is bound to enjoy
prosperity as result of the European
war. Our factories are now being filled
up with orders for goods for Europe.
Also, since the outbreak of the war we
have had to make more things for our
selves and this will help to make for
prosperity. We are now better
equipped in our factories, and, there
fore, are better able to produce"
"It Is Already Here"
Prosperity is not coming-it is al
ready here"
So declared Otto J. De Moll when
questioned as to why he believed pros
perity is on its way. Il know that this
is true in our business" he said. "and
l have heard similar remarks coming
from many quarters of the business
world. This Is the best Christmas sea-
have transacted this year being so per
cent greater than during the same time
last year"
Prosperity is coming-well, Just be-
cause it is coming" declared J. B. Hem
derson. What we need to do is to get
out and spend our money instead of
tying it up in an old stocking I have
always been an optimist. / do not be-
lieve in pessimism. / am certain we
shall have prosperity, unless the world
goes to pieces-and do not think it Is
| going to do that"
Busy Buying New Stock.
| Mr.. Roach of Mayors furniture store
| said that he had been too busy pur-