Evening star., 1914-12-31

y KEY note OIL OpliiulSih' -
strong belief in the Likelihood OF gen
eral prosperity in 1915 was souhoeo
today by many Washington business
:ren whose opinions were asKeo oy re-
porters for The Star.
Taking stock" so to speak. OF con-
!itions under which business has oeeh
transacted during 1914 and OF the re.
suits thereof. and taking sott u
mental ''bird's-eye view OF cohol'ioiis
ender which business is to pe trans
stcted the coming year, great hia'oii'S
If Washington business men nave come
20 the conclusion that business In 1919
- destined to be good, and express
themselves as now preparing to ootain
their share of the general prosperity
with which they believe the Dastf1ct Oh
Columbia as we'll as other parts OF the
nation Is to be blessed.
Good Business Reasons.
Good business reasons are given Tor
the opinions expressed. Some OF these
are as follows:
Howard S. Reeside, president OF tho
Washington Gas Light Company, said:
washington is less disturbed in
periods of depression of business than
any other city in the Union. The
monthly pay rolls of the government
are a favorable factor to be considered
in the volume of business OF our mer-
chants. Confidence and enthusiasm go
hand in hand, and the outlook for 1910
is favorable. There is an easy money;
condition which will find absorption
when corporations and borrowers can
obtain money on favorab BILE terms. The
corporations will take up the extern
sions of their properties, which will
sooner or later reach the industrial
and mining fields.
Gerson Nordlinger. president Of the N.
viii be satisfied if the new year is as
good as the last, but we expoct much
better run of trade. Our holiday busi-
ness was very satisfssseFy; Ia ana; q as as
ing to be even better business. we are
preparing to handle q much larger
volume than we have been able to here.
5osefe We nians are serg
I'VE believe that the upturn has
started. that the pendulum is swinging
back While this Is not manufactur-
ing city, and will not profit directly by
an increase in export trade, yet there
will be at least as much money paid
out here in salaries as previously, and
with a more cheerful and prosperous
feeling all over the country people will
feel encouraged to spend their earnings
more freely. We believe that the gen.
eral financial condition throughout the
country will be much better during this
new year and that it will be reflected
nere in Washington. and will promote
general prosperity here, with large IN
crease Of building.
Opinion of John Joy Edison.
John Joy Edison, president Washing
ton Loan and Trust Company: Il be-
Iieve American manufacturers will be
kept busy during 1915 in order to sup
ply goods to South America and to
the warning nations of Europe. The
activity of the manufacturers will re-
suit in prosperity in other lines. and
almost every one will be benefited in
some degree"
Moritz Mayer of Mayer Bros Co.
said:
THE bumper crops of 1914 and the
establishment of the finances of the
country on sound basis will be big
factors In making 1915 a year of
prosperity"
NJ. Stein, tailor. said: Il believe in
The rotation of seasons. The year 1914
has been a poor one from a business
standpoint in many lines. but 1 look
for year of prosperity in 1915"
H. S. Omohundro, tailor, said: There
are several reasons why 1 look for a
prosperous year in 1915. Chief of these
IS the anticipated activity of American
ton there will be greater activity in
manufacturing than ever before, and
( such is the case the entire country
will prosper.
Freight Rates Help.
II. r. Carroll of Carroll Electric Com
pany. 514 18th street: ALREADY the in
creased freight rates granted the rail-
roads by the interstate commerce COM
mission is bettering business and will
continue to improve conditions Here,
isolated as it were, in Washington, our
firm has felt the trade stimulus from
this cause Besides opening up busi-
ness along railroad lines this ruling of
the interstate commerce commission
has shown the financial interests that
this administration recognizes the ne
cessity of more liberal treatment of
Dig business, by granting an opportun-
lty to increase their earning power
These big corporations need all sorts
of supplies, but they have been held
down by their management to the fuel
70 run the engines and the grease to
keep their rolling stock going. When
they find the administration easing up
they will let contracts for a wide va
riety of supplies that win give busi-
ness a big impetus. 1 believe the ad-
ninistration is ready to be fair with
BUSINESS where necessity demands, and
that these corporations are coming to
recognize this more lenient DISPOSE
tion."
Ellie Sheetz, 5O5-501 18th street,
.inow the new year is to be a prosper
us one in my business. l build this
relief on the strongest and healthiest
foundation l have found business
growing constantly better. and that is,
% my mind, the best proof that pros
perity is advancing. Business in fits
nd starts is not healthy business but
Iusiness that increases gradually can
'e depended upon to continue. Holiday
Lrade this year has been much better
nan last year, and we are preparing to
are for a continued increase"
Ice Business a Guide.
). A Kimberley, manager of the
American Ice Company. Is one of those
who believe that 1915 will bring with
I a great revival of prosperity
We had a very bad year in 1914"
Mr.. Kimberley said. las Ice is gen.
erally regarded as necessity it might
bs believed that the volume of busi-
ness in this industry is no criterion of
whether or not business is good On
the contrary. we can tell by the condi-
ton OF the ice business what the gen.
eral business condition is, for the rea-
son that when times are good hotels
md restaurants. which are large users
Of ice. are making large demands on
us, and when times are bad, demands
from hotels and restaurants fall off,
Tt was our experience in 1914 that
he hotel and restaurant trade fell Off
and restaurant demand for 1916 will be
.:ood."
Fine Commercial Years,