The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-12-27
HOLIDAY BUSINESS
PROVES RETURNOF
REAL PROSPERITY
Results Show People Have
Plenty Of Cash Money
to Spend
BUSINESS NOW FEELS
EFFECT OF HIGH WAGE
Felix Bremen Says Merchants Are
Optimistic Over Outlook for the
Coming Year-Others Tell
of Conditions

Prosperity has returned to Birming-
ham.
The people of the city are making
good wages, they have money to spend
and when the occasion arises they open
up their purses and let loose steady
flow of gold.
This is the opinion of leading Biz
mingham merchants based upon the
record during the holiday season Not
only was the volume of business the
greatest ever experienced here by
firms in all lines, but the cash trade
was exceptionally heavy
Concerning the outlook for the flu
ture, the local business men are great
ly encouraged For some months after
the business and industrial revival in
the district, there was a certain slack
ness in the retail trade. Many people
had been out of work for sometime
they had piled up considerable debt,
and they hestated to resume their
former rate of living.
But gradually the bank deposits be-
gan to climb with great rapidity. The
salaried men and the wage earners
were saving their money. Large sums
were placed in the banks for rainy
days and for future demands The re-
suit of the holiday business shows,
in the opinion of the local business
men, that every line of business is
now to receive its full share of the
prosperity and the increased pay rolls
which have been general in the district
for some months This total is also
expected to be swelled in coming
months by the large payments made
in the form of bonuses and in divi-
bends, most of the corporations hav-
ing increased their regular payments.
FELIX DRENNEN TALKS
Felix Drennen, of the Drennen De-
partment stores, says the business
transacted by his firm was the largest
in the history of the establishment,
which is one of the pioneers in this
district
1--WE were busy as bees throughout
the 10 days previous to Christmas"
said Mr.. Drennen, last night. 81 do
not see how we could have had a bet
ter season for the holiday shoppers
spent their money freely. The crowds
this year were good natured and re-
Trained from scolding the busy sales
people when they could not give them
the accustomed service. l dare say ev-
cry merchant iii Birmingham is u
confirmed optimist in viewing the new
year. | feel sure it will be a banner
business year throughout the coun-
try
Jake Burger, of Burger Dry Goods Co.,
feels the same way as his fellow mer-
chants and says he cannot be too lavish
in praise of the big business this holi-
day season. My opinion of the large
volume of business transacted by my firm
is Just the same as the rest of the mer-
chants of the city," he said. 1.-The bust
ness done throughout the city was enor-
nous. Most of the trading was for cash.
The people showed in every way that
they had no fear for the future and re-
garded the outlook for business during
the coming year as very encouraging"
Charles Thomas of Wmberly 6. Thomas
says the hardware business was excep-
tionally brisk. Great numbers of people
came into our store and bought practi-
cal gifts for their friends relatives and
for their homes he said. I'VE did the
largest holiday business in the history
of the store. l can seef no reason why
Birmingham should not have a great sea-
son of prosperity from now on. We en-
ployed lots of extra help and maintained
our delivery system as usual"
HAD BIG BUSINESS
Julius Jaffe says the jewelry business
was good. They all bought piece of
jewelry of some description" said Mr.
Jaffe. II have never enjoyed a better
holiday trade | suppose every other
of prosperity. 1t has made me much
more confident and hopeful for the fu-
ture.''
w. o. Broyles says the furniture bust
ness was very active during the holidays.
Il delivered and sold furniture within a
radius of 100 miles of Birmingham
he said. Il noticed that there We're scores
of people this year who bought presents
in the furniture establishments. I re-
ceived my full share of this business and
then some. We are on the high road
to prosperity in this city"
THE people bought trunks. suitcases,
leather novelties and every other line of
goods I had in stock" said Joseph Ro-
senberger THE holiday shoppers bought
in quantities. All semblance of the hard
times prevalent last Christmas has dis
appeared. Instead, We had a crowd of
people with money in their pockets who
bought what they wanted regardless Of
price"