The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-29


he'rht. and local retail merchants arc
eNreriencine the usual hot weather
ls'l. but there is every indication that
tn close OF the season will find the
volume Of trade above the average
end fully up to the most sanguine ex-
rectations
Practically all Of the retail stores
have been reasonably busy during the
past few weeks and stocks are being
moved about as usual OF course.
there Is tendency to buy cautiously
on the part of the merchant as well
as the consumer and this condition
has to some extent curtailed the gem
erai trade activity.
Many stores have had in operation
the usual summer clearance sales and
have been favored With a good trade
Hut. du" TO the unstable condition OF
the markets. most retailers are not
prone To throw on the market staple
goods which they may have trouble
t. duplicate next season al present
prices. Naturally this situation has
worked To the disadvantage OF the
c'1sumer and has kept prices UP to
tn predominating high level
Wise buyers merchants and con-
sTmers} arc making only such pur
bases as are necessary and a high
s. irit OF careful and wise economy
soeU's tn he the usual plan. In Rich
=
toward a false economy. There seems
to he plenty OF money in circulation
aid the majority Of people are sup
plying Their wants about usual
People are beginning TO realize that
there is no Immediate cause for I'M
ensiress AS To the prosperity Of the
country and while less money is be
ing spent probably Tor Tuxuries, few
people are Stinting themselves in the
matter 81 res eSst1iess ard sta PIE cgat3s
Big Iaayroiis Have Helped
Il has been stated that with the
enormous pavroNs now being distrih-
uted in Richmond. there is more
money in general circulation here
than ever before And a general
spirit of optimism is prevalent among
the masses of people and the bust
ness interests
There is no exaggerated statement
about business conditions, hut the
business men Of Richmond are rea~
sonahle in their expectations and take
into consideration the unusual eco
nomic conditions existing throughout
the world
business has been az satisfactory
as could I've experted-in fact better"
said well-known business man re-
Gently There is every evidence of
much money in circulation In the
Richmond district. and there Is an
the people TO buy. High prices of
food products has had some bad eff
fects on general mercantile lines,
However. steady employment and high
wages throughout the district has
made this section unusually prosper
Gus. Business as d whole has been
much better than a year ago, and
Richmond merchants have no cause
to complain about the volume of trade
accorded them. The greatest difficulty
that merchants now face is the high
prices exacted by the manufacturers.
a condition which has to some extent
reduced the buying power of many
merchants and may result in a short
age of stocks durin~ the coming sea-
SON.
Preparations are veil on for the
coming fall and winter in business
circles and the retail trade are an
ticipating an excellent business dur
ing the closing months of the year.
Wholesalers Doing Well.
The wholesale and tobbing business
OF Richmond has kept up exception
ally we'll during the year. In point
OF the amount OF money spent with
local WHOLESALERS. big increase is
shown in all lines; but the volume
of sales or goods delivered has been
slightly below normal. This condi-
tion has been caused by the high
prices which have been demanded by
the manufacturers.
Inasmuch as the commission mer-
chants in food products participate
in the general wholesale and jobbing
business, the healthy crops of the
truck farms and gardens are play
ing a prominent part in the matter
OF reducing living expenses. Though
there is much growing OF food prod
ucts, canning and preserving, the COM
mission men are doing a steady bust
ness
Wheat and Flour Situation.
Another advance in flour prices has
been announced. and staple -four is
around $3.50 and $3.50 per barrel.
Optimism is to be heard one day in
the -four market, and pessimism the
next. Many of the big dealers as
we'll as the retailers feel confident
that there will be reaction. and prices
will seek lower level. AT present
all attention is being conferred on
what Washington is going to do in the
way of food price control. Farmers
are holding their wheat at high prices.
and the -four mills as a consequence
can hardly figure on prospective -four.
If the government fixes price for
wheat 1t is believed the -four mills
will be able to announce their prices
for a little period ahead. Flour con-
sumption IL still active. Meats also
continue high in price. while other
food products are showing but little