The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-01-18

WAShlNGION, u. u, y ali. L - w uilc
the prices of most necessities are now
so high that many people are compelled
to forego them altogether, it is inter-
esting to note that the prices of many
of our luXuries remain practically the
same. We can still buy automobiles
for a few hundred dollars; theatre
tickets and flowers are no more ex-
penslve than ever, and candy-our be-
loved American candy-is still sold at
the same old rates. Although sugar is
almost twice as valuable as it was
eighteen months ago, the confectioners
of the nation have raised their prices
very little. and the daily purchase of
candy grows apace.
Americans are the largest candy con-
sumers in the world. Much has been
said concerning the Turkish appetite
for sweets, but when it comes to eating
sugar we stand absolutely alone at the
head of the list, to the detriment of
our digestions and the amaz ement of
Europe An Englishman, who con-
siders he has something of a sweet
tooth himself in the matter of MARINA
lade, cookies, etc, will sit absolutely
agast at the sight of an American
pouring syrup on his morning hot cakes,
guIping down sweet chocolate and
sugared cereal. and later eating choco-
late bonbons on the way to the office.
Of course. we have always known
that we eat entirely too much candy
and chew too much chewing gum, but
the knowledge does not seem to have
much effect upon our consumption.
We continue to buy over $500, 900, 900
worth of candy every year. and new
confectionery establishments and
booths continue to appear in every
available spot in street, building and
store. II man is down on his luck,
he goes into the candy business, and
very often he prospers.
What candy store will do for its
owner is illustrated by the case of a
young Syracuse woman who a few
years ago opened homemade candy
booth in an office building of that city.
Her family had been left penniless and
unframed for work at the death of her
father, land something had to be done.
The young woman started selling candy
among her friends, carrying her goods
by basket to the various houses three
times week The candy was well
made, and the demand became so large
that she finally was able to rent a small
space in the corridor of an office build
ing. Here her success was immediate
and great. Because she was too busy
making her goods to take the time to
sell it, she placed it on large platters
on the counter, where customers were
instructed to help themselves and put
their money in small wicker cage
provided for the purpose. Before long
the wicker cage became so filled with
profits that the young woman estab-
lished regular candy kitchen, with
several assistants to help her; put the
candy booth in charge of a business
manager and journeyed forth into the
world in search of new fields to con-
ouer. These proved to be Fifth Ave
nue., New York, Newport, Rhode Is
land and Bermuda, all of which now
buy candy from the booths belonging to
this young woman.
This is only one instance among hun
dreds. The American candy appetite
is never satiated, and is always a safe
basis for business establishment. You
very rarely hear of candy merchant
gong bankrupt; for hard times and
slow business leave him tranquil and
prosperous People may give up auto
and theatre tickets and flowers. but
they don't give up candy. According
to the latest figures of the Bureau of
Census of the Department of Com
merce, there are 2,317 candy estab-
llshments IN existence today, as COM
pared with 1,944 in 1909; the capital in
vested is oyer 500, 900, 900, and the value
of their products is nearly two hundred
million dollars. These figures include
few chewing gum factories, and do not
take into account the small bakeries
and stores that also manufacture large
quantities of candy every year. Nor, of
course, does it take into account the
homemade supply, and that is by no
means negligible.
In children the candy-making instinct,
as well as the candy appetite, is strong.
In going over diary of your childhood
you will doubtless find it to be full of
important references such as went to
school today. Came home and made
candy" While this candy making pro-
pensity in children is expensive at the
present time, with sugar and chocolate
selling at twice their normal value, it is
one that should undoubtedly be cult
waited, for homemade candy is the
best for children. The largest CANDY
making factories of this country have
tremendous plants in which machinery