Milford chronicle., 1920-01-09
YEAR 1919 SHOWS BIG
INCREASE In BUSINESS
VOLUME is LARGER AND FAILURES LESS
AND FOR SMALLER LIABILITY. 1920
PROSPECTS ARE GOOD.

S. NJ. Harrison, manager of r. G..
Dun and Company Mercantile Agency's
branch in Wilmington in his statement
of mercantile conditions for the past
year, calls attention to the fact that
the volume of business both in places
of business and in banking circles has
been much larger this year than last.
Another important feature of the
years financial resume is that there
were less failures for smaller liabil-
tiles than since 1913, although the city
has increased so per cent in popula-
tion and has greatly increased in bus
mess capacity. The statement follows:
"The year 1919 has exceeded all
previous years in volume of business
done by both retail and wholesale in
Wilmington. During the Christmas
season retail men have reported doing
the biggest amount of business; that
prices have been high, and that in
some instances their sales were linn
tied seriously by inability to secure
sufficient merchandise.
'"The banks have had very success
full year. Deposits were higher than
ever before and there has been an
active demand for loans.
owing to high prices of labor and
material, building operations have not
been very active during the past year
and in this respect Wilmington, it is
believed, Jagged behind other cities
where considerable building has been
undertaken. At least two new build
ings of considerable size will be erect
ed on Market street during the coming
ic hot
erations will be more active during
1920.
"On the whole, farmers of the Pen
insula have had a moderately success !
full year. The heavy rains of the sum (
mer were serious handicap to the |
wheat and tomato crop but growers of |
small fruit, potatoes and sweet pota-
toes report a very prosperous year
with large yields and prices.
THE oystermen of the Peninsula |
have enjoyed very successful sea-
son commencing with the fall of 1919
and it is believed if favorable weather
conditions continue it will be the most
prosperous season they have ever had.
"One of the most prosperous lines
in Wilmington during 1919 was the
leather manufacturing and finishing
industry. A steady demand for hides
in face of increasing price has result
ed in prosperity in this business with
active demands for labor and high
prices paid. There seems to be no
visible let-up in this phase of Will
mington industry.
Although owing to the ending of
the war the demand for ships mater
tally has fallen off, it is understood
that local shipyards are working at
normal capacity and it is stated that {
there is work in sight for at least the
coming year. 1t is hoped that condi- l
tions in this line which are at present l
unsettled will become more stable s
during the coming year"
Following are the failures for the b
year of 1919 in quarters: First quarter, t
total number of failures, 5; liabilities, t
$20,770.11; assets, $3,S4S56.
Second quarter, total number of +
z; liabilities, S1S3,S62.S5; as {
sets, $92,S25. b
Third quarter, total number of fail c
lres, II; liabilities, $69,OO3.O1; assets, $
S15,O4SSS. t
Fourth quarter, total number of fail L
Ires, 10; liabilities, $96,0OO.0O; assets,
521, ,697. Il
According to States, failures of 1919 a
ollow: a
Delaware Failures, II; liabilities, is
1904, 400; assets, $1O2,993.17. n
aryland-Failures II; liabilities, IT
$50, ,2OO.47; assets, $18,S25.S9. fl
Virginia-Failures, 5; liabilities,
5,0S5.00; assets, $11, ,100.S3.
The total number of failures on the
Peninsula for the year 1918
vas 81, as compared with 40 in 1917,
8 in 1916, SO in 1915, 62 in 1914, and u
2 in 1913. The total liabilities of the f
ailures for 1918 amounted to $315,-
1O.45, as compared with $3.50, S30.S6 le
or 1917, $4S5, ,7OS.33 for 1916, S1,17S,- M
32.86 for 1915. The total assets for az
he failures for 1918 amounted to NJ
126, 6,83S97, as compared with S319,- M
1447 for 1917, 1857, 10000 for 1916, at
nd $66S, 1866 for 1915. SC
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