The diamond drill., 1921-12-31
HOLIDAY TRADE IN CRYSTAL FALLS
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS
PAY DAYS HELPED OUT
Resumption of Work at Local
Mines in Time For Holiday Payday
Reflected in Store Sales

Crystal Falls merchants are well
pleased az the patronage that was
given them by holiday shoppers. The
merchants didn't expect the trade
that they got last year. AS one of the
merchants put II, THAT business will
never be equaled again In amount
Last year was an abnormal year."
Some merchants say that their sal
es equaled two years ago but the mai
or part OF our business men report
sales very satisfactory-be than
was expected. For example, one mer-
chant in reply to the reporters in
quiry said, I'VE sold Sc turkeys and
could have sold a dozen more. Tur-
key sold at 5S cents per pound and
when you take into consideration that
other stores sold just as much and
some more than We did, you can get
some idea OF how the Christmas trade
loomed up
hint htSuHptlOns htipeu
The resumption OF operations at the
local mines far enough in advance OF
the holidays TO allow several pay days
was the main cause in the maintain
ed volume Of business. In places where
the mines resumed too late for a pay
day the conditions were much differ
ent.
Wages are very low compared with
what they had been and with living
costs. Men with families can barely
make ends meet but the men about
Crystal Fails feel that half loaf is
better than no bread in this emergen.
cy. They have resolved TO be patient
until spring. AT least, knowing that
their employers must realize that cost
OF living must come down or wages
go up.
Merchants Garry Big Loads
There is tendancy TO lay the high
costs OF living on To the local mer-
chant. Local merchants tell US that
so far as they are at fault. they are
willing to take the blame but they do
not feel that they should be held for
conditions that are not OF their max.
ing. AS one merchant put II, I'VE
have to carry lot OF men who were
out OF work all last spring and sum-
mer. Thus we have put upon our
books several thousands OF dollars
certain proportion OF which We will
not get and all OF IL certain to be a
long time account which we must
carry and pay interest upon. This loss
must be made up. IL must come out
of the profits OF our business and
our profits must be sufficiently large
10 take care of II in addition to our
regular running expenses. What would
a lot OF pec9le, all OF them honest and
industrious, have done this summer
had IL not been for the credit extend
ed by the local merchant. | have had
some people tell me that I ought to
have cut them Off That's easier said
than done. It's a pretty serious thing
TO starye hard working. honest men.
women and children whose only
fault is that they cannot set work In
order to earn money to psy for the
goods they buy. Suppose that we had
followed that plan. DO you suppose
there would be the conteptment IN
the Crystal Falls section that there ~
today? The locsl merchant has HE
faults. There are many ways IN witch
he might economlse, porhops bur
when all Is said and done It's the
local merchant, not tie neil order
house or the A & r tbs. the people
rely upon IN their days of adversely.
II you didn't have the local merchant
TO tide you over IN times OF stress