The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-04-11
LOCAL BUSINESS MEN
LOOKING AHEAD WITH
Renewed confidence

Business men of Richmond are look
ing forward to the summer months
and the rest of the year with re-
newed confidence that is stronger
than has been evidenced in several
years.
These same men are not of the opin-
ion that a great boom is just ahead,
but after a tour of the business dis
trict, and talks with a large number
of representative business men. the
conclusion that things are moving is
inescapable.
Generally speaking Richmond fin
ished the last two years of depression
in excellent style. The very conserva-
tive spirit that kept the industries
from over expansion in the flush
times, saved the city in the slack
years that followed, and is making the
recovery now easier than would other
wise be the case.
Nearly all trades report that the
first three months of this year have
resulted in greater business demand
than the same three months of one
year ago. Certain of the trades re-
port an increase in cash business for
their goods, while nearly all of them
report more ready compliance with
the payments on time purchases.
Demand Growing.
In the automobile business reports
of increase in business from double
that of last year to third more are
reported, the smaller increases com
ing from the businesses that have
been established the longest. Nearly
all of the companies report that they
are practically clean of secondhand
cars and that the demand for cars Is
| beyond their ability to fill for month
or so. Prospects for summer sales
are particularly plentiful they report
Trade in musical instruments re
! ports sthe same change for the better
with the added qualification that cash
/ payments are more frequent, in some
| instances the almost whole trade be
! ing on a cash basis. 1t is necessary
] however for the statesmen to go out
side of the stores for prospects for the
larger instruments more than in the
more flush spending of the boom times
of few years ago.
Building Slow.
| The building trade is still sluggish
although there are considerable in
quiries as to prospects. Several prof
ects are said to be dependent on the
success of the bids for the new FRS
National bank building, and the allied
Z, trades. as plumbing, heating, etc, art
watching developments with interest
While some houses are being built. the
number does not nearl ycome up to the
normal rate of growth for Richmond.
Activities among the real estate
agents have continued much the same
as usual, it is reported by the operat
ors. the demand for houses to rent ol
buy has been steady, and the supply
sufficient to keep things moving. Signs
of increased activities for the summer
months are being noted by mos
agents.
Ordinarily businesses dealing will
staple goods and necessities do not re
spond to depressions and recoveries
of the business world as readily as the
trade in less needed articles, and Rich
mond is no exception to the rule. Z
Change For Better
The dry goods stores in Richmond
report a change for the better. on
store reporting on one single day thu
largest days business in five years, ex
cluding holidays. Greater sales on 9th
er days have indicated that the sin
gle record is not a flash in the pan,
but an indication of much better day!
TO come.
The merchants are uniformly opt
mistic. They feel sincerely that ever.
business is on tn eupward trend. Tha
they have good ground for their belle
is evidenced by the sales of the las
three months, or by the evidence tha
they have found in their own business