The Washington times., 1922-12-27

for 1928. The coming year will
unquestionably see these savings
funds greatly increased over those
of the passing year
One of the conditions which, ii is
declared, tends to hold back. local
business conditions is found in the
semi-annual tax payments falling
due at periods disadvantageous to
local merchants. Particular objec-
ton is raised to the payment ac-
cruing in November when some
Sc. 900, 900 is taken out Of circula.
ton in meeting the semi-annual
tax payment. In speaking of this
factor in the local business world
General Stephan said:
Payment OF the semiannual tax
in November works a hardship on
local merchants and unquestion.
ably tends to reduce the volume Of
business they would otherwise do.
I think the fall payment should
come due in September. That would
allow the taxpayers an additional
two months in which to increase
their cash balances and place
them in position to increase the
fall business.
Aim to Remove Handicap.
AN effort is now under way to
have the dates Of payment changed
so that they will not he a handicap
on local business. This may be
attained in time to effect business
in the spring. II so the New Year
should be marked by a general in.
crease OF prosperity. think the
latter is due in Washington, how.
ever, under any circumstances, from
what / know Of local business con.
ditions.''
But few OF the retail lines are
complaining seriously Of business
conditions in the closing days OF
the old year. They are confined
TO those dependent on seasonable
weather for business A few
snappy winter days, II is said, will
make business boom for them.
Buyers are declared to be ex.
hibiting greater care in the So.
lection Of purchases than year
ago. Throughout the year this
tendency has been observed by 10.
cal merchants with the result that
orders have been curtailed. This
does not mean, however. that
there has been any diminishing in
vested in merchandise. In reality
in certain lines the stock on hand
at the close of the year is ma.
terially greater than a year ago
while the sales records indicate
that a corresponding increase in
business has marked the year.
Behind In Filling Orders.
Manufacturers supplying local
merchants are in many instances
far behind in filling orders. Mer.
chants complain Of this condition
far more than of the volume Of
business being transacted. In some
instances manufacturers are locally
reported to have exhausted their
made-up stocks in filling orders
and are now operating their plants
overtime to catch up with current
shipments.
Washington has been recognized
as a sort of barometer in the retail
business world for many years.
When retail business has been sat.
isfactory here the condition has
been more or less general through.
out the county. Many manufac.
turers with national business
look to their Washington sales as
All lnueA OI WIldt " eADtCC else.
where. Hence the importance that
attaches in broad sense to the
business outlook in Washington for
1923. In this connection CONNER.
cial experts who have made a re.
cent survey OF retail business con.
ditions here said today that, from
all they are able to learn, several
things may be expected to mark
the business history Of the New
Year.
Predict Fewer Failures.
Among them 1t is predicted there
will be fewer retail failures in the
Capital than during 1923 This
will mean fewer workers will be
added to the unemployed In the
city. 1t is also known that there
will be numerous new firms added
to the ranks of retail business
Again this means an increased de.
mand for workers. OF course with
the increased number OF retail mer.
chants in the city there will result