The Washington times., 1927-05-24
HERE
INCREASING
BY RICHARD HATToN

&1OW ~ puSluSSSs
The above question is being fire.
quently propounded these days.
There seems to be some hesitation
and considerable variation as to
answers. Locally there is complaint
about the weather. Nevertheless. it
does not appear that general bust.
ness in Washington is behind what
1t was at the same period a year
ago. Depressing weather always
tends to throw a shadow over the
Immediate outlook, but, as it does
not lat. any temporary loss is at
once made up when weather condi.
tons settle.
Washington is no exception in the
matter Of business activity. In fact.
this city is always assured of an
almost normal purchasing desire
and purchasing power.
There Is at the present moment
no indication that this season in
local business will fall behind the
1926 high record.
AS to general business conditions
In April the business statistics com.
piled by the Department Of Com
merce may be taken as indicative
of the general trend at the present
time.
The dollar volume of trade, as
seen from check payments, al
though smaller than in March, was
greater than in April last year."
says the statement, which con-
tinues:
wholesale prices continued to
average lower, both as compared
with the previous month and April,
1926, with the cost of living show
ing similar conditions. Interest
rates on time money, although
higher than in March, averaged
lower than a year ago.
Loans and discounts Of Federal
reserve member banks expanded
somewhat during April but at the
end of that month were lower than
at the end of the previous month.
Sales, both by mail-order houses
and 10-cent chain stores, were sub.
stantially greater than a year ago.
Prices of stocks on the New York
Stock Exchange showed higher
averages"
The answer to the question, How
q business?" as applied to Wash
Us
NAL" A little added stimulation
just at this time will make it pos,
sible to come up to the finish line
Of the fiscal year with a better
than normal record.
It is quite beyond the realm of
understanding why otherwise SEN
siblA human beings will make in
Vestments through firms and indi-
viduals of whom they know moth
Ing. There have been several ex-
annples in Washington recently
where investors have lost heavily
through entrusting their money to
people who have no standing, who
do not advertise in legitimate me-
diums and who deal with their
clients by means of letters and
other literature that is not even
sent through the mail, for, APP
parently obvious reaschs, but is de-
ltvered by messenger or other
means.
There are many legitimate invest
nlent houses in Washington. There
are many perfectly we'll known and
highly honest brokerage houses.
There are innumerable clear-minded
and unselfish bankers ready to give
advice to customers regarding in
vestments. There is every possible
safeguard available for the investor.
Yet, continually, people tax
a chance with some firm or individ-
ual who is, to say the least. shady"
Millions are lost in this way every
year.
Frederick P. H. Siddons, secretary
Of the American Security and Trust
Company, has returned from Pitts
burgh.
Director Louis RothSchild, of the
Washington Better Business Bureau,
has been added to the list of speak
ers at the annual convention OF
Association.
The council of administration of
the District of Columbia Bankers
Association will meet at 4 p. m.
On Friday This will be the last
meeting before the Hot Springs
convention.
The committee of the District
of Columbia Bankers Association.
which is considering the revision of
the constitution and bylaws of the
organization. will meet in the rooms
Of the association today.
Robert A. Sisson, assistant book.
keeper of the Washington Savings
Bank, who was given second place
by the judges awarding the Neu.
hauser $50 in gold prize for the
best essay by a student of the
Washington Chapter, American In
stitute Of Banking, on the subject
of why corporations organiza-
tions and associations operating in
the United States should maintain
headquarters in Washington" has
been. given a consolation prize Of
$25.
The gift was made by his bank
in appreciation of his excellent
paper and his commendable initia-
tive in entering the contest, and
as an encouragement to keep up
his efforts to honor himself and
the Washington Chapter, A. I. B.
TREASURY STATEMENT
The daily statement of the United
States Treasury shows:
Income to date this year, 1894.
496,125.39.
Income to date last year, $3,257..