Evening star., 1937-01-01

The year 1886 is oper. What has
it meant to Wdshingtonidns? The
year 1897 has begun. What are the
hopes of WaShingtonidns? In a
series of interpieUs tDith persons
in many pdried types OF business.
The Star has undertaken to find
out. The interviews tolloU.
THE lot of railroad engineer could
not be much better, according to
William Mckay, connection work
driver at Union Station.
II work from to IL p.m.," Mckay
confided. That's eight hours, you
know, same as last year. But got a
raise. Most did, guess. And there's
a lot more men working.
"A hundred new men have beer
employed to take care of the holiday
trafic alone" Bill explained after q
cab consultation with his brakeman
and two firemen.
Last year, you know, we broke all
records for both freight and passenger
service, but this year we have already
beaten that"
Asked about the new electric en-
gines. he obligingly parked his kissing
steam-powered locomotive alongside
one of the new 'hummers." That's
T. F. Hodges, an old-timer from Phila-
delphia. He'll tell you plenty"
Hodges pondered moment in con-
sideration of his streamlined electric
Yeah, she'll outpull and outrun a
steam engine; handles better, too, but
1 drove steam 36 years. Electricity
is better, but you don't get the thrill.
More Badges Sold.
MANY organizations that discon-
AvA tinued conventions during de-
preston years have resumed them
again, with ensuing profit for Russell
Cone, badge salesman. resident OF
nearby Arlington County, with ofhces
in Washington.
II not only sold so per cent more
convention and lodge groups In 1886
than in 1898, but in most cases the
orders were larger. This Is also true
of smaller groups that buy only
printed ribbons"
Bellhops See Quarters Again.
Harriet Gilkes, head bellhop in
Downtown hotel, is pleased to'th
1896.
1--WE serpe more people than we
did n ueor noo. and Dhat's more
they tip With quarters instead OF
dimes"
Car Salesman Optimistic.
r J. HOOK, automobile salesman,
A' looks for the best year In 1887
since 1929, despite the fact that MS
own personal earnings have increased
three times over 1882.
people have more money now than
thev have had in several years." ne
saws. This is evidenced by the
larger down payments they are max
ing on automobiles and in the better
cars they are buying. Last year
people seemed content to buy used
cars. But this year the trend, Tor
me, has been back to new car buying.
This has meant . great increase In
my commissions.
within the past 30 days or so
I have been noticing a good increase
in the amount Of new car business
I have been getting from nearby Vir-
ginia and Maryland"
k* ~
Plumber Finds No Cheer.
Joseph w. Garner, plumber OF
$40 Sirth street northeast, feels
little of the optimism TOR the bright
and rosy future OF business. He
claims his business still remains
Uhere it tUas four years ago.
"My father and haze been tn
business here for 40 years." Garner
says, "and the le1nest gears Ue
haze ever had haze been the last
four. Unless business improves
during 1887, ,oe wil be forced to
fold up and quit.
4 n X 4
Taxi Driver Wonders.
GEORGE C. TENELLY, taxicab
driver of sos Tenth street south
east, has observed that people are
spending more money than they did
a year ago, but wonders why both
his tips and his fares have dropped
below the average.
Maybe it's because people now
drive their own cars-especially the
women. Women are the best tippers
except when a man is with q woman
and there seem to be fewer women
taking cabs. My average tip is now
about 5 cents. It used to be TO-"
X X --
Christmas Bonus Helped.
MY financial status now is Just
the same as it ioas a year ago." P.
Lambert. 100 block OF Massachu-
setts apenue, a hotel room clerk,
said.
"The hotels business has picked
up, but apparently not enough to
pass around any raises In pay yet.
We did. hosDeuer, get Christmas
bonus and that helped"
4 +
More Expensive Furs Sold.
pEoPLE in 1885 generally demanded
. better quality In f,lrs than in