The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-14

Despite the end-of- f-the-year reces- sion, business in Waterbury was better in general in 1887 than in 1886, and several business classifi- cations had their best year since 1929. Several others set new all- i time records during the year just ended, according to the annual busi- hess survey of the Waterbury Cham Der of Commerce. The annual sur- vey was issued today in conjunction with the regular monthly survey for December.
 Over 5000 more persons were en- ployed regularly in 1887 than in 1886, annual averages show. Last years average employment total was 36, ,457 persons, as compared with an average of 33,354 during 1886, In eight of the city's largest fac- tories, the employment average dur ing the year was 20,041, which rep resents an increase of almost 2,000 over the 1886 average.
 Electricity and gas consumption during 1897 were the greatest in local history. In both claSsifications, totals exceeded by far those even of 1929. Postal receipts also set a new all-time high.
 Building activity was at it's great | est in several years. Bank clear 1 ings, bank debits and bank savings all registered marked advances dur ing the year.
 Local employment declined during December, 1897, yet gain in bank savings during the month was noted. Bank clearings and bank debitS were greater in December than in November. Gas consumption gained during the month, while electricity consumption declined.
 The combined 1887 annual and December monthly survey of the Chamber of Commerce follows:
 Bank Clearings
 The total bank clearingS for the month of December amounted to $7,53S, ,800,000, an increase of $374,- 800 as compared with the month of November, and a decrease of $5O2, 1000 as compared with the month of December, 1886.
 The total bank clearings for the entire year amounted to $90,273, ,800,- 900, ar increase of $11,243,500 as compared with the year, 1886.
 Bank Debits
 The bank debits for the month of December amounted to $32, ,431 065 .86, an increase of $2903, ,977.79 as com pared with the month of November, and a decrease of S3,454, ,506.41 as compared with the month of De- cember, 1886.
 The total bank debits for the en- tire year amounted to $391 Al ,859.27, an increase of $53, ,193 ,374.97.
 Bank Savings
 During the month of December there was net gain of $131. .730.75 as of the last day of the month.
 The total savings for the month of December there were 30 building permits issued, valued at $64, ,025, decrease of 20 permits and $26,600 in value as compared with the month of November and a decrease of IA permits and $36,400 in value as compared with the month of De- cember, 1886.
 During the year 1897 there were 589 permits issued, valued at $1,- 351 300, a decrease of l permit and an increase of $43,574 in value as compared with the year, 1886.
 Electricity
 During the month of December there were 11,976,191 XVII of cleo tric current consumed, decrease of i,j54,115 XVII as compared with the month of November, and a de- crease of 4,374,660 XVII as com pared with the month of December, 1886.
 The total consumption for the year amounted to 186,794, ,933 XVII, an increase of 18,290,929 XVII as compared witht he year. 1886.
 Employment
 During the month of December there were 31,657 persons employed n manufacturing, retail establish ments and public utilities, showing } decrease of 3,156 persons as com pared with the month of November, and a decrease of 5,026 persons as compared with the month of Decem- Der, 1886.
 There was an average of 36,457 persons employed in this group dur ing the past year, an increase of 3.l03 persons as compared with the average for the year 1886.
 In eight of the largest factories total of 15,766 persons were em- ployed during the month of Decem- Der, decrease of 2,792 persons as compared with the month of Novem- Der, and decrease of 4,493 persons as compared with the month of De- cember, 1886.
 There was an average of 2O.O41 persons employed in this group dur ng the past year, an increase of 1913 persons as compared with the average sfor the year t936.
 Gas
 During the month of December there were 87314,OO0 GU. it. of gas