Evening star., 1940-11-29
D. {. Retail Sales
For 1899 Total
AO2,76S,OOO
n Per Cent Increase
From 1895 Is Reported
In Business Census

Retail sales In the District Of Co
lumbia totaled $402, ,768, 900 in 1889,
an increase of 20 per cent over 1885,
the year of the last business census.
the Census Bureau reported today.
Based on the returns from the 1910
census of business, the figures show
substantial gains in sales, pay rolls
and in the number of employees,
providing additional statistical evi-
dence of the growth in population
Of the District in recent years. Sales
were 81 per cent higher than the
1929 dollar volume.
Retail store employees in the Dis
trict Increased from 41,675 in 1885
to 4S,072 in 1899, gain of Is per
cent. The total was AZ per cent
greater than the number employed
in 1929. Pay rolls have increased
from s43, ATS, 600 in 1885 to $56 6,007,-
600 in 1899. gain of 80 per cent.
AS compared with a population
increase of l76,284, or 36.2 per cent
since 1929. the number of stores
increased by 1,078, or 10 per cent.
The census listed 6,893 retail stores
in Washington in 1899.
Food Store Sales Higher.
Though food stores have remained
practically constant in numbers
since 1929, total sales were 8 per
cent higher than in 1929, and their
sales were up Is per cent over the
1885 level
In the general merchandise group,
the Census Bureau reported IS
per cent increase in variety stores
since 1885, with so per cent ad-
vance in sales. Sales of variety
stores were 96 per cent higher than
in 1929.
The automotive group, which in
cludes vehicle dealers and auto sup
ply stores, showed a 13 per cent
increase In sales since 1885, with
dollar volume 10 per cent above 1929.
Filling stations increased from
26s in 1929 and 429 in 1885 to 495
In 1899. There are nearly three
times as many proprietors and twice
as many stations as 10 years ago
and the total volume of business
was up so per cent. Employment
was Ill per cent and pay rolls rs
per cent higher than in 1929.
Though eating places only in
creased per cent since 1885, WASH
ingtonians have available 81 per
cent more drinking places than four
years ago. The combined sales of
the Capitals LILO drinking and eat
ing places totaled S34, 1864 900 in 1889,
in comparison with SlS,549, 900 for
eating places in 1929, when liquor
Is Per Cent More Drugstores.
The number of drugstores has in
creased 10 per cent since 1885,
whereas cigar stores and stands
have decreased so per cent in num-
bers.
Washington now has II news
dealers, as compared with 40 in
1929.
Since 1885 fuel, ice and fuel oil
dealers show no change. Their
numbers, however, are 100 per cent
greater than in 1929. With sales Of
$2,193 900, Washington's 90 florists
set a record last year, and their
sales were up 26 per cent over 1885.
Jewelry store sales were So per cent
higher than in 1885, and their dollar
volume was per cent higher than
In 1929.
The apparel group of stores, with
q 13 per cent gain In the number
of establishments, pushed their sales
Is per cent above 1885, but the
volume is still slightly below 1929.
Since 1885, sales of the furniture
household-radio group have in
creased As per cent. Sales of hard
ware stores have advanced 81 per
cent since 1885, and lumber and
building stores gained 81 per cent.
More Proprietors Listed.
In addition to paid employees, the
District Of Columbia has 5,498
proprietors of unincorporated busi-
nesses, compared with 4,667 four
years ago. Their compensation is
not included in the pay roll figures.
''The services of proprietors and
family members active in family
operated stores, and service busi-
nesses are q factor of considerable
importance in measuring the true
amount of gainful business in the
District" the Census Bureau points
out.
At the end of 1899, retail stores
In the District had stocks of mer-