0
Printers | 1 | -- | -- | 2 | -- | 5
Restaurant and lunch | | | | | |
rooms | 1 | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 26
Saloons and cafes | -- | 1 | -- | 3 | 1 | 5
Tailoring, | | | | | |
pressing, etc. | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 24
Undertakers | 2 | -- | 1 | 4 | -- | 11
Miscellaneous | -- | -- | -- | 1 | 5 | 48
------------------------+------+------+------+------+--------+------
Total | 10 | 1 | 8 | 25 | 22 | 309
------------------------+------+------+------+------+--------+------
Judged, then, from the valuation of tools and fixtures, the
magnitude of Negro business enterprises is considerable and falls into
three classes: one of comparatively small valuation, 184 estimated
below $400; one class of medium valuation, 50 estimated between $400
and $1,499; and one of comparatively large valuation, 33 at $1,500 and
over.
The details of these valuations of tools and fixtures are given in
full in Table XXIII (p. 110).
2. THE AMOUNT OF MERCHANDISE ON HAND
Next to valuation of tools and fixtures, the amount of merchandise
kept in stock is a good index of the magnitude of the business done by
many enterprises. Of course, the business of brokers, express and
moving-van firms, employment agencies, and some miscellaneous
enterprises could not be measured by the amount of stock kept on hand.
Also barber shops and pool and billiard rooms sometimes keep a small
stock of cigars, tobacco, _etc._ So these firms can not be so
measured. The statements about merchandise on hand were accurately
estimated either from figures on the books of the firm or from rough
inventories of the stock on hand made with the assistance of the
proprietor.
Negro business enterprises for the most part are small retail
enterprises and do business on the scale of establishments of this
type. They have not yet accumulated the capital nor gained the credit
to engage in wholesale trade or to carry a stock of merchandise large
in quantity or variety such as an extensive patronage demands. But
they do handle a considerable amount of business with the small
capital they have to invest. When this is compared with the gross
receipts for 1907 and 1908 the showing is very creditable.
TABLE XXIV. ESTIMATED V
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