CHAPTER II

The Volume of Business

Indications of the volume of business are in accord with
the conclusions from the size of Negro business enterprises.
Volume of business was measured (i) by the valuation of
tools, fixtures, etc., used in the conduct of the business, (2)
by the amount of merchandise kept on hand, if the business
was such as required a stock of goods, and (3) by the total
gross receipts of the business during the two years, 1907
and 1908.

I.  VALUATION OF TOOLS AND FIXTURES

Wood and ice dealers need to invest very little in tools
and fixtures. Fourteen out of 19 coal, wood and ice dealers
had less than ten dollars so invested. They needed only
shovels, baskets and push-carts. The estimated valuation
of tools and fixtures of the largest number of establishments
fell between $50 and $399; 90 were estimated to be between
$50 and $199, and 63 were estimated to be between $200
and $399. Besides these, S7 establishnients—i broker, 5
employment agencies, i grocery, 5 hairdressers, 9 restau¬
rants and lunch rooms, 2 "busheling" tailors and 14 miscel¬
laneous had tools and fixtures estimated, with allowance
for depreciation, to be worth more than $10 and less than
$50. It is important to note, however, that while the num¬
bers with estimated valuation of tools and fixtures between
$400 and $1,499 is only 50, those estimated at $1,500 and
over number 33.

Judged, then, from the valuation of tools and fixtures,
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