Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-23
BRISK CHRISTMAS TINES.
Expressmcn and Postmen Busy Distrib-
uting Packages.


uting Packages.
EXTRA MEN EMPLOYED BIZ THE EXPRESS COMPANIES
-scENKs AT THE CITY POST oFFrcE-ARRANaK-
MENrs FOR MEETING THE HOLIDAY RusH-rHE
LETTER CARRIERS CHRISTMAS.
Just about now you have a vague sort OF an
idea that it is somewhere near Christmas II
you have such an article you look at a calendar
and il tells You in plain language that
day after tomorrow Is Christmas, but
then You take glance at
the thermometer and you have your doubts.
You think there must be some mistake, but as
a last resource you stroll into one OF the ex-
press offices and all doubts take flight You
apologize TO the calendar. shake your fist at
the weather ruler and grid up your loins and
HE yourself hence TO buy your own presents.
That pushing crowd. that insane desire to climb
over somebody to reach the counter at the ex-
press offices. is a surer sign of the approach
of Christmas than the insidious cgg-nog set out
at the bar rooms
THE EXPRESS COMPANIES
Adams express company is one channel and
the United States express company is another
for the flow of holiday goods. Both are being
worked clear TO the limit Night work. extra
horses, extra wagons. extra men and, above
all, extra hard hustling by everybody
are the orders. Sabbath observance doesn't
have show. Its impossible. Uncle Sam be-
Ieves In Sunday, but if that Christmas box
can't get to Mrs. Columbia any other way than
by travelling on Sunday, why. for this once it
will have to go.
The Adams company has four branch Offices
beside the main one on the avenue and at each
one the clerks have their hands full The
Dranch on Il street was today crowded clear to
the street with a mass of humanity. SO many
extra clerks had been put on that behind the
counter things were nearly as jammed as in
front. At the main Office boxes and packages
were also being received ana sent of in a
very lively manner.
AN OLD STORY OVER AGAIN.
George w. Moss, the agent of the Adams
company, was asked by a STAR reporter how
the Christmas business was prospecting? Each
year." said Mr.. Moss, Il have told your reporter
that our traffic was unexampled. and it Is get
ting to be an old story. but, with all sincerity.
l shall have to repeat it again this
year. Our Saturday business was
the largest we have ever done
on any one previous day, and by all signs
today's will be larger. Washington at all times
many wealthy people here having their homes
In other places that the result is a ire
mendous call on the express companies,
and especially is I'll IS so at Christmas time,
when they are receiving and sending their
presents. We have forty-five extra men and a
everything in our power to keep up with the
demand made on u.s."
At the United States express company's head
quarters Oh Market Space it was learned that
thirty-six extra men and six extra wagons were
needed to handle the presents that an
eager public were sending to and receiving
from their friends. No block was expected
by the company, as they we're making every
effort to keep the lines clear. The traffic this
year was much larger than on any other
Nhrr~ oil Il
to keep things going.
AT THE POST OFFICE.
Things are beginning to put on Christmas
like air at the city post Office, and all the indi-
cations point to a busy time within the next
forty-eight hours. In the lobby couple of
men are hard at work assisting the public in
weighing letters and packages Up to the
present time there has been a slight increase
in business, but a grand rush is confidently
looked for. Superintendent Jas. T.. Bell, in
charge of the city delivery, SAYS that a year
ago things were quiet until the oath, and then
letters and packages tumbled in ut a terrific
rate. Every arrangement has been made for a
hasty distribution of the mail. The Post Office
department has authorized the employment of
all the substitute carrier force, and with this
addition to its staff Postmaster Ross is
satisfied he can do great deal toward
clearing his Office before dark on Wednesday
The carriers will put in good many hours
more that day than the law requires of them,
and the probabilities are that they will be re-
warded for it in this life. The postal laws and
regulations forbid the solicitation of gifts of
any kind nor can the carriers intimate by letter
or card or otherwise that this is the season of
the year at which it is customary for a grateful
public to remember Its faithful servants in
some substantial or ornamental manner. In
order that there may be no mistakes made in
this matter Postmaster Ross has instructed
Superintendent Bell to warn the carriers. IL
may be stated, however. that neither the de-
partment nor the carriers have the slightest
objection to voluntary presents.
The one delivery called for by the regula-
tons will be in the morning, but nearly all of
the regular carriers will keep on delivering
packages until they are tired. They will thus
relieve themselves of the immense burdens
they would otherwise have to bear on Thurs
day, and those whom they serve may be more
than ordinarily grateful.
In past years it has been necessary TO use a
number of additional wagons with which to
complete the Christmas delivery. but this year
the substitute carriers will be put into service
instead.
The registry division is up square with its
work, but Superintendent Peachy is like Super
intendent Bell; he knows not what the morrow
may bring forth. The mailing division, where
Superintendent Springer reigns supreme is
pretty well cleaned out and is ready for the
cyclone that will surely follow on the shopping