New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-20
NO ONE FORGETS CHRISTMAS.
PRESENTS IN COUNTLESS NUMBERS.
EXPRESS COMPANIES PREPARING FOR BIG
ADDITION TO THEIR BUSINESS.

ADDITION TO THEIR BUSINESS.
No matter how tight the money market may be
or how disastrous the year in the stock exchanges
may have been, Christmas shopping does not
seem to be affected in the least, Judging
from the annual increase Of the express business
tG the holiday time. The stores, too. dc
not appear to feel any appeclable lallngoh III
Christmas buying and there are nowadays Just AZ
many II not more purchasers OF Christmas presents
a. there have been In years past. 1t is now about
three four days too to obtain any definite in
formation regarding the added business for the ex-
| press companies which carry goods to and from
New York city that the Christmas trade will bring
| for this year.
| Appearances IL seems. however. have led all OF
the big express companies to expect that tn year
will overtop all OF it, predecessors in the amount OF
! business done. The Mckinley tariff bill scare has
subsidized. Dealers have gotten through advertising
that their goods would bel put up IN pifh
| after the present stock has been sold
| out, and in many stores this sign Is
| displayed "Ths Mckinley bill does not affect our
pr.ces.7
By tonight, however. the great rush in the holiday
! express business will be at It's height. Those VINO
purchase goods for out-ofown friends to whom they
wish to send Christmas membranes have learned
that express, npanes not always nfllllbe. and
are therefore wise enough TO express their Packages
| a few days before the day which they wish their
! presents to be received. Last saturday saw the
| height OF the foreign express business from this
| side Of the Atlantic
| This Is a department Of which the American Ex
press Company has taken little notice until recently
NJ. r. Berry, formerly the New-lork superintendent
Of the company has been put IN charge OF this depart
nI'1lt lo said yesterday
This company sent off last Saturday the largest
shipment OF express pae kagcs that II has ever sent
to Europe. The foreign business this year VIII be
just double what it Was last year. The return ship
ments VIII not begin - come in until the middle OF
the week. and expect that IL Will largely exceed
that OF any former year.
Of the interesting sights Of the holiday time Is
to be at tic American EAplc,s Office at the Grand
Central station the saturday night before Christmas
to watch tic clerks and messengers handle the pack
ages they brought to the Office By the wagons.
1t probably OF the busiest places in this city
from ) o'clock p. N. until midnight Of that day.
Then the great bulk Of the Western express IS gotten
OF. Up to Tuesday and Wednesday night before
Christmas Day the scenes Of saturday night Will bee
repeated, for then the presents for New Ork state
people Will form the largest part OF the business
y Tribune reporter also saw Mr. Hoey, ~ the
Adams EAprcso company, yesterday dit';r.oOn, anu
asked him u say What his antlupatlons Of the Christ
trldo were.
1t Is two Ut three days too soon yet" he said,
4" 10 tell much about it,
VIII there BE- any falling of in yOur business On
account OF the money uarhctl' he was asked.
Not al ALL" he replied II will have any
effect. There viii be Just as much bushes, as
formerly and probably more. II there IS any Stfn
g'ncy the money market. those who used to >"ud
80 presents VIII send "a ones those who cannot
afford - send - presents will send stl cheaper ones
tOfprc, AID everybody will ship by the Adams EX-
press he concluded WITH smile