Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-23
BUYING CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Great Demand This Year for More Elk
pensive Articles.
Busy Times at the Post Office and
With the Express Companies
Some Figures.

The progressing Christmas season this
year shows a somewhat paradoxical con-
ditlon when 1t Is regarded in its CONNER
cial aspects. A tour among the business
houses which are busiest at this propitious
time of year developed the fact that, while
there has not been as heavy a trade in
goods of moderate or cheap character.
there has been an enormous increase over
former years in the demand for articles of
an elaborate and expensive character. The
evidence collected in this way goes to
prove that the rich and well-to-do have
seeming plethora of ready money, which
they are spending with generous liberality.
while those whose circumstances are not
easy are keeping their purchases of holi-
day gifts down to the lowest possible eX-
penditure. 1t Is the general verdict of
leading Washington jewelers. that never
before was there a Christmas where so
many really fine articles of the precious
metal and gems variety We're purchased
for presents. The establishments OF this
character have been crowded from morn
ing to night for the past two weeks, and
in most Of them the regular force, aug
| merted by many assistants, has been kept
busy filling the orders that have fairly
poured ill., Many of the other stores which
carry lines of silver-mounted and other
goods, something or the order of jewelers.
stocks, report heavy patronage for the
wares of this sort. So it may be readily
seer that people are beginning to appreci-
ate the wisdom of giving gifts of lasting
and substantial character.
Express and Postal Work.
At the express offices the information
was given that the business being done now
was about the same as it was at this
period last year, and that companies had
about all they could attend to in the next
two or three days.
In every division of the city post office
an increase of business has been noted
during the past few days over a cor
responding period of last year.
A ten per cent increase in the issuance of
money orders is shown; three per cent in
crease in the number of registered letters
handled. In the mailing division the work
has been heavier than elsewhere, a twelve
per cent Increase being shown.
In the delivery division the ordinary mail
is much heaviec than last year, but it is
impossible to give figures.
The wholesale stamp clerk says an
enormous business has been done today,
fully equal to previous years The re-
tail stamp clerk has sold stamps for pack
ages mostly, and has done a heavy BUSH
ness. Very few special delivery letters,
however have been bought, and none have
been purchased for placing OH packages.
Most of the packages are for people in the
western and southwestern states, as pack
ages for nearby points are not usually
mailed until later. There are very few
packages for foreign destinations.
The general delivery clerk says not SO
much rush in corridors as last year. and
thinks the decrease in calls for general de-
livery letters due to the unfavorable
weather.
The percentage estimates given here are
for period of five days, up to and includ-
ing yesterday, and compared with a
corresponding period of last year.