The Washington times., 1902-12-23
MANY REQUESTS FOR
NEW BILLS AND COIN
Demands Coming From All
Sections of the Country.
SERVE AS CHRISTMAS GIFTS
More Silver and Gold Pieces Issued This
Year Than Ever Before-Taken
as an Evidence Of Prosperity.

Ellis H. Roberts. Treasurer Of the
United States. and George L. Roberts.
director of the mint, are playing no
small part in the preparations Tor
Christmas. From every section OF the
Union they have been receiving requests
for crisp new bills and bright new gold
and silver coins to be placed in the
stockings Of their intended recipients.
Every subtreasury in the country has
been flooded with requests TO save large
amounts Of new 81, 81, IS, So and even
$1,000 and $4,000 bills for persons who
choose to give their friends money in
stead Of purchasing gifts that might not
be useful or appreciated.
Treasurer Roberts said to Times
representative this morning: I'VE have
sent out more pieces this year than ever
before. During this month We have is
sued on an average OF 100000 more
pieces daily, or an increase Of 10 per
cent"
Evidence Of Prosperity.
The director OF the mint adds to the
evidence Of prosperity as told OF by
Treasurer Roberts. and says the mints
have issued large quantities Of bright
new gold and silver coins. Even new
pennies are in demand this year. Stores
want them for change. instead Of those
which have been used.
When the officers at the Treasury are
asked to tell why this demand comes
each holiday season, and where the new
money really goes. they scratch their
heads slowly, and answer something af-
ter this fashion:
Probably most OF it is obtained for.
gifts to friends. Last year we had q big
demand for new bills The calls we're
for bills in denominations OF 500. $500.
and even $1,000.
In almost every instance it was
volubly explained that the bills we're In
tended for presentation 20 others. There
has already been small demand Of this
character for this Christmas. but judg-
ing by the stock market g. will be Of
! smaller proportions.
Gold Pieces Wanted.
The call for gold pieces is much
heavier. OF course The joy Of discover
ing bright new gold piece IN the toe
OF a stocking on Christmas morning has
passed into tradition. Besides. they
ctne Ia denominations which place
them within the reach Of practically
eve ryone. This year we have not been
abe TO get as many 1902 pieces as We
wished. but We have insisted ON receIv-
ing clean. new ones Of last years issues.
In silver dollars. subsidiary silver
and minor coins. that is nickels and
cents, the demand IS always great Ia
/ the minor coins alone we have thought o.
wise TO provide about S15O.oOo.
The calls come from department
stores. banks and other business con
/ Germs largely. but there is also a decided
demand from individuals. We account for
this in large part by pointing 20 the
wide use OF cent. nickel and dime saw
I ings banks. the toy ones in which chill
I dren and even grown-ups put away the
Christmas money One man told us the
other day that he put about 81 q week
into one OF the tin banks as shaving
money alone.
A Busy Season.
so you sec this is really a busy sea-
son for Uncle Sans money handlers He
/ has'to pay out several millions OF clean,
new money In a few days"
Under the law shipments Of silver coin
are forwarded from the Philadelphia
mint to banks anywhere free Of charge.
I That is. a bank near this city can secure
any quantity Of coin by depositing the
+ equivalent in funds at some subtreas-
Try point and sending the Government
/ voucher to the mint direct
That applies to old coin. however, for
/ the Government does not undertake TO
pay express charges on Christmas
money. II it did. its express bills would
. probably be double what they usually are
during December.
Little Value TO Banks.
AS a matter Of fact. these free ship
ments of silver coin are Of little value
to banks Of this section except as they
assist. during certain periods OF the
year. in the quick transfers Of crop
moving funds. Hundreds Of thousands in
silver dollars are transferred TO New
Orleans every season as soon as ,he cot
ton crop is ready TO move.
Although the return flow of Christmas
money usually sets in during January.
il Is difficult o tell just when the move
meut Will this year assume large proper
tions. Because Of business activity at
points South and West much OF the
money may be employed longer than
usual. although the one and two dollar
bills are likely 10 become unfit for cir
culation soon after the urgent demand
has been supplied.
Ordinarily great packages are return
ed 10 the subtreasury about the middle
Of January. where they are counted, as
sorted. anC the notes most mutilated
taken out Of circulation.
Mr.. CROMELIN'S FUNERAL.
r~r r.u.-H o. H.