The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-24
Washington Street Appeared Like a
Gigantic Magic Bazaar of the
Good Santa Claus.
BIG GROWTH OF BUSINESS
ADVANTAGE OF INTERURBAN LINES
NOW ESTABLISHED.
Downtown Stores ThrOnged by Co.'S
mopoIitan Crowds-TO-Day Will
Eclipse All Others.

Washington street seemed, last night,
like a gigantic magic bazaar of the benefi-
cent Santa Claus. Between Pennsylvania
and Illinois streets where the great marts
of the retail district glitter day and night
the throngs mingled like the currents of a
mighty stream as they sampled of the
abundance of the good saint of reindeefs
and the chimney top. Last night was the
ante-cimax of the great Christmas shop
ping drama. Tonight the climax will come
with effulgence and the curtain will drop
with the full cast before the lights.
Never in the history of Indianapolis have
there been ten days of such shopping.
Trade has been continuous, liberal and in
telligent. Holiday goods are born not
made. What the mind of the buyer con-
ceives weeks before Christmas must be an
ticipated months by the manufacturer.
Then the merchant must exercise psyche
logical powers in determining what his
trade will want and at what price it is
likely to want 1t. The psychological pro-
cess this year, according to many buyers,
was less complex than heretofore.
One of them put it this way: 'Intelli-
gent buyers recognized prosperity in this
community and this brings happiness and
happiness creates generosity. This was a
good trade basis. In addition they recog-
nized a developing community. developing
from rapid growth in population and pros
perity and also in its closer relationship
with the surrounding territory. The trans
portation problem is solved. The interur-
ban railroads and the steam lines have
added tremendously to the trade. Conse-
quently we bought for a trading population
twice as big as this community has-not
in quantity but in quality and v~riety."
MAY EXHAUST SUPPLY.
The common Judgment of retailers last
night was that the holiday goods supply
would be practically exhausted by mid
night tonight. Yesterday. like Monday,
was a day of constant activity. There was
no lull. The hours when people seek their
homes habitually-the eating hours-could
not be detected except by inspection of the
clock The machinery of every retail
house in the bazaar, as well as in the side
streets-Pennsylvania, Meridian and Illi-
nois and other parts of Washington-was
at high pressure from the opening to the
close. From each there turned impetuousy
at close a small army OF tired employees
who thought only OF rest for the final day
of triumph.
The buyers were cosmopolitan. People
of all classes bought from the same toy
counters. Types OF the various national-
ties were easily recognized There was an
oblivious system with each element. No
one seemed 10 care much about the other
Where Santa Claus had piled UP his most
precious stuffs as shown by the price
marks. few of the moderate buyers tarried,
but where the trinkets and baubles that de-
light the little ones were heaped all tar
ried, for children know not the disguises
either of wealth or poverty and the simple
toys. brilliant with paint and glittering
with silver and gold. were the delight OF
all. The buyers squirmed through crowded
aisles while shrill voiced clerks called for
the limb-weary cash girls and boys and the
babel of sounds confounded the hearing
Ii was strenuous scene and many a man
who might feel peaceful i'm the greatest
assembly emerged painting and perspiring
after a tour. A glance from the top floor
OF one OF the department stores to the
floors beneath through the great light
shafts displayed the characteristics of the
crowds with ever changing freshness.
BIGGEST TRADE EVER HAD.
nara ton of the details would be su-
perfuous. Yesterday was the biggest
Christmas trade ever had. To-day will le