The sun., 1903-12-27
WALLSTREEl QUITE CHEERFUL
NOTHING VERY DULL ABOUT THE
CHRISTMAS SEASON THERE.
Stockings Almost as BOunteOlIsly Filled
as In Better Times, but Not quite
as Large Demand for New $4,000
Hills as Some Others-Cry for Cents.

The Yuletde has been received as usual
in Wall Street, in spite Of the stock market
depression. The recent upturn in values
has restored cheeriness to the district, and
the stockings of officers and employees OF
banks, banking houses and brokerage firms
were, on the whole, far from neglected.
In many cases it has been the custom
among the big banking institutions for
some years to present to their employees
100 per cent. of their years salary at Christi
mas time or on New Years Day. With
few exceptions this has been done this year.
and in other cases the gifts have approx
mated half the yearly salary. A year ago
one Of the trust companies gave its presi-
dent $50 900 on Christ mas Day. 1t has made
no announcement yet this year,
Several Of the big banks lave made IL u
rule to give employees a fixed amount each
year at this time. One bank makes this SIS
to each person. The rule has been followed
this year.
While there has been some curtailment
by the brokerage houses, which have felt
most the slackness of business in the Street.
this has not resulted in a strict cutting Oh
of presents. The gifts are not SO large as
were those of last year.
The exchanges have made up the usual
purses for employees. The Stock Ex-
change itself raised more than $ll 900 to
distribute among attendants. The Con-
solidated or Little Exchange as 1t is
known in the Street, got together 5000
for the same purpose, and similar Christi
mas funds were secured by the ProducA
Cotton and Coffee exchanges
In accordance with tradition the ex-
fx>r >,ta ANITA
on the last day of business before Christ
mas Day itself. Brass bands, vaudeville
and horse play, including skts on the char
acteristics of popular and unpopular mem.
bers, all go to make the celebrations lively.
The big corporations are not less unmind.
full of the season. Industrial companies,
whose business year has been profitable.
remember their officers and many employees
with Christmas gifts or salary or wage in
creases for the new year
In the Yuletide season the most interest,
ing Wall Street institution is undoubtedly
the old Sub-Treasury. For days before
Christmas is at hand and up to the last
moment it's officers and employees are over
worked, passing out bright. new money
of all kinds for holiday needs. Hundreds
of New Yorkers who never pass its portals
to exchange old for new money.
There is an air of cheerfulness under
its big dome. The little groups at the
windows call for new bills, shining gold or
silver pieces, and confide to the clerks the
little secrets attached to the gifts.
Some Of the visitors ask for fresh bills
of big denominations-the yellow fellows.
500, $500 and even 81 600 bills. In most
hNUavar II ic ha aynallar hilla
clean and new as their bigger comrades,
and gold and silver coins that are wanted.
A bright gold coin in the toe Of stocking
on Christmas morning is present worth
while, and this Uncle Sam supplies.
In silver dollars, subsidiary silver and
minor coins, that is nickels and cents, there
is always a great demand at this season.
The calls come largely from department
stores, banks and other business concerns.
but individuals also seek them.
The banks have found that depositors
drawing out Christmas money are pleased
if they receive clean bills instead of worn
and ragged ones, and the same holds true
with coins. This has also influenced the
department stores, which demand thou
sands Of dollars in new cents at this time.
The odd cent bargains, 40 cents. 9S cents
and on through the bewidering list. call
for cents and more cents AS the Gust omers
like new and bright cents, it is not unusual
for department store delivery wagons 10
back up to the Sub-Treasury doors and
rattle away uptown with s250 in new
cents aboard.
The toy savings banks, where many
children and some grown-ups snuggle away
cents, ncliels and dimes against Christmas
giving, also call loudly for new coins.
Deputy Assistant United States Treasurer
Marlor, who has watched the Yuletide
phenomenon in the Sub-Treasury for many
years, was found in the tide of visitors
few days ago and induced to speak of it.
About as usual" said Mr. Maror, SUR
veying the busy scene, except that the
demand for ten thousand dollar bills is
limited. We've had the biggest demand
for cents I've ever known and good de-
mand for other coins and bills.
mo need Of worrying, however. We
made Washington send us slOoo,OOO in
clean new money, so there would be enough
to go around"