The Washington times., 1903-12-21
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
THROUGH THE MAILS
Registry and Money Order
Offices in a Rush.
CLERKS WORKING OVERTIME
Express Companies Loaded Down With
Packages, foS All of Which Prompt
Delivery Is Promised.

The rush OF Christmas shoppers send
ing gifts to relatives and friends has
begun at the city postofice and special
facilities have ben provided for these
generous persons. Two tables have
been placed in the corridor for the bene-
fit of those who wish to wrap up bun
dies and address them. 1t has been
found that many persons buy small ar
ticles at stores and take them direct
TO the postofIice for mailing
Much satisfaction has been expressed
by the shoppers at the opportunity 70
tie up their bundles in the postofice and
all this morning there was constant
stream of men and women taking adj
vantage of the innovation.
The greater number of Christmas
packages are registered. and there has
been such a demand for registered let
ter stamps that the stamp clerks have
been overworked and a scheme had to
be devised for their relief.
Expediting Business.
A table and scales have been placed
at the south end of the east corridor.
a..
who weighs all packages brought 10
him and marks on them the price OF
the stamps required to send them
( through the mails. He tells each per-
son that the price marked does not in
clude the registry fee
The consequence OF this system is
that persons with parcels to mail know
how many stamps they need when they
go 10 the window and how much ex-
ira IL will cost them for regfstra ton
BY this system the stamp clerks are
enabled TO transact business with re-
doubled rapidity and are not delayed
( by having to weigh packages. For sew
eral years the Washington Postoffict
I has adopted the plan of employing tho
watchmen as weighers. and il has
proved eminently satisfactory to the
public as well as to the Office
Christmas week Increases the registr,
! business at the city postoffice to about
twenty times its normal volume. anc
/ necessitates the detailing Of a number
OF special clerks to handle the vas
volume Of parcels and packages. De
spite the rush and the number of pack
/ ages handled, there is little or no della,
in deliver. as the department has learn
ed 10 cope with the situation and pro
4 vide special facilities for those VIII,
would send presents to dear Louise
Aunt Martha. and Uncle Joe
Money Order and Express.
The money order business has beer
increasing at a great rate ever since tn,
LIST OF December. Some Of the amount
sent are small. representing none,
saved by closest economy from small
! salaries. Some OF the amounts ar,
large, evidences of the regard in which
persons drawing good salaries hold tn,
friends and relatives whom they ief
when they came TO the National Capita
! to seek name and fortune.
Special clerks have been provided Z,
take care OF the Christmas eivers. ans
! although the senders are greatly multi
piled 1t seldom takes but little longo
TO send a money order now than II doe.
in the ordinary seasons.
At the express Offices there is as mucl
activity as at the postoffice All Of IN,
extra wagons are in commission. anC
the special express car of any Of tn.
companies which does not do duty 81
this season is indeed wreck
Office men who ordinarily potter ovel
figures and accounts are receiving pack
ages and assuring the shippers that tn,
tokens of esteem will be delivered be
fore Christmas Day in the morning.
The express business this week will b,
multiplied many times, but none of tn,
officials this morning could give am
definite idea of the extra transactions