Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-23
EARLY SHOPPING TRIUMPHS
Innovation Proves Profitable in More Ways
Than One, Merchants Say.
EAGER TO MAKE IT PERMANENT RULE
old santa Claus Cones Down Last
stretch Burdened with BOun-
ties and Bound 10
Win.

Down the last stretch, past the three
quarter post, tearing for the wire like a
phantom Of death, goes old Santa Claus in
the business life Of Omaha, laden with the
bounties OF prosperity as he never was be-
fore.
Now they're on" shouted the retail
merchants some three weeks ago as the
shoppers Of the city, in great phalanxes,
entered the course Of their Christmas trad
ing.
unprecedented, the greatest seeson we
have ever known" is now the verdict OF all
tho tradesmen as they come up to
the hnish One and all, bis and little,
the storekeepers, or, as they would say
over in dear old "Lunnun," the shopkeepers,
declare the ante-Christmas trade has ex-
ceeded anything in the past they have ever
known
with but few exceptions the merchants
Dordially endorsed the project Of early
ahopping" starting the ante-Christmas
trading sooner than was the custom, and 1t
IL quite the popular decision that the inno-
walton has paid. II has paid in more ways
than one, IT has been profitable from
monetary standpoint, but from others as
well. the merchants declare. While the
greatest rush of this season, as all other
seasons, was on Saturday night, there was
has been the case in past years for the
simple reason that most Of the people have
done their shopping
Relief from Great Task.
This relieves us and our clerk forces Of
n tremendous task" said one big depart
ment store manager. 1T is beyond my
power to describe the torture OF handling
some Of the crowds we have had at such
times"
Al the finish the storekeepers find
their exchequers more plethoric than
they have ever been at similar times, and
they find their clerk forces in better con-
dition and they find a larger number of
patrons supplied with a larger variety of
goods and a larger volume OF every variety
than ever before.
but, after ALL" observed one merchant
"you may attribute the increased business
to this and that cause.-the basic cause is
Increased prosperity. The people have
greater purchasing power and their pur-
chases are greater. But as parting COM
ment on the early shopping plan, I say
make It permanent by all means. 1t is
humane as well as financially profitable"
Throughout the day the stores in all
parts of the retail districts have been
actual bee hives of activity and industry.
Enters-mnyOr jim.
Mayor Dahlman has been a careful OBJ
server of the tide of business enterprise
this Christmas season and he was moved
to unreel this one which he hofes the
good people of Omaha will heed:
81 feel pleased and happy when l see
how happy and contented the people of our
city are; we seldom find such general
prosperity as we are enjoying now. Bust
ness men tell me that this years business
has increased from 80 to IS per cent. Any
body that wants work can get It and at
good wages; those who are unfortunate
enough not TO be able TO work are being
we'll taken care of; we are well supplied
with different organizations that bring this
about Building after building is being
erected and none vacant, the bank deposits
have Increased marvelously, 80 there is
nothing but sunshine among our people.
why shouldn't everybody be happy-they
are happy.
During Ak-Sar-Ben week, with the larg-
est crowds ever seen in our city, there was
no disturbance, people were having a good
time and our visitors all went away feel
ing kindly toward our people and anxious
TO come again.
Thankful? Well guess so. A man that
would kick at conditions in Omaha as they
are now, and the bright prospects ahead
would be a man that hates himself. SO let
us eat turkey on Christmas day and be