The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-29
REMEMBER THE SHOPGIRL
 AND DO SHOPPING EARLY Y

When the panic came year ago the wise prophets of trade conditions foresaW heavy decline in Christmas shopping. Ut must come'' they declared, for a man out of job can't buy presents TOT his family" Probably there was a falling in holiday buying, but it was moi per- ceptible to those who delayed shopping until the last week. There were the same tired pushing, bundle-laden crowds and the same cross, stupid, worn-out clerks
 They say that the building of the sub ways in New York has not perceptibly lessened the daily jam on the surface and elevated trains. And it's a reasonably ssafe guess that such things as panics or hard times will not materially reduce the Christmas holiday rush. There is a way out of the rush, however-an old way tha is being preached more and more ev- cry year The few sensible people who have responded to the shop early call of the newspapers, merchants, manufac- turers and philanthropic workers are prettv sure to continue to be early shop pers, if only for purely selfish reasons, for they Gas we'll as the girls behind the counters) are saving energy and temper
 For two years Charities publication committee of New York has carried on an annual campaign with Shop Early as its war cry Department stores the country over have heartily co-operated Christmas advertisements have urged GUS tomers fo '.come early and avoid the rush." Newspapers in every state or the union have preached this modern parable of wise virgins. And although reduc-
 -14l 4l4xr ehn not apparent. any more than Is the les sening of the crowds in New York since the subway came, there is, it is hoped less crowding every year at Christmas time.
 This year some of the most prominent men in business, literature and phllan- thropy have joined in plea to depart ment store managers, asking them to nelp along the movement for early shopping Here is the letter, with the signers:
 For the third successive year Charities notification committee asks your co-opera- ton in urging early Christmas shopping as a means of Tightening the heavy pur- dens and long hours which the holiday season brings to the women and girls and boys in the retail trade.
 .sWill you run the inclosed card in your advertisements every day from now until
  mits?
 'F,arly Christmas shopping is to the ad- vantage of the merchant and the custom- CT as well as the clerk and the delivery boy Every year the matter is given more public attention. All that Is needed to make 1t a pronounced success is the cooperation of the merchants and the newspapers in reminding people of it. May we count on your help? And will you send us clippings of your advertise ments containing the "shop early card ? Sincerely yours,
 JACOB A. RIIS,
 MARK TWAIN.
 "RICHARD WATSON GLIDER, Editor of The Century; EDWARD BOX,
 ..Editor The Ladies' Home Journal; LEIGH REILLY.
 "Editor the Chicago Evening Post; .ADOLPH OCHS,
 .sPublisher the New York Times HEART LYMAN,
 oEditor of the New York Tribune; JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES "Editor the New York American; NATHAN STRAUSS.
 "Of R. H. Macy & Co.,, New York; .sEDWARD FILENE,
 .Of William Fflene Sons Co.,, Boston; FLORENCE KELLEY,
 "Of the National Consumers League "EDWARD T. DEVINE.
 .,FIditor of Charities and the Commons" Merchants and manufacturers the coun- try over have responded to this call and co-operated This year, John S. Huyler.