The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-12-23
Reports From All Over United
States Show Heavy Trade.
CASH is PLENTIFUL.
Holiday Shoppers Investing in
Substantial Presents.
Red Cross Stamp Sales Excep.
tiOnally Heavy.

good times Christmas. The mercury
of trade has been ascending as the
holiday approaches until it has sur
mounted the hard times mark of a year
ago and reached high level, perhaps
as good as that recorded in prosperous
1906
Inquiries have been made by the
World in the trade centers throughout
the country. The returns Indicate that
prosperity is again general in the
United States. Merchants everywhere
report a lively holiday business and
customers have the cash to pay for
their purchases too.
Valuable data are supplied by the
record of sales of the Red Cross Christ
mas stamps. In Greater New York
alone nearly 5000, 900 of the stamps
have been sold to date, and promoters
of this effort to procure funds for the
crusade against tuberculosis are hope
full of trebling at least the sales in the
next five days. These stamps affixed
to Christmas presents attest to a large
volume of trade.
Propitious weather had much to do
with bringing out the army of buyers
who thronged the shops and filled the
streets. All proprietors agreed that
trade is In much greater volume this
year than last. Jewelry and other
shops where expensive articles are Of
fered are doing an excellent business
In fact, tradesmen catering to all
classes of buyers report that buying is
distributed satisfactorily among all.
Average Shopping in Boston.
Boston, Dec. 23.-According to Bos-
ton storekeepers, people of ordinary
means are spending about the same
amount of money in their Christmas
shopping as they did last year. The
working classes are generally spending
a little less, for during the last year
work has been none too plenty and
they have drawn upon their savings,
whereas a year ago they were compar-
atively flush after a year of great in
dustrial activity. The well-to-do
classes are reported to be buying more
expensive gifts and more of them.
PbiIadeIphians Buying Freely.
Philadelphia, Dec. 23.-Santa Claus
pack will contain many valuables this
year. Jewellers report heavy sales
of expensive articles, and fur dealers
declare that they are doing a brisk
business. Diamond rings, earrings,
necklaces of precious stones, bracelets,
tiaras and watches will be received by
thousands of unsuspecting ones, ac-
cording to the statement made by the
manager of a leading Chestnut street
jewelry store.
Already we have a great demand"
he said, ''for gifts costing from $50 to
500. Last year money was spent
cautiously. If people could not get
what they wanted for a certain price
they refused to purchase. Now the
ton"
All the shops which cater to ex-
elusive tastes are being largely pa
tronized and the unstinted buying is
of Red Cross stamps has been large.
Already 100000 of them have been
placed in this city, and another mill
lion will be placed this week
Heavy Christmas Trade in Cleveland.
Cleveland, Dec 23-''The best
Christmas trade the merchants of
Cleveland have enjoyed in many
years"
Inquiry at the postoffice and express
companies shippink rooms reveals the
fact that Red Cross stamps are on al
most every letter and parcel. Stamp
stations in the big stores throughout
the entire city report enormous sales.
1t is believed the sum realized from
the sale of Red Cross stamps will
reach several thousand dollars.
Pittsburg Doing Well as Ever.
pears to be doing about as well in
Christmas way as she ever did in the
days of her prosperity and the famous
million dollar-a-day payroll. Shop
keepers report their business as good
as in many years past at Christmas.
Pittsburg is taking remarkable in
terest in the sale of Red Cross stamps.
About 100000 were received here last
week and about 100000 of them have
been sold
Prosperity in Denver.
Denver, Dec. 23.-The postoff1ce and
express companies all report I'M
precedented Christmas business. The
postmaster reports the sales of stamps
and the number of packages sent out
as much greater than ever before.
Money order business also has broken
records, especially to foreign coun-
tries Travel has begun and railroads
report the number of persons leaving
for home points for the holidays as
greater by at least three times than
the highest previous record.
Chicago Buying Cheap Goods.
Chicago, Dec. 23.-According to re- |
ports In the retail district, people are
not spending money for Christmas
gifts this year, as they have in the |
past. While a good business is being |
done the class of goods bought is a
cheaper character.
Red Cross stamps are selling well |
in Chicago. The returns show more
than 100000 have been sold here.
Frisco Sales Bigger Than Ever.
San Francisco, Dec. 23.-Ready
vast expenditures for reconstruction in
shops to give the town its biggest
Christmas since the fire. The holiday
ever before. More presents and costlier
ones are the rule.
Red Cross stamps are going with a
rush that exhausts the belated supply.
A shipment of $4,000, received Saturday
morning, was gone before noon. Mer-
chants, manufacturers and others Will
follow the annual custom of presenting
their employees with turkeys or less
toothsome but more lasting remem-
brances of the day. The charitable or
CARNATIONS and various institutions
will surpass their previous efforts to
provide for the dependents.
Register Park Bonds.
Park nTnIniSSiOT of Kansas