Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-12-23
STORES OPEN ON
CHRISTMAS EVE
Owing to Double Holiday Tri-
City Merchants Decide to
Waive Usual Custom.
RUSH IS OVER, HOWEVER
Postoffice Carriers TO Have Wagons
and Assistants to Aid i'm Heavy
Deliveries Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, the last day before
Christmas, will most probably be rath-
er quiet in the larger stores OF the
city where Christmas gifts may be
purchased In fact. the last day be
fore Christmas is generally the quiet
est for weeks, and this year 1t will be
more so, as people generally have heed
ed the warning to shop early. OF
course the clerks and storekeepers viii
have something TO do till the last min
ute tomorrow night, as there will be
the man to take care of who always
rushes into the store at the last minute
with the list in his hand and asks the
clerk to select some suitable present
for everyone on it. That will always
be the case as long as the stores are
open on Christmas eve, for the aver
age man has a horror of shopping
you all know the reason-and puts II
off till the last minute and then goes
blindly at it.
Some time ago there was talk of
closing the larger stores on Christmas
eve and allowing employees that even
ing at home. But some Of the me--
chants we're not quite willing 10 do
this. and so all stores will be open.
The merchants intend to close next
year at $50 on the last day before
Christmas. All stores will remain closed
from tomorrow night until Tuesday
morning. Monday viii be observed in
the business world as a legal holiday.
WAGONS FOR CARRIERS.
So far this year the Christmas mail
has been much heavier than in former
years. but, as was stated in The Argus
few days ago. it has come in a steady
stream and has been easily handled.
The mail today was the heaviest Of
the season. but was handled without
Il hitch On the second delivery to-
morrow morning. leaving the office at
20 O'Clock. all of the carriers. with the
exception Of the three in the down
town district, will have 4 wagon TO car
~ the mail and an assistant. There
viii be no delivery Christmas day. in
asmuCh as the holiday falls on Sun
dev. However. there will be a slight
change IN the sunday hours. The post
office Will he open from till II O'Clock
in the morning and mail may be secur-
cd AT the general delivery window
This is an hour later than the Office is
open usually. As Monday will be a
holiday in the business world, there
Will be but one mail delivery that day
at 10 o'clock in the morning All
carriers. with the exception of those in
The business district. will again have
me wagon and an assistant to help in
the distribution
DAVENPORT BREAKS CUSTOM.
For years it was the custom of all
the larger stores il Davenport 10 close
Christmas even Al ESQ. but because
,ho holiday falls on Sunday this year
he majority OF merchants there have
acceded 10 the general demand TO keep
open. The Fair store viii observe the
usual Christmas eve closing hours.
While the others viii remain open till
1:3o at least The stores in Daven-
port have only been open at night since
Wednesday. and so keeping open to-
borrow night viii not be a great bur
den on the employees. In Moline the
stores. with few exceptions, will be
open tomorrow night