The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-12-17
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS
RUSH IS NOW ON
Past Six Days Business Was
Pleasing to Salt Lake
Merchants.
EARLY SHOPPING GAINS
Late Hours VIII Obtain in the
Stores Latter Part OF
the Week.
'EARLY SHOPPING GAINS

The actual beginning of The ahnua'
Christmas rush took place during the
mast week, and will undoubtedly attain
its zenith Saturday, December ID. Mer'
chants Of the city were disappointed III
their anticipation of heavy ''carly shoP-
ping" but report that the move Is
rapidly gaining ground, and tnat inui-
cationa point 10 most profitable busi'
ness. In regular stocks most firms OF
the city have sold to splendid busi-
ness, considering the season OF the
wear. The demand for novelties ana
characteristic Christmas articles mas
not been so strong as was hoped Tor,
but it is declared that this is directly
duo TO belated shopping From Mon
day morning until Saturday mght, II
is asserted, the stores Will be flliea
with an evcr-ncrensIng army OF Gus.
toners. who will tax the abilities OF
clerks in their efforts to secure desired
goods.
vent of the crush proper. On that
dav the larger department stores ana
| merchandise houses temporarily set
| aside tho rules By which goods could
be taken on approval or transfer Sips
issued from ono department TO anothet
In one store. Tho unusual demand on
the energies of delivery mon and boys
occasiopcd setting aside the approva'
rule. while tho increasing crowds IN the
stores made impractical further com
fencing of the transfer slip plan. The
volume Of business from now on. II is
| declared. will be on cash basis.
Santa Claus IN Evidence,
Already the annual appearance OF
| SAINT. Claus in store windows is com
mcnciug, and children are beginning to
| wonder bow he can be in so manY
places al the same time. Windows have
| been sirikinplv adorned with display
offerings, green fir trees now dot the
business streets in clnmps. the number
Of people on the streets is increa sing
each with arms loaded. most of the
| stores have increased their lists OF
| clerks aud employees, the postoftlcf
and express service is becoming taxed
! with carly holiday traffic. and the
spirit of SuIe Tide is beginning to be
felt throughout the city.
| Postmaster Arthur l.. Thomas Is fig
uratively submerged with letters foI
delivery TO Santa Claus. and is now
trying TO answer the question, Just
whero does Santa Claus live, and where
l JS
the posfoffice department, it is prob
able the question may he solved BY
! turning over all such letters TO Chart
| ably inclined individuals or phllan
| thropic institutions.
Express Offices Rushed,
Express offices are issuing instruc'
| tions to patrons 10 make their ship
ments at the earliest possible date tc
insure prompt deliveries at respective
destinations. In this matter merchants
are cooperating by providing envelope
boxes and other material in which pur
chascs can be shipped under proper
labels aud tags.
In all probability. the merchants will
| keep open their places of business unit
q late hour Thursday. Friday and sat
urday. Although this has not beer
definitely decided, it is declared that
the increasing demand and volume OF
business will so necessiiate.
More small articles are being sole
than ever before Jewelry, leather
| goods. hardware and furniture have not
had the big trade expected, while lin
ems, fancy work, needle pieces, um
brellas. gloves, men s furnishings. cards
/ books and silks have sold to big mar
ket. Heavy business is expected in the
few DAYS to come before Christmas, and
merchants are trying to impress upor
patrons the advantages and need OF
forenoon shopping,
Collections continue good, the ma
iority of stores have gathered in graf
flying percentage of their charge ac
counts, and cash sales are greatly in
crcasing in their ratio against colIcc
tive accounts.