The Washington herald., 1911-12-24

New Years this mark probably will be
reached. The biggest sales yesterday
were at the post-Office.
From the present outlook the post-Office
will be cleared of the Christmas mail to-
morrow evening. The mails are now
Practically running clear" Notwith-
standing the fact that mails this year
are approximately Is per cent larger than
those Of last Christmas, the work of
distribution is being conducted much
more efficiently. On December q last
year, the post-ofice was choked with the
Yuletide missives and packages. This
year there is practically no congestion.
But the mail is still rushing into the
city, so the local force of carriers and
clerks will be kept busy to-day. En-
ployes will work overtime. Sunday work
Of this nature is prohibited by a Post
office Department rule, but the law Will
be evaded by offering to all the carriers
and clerks compensatory time OF
The only real congestion at the post
office is with respect TO the influx OF post
cards. These are coming in in great
numbers. Yesterday afternoon there We're
approximately $1,000 cards which had col
lected. A great portion of these were
distributed by nightfall. Postmaster Mer-
ritt now has high hopes of the office be-
ing cleaned out by tomorrow night. II
the feat is accomplished, 1t will be an
unprecedented record.
Want Small Change.
Because of the Christmas demand FOR
small change, some local banking houses
have been compelled TO send to the United
States mint at Denver for supplies. The
Treasury has been pushed to the limit.
Assistant Treasurer Gideon c. Bentz
Yesterday said that on account Of the
Christmas demand approximately $500
OOO in quarters, s., 500, 900 in half-dollars,
and more than 81, 100000 in dimes had to'be
minted. There Is n marked scarcity in
gold pieces There is great demand
at this time for $50, S, so. and $40 gold
pieces.
Nearly all of Washington's big cor
porations have remembered their en-
pIoyes at the Christmas season. The
corporations have had prosperous year.
and they are in the spirit 10 lhoulge III
Yuletide festivities.
At White House.
The distribution OF the Presidents
Christmas presents to the White House
attaches took place yesterday. To each
of the policemen who guard the White
House the President gave fat turkey.
The White House steward passed out the
gobblers.
A little later the President himself
presented to each of the Secret Service
men a gold and Jeweled scarf pin. Each
of the employees Of the executive offices
and of the White House received $
gold piece. OF course, the presents
which Mr.. Taft will give to the mem
bers of his family will be presented on
Christmas morning. just as in any other
well regulated American family.
II uas learned Yesterday that the tur-
key that will adorn the Presidential
board on Christmas Day came from a
friend in Tuscaloosa, Ala, and not from
Rhode Island, the breeding ground TOT
all Thanksgiving turkeys which go on
the Presidents table.
Christmas baskets for 800 were dis
tributed yesterday morning through
the Ladies of Charity and st. Vincent
de Paul Society of St. Patricks Church.
The baskets were sent to the homes OF
the people. insuring in this manner that
the case is a worthy one. Christmas
presents were also sent to st. Joseph
and st. Vincent's Orphan Asylum.