Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-07
GETTING READY
FOR CHRISTMAS

New York, Dec 5.-"Do Your
Christmas ShoppingS Early" reads the
inscription on posters and cards
which have been widely displayed
throughout the city for some time.
No man or woman living in New York
or coming to this city on visit could
fail to see these signs. They were
everywhere and perhaps that is the
reason that this year the Christmas
shopping has, indeed, begun earlier
than in formerasyears. The S. P. U.
G., as the Society for the Prevention
of Unnecessary Gifts is called, has
been quite active for some time, but
if the propaganda Of the society has
been at all effectiYe, it could have
been so only within an extremely linn
tied circle, probably only among GER
tain clique of unmarried men and
women of the most selfish and egotis-
teal brand, who never had kind
thought for the kddies.
Evidently the merchants have had
no apprehension that the agitation
carried on by the s P. U. G. would
seriously interfere with Christmas
business. Even tariff tinkering, l. w.
w. and other labor evils and the pros.
pect Of new financial legislation by
congress could not brighten the deal
ers in Christmas goods, and, with
reckless disregard of the high cost
lof living, they stocked up their shops
to overflowing with the most tempting
wares for the Yuletide ever seen in
this old town.
It seems reasonable to assume that
the retail merchants are the best
judges of the financial condition of
the people. They come constantly
in contact with the people, know what
and how much the latter are buying
and, having thus their hand on the
financial pulse of the buyers at all
times, they must naturally be the best
judges of the purchasing ability of the
people with whom they deal. If this
is granted. the attitude Of the mer<
chants. as expressed by their holiday
displays would indicate that in their
judgment there is money enough in
the city to justify the merchants to
offer to the public what they do
Money may be somewhat close. but
the merchants know that the tight
ness is only temporary and that it
will have no material effect upon this
years Christmas trade. The quanti-
ty, as well as the quality Of the goods
displayed in the various shops, Is
fully up to the standard of the last
few years and, if there has been any
change in the character of the goods
displayed, it Willsn be apparent to
the casual observer. Careful inves-
tigators may, perhaps, notice, that
the display of the most expensive
toys and other holiday goods is per-
caps trifle more limited than a year
predominance than in former years,
toys and useful gifts show greater
p7o!ld-mnlp7m apVl pus o5g oMl 10
but, however that may be, the differ
ence is not material.
Current events and achievements
in the worlds work are always, to
some extent, reflected in the lows of
children of the period. The war on
the Balkan peninsula and the inter-
nal troubles in Mexico have left their
imprint in the realm OF. lows, as they
have influenced the realm of women's
fashion. A warlike spirit is clearly
reflected in the toys, especially In
those for boys, and military equip
ments on miniature scale form a
prominent feature this year. The lat
est achievements in several branches
Of science are also shown in the