Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-26

Continued from Page Ono
proved capable enough an allied enemy
to overcome the great big spirit Of gem
erous Christmas giving.
"sPUGs" IN MAJORITY.
In round numbers each and every one
of the million and a half residents In
Philadelphia played Santa Claus to the
extent Of spending $16.26 apiece. Maybe
they couldn't afford it-that is neither
here nor there-but the temptation was
strong and they succumbed.
A marked difference distinguishing the
Christmas shopping OF 1914 from that OF
former times was the noticeable increase
in the number OF usetul purehussS mae; s',;
II an article was beautiful and useful
at the same time we'll and good, but II
II was merely beautiful with no ear
marks of utility about IT, 1t was more than
likely to be passed by this year.
According to the majority of the mer-
chants this was the little mans year
II was the wealthy who did most of the
economizing, AS a leading Jeweler ex-
pressed It, the man who usually gives
n 10000 necklace to his wife this year
cut the amount TO 5000; the 5000 man
spent about $1,000. and the $1,000 man $1,000
Under that sum the purchases were about
the same this as in other years"
before were so many gifts bought with
the idea OF durability and longevity than
this season. 'Will 1t wear well7" was
the question heard on all sides. Loud"
socks, ties that screamed their presence
and shirts Of the peppermint-stiek and
barber-pole variety were more or less
taboo.
The comment OF the heads of the cloth
ing departments in the big shops were
much in the same strain. wives VINO
heretofore received oxtravagant gim-
cracks and geegaws from their better
halves, this year showed decided pref
erence for sensible wearing apparel.
Heavy topcoats. furs and evening dresses
were popular gifts.
According to the proprietors of the little
speciality shops tucked here, there ana
everywhere in the heart OF philadelphia
the sale OF waists was never more tre-
mandous than this season, and II their
figures are to be believed half the femi-
nine population of the city received at
least one blouse in It's Christmas stock
ing.
The aggregate amount spent in jewelry,
flowers, candy and cigars totaled more
than three millions, which. compared 10
the q remaining millions spent IN usetni
Christmas giving, Is small sum. ana
proves this TO have been one OF the
sanest holiday seasons We nave ever had
PEssInsM ROUTED.
Although from a financial standpoint
the season of 1914 cannot be exactly
termed a banner one, yet so lowering
has been the commercial atmosphere with
the stock Exchange closed, factories rum
ming at half time and insistent rumors
of large numbers of unemployed that the
MERCHANTS approached the season with
rather a pessimistic mien, In much the
same manner, in fact, as the Christmas
shopper himself approached It. He won
dered where the money was coming
from.
But, strange as It may seem. Christ
mas money, like the irreprsHsible dolly
in The Lady OF the Decoration" bohs
up willy nilly; ard when the time came
10 go forth into the shopping marts each
and every individual discovered that he
had at least SIS to spend that he really
didn't know anything about. The result
being that he spent II and everybody
had 3 Merry Christmas.