Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-29
MERCHANTS UNITED
IN THANKfU[NESS
President Andrews of the Re-
tail Association Reviews Con-
diti0ns in Local Trade.

washington merchants are today
united in Thanksgiving for blessings
of year that descended in greater
volume than ever before on National
Capital trade.
In a review Of conditions in the Dis
trict among the trade marts r. p.
chants Association, declares Washing
ton has greater responsibilities than
ever before in its history and business
men must unite in support of all move
ments designed to aid Americas course
in the world war
Shop early was the message the re-
tail trade head sent to all merchants.
business men and other citizens. Co
operation in Christmas buying must
be quick and effective in order TO make
the greatest shopping season in the
history of the city success. he
warned.
cause for Thanksgiving as never be-
FORE" declares Mr.. Andrews.
Opportunity Ripe for Service.
Never before in the history OF the
National Capital has the opportunity
for service on the part of business men
been SO pronounced as 1t is a. this time.
Y
that we are doing. it is but natural
that we should stop for a day in our
varied responsibilities and give thanks
to God for the blessings that have been
showered upon this country in the past.
and pray to our Maker that in the not
far -distant future we will attain . de-
sire that is universal in this Land
Peace with a glorious victory
trust that at every shrine and at every
board in the National Capital today our
soldier boys will be the honor guests-
we must prepare to start out anew on
Friday morning to do the great work
that lies before us.
washington has responsibilities that
were never more gigantic. Here ia this
city we are fighting back Of the line
government needs man-power and
woman-power as never before. This
need must be met first, and as con-
sequence business has been called upon
never dreamed Of before. A great holi
day-Christmas-isl less than q month
Off. and the paramount need, beginning
Friday. is for the public to come to an
Of doing Christmas shopping and mall
ing early
Decrease in Store Forces.
store forces have decreased to an
enormous extent despite the fact that
we have even sent out OF town for la
Dor, and on the other hand I believe
| it is safe to assert that. considering
all the elements of activity in the Ma
tional Capital. our population has
| increased in the neighborhood OF one
hundred thousand. So to do the big
| work that lies before US II will be
necessary for the merchants and the
public to cooperate by early prepare
| ton for Christmas. I know that the
stocks In substantially all lines are ~
complete at this moment as they Will
ever be this year, and 30 those who
| shop early and mail early Will be
| but looking after their own interests
| by SO doing.
Every artery Of activity IL over
tcrowded with business. The post once
has one Of the biggest problems be-
fore it ever known. The mail matter
now being sent out Of Washington by
the unusual activities Of the govern
ment will aggregate several million
pounds per month in excess OF normal
times. and when we consider the i'm
mense amount Of parcel post and other
classes OF mall matter to be dis
tributed to the different cantonments
scattered over the United etAtes the
public must realize that II they wish
their packages or Letters to reach the
destination before Christmas they must
mail early and so I appeal to the
members of this association and to my
brother merchants generally. ana to
the public to heed our appeal OF .shop.
ping and mailing eArly for ChristmAs.'
It is q downright public necessity.