Evening star., 1923-11-30
CHRISTMAS RUSH
STARTS IN EARNEST
Linens Very Popular-Toys
Bit Cheaper-Huge Club
Funds Aid Shoppers.
BY J. &. ROYLE.

4. SPetldl blsHatch TO the star
NEW YORK, November 30.-Retail
trade started forward again with a
rush today in almost every large CEN
ter in the country. Holiday buying
IS in full blast and reports by mer-
chants and department stores indi-
cate that it is earlier and of greater
volume than in 1922. Nearly all lines
nave felt the results of the increased
business. but 1t has been particular
ly noticeable in silk, velvets and dress
goods.
Linens have become feature of
gift buying. This is indirectly trace
able, the retailers say, to the tre-
. mendous number of new houses and
apartments finished this year and
which are now being furnished.
Housewives have been replenishing
their linen closets as well as buying
new furniture and hangings.
Toys Somewhat Lower.
The volume of toys sold this Christ
mas, it is indicated, will be greater
than in 1922, but the general average
of prices paid is somewhat lower in
some sections owing to the influx of
German toys. In some cities these con-
stitute the major portion of the lines
handled
Oriental novelties, which have been a
feature of holiday buying in recent
Years, are less in evidence than usual,
due to the disruption of traffic and
manufacture caused by the japanese
earthquake. This does not apply. how
ever. to mah-jong sets, which are be-
ing featured in all kinds of shops, from
those handling sporting goods to the
department stores and stationers
There is small doubt in the minds of
merchants iS
money in circulation for Christmas buy
ing. Their confidence is easy to under
+. stand after a tour of 5th avenue today.
Rich Women Among shoppers.
Not only were the stores full, but
hundreds of expensively dressed women
blocked traffic on one of the most eX-
elusive shopping streets in the world
while they fought to pay street ped
dlers SO apiece for strings of imitation
pearls.
The ten-cent toy which street ped
dlers once were wont to display on
the sidewalks of the shopping district
during the holiday season. ap-
parently has given way to more ex-
pensive trinkets. which seemingly
are bought only to be disposed of in
the most casual of remembrances.
The volume of money pouring out
of the pocketbooks of the public is
now beginning to be augmented by
the Christmas club funds. Next week
tutions Will prepare for distribution
s5.6S0.000 of these savings funds
which have accumulated since Janu-
airy l into the sum of s211,606.S00.
Club Funds Coming.
A check for each individual ac-
count probably will reach the savers
not later than December 10. OF this
tremendous sum New York state ac-
counts for about one-sixth Over
one-twelfth of the amount spent for
presents will be expended in Greater
New York city. Banks are already
preparing advertising campaigns to
stimulate savings by this means in
1924.
others outside the strictly mer-
chandising field will benefit from
these funds. because statistics show
that about I per cent of the money
involved goes annually into insurance
premiums. per cent is devoted to
paying interest on mortgages and IL
per cent is used in payment of taxes.
/, Credit Men Aroused.
One tendency which is being closely
watched by credit men is the disposi-
tion of some whole salers and retail
ers to promise customers almost any
thing irrespective of ability to make
this policy of get the order" no
matter what stipulations 20 with it
as to delivery and service. is one of
the dangers of American business to-
day. 1t has resulted. they say. in
driving customers away and has pre-
vented recorders. 1t has cost the
United States a tremendous amount
of business in foreign countries.
The crcdit mems interest in this
year owing to the policy adopted by
80 many retailers of buying fire.
quently and in small volume, and
depending on prompt deliveries. The
credit watch dogs say that it is
fair inference that a merchant who
does not keep faith with his custo-
mers Is likely not to be particular
m keen faith with his creditors