New Britain herald., 1924-12-27

" NHNiN H"'h "hh HiS hlSSts anu nephews didn't get along 50 well this year as in the past, Whether 1t is because Uncle Sam Is suffering from growing pains or because the nieces and nephew were negligent is beside the story. The fact stands out that the delivery of mail was not accom- plishcd as smoothly and expeditions ly as in former year.
 The situation in the New Britain post office is probably typical of general conditions. An abundance ot mail, including letters, Christmas greetings and parcel post packages, greeted Postmaster Erwin and his force of hustlers when they rolled up their sleeves yesterday morning.
 It must be taken into considera- ton that this was an unusual year so far as using the facilities of the post office was concerned. And 1t must be true that great many ad- miring relatives forgot to mail their gifts early, Such a mountain of matter piled up In the federal build ing that it was physically impossible to move it all. This may explain, In part, why first class letters posted in this city as Carly as Tuesday did not reach their destination until yes- terday
 The situation out of town was equally disappointing. One New Britain young man coming home from college forwarded his extra clothes by parcel post on December 16 and received them on the day be- fore Christmas. The evidence as provided by the cancellation marks indicates that the delay was not in New Britain.
 Certainly no postal force ever worked more diligently than the men in the New Britain office. All went at 1t with all speed commensurate with safety. Bags of mail soon melted under their magic touch and the wonder grows that they were able 10 accomplish as much as they did. Letter carriers made their weary rounds laden with heavy burdens and,if they didn't al- ways smile and respond when some- one wished them a Merry Cnrlst mas" the reason is not hard to un- derstand.
 No branch Of the federal service has men more loyal or more faith full in the performance of their duties than the post office. The rank and file are proud of their abil- ity to assimilate punishment without losing their individual and collective tempers. Working under conditions whchi would drive most men out of their minds, they tackle their jobs at Christmas like an ant tackles a hill of sand, with determination and de- csion to get the task out of the way. President Coolidge vetoed bill by which their wages would be increased. But fin this instance. at least, the president was not in har- mony with the inclinations of the public and the time is not far dis tant when a government which has too long withheld recognition of the postal employees will be forced to grant them the pay they deserve.
 
 We'll that's over at least until next year. But why invite trouble? Christmas Is one time of the year when even the coolest individuals go up in the air about something or other. Mostly it's the question of how much to spend However, peo- pie shouldn't trouble about that, No matter how many good resolutions are made about keeping the eXpendi- tUre of money for Christmas pres erts down as far as possible, the usual amount of money will be spent and the first of every month will be an unpleasant reminder of the folly of accumulaNng debts.
 For instance, this year Christmas presented to US the aspect, unpleas- ant enough. Of the winged dollars in the act of taking wing. And they did. It certainly Is funny how fast money can leave the pocket, and how difficult 1t is about returning to the fold, There were presents galore for everyone and these could not be bought for a song. Anyway we are not good at singing.
 Then that bane of ones existence, the Christmas card. No matter how the brain is wracked in order to re- member all those 10 whom cards should be sent, from close relatives to the girl met at a dance back last February, there's always someone forgotten. And how badly 1t makes a person feel to receive a card from one whse name was not on the list for the receipt of a card. Then there is that busting around to send one as New Years remembrance.
 After Christmas the new year stretches off into eternity, cheer less avenue, an endless street paved with bills. By the time they're all paid mp, after many please" writ ten al the bottom of them, Christ mas, "the glad time Of the year." has turned up again. and taking a deep breath, the same procedure Is followed.
 Look at all the cnreworn exprcs- sions on the faces of passers-by aft CT Christmas and be comforted by the thought that they're thinking of the same thing you are: Where is the money coming from? If it were not for the January sales" adver-
 Shop or die in the attempt"