davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-12-27
A Record Holiday Trade.

A Record Holiday Trade.
Figures of the holiday trade. serv-
ing as an index of economic condi-
tions in this country, are not yet fully
available, but there are certain indi-
cations of a much larger volume of
business this year than heretofore.
In one respect the record is plain.
The Post Office Department handled
a greater number of pieces of mail
matter than ever before in its his
tory. Returns so far indicate a coun-
try-wide increase in the parcel post
of from six to seven per cent. with
an increase in all classes of postal
matters of from eight to twelve per
cent. The total Christmas mail in the
Washington post Office is sixteen and
seven-tenths per cent higher than dur
Ing the same period last year. Incl
dentally, it is to be noted that not
withstanding this enormous volume
of traffic everything had been cleared
up by seven o'clock Christmas morn
ing. This remarkable achievement
was made possible by the public's CO.
operation in early shopping and early
mailing, preventing a choking of the
channels during the last hours. and
by an able and efficient organization
of the work by the postal authorities.
That the admonition to shop early"
was needed is shown by the fact that
the peak of the buying for holiday
gifts was reached on Monday, five
days before Christmas. This, it may
be believed, was in large measure due
10 the growth of the Christmas saw
ings" system. whereby great numbers
Of people accumulate for their holiday
purchases during the year, their funds
drawing interest in the banks. These
funds are released early in December
and are then available for holiday
purchasing in good season.
From the stores come reports that
indicate that a large percentage of
the buying during the holiday shop
ping season was along the line of use
full goods. Of course, there was much
spending for toys and fancy things of
no particular utility, but to an increas-
ing extent the trade was in the line
of essential values. Some years ago
movement for utility rather than
mere ornament and amusement in
Christmas giving started, and it has
had its effect in the direction of this
seasonal trade into channels of greater
value.
If the figures could all be compiled
they would reveal an enormous over
turn during the six weeks preceding
Christmas in this country. The trade
volume has been stupendous. 1t has
indicated not only prosperity on a
wide scale, but a feeling of confidence
on the part of the people that the
propitious conditions will continue.
There is no sense Of apprehension.
Yet this extraordinary volume of
Christmas trade is not a token of
mere prodigality. 1t is a symptom of
business soundness and stability.
There will be some reaction, with a
slackening of trade, but this is neces-
sary to permit inventories and read.
justments, and in all likelihood a sub
stantial volume of buying will begin
with the new year in supply of the
ordinary needs of the people.
The holiday trade is test of the
Nations economic condition, and it
has passed that test not only success
fully, but with assurance Of continued
prosperity.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
Mr.. Santa Claus,
WASHINGTON. d. c.,
Christmas, 1926.


North Pole.
Dear Santa:
You win.
You always win. bless your soul!
AS / sit here today. wreathed in a
flowing necktie Of mingled red and
green, l am more conscious than ever
of your universal kindness in writing
me such a good letter as that / re.
ceiVed yesterday.
Before me, in boxes, are nine more
Christmas ties, ranging the spectrum.
and / am glad to SEQ them there, and
happy that you did not take me at
my word and bring me none.
What would Christmas be, indeed,
without plenty of neckties?
Evidently you We're SO very busy,
good Santa Claus. that you could not
pack all my ties in your sleigh, so sent
some of them ahead by parcel post
Thanks. old top!
The first one, strangely enough,
came the day after | wrote you that
first letter, asking that you not britg
either me or any other gentleman
ties for Christmas.
This first tie came, then, before !
had received your note Of the 23d, in
which you gently reproved me for
wishing to receive anything but ties.
Ties l must receive, ties l have re-
ceived.
This first tie-the one I have on
now (none of the others can touch it)
arrived after dinner. There was a
ring at the door, which l answered
hastily, II being poor policy to refuse
to answer the bell at Christmas time.
since you have detailed the postmen
so largely in your services.
Mr. Templeton Jones'" said the
parcel post man. handing me in my
first tie.
Suspecting q joke by some ire.
sponsible junior, ] opened the pack
age instantly. despite the injunction
in red and gold, "Do Not Open Until
Christmas"
l have often wondered, Santa
Claus. what good those stickers do.
Humanity. you know, may be divided
into two large classes at Christmas
time-those who open packages be-
fore Christmas morning and those
who do not.
There is no hard-and-fast divi-
sion, of course, for I, who mostly
adhere religiously to the rules, at
times break them. In this case l
discovered that the first tie came
from a distant relative. who. in the
goodness of her heart, had purchased
me a most glowing cravat.
This is the baby | wear today. 1t
far surprising. in glowing pattern
and symmetrical design, any of the
others that came after. 1t is the
kingpin Of the 10, the ne plus ultra,
the alpha and the omega.
l am lost III admiration as l gaze
down at my vest and allow my
glance to trickle along the intricate
meshes of the combined Jacobs
ladder and circles. intertwined with
triangles and slashes of lightning.
A man might well go crazy trying
to climb in thought that ladder. So
I transfer my attention to the glow
ing colors, rejecting the true hues
of this merry season.
Here is red. your own color, Santa.
and green, the evergreen Of Christ
mas time. All 1t lacks Is a bit of
yellow, but there IS plenty OF that in
tie No. S, so I will not worry.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Riddances.

K1ddanCeS.
Friend Santa, folks should not
complain
OF what we have in hand,
You left behind De Russey's lane
And certain oily land.
You left behind suspicion grim
That clouded many day.
AS Nineteen-twenty-s grows dim,
Strange shadows melt away
Friend Santa, we are much relieved
While carols haunt the mind,
BY what from you we have received
And what you left behind.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

1t is asserted by John d. Rookie
feller that he is 'handsomer inside
than he is outside" This is true
of every great philanthropist whose
inner thought has helped the world.
To quote an ancient and homely
aphorism, Handsome is as hand
some does"
Evening star., 1926-12-27

In one or two countries a war
threat with the U. S. A. in mind
has become almost a feature of ma
tional policy. There are certain
forms of popular enthusiasm that
must be considered, and that which
rejoices in the assumed ability to
whip all the rest OF the world put
together is one of the most COM
mon.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

The Panama Canal, once regarded
as a problem OF insuperable financial
difficulty. asserts itself as problem
in diplomacy. 1t may be confidently
assumed that the latter problem will
be disposed of as promptly and
effectually as the former.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Bootleggers object to a non-en.
forcement of prohibition laws which
permits amateurs to invade the
traffic. Even law breaking tends to
develop an exclusive professional
code.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Every city has q little band of ban.
dts that is as picturesquely exploited
as if they constituted a civic asset,
worthy of the Endorsement of the
Board of Trade.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
Rate by Mail-PayabIe In Advance.
MARYLAND and Virginia.
All Other States and Canada.
Member of the Associated Press.

The Associated Press is exclusively entitled
20 the use for republication of all news dis
patches credited to IL or not otherwise cred
tied in this paper and also the local news
published herein All rights of publication
Of special dispatches herein are alec reserved
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Nicaragua is evidently. feeling the
urge for world politics that has
brought embarrassment to a number
of minor European countries.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

A flve-day working week and
seven-day fiivvering week give the
motor salesman and the gas man
shade the best of the situation.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Smoking is a worse habit than
ever since it came to apply to chin
neys and soft coal instead of merely
to cigarettes.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

English trainers are still endeavor-
ing to educate a horse so that he
will be able to remain under the
Prince of Wales.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
The Evening Star Newspaper Company
Business ONCE:
=. 11th 81. and Penneylv ania Ave.
New York Office: 10 East 42nd 81
Chicago Office: Tower Building.
European Office: II Regent ST.. LONDON.
England.

The Evening Star. with the Sunday morn
ing edition. is delivered by carriers WITHIN
ne city It go cents per month; daslS csny: on,ys
per month Orders NAV be sent by msu or
telephone Main 5000 Collection is maoe py
carrier at end of each month.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Nothing is free. Even the wish for
a Happy New Year calls up calcula-
tions as to the convert charges.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
While Grabbing Is Good.

From the Baltimore sun.
A Buffalo glove dealer asserts that
women's' hands are bigger now. And
they grab more, too.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Nicaragua is for the moment over
burdened with an excess of talent
for political leadership.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Disarmament Is still regarded by
nations the world over as a fine
idea--for somebody else.
Evening star., 1926-12-27
Financial Backing.

Financial Backing.
did you ever use money in
politics?"
"Never!" protested Senator Sor.
ghum. THAT is to say, none of my
own"
Jud Tunkins says wishing man
a Happy New Year doesn't count If
you happen to be playing poker
with him the last night in January.
"War," said HI Ho, the sage OF
Chinatown, creates a large nom
producing element in society. in
addition to that which includes the
killed and wounded"
Sorrow i'm the Countryside.
Mary had q little pig,
With Joy it used to foller 'er.
The hired man its grave must dig
1t got took with the cholera!
Poor Mary is bereft of bliss
While thinking on her lossages.
She loved tnat pig ana Sne VIII Hiss
The pork chops and the sausages!
Discreet Hesitancy.
"Why do you refuse to marry?"
81 have never Sbeen asked" said
Miss Cayenne, except by somebody
who believed that marriages are
made in Heaven; and neither of us
looked to me like any angel"
The Bounding Bandit.
When notoriety is due,
You've got to hand it
Not to the great enlightened few,
But to some bandit"
SIT costs mo- to live dan it used
to-" said Uncle Eben, but dars mo-
enjoyment in life"
Evening star., 1926-12-27

Jud Tunkins says wishing a man
a Happy New Year doesn't count If
you happen to be playing poker
with him the last night in January.
Evening star., 1926-12-27

i @. Does France give many prizes
for literature?-N. d.
A. There are at least 120 coveted
awards. The Prix Osiris is to France
what the Nobel prize Is to the whole
world. and carries a gift of 100000
francs
Evening star., 1926-12-27
The Bounding Bandit

'It costs mo- to live dan it used
to-" said Uncle Eben, but dar's mo-
enjoyment in life"
Evening star., 1926-12-27

@. What borough in London has the
largest pOpulation?-J. V. L.
A. Middlesex. The urban population
is 1,07S,374; rural, 4S.131, making
total of |, ,126,50
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
WORKERS;STA1US
UPHELDBY CARTER
Insists Proofreaders and
BookbinderS Should Be
CIasSed as Printers.

Branding as trivial and frivolous
an opinion by the Civil Service Com
mission that proofreaderS ANA bnueE
operators at the Government Print
ing Office should fall into tie class
of clerks and thereby be ineligible Tor
retirement at the age OF 80, as pro-
vided in the retirement law, George
II. Carter. public printer. today toid
Assistant Secretary John III. Edwards
of the Interior Department that lhGot,
readers and binders should be classeo
as mechanical operators.
Mr.. Carriers statement was made AT
hearing before Judge Edwards, at
tended by group OF officials OF the
printing office. George q. Seibotd, sec
rotary of Columbia Typographical
Union. and officials of the retirement
division of the Interior Department
Judge Edwards gave the Civil Service
Commission one week, i'll which to NE
4 brief upholding its contentious ana
gave the public printer - hours IN
which to signify whether he Will file
a reply brief.
Have Similar Duties.
Contending, that proofreaders ana
copyhoiders in the Government Print
ing Office have duties exactly com
parable with those of scores of skilled
laborerS in other Government depart
ments, Frederick w. Brown and Z.
w. Bartlett of the Civil Service Gem
mission told Judge Edward that they
should be eligible for retirement al
the age df 70 instead of Ga. the retire
ment age for mechanical operators.
Mr.. Brown recalled that the pubic
printer several months ago asked the
Civil Service Commission 20. nnornce
competitive examination tor proof
readers, who need not necessarily
have mechanical or compository eXpe-
rience.
On this basis. he said, proof reading
clearly fell into the category OF
clerical work. Mr.. Bartlett said he
had investigated the bookbindery at
the printing office and had come to
the opinion that although some OF
the employees using tools should be
classified as mechanics. most of them
employed in folding and pasting paper
should be classified as clerks.
Follows Usual Practice.
Mir. Carter said that the usual prac
rice in newspaper offices ia that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
GASQUE BILL DRAWS
T|GERT OPPOSITION
Commissioner of Education
Thinks President Should
Name School Board.

Dr. J. j. Tigert. United States Com
missioner of Education, is opposed to
the Gasque bill providing for election
Of Board OF Education members in
Washington, and today reiterated his
faith in a report he made to Congress
in 1922, when he recommended that
the public here would best be served II
members of the local board were APP
pointed by the President of the United
States and confirmed by the Senate.
DIR. Tigert said today that after CON
ference with educational leaders all
over the United States he was con
WINGED that election of Board of Edu.
cation members was mistake in cities
of more than 100000 population for
the reason that 1t has been found the
men and women best fitted to serve
on such boards will not offer TO serve
and make an active campaign for cleo
ton
While DR.. 'rigert said today he had
not been invited to testify before the
House subcommittee holding hearings
on the Gasque bill. that If he was he
would simply file his report Of 1922,
which was drafted after months of de-
liberation over the local system.
While DR.. Tigert said in his report
of 1922 that he believed conditions in
local schools were inexcusably bad, "
at that time he explained that Wash
ington schools could not keep abreast
because the Board of Education is
powerleSs TO remedy the situation. He
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
$3.50. 0OO. 900 FOR AVIATION.
Navy Asks Fund for Developing Serv.
ice Over Five-Year Period.

\ thorough development program
for all branches OF the Naval Air
Service is contemplated in a recon-
mendatton for expenditure of $780,
0Oo 600 over a fiVe-year period, includ-
ing $l33 100000 for procurement of
new planes and equipment, submitted
to the House naval committee by the
Bureau OF Aeronautics.
The program as laid before the com
mittee yesterday by Rear Admiral
William y. Moffett, chief of the bu-
reau. contemplates expenditure over
that period of SO 900 900 for the main
tenance of the naval air organization
and $50 200, 900 for the construction of
q new 23.000-ton airplane carrier of
the Saratoga and Lexington type.
Such a program, Admiral Molfett
said. would give the Navy 1.24S planes
ready for immediate service at the
end of five years.
Protests Publicity
After this information had been pre-
scented Assistant Secretary Robinson
OF the Navy protested against its be
ing made public, and Chairman Butler
Of the committee asked press CORE
spondents to forget what you have
heard
This brought II protest from a num-
they could not forget unless ushered
from the committee room and notified
they had been present at an executive
session.
Representative Britten of Illinois,
ranking Republican, inquired of the
Assistant Secretary what part of the
information he wished TO be kept in
confidence, and it was developed that
Mr.. Robinson was objectinS TO the
making public Of Navy plans for allQ
cation of the new planes.
After Mr.. Robinson was informed
that the correspondents We're not par
ticularly interest in this part of the
information the hearings proceeded
without further interruption.
Admiral MOffett Explains.
Admiral Moffett said the proposed
amount did not include the pay or
maintenance OF the Air Service. as
this always had been cared for under
general Navy expenditures.
This IL n very big program" Mr..
Butler remarked.
IT'S small by the side Of what the
OF Georgia, ranking Democrat, inter
jected.
It's not so very large and it's
comprehensive, Admiral Moffett an
swered. We have been accused of
being asleep at the switch and we
want to show that we have not, either
as to the present or future needs Of
the service "
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05

giant radio station will be erected
by the Turkish government at An
CORA.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05

proof reader or copy holder also be
qualified as a mechanical operator.
Mr.. Carter served notice that II an
adverse decision, holding that proof
readers are clerks, is given in the
case. he will appeal TO Congress for
an amendment to the retirement law
permitting retirement of proof readers
at the age of 60. He urged an early
of the case.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
URGE PARK PURCHASE.
Citizens Want District to Buy Tract
in Northeast

Purchase by the District Of small
tract Of land adjacent to the Langdon
School for a public park was urged
by delegation Of officers of the
Rhode Island Avenue Citizens Asso-
citation that called on Engineer Com
missioner Bell yesterday afternoon in
his capacity as Il member OF the Ma
tional Capital Park Commission
Chester r. Smith. president of the
association, headed the delegation.
The tract desired IS bounded by
18Th. Franklin and Girard streets and
Mills avenue northeast. Commission
er Bell said he favored purchase of
at least that portion of the property
containing no buildings Whether
the ground could be acquired, he said
depended largely on how far the
100000 appropriated for park pur-
poses would go In view of the land
projects already planned
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
Ex-Husband's Debts
Cause Bankruptcy
Petition of Singer
By the Associated Press.

CHICAGO. February 5.--The
reason for the voluntary bank
ruDtcy petition filed some time ago
by Nine Luella Melius, opera
singer. was disclosed yesterday
when the matter came up for
hearing before Referee Frank L.
Wean. The singer. whose married
name Is Mrs. William +. Melhuish,
was married at II to Elmer l..
Ohrman, IL real estate operator,
whom she afterward divorced, and
one of his creditors got out an at
tachment Tor her salary on a ST.
600 debt of her former husband.
An almost forgottn law in Illinois
makes n wife responsible for the
debts of an erring or. unwte hus-
band. Confronted with tho YeaH-
zatiOn that Ohrman had debts ag-
Gregating $S6.439. the singer fled
bankruptcy proceedings in an eff
fort to clear herself Of the legal
responsibility under the law, which,
SO far as known, never had been
invoked here hefnrn
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
MITCHELL -RENEWS
ONSLAUGHT ON AIR
SERVICE IN PROBE
Continued from First Page.)

aeronautics in the Commerce Depart
ment, Gen. Patrick replied, but
there is no reason for having separate
military aircraft forces"
Senator Bingham then asked why
almost all Army pilots wanted a uni
lied service, while Navy pilots wanted
the two branches kept separate. Pat
rick said naval flyers frequently had
told him that naval flying required
skill in water navigation that land
flyers do not have.
But l believe air tactics are of first
Importance in flying, and the neces-
sary knowledge Of naval tactics could
be acquired both by land and naval
flyers in a comparatively short time, F"
he concluded.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
SMOKE NUISANCE ABATED.
Health Officer Reports Better Con-
ditionS in WASHINGTON.

Vast improvement in the condition
~ the atmosphere has been observed
10y sanitary inspectors since the cam
paign to rid Washington of the smoke
nuisance, it was said today by Healt h
Officer William G. Fowler
Unusual diligence OF the inspectors
Las resulted in discovery of only two
violations of the anti-Smoke ordinance.
IN. Fowler declared. He attributes
The Improvement To publicity given
he drive and the cooperation of
mercantile and industrial establish.
.nrntS.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05

urged upon Senator Capper the ne
cessity for fiscal Independence. say
ing THE Board Of Education should
be given authority and responsibility
to maintain and direct the schools
without Interference from any source
in the details OF management"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
FAIL TO FIND MONEY.
Safe Cracksmen Leave Cash Behind
After Job.

AFTER JOD.
Cracksmen knocked the combination
knob off the safe of the automobile tire
and accessory shop of George w. Rund-
night, opening the safe, but failing to
find $40 inside.
The money was in compartment
with some papers and it is believed the
thieves overlooked II.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05
DR.. STRATON IN FLORIDA.
Ready to Combat Race Track
Gambling and "Social Parasites"

Gambling and "Socia1 Parasites"
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla, Feb
ruary R.-Dr. John Roach Strator.,
arriving here yesterday, ready to take
up his local pastorate Sunday morn
ing, announced that he is Ching to
combat two great evils-race track
gamblers and social parasites.
Il have not come to tear the world
upside down." DIR. Straton said. 81
am going to combat social parasites
and similar evil forces which are de-
stroying the community here and the
hottest battle will center on race track
gamblers and dissertation of the Sab.
bath and social parasites"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-05

MIR. Carter said that the usual prac-
rice in newspaper offices ia that a