New Britain herald., 1929-12-24
Parcel Post and Express Generally Indicate h. crease - Storms Hinder Delivery of Presents in Some Districts.
(Copvricht 1929 by United Press

land ana the people Ot America are spending more money this year than ever before in yuletide giving. it was shown today in a survey con- ducted by the United Press of pos than 30 key cities,
 The volume and value of mail and gifts has increased; the value of money orders sent out during the season jumped more than a half million dollars in New York city alone; where there was a falling off in parcel post business the express companies reported increases, and vice versa; the flood of Christmas greeting cards was the greatest on record.
 Blizzards Delay Mails
 The weather delayed Christina as mailings in cities affected by the blizzards which roared out of the west and added to the postal diff culties by causing a weekend crush.
 The "mail early" campaign was effective to some extent, but for the most part the usual procrastination was noticed. One boon for harassed postal workers, however, was ten- dency toward larger Christmas cards, the tiny varieties formerly in vogue having been replaced by types easier to handle.
 The reports from the various cities follow:
 New York: Valuation Of money orders sent throughout the world increased s577O73 over 1928, the figures being interpreted to reflect an increased prosperity. Up to De- cember 20. 45,469,S61 letters and cards had been handled, an increase of more than 15O,oO0 over last year.
 Chicago: Post office business slumped last week because of in clement weather, but the post office was held open until midnight last night to accommodate tho crowds. It was impossible to tell how much Christmas matter had been held up by snowbound trains.
 Boston Volume Heavier
 Boston: Volume of Christmas mail considerably heavier than the aver age. Express business unusually light for Christmas season.
 Detroit: storm conditions caused 10 per cent falling off both incom- ing and outgoing mail but Postmas- ter Charles J. Kellogg estimated final rush would bring the total 10 more than S5,00o,000, about the samo as 1928.
 San Francisco: Christmas mailing being done apparently one day earlier than in 1928, with last Fri days postal receipts s63,9SS, a new record.
 Los Angeles: The December pos tai receipts will approximate $1,- 500,00o, an increase of 12 to IS per cent over 1928. The use of odd sized envelopes continues but the people are mailing a day earlier.
 Denver; The business for the first 20 days of December was s317,546, new postal record. The mail early" requests have been ignored.
 Philadelphia: Express companies having bigger business than last year and expect overtime work un- iii Christmas. Mailings about the same as 1928 but late rush expect ed.
 Portland, Ore; Post office esti- mate shows 3 to per cent increase over last few years.
 St. Louis: The Christmas mail was slightly lower last week than in the corresponding period of 1928, probably due to indictment weather. Tho American Express reported a decrease in Christmas business.
 Per Cent Increase
 Pittsburgh: About 5 per cent in crease in mail over last year, but this gain not equal to that of 1928 over 1927. Few were jared out of customary habits by "mail early" pleas. The express companies report an earlier cleanup than formerly.
 Kansas City: Express business 5 per cent greater than last year. Post office open Sunday to accom- modate crowds, since people did not respond to mail early" requests.
 Atlanta: Ten per cent of s30,0O0 increase over last year. Two air mail planes operated instead Of one. Southeastern Express reports 10 per cent increase Tn business and valua- ton.
 Dallas, Tex: Several thousand more express shipments than for merly. People more familiar with how to wrap packages. due to school campaigns. Parcel post business smaller than last year.
 Des Moines: Christmas mail about the same as year ago but rush started a day earlier. Parcel pos: apparently supplanted express ship ping to large degree.
 Columbus Mall Heavier
 Columbus, O.: Incoming mail 14 per cent greater than last year and outgoing 10 per cent higher.
 New Haven. Conn: Bad weather ruined mail early drive with last minute rush anticipated.
 Buffalo. N. r.: Parcel post busi- ness about normal: card mailing figures leading last year.
 Salt Lake City: Shop early cam- paign successful. with mailings about normal and express receipts heavier.