Evening star., 1933-12-17
YuIe Shopping Revolutionized.

Edward D. Shaw, secretary of the
Merchants and Manufacturers Associa-
zion, reports that washington has
doined in a countrywide quiet but de-
eided" revolution in Christmas shop
ping methods.
THE early Christmas shopping cam
paign launched originally by women's
organizations interested in the welfare
Of store clerks has gained such tremen-
nous prestige" Mr.. Shaw stated, that
II seems to have radically changed the
holiday shopping habits of thousands of
people. In recent years added strength
has come from the Post Office Depart
Knent which has urged early shopping
and mailing as the only means of elm
anating the expensive and unsatisfac-
tory mail congestion which marred the
season in former years.
THE pIlblic's change to more SEN
bible Christmas shopping method has
likewise changed the merchandising
methods of our Washington stores" Mr..
Shaw comments after an examination
of early December reports from other
merchant associations throughout the
country. BASED on recent experience,
the progressive merchant today had his
complete holiday stocks ready for shop
ping early in November instead Of wait
ang until we'll after the first Of Decem-
ber. The merchant has been forced to
this by reason of the steadily increasing
humber of people who insist on getting
hheir holiday shopping well started
weeks in advance of the general rush.
These people know that by making
Sheir selections early they have an op-
portunity to examine complete stocks
which later will be somewhat depleted.
They have the opportunity of leisurely
Inspecting and comparing gift merchan-
disc and values and the pleasure OF
healing with store employees who are
not rushed to distraction.
Contrast Is Marked.
colder merchants in the city contrast
khis with conditions which obtained only
d few years ago before the public
changed its Christmas shopping habits.
EVERY kind Of store engaged in the dis
kribution Of merchandise welcomes the
change. They are able through the
Aengthening of the holiday shopping sea-
eon to more accurately meet their Gus
toners needs and to give the customers
much better service"
Announcement by the Greater Ma
Eonal Capital Committee Of the WASH
lngton Board of Trade that the conven-
fion of the National Council of Teach
ers Of English will be held in Washing
Bon next Thanksgiving week marks the
hinth national convention that has been
Scheduled for Washington in the last
month.
The decision of the English teachers
was made at their convention in De-
troit, the campaign for Washington be-
ang led by c. N. Nichols of the conven-
tion staff of the committee and Miss
Sarah E. SimonS Of Washington.
Result of Organized Effort.
The scheduling of this convention
Executive s%f e director e Of Oft the Greater s Na-
lioal Capital Committee, rs another
example Of organized effort Before Mr.
Nichols went to Detroit we had prepared
80 copies of a neatly bound prospectus.
This prospectus contained facsimile let
kers of invitation from 20 Washington
Frank w. Ba1lou, superintendent of
bchoolS, and M. c. Hazen, president Of
Fhe District Commissioners. In addi-
zion Mr. Nichols took with him various
publications issued by the committee
Eptting forth the facilities of Washing
ton as convention city, and also many
washington buttons and large banners.
These were distributed among members
of the Executive Committee and men,
bers Of the board Of directors"
It is estimated that the English teach
ers' convention will bring 600 visitors
TO Washington.
The committee is now working with
the National Association of Marketing
Officials in the plans of this organiZa-
kion for its meeting here tomorrow and
Tuesday.