Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-12-24
D. c. STORE SALES
SET NEW MARKS
Final Christmas Buying In.
dictates IS Per Cent Gain
Over Year Ago.
BY EDWARD C. STONE.

TOddyS maj mao rush lot t1e puT-
chase of Christmas gifts, following
perfect shopping weather earlier in
the week, led merchants to believe
that department store sales in WASH
tngton during the holidays will run
about Is per cent ahead Of 1885 and
perhaps higher. The estimate is based
on very general reports from the
stores on trade activity this week and
on the accurate statements from the
Commerce Department covering the
first part of the month.
Latest reports on postal receipts
reveal startling increases in business
at the city post Office. Monday wit
messed establishment of new all
time record for postal receipts in the
Capital. Cancellations have disclosed
an increase of % per cent during the
height of the Christmas business.
From December Is through Deem
Der % the number of parcel post sacks
dispatched from the Washington Of
fee reached $500, against only
127,949 in the like period a year ago.
This is an increase this year of 1881
In the number of parcels handled, or
AZ per cent.
There seems to be a pretty direct
ratio between store trade and the
express business. In the past few
days express shipments here have
been IA per cent higher than last
year.
With four more business days next
week. retail trade for the whole month
is expected to outstrip last year.
Weekly reports on bank clearings also
indicate that the months total in
Cancelled checks will far exceed the
record in December, 1885.
Second Names Controller.
John R. Higgins of this city has
been appointed controller of the Sec
ond National Bank by the board OF
directors, according to an announce
ment today by John A. Reilly, presi-
dent.
Mr.. Higgins has had wide expe-
rience in the accounting field, and is
we'll known by the members of the
auditors section of the District OF
Columbia Bankers Association.
Sale University in accountancy, and
has also taken courses in economics
at Columbia University, New York,
and completed several courses at the
National Institute of Credit.
In addition to his banking activi-
ties, he was formerly a special &C
countant at the Bureau Of 1nvestiga-
ton of the Department of Justice.
McLachlen Has Record Year.
Directors of the McLachlen Banking
Corp. have Just declared a az per
cent dividend, payable December 81
to shareholders of record December
23, President Lanier P. McLachlen an
nounced today
The directors also voted Christmas
bonus to all employees Of the main
office and the branch, per cent of
their yearly salaries being the amount
granted.
In letter to stockholders President
McLachlen stated that the bank is
Just closing the best business year in
Its AS years existence. During 1896
deposits increased by more than
$1,000, 900, sl.l9S,0O0 to be exact.
At the same time the bank made a
substantial increase in reserve funds,
the letter stated.
Washington Gas Net Off.
The monthly report of the Washing
ton Gas Light Co. filed today with
the Public Utilities Commission. shows
operating revenues of s584825 for the
month OF November. compared with
Sj5s 96t for November of last year, an
Increase Of SIS S64.
Operating expenses for this Novem-
b. increased S69i70 over November
rear ago due 10 the much larger vol
y-ae c. gas produced and to increased
Charges .o- retirement of property and
taxes. After all deductions for interest
ard amortization, the result of the
months operation was net income of
s35,9ll, compared with s77.745 in No.
vember, 1885, bringing the net income
for II months of the current year up
to s532,385
The monthly report Of the George
town Gas Light Co., also filed with the
commission today, shows operating
revenues of Sl43,973 for this Novem-
Der, compared with s130,890 for No.
vember of last year, an increase of
S13,083. Operating expenses this No.
vember increased sl0,758, giving, after
interest deductions, a net income of
s9,816. an increase of s1,274 over No
vember a year ago.
Hamilton Bank Pays Bonus.
Employees of the Hamilton National
Bank held their annual Christmas
dinner party at the Columbia Coun-
try CLUB last evening" mere than 1870
being in the party. Presents galore
were distributed, but the big event of
the evening was the presentation of
a bonus to everybody connected with
the bank, 3 per cent of salaries paid
during the last year. Luther E.
6chriener, manager of the Dupont
Circle branch, appeared in the role
Of Santa Claus in a most pleasing
manner.
The staff of the Acacia Mutual
Life Insurance Co. had a Christmas
party yesterday, which was attended
and enjoyed by everybody on the
staff, including President William
Montgomery.
Banks to Close Saturday.
All the Washington banks will be
closed on Saturday. following Christ
mas day, but will be open on Satur-
day, January 2, the day after New
Year. Next Saturday is legal holi-
day in the District. There have been
q great many telephone calls regard
9ng the plans for Saturday. All
financial houses and the Stock Ex-
change Offices will not be open again
until Monday.
The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway
reports net earnings of $500 share
on the common stock in the first IL
months of 1886, compared with $3.50
share on the common in the like
period year ago.