Evening star., 1940-12-24
D. {. Postal Receipts
Indicate Record
Christmas Trade
Volume Shows Guin
Of 6.35 Per Cent
Over Yeor Ago
BY EDWARD c. STONE.

Dy Ell AMI ~ . 1o4NEs
New evidence of the record-break-
ing Christmas trade situation in the
Capital came to light today in re-
ports from the City Post Office
At the City Post Office it was
learned that business up to and
through Saturday, December 81, dis
closed an increase during the month
of 6.35 per cent over a year ago.
Postal revenues in the first 81 days
of the month totaled S799, ,345.31, in
comparison with $751 ,55191 in the
like period in 1889, an increase of
S47,79340.
Postmaster Vincent c. Burke
stated that package volume, which
is an excellent barometer of Christ
mas business, is running about 20
per cent ahead of last year. Veteran
workers in the main office and the
branches said they had never seen
anything equal to this years rush.
Rural Sales Break Records.
The Department of Commerce re-
ports that sales of general merchan-
disc in small towns and rural areas
in the first IL months of 1910 ex-
ceeded the total for the correspond
ing period in 1899 and also in 1929
by about per cent.
The Commerce report also stated
that the November volume was the
largest for any month on record.
Sales were y per cent ahead of
November, 1899, and II per cent
larger than in November, 1929.
The advance of the bureaus index
of small town store and mail order
business from 122 for October to
1873 for November was the sharpest
rise recorded this year.
Bond Suits Finally Closed.
Bondholders expressed satiSfac-
ton in the financial district today
over final settlement of the court
suits involving nearly S4,000,000 in
bonds of the old Anacostia and City
e. Suburban street railway lines.
The four suits were dismissed on
order of Justice Oscar R. Luhring,
by agreement.
The suits were filed by individuals
and by the Baltimore National Bank
to establish liability by the Capital
Transit and the Washington Rail-
way e. Electric Co. for payment of
the bonds when they become due.
According to agreement, the interest
rate on the bonds has been reduced
from 5 to per cent.
The plan was approved by the
Public Utilities Commission, Securi-
ties and Exchange Commission and
80 per cent of the bondholders. |
About S350,000 City & Suburban
bonds owned by the Capital Transit
Co. are to be Cancelled.
For years the bonds were seriously
depressed. When an agreement was
reached regarding liability, the
bonds turned upward. One is selling
above LOT on the Washington Stock
Exchange and the other at 106.
Security Storage Dividend.
President c. A. Aspinwell of the
Security Storage Co. reports that
earnings are substantially in excess
of last year with the probability of
still further increased earnings in
1941. However, the company's taxes
for the current year are $4,000 in
excess of last year with further in
creases inevitable in the future.
In view of these conditions the
Board of Directors has decided
that a dividend of 81 per share on
the capital stock of the company
be declared payable January 10 to
stockholders of record January 5.
The company's accountants esti-
mate that the net profit for the year
1910 after taxes and depreciation
will exceed $4,000 or more than
$4,000 in excess of the amount
required to pay 81 annually per
share on the stock. The company
reports surplus of S250,000, un-
divided profit of S63,317, contingency
reserve of $4,000 and depreciation
reserve of $412,222.
Relief Gift Sent British.
Extra compensation in varying
amounts according to the length
of service was given to the en-
ployes of the Security Storage CO.
at the annual Christmas party held
on Monday afternoon which was
participated in by not only all the
present employees but many former
employees now retired.
The employees, wanted to do some
thing to express their sympathy and
good to Great Britain, took up
a collection which resulted in a
substantial draft being sent for the
relief of injured and disabled en-
ployes to the British Association
of International Furniture Re-
movers.
Today's Trading on Exchange.
Riggs National Bank common
stock sold at 273 on the Washington
Stock Exchange today on 10-share
turnover. This was around recent
levels.
Washington Gas Light common
registered 28-share sale at %, also
around recent levels and the largest
transaction of the day.
Washington Gas Light preferred
also appeared on the board, 10 shares
moving at the strong price of 1O6l2.
The days final sale was in Wash
ington Railway & Electric preferred
stock, two shares moving at 1855.
The Washington Exchange, banks,
brokerage firms, building and loan
associations and all investment
houses will be closed tomorrow for
the national holiday.