Evening star., 1942-12-02
e-Day Holiday
In Prospect for U. 5.
Agencies Christmas
Millions OF DolIurs
From Sovines Reody
As SuIes Boom

Although Government workers will
get a holiday Christmas, there will
be no extra time off either for
Christmas eve on Thursday, nor
Saturday. the day after Christmas,
according to reliable indications to-
day.
High officials, it is understood,
have reached the conclusion that
there should be a Christmas vaca-
ton for one day, Friday But on
account of the war, activities of the
big Government headquarters here,
1t is believed, should not be stilled
either on Thursday preceding. nor
Saturday after Christmas. Formal
notification to Government workers
to this effect may be expected
shortly.
$4,000, 900 In Savings.
A cheerful development today was
the distribution by % banks in
Washington and vicinity Of about
$4,000. 900 in Christmas savings
money to about 10000 people. Much
of this probably will find its way
into the already mounting Christ
mas trade, as people do their gift
buying as soon as possible a1ter
getting the cash in hand.
Travel restrictions this year ap-
parently were being tightened on
Washingtonians day by day, as ad-
ditional Government departments
and agencies placed ban on travel
by public conveyances between De-
cember Is and January IS. Most OF
the big agencies, it was learned
have issued orders forbidding their
employees to travel by train or bus
during that period.
On the other hand there probably
will be an influx of men from the
armed forces coming home for the
HOLIDAYS here. Secretary OF War
Stimson recently ordered that not
more than 10 per cent of the men
of any post could be let off on any
one of the three holidays. Thanks
giving. Christmas and New Year.
Mail Becomes Heavier.
Early mailing for Christmas took
squirt the last of November to
beat the informal "deadline' of
December l. which postal officials
had suggested for mailing packages,
to insure delivery.
That was not hard and fast
deadline. of course, explained Post
master Vincent Burke. I'VE shall
continue handling Christmas mail
right along" he said, but it Is the
congestion in transportation that
will delay delivery"
People who expect to have their
presents delivered on time to their
boys in camps and naval establish
ments in this country should hurry
and mail Immediately. he warned.
Formerly, he pointed out, the date
for final mailing here to insure de-
livery was December 20. but, he said,
it would be absolutely futile to
wait this year until December 20
and expect packages to be delivered
in time for Christmas,
We had a big mail in October
when people were sending mail to
their boys in foreign military posts, ="
said the postmaster. Then 1t Stacked
off bit. and We had pickup dur
ing the last few days in November
Less Seasonal Lighting.
There has been some evidence of
an increase in November over
November last year, but it is still
not enough Revenues In Novem-
Der, he pointed out were far ahead
of last November.
Out-of door lighting. which has
been feature of past Christmases
not only in the downtown section
but also in certain residential busi-
ness districts, will be greatly cur
tailed this year, a survey showed.
The Potomac Electric Power Co.
and the big department stores all
have agreed TO forgo their elaborate
building front electrical displays, it
was learned Decorations for the
most part will be confined to window
displays and indoor presentation of
merchandise and appropriate trim
mings. All this is in line with re-
quests from the Office of Civilian
Defense. No stringent orders have
been issued by OCD, but Director
James M. Lands urged modest"
use of decorations and lighting. and
insisted they conform to dimout and
blackout restrictions.
No final decision had been arrived
at today AS to the traditional out
door Christmas tree celebration.
where in the past the President of
the United States has turned on the
lights. signalling Christmas eve for
the Nation President Roosevelt
himself has interposed no personal
objection,
Store Sales Squirt.
Christmas trade at department
stores has been on a substantial in
crease for several weeks, according
to reports of the Federal Reserve
Bank of Richmond on local stores.
With the increase in the. population
here due to the war heavy buying
is expected from now until Christ
mas. Stores are laboring under the
shortage OF help. store ofnClslS say,
and the insistence of many part
time workers to quit work about
3 pm.
The new Thursday night openings
will carry on with the exception of
Christmas and New Year week.
stores will be open tomorrow. on
December 10 and December H. from
-. 30 pm. to 9 pm. But instead of
remaining open on Thursday, De-
cember "a. Christmas eve, they will
be closed that evening, and will be
omen instead on Monday evening,
December 81. Likewise instead of
remaining open New Year eve, De-
cen1ber 81. they will be closed then
and open Monday night, Decem-
her %