The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-25
mo MCHTC0WN
THIS SEASON
Columnist Says S c h
Female Monkeyshines'
Are Priced Sky High
By FREDERICK c. oTHMAN

BY FREDEh1Ch u. OlE1NlAN
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-UD-
My poor bride gets no black lace
nightgown this Christmas, either.
Last year there weren't any such
female monkeyshines on sale in all
Washington; this season there were
plenty. I found one black gown
for $685., but the lady said it wasn't
guaranteed. She did not recon-
mend it. She said she doubted if it
would last. The second washing,
blooie for sure. Why she was ex-
pected to sell such ~cheesecloth she
said she did not know.
A block and a half down F street,
where federal stenographer and
diplomats wife jostle for geegaws,
II looked at another midnight gown,
$40. so. I asked, would it wear?
This lady didn't exactly sheer; she
said it was too beautiful for wear
ing purposes.
I got out of there. What I'm try
ing to say in my OWE awkward way
(you, too, sir, would feel awkward
if you'd been shopping for night
gowns) is that strange things seem
to be happening here this Christ
mas shopping season. 1t may be
that the government clerks are
worrying about their jobs. Perhaps
they're simply tired of getting
stung.
A gent in a 18th street doorway
was doing a good business in giant
balloons, Is cents. In the capitals
biggest radio department, damned
with radios big and little, phono-
graphs, and television sets, was a
large sign which said: please
take a card from the receptionist
and wait your turn for a sales
man." Haw.
There were no cards. No re-
cepuonist. Nor customers, either.
A record tootled about the silent
night over and over once again;
the idle statesmen looked. unhappy.
I priced a television midget; 1 LOO,
plus tax.
The toy department seemed
busy. The trickiest electric train
I ever saw was chuffing around the
track. It was a beauty with two
headlights, red running gear and
polished brass trimmings. I'M
ported from Germany, the clerk
said, by arrangement with the U.
S. Army. Price, $110.
I poked my head in the door of
two specially shops, both Of which
had big signs: nylons. Each place
was nearly empty.
Only line of customers on the
sidewalk (to remind a fellow of
wartime Washington was in front
of a candy shop where chocolates
were 80 cents a pound. Another
store, where bon-bons nestle on
pure white velvet and retail at 81
and up a pound, I did not enter.
Neither did anybody else.
Here and there, to the google
eyed amazement Of Washington
ians, were bargain sales before
Christmas. Electric heaters, 40
per cent off. Mantel radios marked
down. Fur coats, reduced rs per
cent.
The liquor dealers were having
their own troubles making up their
minds. Scotch $7.99 at one store
the same brand, $11.50 around the
corner; $3.50 in the next block.
Bourbon prices varied as much and
this year it paid dividends to shop
for eggnog makings.
trudged down F street and back
up G street. all the way to 14th
street, without ever getting my
bride her gift. At this corner I had
an inspiration, but found I was not
alone. I lined up at the desk in
the marble lobby I eventually
worked my way to the beautiful
brunette, who gave me a big smile
and said what size? I ordered the
$50 job and she said, Eyes sir, that
will be $3.50"
So Mrs. O. gets a handsome en-
craving off our tree this Christ
mas. T hope she likes it, though
I would like to suggest to John
Snyder that we've got a peace on.
War savings bond, indeed! This
is Christmas, 1916, John. Remem'
Der Peace on earth and good will
and stuff?