BEST SINCE 1930

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1936, Page 11

BEST SINCE 1930

BUSINESS IN U.S.A.

WIDESPREAD PURCHASE OF LUXURIES

NEW YORK, December 24.

America is celebrating the most prosperous Christmas since 1930, and one that is in many respects even better than 1929, because of the difference in price levels. ' . ' . ■

Retail Christmas trade is estimated at 10 per cent, in excess of 1935, and purchases of luxuries are unusually Widespread. Large New York department stores report a shortage of such items as mink coats.

The Post Office. Department reports the largest mails in history.' Letters from children addressed to Santa Claus are notably reduced, indicating that parents are better vable this year to buy gifts. Holiday travel ■ indicates extensive bonuses and wage increases, which are expected to exceed 200,000.000 dollars during the season. A notable instance was when one firm today distributed 50,000 dollars in bonuses to striking employees. The bonus distribution in Wall Street was markedly small, not because the values of stocks have, not increased, since 1935. as actually they have risen from 44,000,000,000 to 60,000,000,0;00 dollars, but brokerage profits have been smaller owing to regulation of trading. Every national index showed sharp improvements. Industrial production is 110, compared with 87 last Christmas, and 500,000 more automobiles have been produced. President Roosevelt lighted a community Christmas tree in a public park at Washington. In a : radio address he recalled the results of the Buenos Aires peace conference, and paid a tribute to the spirit of Christmas, which was an example to the world. He reminded listeners of the immortal story of Scrooge and the Christmas lesson taught him by Tiny Tim.