The Somerset reporter., 1906-12-13
Your Christmas Packages.

press and the mails will be cnngested
with Christmas shipment. Thousands
of packages will never reach their des.
tination and many will arrive with
broken wrappings and with contents
partially destroyed or missing With
the hope of assisting the readers of the
REPORTER to avoid annoyance in con
nection with the forwarding of their
Christmas gifts, and of securing the
most favorable express and postage
rates. VT have assembled some sugges-
tions with regard to the matter.
Christmas packages are usually mail
able as third or fourth class matter.
Third class matter, books, photographs,
pictures and other printed matter, is
mailable at one cent for each two ounces.
All other matter. except of course writ
ten communications, 10 called merchan-
disc, and is subject to rate of one cent
per ounce In either case a fraction of
an ounce is charged for at the full rate.
As merchandise included in the same
package with printed matter would
make the whole package subject to the
higher rate and as the sealing of the
package against convenient inspection
excludes it fIom the benefit of the third
and fourth class rates, the best plan is
to ship printed matter in a package by
itself and merchandise in a separate
NIL mi nplx
sealed), so that it may be conveniently ia
spected
Express rates if prepaid, on printed
matter, pictures etc for any distance,
correspond very closely to the rates for
third class mail matter viz one cent for
each two ounces. On merchandise the
express rate varies with the distance
and the tariff is too complicated to
make it practicable to repeat it here
As the limit of weight to be sent by
mail is four pounds( Except in the case
of single book) it is necessary to send
everything over this weight by express.
| Under four pounds the general rule
should be to send packages destined for
New England points, If on the line of
the railroad, by express, and to places
outside of New England, or even IN New
England II located off the line of the
railroad, by mail, In case of express
shipments, the agent gives receipt and
the company becomes responsible for
the value of the shipment (up to $50 90
on merchandise, or $1,000 on printed
matter). without extra charge. In send
ing by mail, upon payment of the re-
gistry fee of eight cents, the govern
ment becomes responsible for the safe
delivery of the package and will make
good any loss, not exceeding $500.
Ia shipping either by mail or express
the package should be wrapped in good
tough paper and tied with strong Irvine.
The name and address of the sender
should be placed on the package, and
the name of the party to whom sent
should be written with care, giving
place of delivery, (street and No, X. F
D. route, etc) so that 1t must be under
stood.
| AS the amount of matter offered for
transmission during the four or five
days proceeding Christmas Is almost
beyond the ability of the express com.
plny and the postal authorities TO han
die, it is we'll to send them at the very
earliest time. In the case of the ex-
press company the agent at express off.
ces will furnish gnmmed stickers, print
ed in red ink, "DO NOT OPEN UN-
TIL CHRISTINA ~, so that shipments
may be made az early as desired with
these affix ed to inform the recipient
that it is Christmas gift and not to be
opened until that day.
INFORMATION CONDENSED
Printed matter, pictures, books, pho
tographs, Etc, (unsealed) by mail OF
express, any distance, one cent for each
two ounces.
All other mail matter except the
above and excepting also packages con-
tanning written communications, mail
able at one cent for each ounce.
In either class of matter 1t is permis
sible to insert card printed or written)
giving the name of the sender and the
name or names of those for whom the
gifts are intended, or a number Of such
cards or slips may be used,
Wrap securely, address carefully, and
give address of sender to ensure return
of package If party addressed cannot be
found.
Make early shipment, marking mo
to be Opened Until Chrismas'', II though
| desirable.