Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-13
RULES FOR THE SERVICE
Form, Bulk and Weight Of Mer-
chandise Packages Stated.
LIVE INSECTS ARE AVAILABLE
Punishable Articles Admitted Under
: Regulations-Poisons and Pois--
onous Reptiles Excluded.

operation OF the parcel kN'5l, tlc III 81
copies of which are being distributed to-
day, is arousing public interest to a high
degree according to the authorities
These regulations fill a thirty-two-page
pamphlet and completely cover every
phase of the conduct of the new service.
1t Is so indexed that the regulations gov
erning the specific regulations covering
any class Of mailable matter can easily
be found.
Postmaster General Hitchcock believes
phe simplicity of the regulations VIII
make it unnecessary to comply with the
numerous requests that have been re-
3eived for the attendance Of postal ex-
1erts on meetings Of boards OF trade.
Ihambers of commerce and other organi-
satiors to explain the operation OF the
parcel post
: The business houses and the public
generally can obtain all the necessary
Information from this one book, and any
Explanation desired may be had oy apply
ing to any postmaster In the uh1teo
States Mr.. Hitchcock calls attention to
sAhe fact that every person who wishes
40 use the parcels post service can great
s1y aid the department in making sue
sfess of this gigantic undertaking by be-
seoming familiar with the regulations be-
Tore attempting to mail parcels.
Dimensions of Parcels.
Packages of merchandise, including
harm and factory products. but not books
md printed matter, of almost every de-
pcription up to eleven pounds in weight
and measuring as much as SIX feet IN
length and girth combined, except those
calculated to do injury to the mails in
transit. may be mailed at any post office
or on any rural route for delivery to any
Address in the country. Where there is
40 delivery by carrier at present the
parcel will go to the post office like or
binary mail.
= Butter, lard and pershable articles such
Is fish, fresh meats, dressed fowls, vege-
-ab.es, fruits. berries and articles OF
.fmilar nature that lay quickly, Wnen
10 packed or wrapped as to prevent dam
-.tge to other mail mater. will be accepted
or local delivery either at the ONCE or
mailing or on any rural route starting
herefrom- When inclosed in an inner
lover and strong outer cover of wood.
netal heavy corrugated pastebOard or
Dther suitable material, and wrapped SO
hat nothing can escape from the pask-
Age. they will be accepted for mailing to
my offices within the first zone or within
radius Of fifty miles. Butter, lard or
my greasy or oily substance intended
Or delivery at offices beyond the first
Ione must be suitably packed. Vegetable s
Nd fruits that do not decay quickly will
Ne LtCCepIcO IOT IldIIuR TO any XOiic IL
pacin d so as to prevent damage to other
nail n latter. Eggs will be accepted for
peal dA'ivery when securely packed in a
basket On other cOntainer. Eggs Will be
tccepued Nor mailing regardless Of dis
hnee when each egg Is wrapped sepa-
Ately and pa ked in a container.
There is no restriction on sailed. dried.
moked or curet meats and other meat
koducts. but fresh meat In any form
SfH be, transporter ouily within the first
iCna
Parcels containing nerishable articles
must be marked ''perfAhable and arti-
les Tx Fly to spoil within the time rea-
cnab1y regsired for transportation and
a Specimens Requested.
sAanufaSturens or dealers intending to
taxiSrn.t articles in considerable quanti-
les ave asked to submit to the. post
caster for approval a specimen parcel
moving the manner Of packing
When sharp pointed instruments are o.
cred for mailing the points must be cap
,ed or incaAed. Blades must be bound
% that they will remain firmly attached
o each other or within their handles or
sockets.
Ink powders. pepper, snEn. or other
similar powders not explosive. or any
similar pUlvarizesd dry substance, not poi
sonous. may be- fept when fnclosed in
-x466S H16nc Oh EOIdl, ~&So UT OtDeI u16-
herial to render Impossible the escape Of
any OF the conterGE. Flour of all kinds
must be put Ep IN sdch manner as to pre-
lent the package breaking or cracking or
'he -four being scatt cred in the mails
Queen bees live insects and dried rep
ales may be- mailed in accordance with
he regulations that now apply to other
classes Of mai Seeds OF fruit. nursery
stock and all other plant products for
propagation may be mailed under the
tame conditions.
Candies, confectionery, yeast cakes,
nap In hard cakes, etc must be Enclosed in
tcxes and so wrapped as to prevent in
ury to other mail matter. Sealed original
.paps, tobacco, pills, tablets, etc, put up
b. hxed quantities by the manufacturer,
hid not in themselves unavailable. will be
ccepted for mailing when properly
Fragile articles, such millinery. toys,
pIsical Instruments, etc, and articles
consisting wholly or in part Of 6 ass, or
Contained in glass. must be securely
5cEed and the parcel stamped or labeled
. fragile"
Articles Classed Unavailable.
Tie following matter is declared nom
nailable By law:
Matter manifestly obscene, articles in
saGed for immoral purposes. all matter
rherwise rnailable by Law. the outside
pyer or wrapper Of whiC.h bears any de-
:ne;ItiO2s or language OF libelous.
EGTFillUuS. defandtory or threatening
y q ac,er. Ala such matter when depOs-
III IN TCSc Office or fOsInd in the mails,
i-at he Withdrawn and sent to the divi-
d..1S OF cead is-ters.
81 irit,iois ViI.oIs. matted. fermented
VI other IntoEic;iti;i-, .dtuUrH Of any kind
,oisons 4: every kind and articles and
sOInpOSit.OilS u. t1f.-I.lS - SCn, poisonous
lninals. inS eCts and r<siti.es. explosives
VI every kinj: nil. n,f1;-l.;e materials: in
= krnar machines and nee canical. chemical
Ir other devices or COMPOSITIONS which
1 nay ignite Vi explode. "a seaSe germs and
Sther natural altifc al compositions
articles. or nateTii1is ct whatever kind
which may kill or in any wise iujure an
bther or damage the mail or other prop
Ety.
Pistols or reviewers. whether in detached
arts or otherwise: live or dead mad not
auffed) animals. birds or poultry; raw
ndes or pelts. guano or any article hav-
ng q bad odor will not be admitted to
he malls.
Rule for Perishable Goods.
Perishable matter will be delivered as
romptly as possible, but if such matter
nAnot be delivered and becomes ofYen-
:, ave and Injurious to health postmasters
nay destroy It or the injurious or Of
- knsive portion thereof
Undeliverable perishable matter. which
n its nature does not become offensive
a., A. - ~