The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-01
DELIVERY D.!
XMAS GIFTS
POSTMASTER GENERAL AKING
GREAT PREPARATIONS TO
HANDLE HEAVY MAILS.
THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL
CLERKS 10 BE ADDED
THROUGHOUT COUNTRY.

WIASElNGlUN, Va Dec. l.
During the next four weeks Uncle
Sans infant THE parcel post
seryice-will. be called upon to per-
form q herculean task in connection
with the transportation and deliv-
cry OF millions of Christmas gifts.
Postmaster General Burleson, who
is responsible for the conduct of this
service, has made extraordinary pre-
parations to prevent congestion in
postoffices and to isure prompt de-
livery Of these parcels. Several thou
sand additional employees will be add
ed to the force during the holiday
season and the collection and deliv-
cry equipment will be augmented
wherever necessary. Every possible
effort has been made to strengthen
those parts OF the postal organiza-
ton which will be under the great
est strain and Mr.. Burlcson stated
today that with these special ar
engagements he is confident OF the
! ability Of the service to handle sue
cessfully the avalanche of parcels
that will be thrown upon it during
the rush period.
The postmaster general" is anxious,
however, lest the public fail to CO.
operate with him in observing GER
tain important conditions necessary
to enable the postoI authorities to
| effect the timely delivery Of Christ
mast gifts. In order to secure this
cooperation he has caused to be
printed for distribution throughout
the country hundreds Of thousands
OF circulars and placards containing
directions for the proper preparation
OF Christmas gifts for transmission
by mail.
Christmas parcels should be mail
ed early. For local delivery they
should be mailed not later than De-
cember 23d and for out-of-town de-
livery as early as possible, but in any
event in time to reach the offices OF
destination at least two days prior
to Christmas.
Christmas gifts sent by mail
should be wrapped securely. The
containers or wrappers should be
sufficiently strong to withstand the
necessary handling incident to trans
portation and delivery.
Glassware, crockery, Christmas
toys easily breakable, glass framed
pictures, etc., should be carefully
hacked in boxes of metal, wood,
leather or corrugated pasteboard
with sufficient excelsior, raw cotton,
or similar matter to prevent the con-
tents from coming into contact with
any portion Of the box. These par
cells should be marked fragile
Postmasters will. refuse to accept for
mailing packages that are insecure
ly prepared.
Parcels should be addressed plain
ly: The addresses should be COM
plete and plainly written in ink.
The regulations require that parcel
post packages shall bear the names
aud addresses Of both the sender and
the addreSsee. II a tag is used the
names and addresses Of the sender
aud the addressee should also be
written on the parcel itself.
Parcels sent i'll advance of Christ
mas may be marked "Not to be OPP
ened until Christmas" or some SINH
lar direction. Written or printed
messages such as "Merry Christ
mas" BEST Wishes" etc. may be
inclosed in parcels but no other
written or printed communication
should be placed therein, as this will
subject the parcel to a higher rate
of postage. Parcels should not be
scaled or otherwise closed against
inspection. Sealed parcels are sub
icct to the first class rate of post.
age.
Photographs. printed books and
other printed matter are not includ'
ed in the parcel post but are third
class matter on which the postage
rate is ono cent for each two ounces
or fraction thereof.
Parcels not exceeding four ounces
in weight may be mailed in street
boxes when prepared in conformity
with the foregoing requirements
The postage on such packages is I'M
iformly one cent for each ounce OF
fraction thereof. Parcels weighing
more than four ounces are mailablc
only at the main p~ostofficc or its sta
tions.
Ordinary postage stamps are valtC
for postage on parcel post matter.
Christmas stamps or stIckors Of any
Kind other than postage stamps
should not be placed on the address
side of mail matter as this renders
such matter unavailable.
Valuable parcel post packages
may be insured against loss in an
amount not exceeding $25 on a pay
ment of a fec OF five cents in addi-
Ition to the postage, and for a fee
Of ten cents such packages will be
insured in any amount not exceed
ing $50.
Catarrh Cannot Be Cured