The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-15
M|SG|v|NGS GONE
AS TO PARCEL POST
SYSTEMS SUCCESS IN FIRST
REAL TEST MAKES con-
FTDENCE.
AID CHRISTMAS RUSH
BUY sTAMPs EARLY AND MAIL.
EARLY ADVICE TAKEN by
PEOPLE-HOW To
PACK NOW.
AID CHRISTMAS RUSH

The early mailing of Christmas
packages by patrons OF She postal
systematic first real severe test o.
the parcel post system which was In
augurated the first of the year--is
demonstrating the system to be A
success Richmond postoffice officials
and employees, among those of other
cities in the country, nave had certain
misgivings as to the system when 1t
came to the test, but these have given
away to the confidence that the Christ
mas rush will be better har died be-
cause of the aid the parcel post brings
with its insurance featur4. replacing
registration, and with the other in
novations such as the increasing of
weight of packages.
For several weeks past postal Of
ficiais have peen giving the public the
advice mail early" They have also
advised the buying Of stamps in ad-
vance of the actual time of their use.
This advice has sounded good to the
people, 1t appears, for stamps sales
during the first two weeks OF Dece m
Der this year at the Richmond office
have been much larger than in any
previous year, and the actual sending
of Christmas parcels had been begun
earlier.
With local postal officials making
every preparation for handling the
rush. and with the daily additions OF
men to the force at the local office.
and to the delivery service. Post
master Allan sees no reason for fear
ing that the holiday business will not
be we'll handled. All that is needed.
Mr. Allan declares. is the cooperation
of the public
Makes Mailing Easy.
Where in former years persons mall
ing packages have been forced to stand
before stamp windows. some OF them
in line for an hour or longer before
they could secure the stamps they re-
ouired, there will be little waiting. jus
how much Waiting there viii be and
Just how much Christmas mtllers Will
feel themselves inconvenienced. VIII
depend entirely upon themselves, X
was said by local postal official last
night.
If they will buy their stamps now
they can use them d, any time--they
will have only to bring their package
to the office. where they Will hnd
parcel post raters In the lobby. These
men are familiar with the zones and
the rates and the only time required
for mailing will be that Of presenting
the package to one of these raters
that they may be weighed. The
amount of postage required VIII be
marked on the package by the rater
The package handed back to the
mailer, all he or she will have to dc
will be 10 place the requisite stamps
upon the package and deposit 1T in the
mailing basket.
Proper Packing.
Every rater of course. Will see al
glance whether the package Is
properly wrapped. II 1t Is not proper
ly and carefully packed 1t Will not be
received for mailing. II the few sim
pie rules issued several days ago by
Mr. Allan are observed in packing, no
one need have his parcel rejected.
All articles such as umbrellas, canes,
fishing rods should be fastened be-
tween boards slightly longer and wider
than the articles enclosed; hat In
pasteboard boxes should also be
Grated cut flowers should be packed
in boxes of wood, tin or heavy cor
rugated cardboard; drawings or paint
ings. not mailed fat should be rolled
around a stick and then carefully
wrapped or Included in Pasteooard
tube. Articles with sharp corners or
edges, should have points or edges well
protected to prevent cuttinss through
and damaging other mall matter or In
juring postal employees; glass. creckery
or easily breakahle toys should be
carefully packed in boxes of wood.
metal or corrugated board. with SUI
ficient excelsior, cotton or ether ma
teriaI to prevent tine article from strik-
Ing the inside of tho box.
Prevent Disappointment.
All Christmas gifts should be mail
ed early enough TO reach destination
two days before Christmas Such mes
sages as Not to be opened until