The Washington times., 1914-11-28

Extraordinary preparations have been
made 3y the Washington office and by
the Postoffice Department for the
handling of the holiday mails. The
success OF these measures. ii is pointed
out. depends upon intelligent co-opera-
ton OF the public.
In a word of introduction. Postmaster
Praeger says: The advent of the
holiday season makes il incumbent
upon the Postmaster TO invite the at
tention of patrons of the Washington
ing parcels to be sent in the mails;
to the advantages to be derived from
the early mailing thereof: and to other
important details of the service.
1T is of the utmost importance that
parcels be mailed early. Last year
the heavy movement of the mails began
as early as December Is.
Schedule for Mailing.
IF you want your gifts to reach their
destination on Christmas without fail,
do not take a chance on the weather
or transportation congestion, but mail
them. at the very latest, as follows:
December 23, for District Maryland
and nearby Virginia points.
december q. for Pennsylvania Della
ware. West Virginia, Southern Virginia,
and North Carolina.
December 2l, for all other States
east Of the Mississippi river.
December 19. for all States west Of
the Mississippi river and east of the
Rocky Mountains.
December II, for the Pacific coast.
If possible, mail earlier than on these
dates, and write on the outside of the
Christmas
Parcels may be mailed at any Of
the classified or contract stations (the
latter located principally in drug stores
throughout the city,. Parcels weigh
ing four ounces and under may be
mailed in street letter boxes.
Information By Phone.
Complete information concerning the
preparation OF packages for mailing, and
the rates. classification. and other de-
tails. NAV be obtained by telephone from
the main office, or any Of its stations.
Packages must not exceed seventy
two inches in length and girth COM
bined.
Parcels must be prepared for mailing
so that the contents may be easily eN-
amined, and should be presented at the
postoffice or station for examination;
1T is Of the utmost Importance that
wrapped. and fully. correctly, and
legibly addressed.
"Christmas cakes. plum pudding.
raisin bread, and similar articles, should
be wrapped in oil paper and inclosed in
corrugated pasteboard container. or in
wooden or tin box. The package
should be marked Fragile
Parcels containing meat or meat
food products. including tripe, sausage.
etc. except when addressed for local
delivery, must be mailed at the main
Office or one of the larger (classiffed)
stations.
inscriptions such as Merry Christ
mas Please do not open until Christ
mas Happy New Year, With Best
Wishes and the like. may be included
inside or placed on the covering OF the
parcel in such manner as not to inter
fer with the address.
Patrons are cautioned against plac-
ing stamps or stickeTs other than post
age stamps, on the address side Of
mail matter. as such matter is thereby
rendered unmailable In the use of
Christmas stickers care should be taken
not TO seal parcels herewith.
Interference From War.
Owing to the war conditions in Eu-
rope, there are no sailings at present for
the transmission of parcel post matter
for Austria and tributary points Bel
GUM Germany and tributary points or