Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-21
ATTACH LETTERS
To PARCELS NOW
PoSToFFIcE DEPARTMENT MAKES
NEW RULING ~ REGARD TO
PACKAGES IN MAILS.
EGGS ARE A FACTOR
Changes Are Also Made In the ReQu
Iatons About Shipment Of Butter,
Fruits, Vegetables
and Poultry.

The postoffice department at Wash
ington has issued new bulletin COW
ering some of the more recent changes
in the parcel post system. This deals
with the various articles and CommOdi-
ties which are now eligible for ship.
ment by mail and discusses at some
length the different restrictions and
conditions under which this law is to
be operated.
The communication from the depart
ment has to do with the method of
packing articles which are liable to
injure the mails. 1t states that in case
of articles, liable to break the inner
tubing, casing or wrapping, they
should be surrounded by sawdust or
excelsior for protection. Liquids, oils,
pastes and salves are all to be con-
and care is to be. exercised in regard
to the shoppers or corks on the bottles.
Manufacturers or dealers intending to
transmit articles of this nature in con-
siderable quantities are requested to
submit to the postmaster for approval
specimen parcel, showing the man
ner of packing.
Protect Sharp Edges.
Sharp edged instruments or sharp
pointed tools are ordered to be pro-
tected from breaking through the out
side coverings, by pieces of cardboard
or metal over the tips or edges. All
powders, which are not of an explosive
kind, are mailable when inclosed in
cases to prevent the escaping of any
of the contents. Candles, confection-
cry, yeast cakes and soap in hard
cases are to be inclosed in boxes and
wrapped SO as to prevent injury to
other mailing matter. Hides and pelts
are to be wrapped to prevent the
grease from leaking on other mail.
Unloaded pistols or guns may be sent
but the postmaster at the mailing Of
fee is requested to examine the pack
ages and see that they are harmless.
1t is urged by the department that
the sender mark all fragile and perish
able articles so that the department
employees will be able to act according
ly and in that manner guarantee a
more perfect delivery service. Butter,
lard and perishable articles such as
fish, fresh meats, dressed fowls, vege-
tables, fruits, berries and articles of q
similar nature which decay quickly.
are to be accepted for mailing when
so wrapped and packed that they will
not damage other matter.
" Eggs Must Be Packed.
Eggs will be accepted for local de-
livery when packed in a basket or
other container, to prevent damage to
other mailing matter. Eggs will be
accepted for shipment regardless of
distance, when each egg is wrapped
and surrounded with excel
sior, cotton or other suitable material
and packed in a strong container made
Of double-faced corrugated pasteboard,
metal, wood or other material. The
package must be made so that nothing
can escape from it and must be labeled
eggs" All butter, eggs, fruits, vege-
tables, dressed poultry and other ar
ticles in parcels weighing more than
twenty pounds, may be shipped in the
first and second zones in boxes and
crates to be carried outside the mail
bags.
Can Send Letters.
Another important ruling which is
contained in this new bulletin has to
10 with the sending of letters on the
outside of parcel post packages. Any
one can send communication placed
IN an envelope and tied or securely
fastened on the outside of a parcel
post package. This letter must have
first class rate postage on it and the
parcel post package the proper post
age. The envelope must in no way
hinder the clerk or carrier from read
ng the address on the package and
he two addresses must conform. Par
cells, to which such communications
ire attached will be treated as straight |
Fourth class Or marcel most mail mat |