Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-26
CHRISTMASGIFTS
FOR SOLDIER BOYS
Now's the Time to Prepare
Them for Use by Santa
Claus in France
DO YOUR SHOPPING EARLY
Postoffice Men Sound Familiar
Slogan and Warn of Uncer-
tainty in Ship Sailings
Rv M,LISS

Just because your boy has gone from
you, because he went marching away ir
khaki you don't know where, except that
you address the letters american Expe-
dictionary Force. Somewhere in France -
Just because he is provided with his trench
mirror and military brushes. and all the
comforts OF the comfort kit. is no reason
for you TO sit down and NOPE, because
there's nothing more you can do for him.
There is, too.
How about Christmas?
5. II seems almost as long a way TO Christ
mas as IL Is to Tipperary, but already the
postal authorities are buzzing around with
their incessant "do your Christmas shop
ping early" mutterings
tits long, long way that the American
santa Claus will have to go this year
and devious one-to deliver gifts to the
boys most deserving of them. How devious
only few persons in high places know.
The Philadelphia postoffice officials are
frank in their ignorance of the route the
mail takes after II leaves their hands
We don't even know what ships Il
takes, when It sails or where II goes" they
tell inqulrcrs
But they do know that all caution will
De taken to safeguard Santa and his heavy
SACK OF presents from submarines and air.
raids and Boche interference in general
And they do know that now is not n
bit too soon not only to be thinking about.
but actually to be purchasing the gifts
that you are going to send to your boy who
will be hanging his stocking up in a for
eign land, for the first time, perhaps, in
his young life
"A gift ought to arrive II rnaIIed thirty
days before Christmas" the official in
charge OF the postal service OF the Expedi.
tionary Force said. but conditions are so
abnormal that one cannot safely set an ac-
curate date. Certainly the wise people will
mall their gifts just as soon as they can
get them ready. The packages might b.
marked not to be opened until Christmas
10 as lot to spoil things should they arrive
too soon. But II would be far better 10
have them get there beforehand than to
bave lot OF disappointed, homesick boys
spend giftless day.''
OF course, no really human boy n, normal
times could resist a package marked DO
not open until Christmas" But the times
aren't normal and the discipline Of an army
trained lad is something marvellous to con-
template. And so II you write II in a big
bold handwriting that looks as fearsome as
gold-braded generals rebuke perhaps for
once the mandate will be regarded.
But some discretion in the choice OF the
gifts will have TO be exercised.
You cannot send an automobile or a
motorcycle. or all Of your love, even. IL !,
weighs more than twenty pounds. This is
the maximum weight permitted. The reRu-
lations are precisely the same as those laid
down for the domestic service, which means
that you will be able TO send Christmas
goodies, such as fruit cake and cookies,
which are bound to keep. even though the
distance Is thousands of miles.
Year after year the question, What shall
] give him this Christmas?" agitates.
This is the year TO give him the best
most thoughtful present you have ever worn
out shoe leather looking for. And the time
TO look is now.