The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1917-11-15
CHRISTMAS BOXES FOR
THE BOYS
War Department Issues Bulle-
tin of Instructions-Many
Boxes Being Packed.

Many fathers and mothers ano
friends are packing Christmas boxes
this week for their boys at the front
or in training camps in this country
To every such a one Christmas takes
on a greater significance and mean
ing. Infinite pains are being taken
to make the boys hearts glad, and ii
is not a question of what. to give, but
how much can be squeezed into the
space regulations Mother has been
cooking her choicest cakes and making
candy and knitting warm articles of
wearing apparel, the while her heart
was heavy over her patriotic boy
away "over there" in a strange land
serving his country and humanity,
and as father and children gathered
around to help pack the box, tears
came in spite of every effort to pre-
vent, and prayer was breathed that
the boy was safe, that this cruel war
may soon be over and that he might
return home sound and well. Never
before in the lives of these mothers
and fathers has there been such a
Christmas and God grant that there
may never be such another one.
For the guidance of those sending
boxes, the following rules of the war
department are given. The boxes
should be started on their journey be-
fore November 25:
The following rules to govern the
mailing of Christmas packages to the
soldiers in France have been issued
by the war department and should be
read carefully by those planning to
send packages:
/. By agreement between the war
department, the postoffice department
and express companies, the command
ing general, Port of Embarkation, Ho-
boken, N j., is hereby designated as
the forwarding agent for the war and
postoffice departments, for the re-
routing and shipment of all express
and mail matter intended as Christ
mas presents for ultimate delivery to
the American expeditionary forces.
2. The following rules will govern
in the shipment of all such matter:
If Christmas presents are sent by
parcel post, they must conform to the
specifications below.
All boxes shipped by express should
be limited to 20 pounds in weight,
measure not more than two cubic feet
in volume, be of wood, be well strap
ped and should be hinged or screw
top to facilitate opening and inspec-
ting. No perishable food products,
other than those inclosed in cans or
glass jars, should be packed in any
such shipments.
Mail and express matter should be
addressed as now prescribed by pos
tai regulations, and both classes of
shipments should be marked "Christ-
mas box" and should be sent care of
the Commanding General, Port of
Embarkation, Hoboken, N. j., Pier l.
The Commanding General, Port of
Embarkation, Hoboken, N. j., will
cause every parcel, whether mail
or express shipment, to be opened
and strict search made to see that
of an explosive or other dam
gerous character is loaded aboard
ship.
The contents of each package will
be clearly stated on the proper word
which will clearly indicate the gen.
eral nature of the contents. The ship
ment of Christmas boxes may begin
on the publication of this
bulletin, and no boxes will be forward
ed overseas which do not reach Pier l,
N. j., on or before Decem-
Der 5, 1917. The name of the sender
must be clearly marked on the out
side of each box.