The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-10-26

lplaced on the package, which is left in
the custody Of the Red Cross until deliy-
cry to the postal authorities.
Z. No package viii be accepted for
transmittal after Nov 20.
A question has been raised concerning
the sending of Christmas packages to
men in the service who have no relatives
or friends to whom they wish to send
these coupons II was suggested that
such men send their coupons to the Red
Cross, which in turn would give Amer
lean citizens without relatives overseas
an opportunity to contribute to Christ
mas boxes. In this matter the Red Cross
has ruled as follows, with the concur
renee of the war department:
This has been discussed with a mem
Der of the war council and very carefully
considered from all points OF view and it
is believed that il would be impracticable
to undertake the collection and distTib.
uting of these parcels. In the first place,
there is no way of estimating the mum
Der of such parcels that would be re-
lquired 1t has been suggested that the
parcels contributed by the Red Cross
members for general distribution might
be sent only to those soldiers who would
turn back their mailing labels to the
/ Red Cross, but this again would leave a
number of men without the Christmas
package because many Of them would
not care to use their label in this way
when in the first place they had no
family or friend to whom to Send it, We
have also the feeling that Christmas
packet containing little of intrinsic value
would lose much of its significance If re-
eeived from the Red Cross or from some
unknown person rather than from the
family or friends.
| There are some further complications
introduced in organizing for the collec-
ton and distribution of the parcels which
would tend to complcate what Is already
a rather difficult act Of operations to get
accomplished within the time available
"The Red Cross abroad is preparing to
make general distribution Of tobacco
to all of the American expeditionary
force. III possible, we shah have cigar.
cites in special packages of 30 for this
distribution, although it is somewhat
difficult, as may be imagined, to get the
large quantity required put up in special
packages
"Our general conclusion Is that we
would rather not attempt to cover the
men who will not get packages from
| their families or friends by a special dis
tribution of packages collected by others
| or made up at some central point BY the
Red Cross because the difficulties intro
dueed seem too clearly to outweigh any
benefit TO the men through this special
distribution.
Il should like to add one further
thought, and that is our desire in all that
we do TO make no distribution of things
that is not general to all alike and this
suggestion runs counter to this policy in
way we believe would be somewhat
serious"
Christmas Packages for Sailors.
The following instructions regarding
the manner of packing and shipping
Christmas packages for men in the naval
service both in home waters and abroad,
have been prepared by the bureau of
supplies and accounts of the navy de-
partment:
!. Packages forwarded by parcel post
must comply with the postal regulations
and should be inclosed in substantial
boxes with hinged or screw top cover to
facilitate opening and inspecting.
2. All boxes shipped by express are
limited to 20 pounds in weight, should
measure not more than two cubic feet in
volume, be of wood, well strapped, and
have hinged or screw top to facilitate
opening and inspecting.
8. No perishable food products other
than those inelosed in cans or glass jars
should be packed in parcel post or ex-
press shipments.
4. All mail matter should be addressed
as now prescribed by the postal reguia-
tons All express packages should be
forwarded in care of Supply Officer, Fleet
Supply Base, goth street and Third ave
nue., South Brooklyn, New York.
s. All packages must be plainly
marked with the name and address of
the sender together with a notation in.
dicating the nature of the contents, such
as christmas box" or Christmas pres
emit"
g. The supply officer at New York will
cause each express package to be opened
and carefully examined to see that moth
ing of an explosive or other dangerous
character is forwarded.
7. The shipment Of Christmas pack
ages for vessels abroad should be made
50 as to reach New York as early as
possible and not later than Nov Is.
Christmas Packages for Marines.
The war department regulations for
Christmas parcels for soldiers overseas
will be observed in the case of every
marine whose address is American ex-
peditionary force. This indicates that
the marine is serving overseas in any
army capacity and temporarily detached
from the navy.
For all other marines, whether in
training or serving actively in this coun-
try, at naval posts and stations, at home
and abroad, or on ship duty, navy regu-
lations viii govern.