The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-11-20
CICARETS and
CANDY LEAD IN
OVERSEAS GIFTS

II makes us almost weep Al
times. 10 sec what little thought
some people show In choosing thiugs
10 send 10 their boys said Mrs.
John r. Holmes. who has charge OF
the Christmas package inspection
work OF the Red Cross. at the head.
quarters OF that department Mtj.
nes.iay
Sometimes the precious space m
the little boxes IL filled with the
shoddiest kinds OF goods. wash RAGS.
cheap soap. and the cheapest sorts
Of bar candy
1T II evident that some of IN.
relatives are In straitened finan.
cial circumstances. and whenever
we feel that We can do so without
hurting their feelings we offer 10
flll in the cracks and then We put
in some dainty gifts that have been
crowded out OF other boxes"
Mrs. Holmes pointed TO a i;Ge
table loaded with an assortment Of
articles. mostly candy. that different
people had left because they could
not squeeze them into their cartons.
Tobacco and Candy
There's human interest stoty
in every person that stands at that
rail-" continued Mrs. Holmes -
few minutes ago "A man was stand
Ing there and he wcpt as he showed
me two labels from his sons in
France. One OF them had been
killed after sending the label
An old couple was in yesterday
with practically nothing but long
string OF movie pictures in their box
The old man explained that he had
received n letter from his boy. say
ing. Dad. don't send anything out
yours and mothers pictures. SO
they went TO the movie photogfa.
pher and their smiling pictures made
one OF the cutest little presents That
I've seen.
Most OF the things that are sent
are just the right kind. Tobacco.
cigaret papers. and hard candy con
stitute fully SO per cent OF the CUTS
A great deal OF fruit cake is sent
We recommend every one To pur
chase tin carton at one OF the
Send Pictures
81 wish every one who II sending
n Christmas package to France
would realize that there is nothing
can be sent in ordinary letters
there is nothing that will give such
"A thrill OF Joy TO the boys whoa
they open the boxes as TO see on the
top of the gifts some snapshots Of
faces that are dear TO them. Not a
word of writing. not even the nan,,
can be written on these pictures.
Among the things most common
ly sent are fountain pens, knives,
wrist watches. nut chocolate. chew
ing gum. and plug tobacco. A great
many OF the soldiers have asked for
tooth paste. and some of the boNts
have contained nothing but tooth
paste. tooth brushes. and other tot
let articles. one carton was full OF
lavender flowers. sent by special It.
quest. In some OF the boxes are
safety pins, linen thread. and out
tons. Quite "A lot of that horrible
copenhagen Aihtl mas h''h H'"t'
never want TO smell the stuff again.
Games Needed
"Ono thing that has not been sent
by many relatives and that we thiik
would give much pleasure Is games,
including puzzles. We also suggest
playing cards. mouth organs. safety
razors. shaving soap, pencils. soap,
paper, dried fruits, nuts. soup cuoos,
and soluble coffee
The last day for mailing the pack
ages is Saturday. Nov. 80. Relatives
who have not received the regula.
ton label from their soldier boys
may send parcels by making appli-
cation at the Red Cross headquar-
ters.