Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-10-10
AMERICAN RED CROSS
INFORMATION FOR CHAPTERS


Regarding Christmas parcels for
Afn with American expeditionary
forces abroad
In an effort to meet the eager de-
sires of the families of men in serv-
ice abroad the war department has
decided that each man may receive
from his family Christmas package
Of standard size, and approximately
standard articles. To this end, an
arrangement has bene completed be-
tween the war department, post Of
flee department, and the American
Red Cross, whereby the latter has
undertaken to cooperate in the prep
sration and mailing of these Christ
mas parcels. To expedite the plan
. large number of specially manufac-
tured cardboard cartons have been
purchased which will be distributed
through the chapters to the relatives
AID friends of men in service over
seas.
General description Of the plan:
1. To insure avoidance of dupli-
cation and of erroneous addresses.
army authorities, under General
Pershing, are issuing Christmas
parcel label to each man. This
measure is required by shipping
space limitations.
2. The men will be instrtrrtcr-tu
mail this label to home relatives, or
friends, who upon receivingg 1t, Will
present it to the nearest chapter or
branch headquarters or such other
vlace as may be designated by the
Red Cross. They will secure one
carton 3x4x9 inches in size.
3. The person receiving carton
nay fill it with any combination of
articles which will fit in it, and
which are not barred by the post Of
flee department (See list of un-
Mailable articles attached.) When
completely packed and ready for
mailing the weight of the carton
must, not exceed three pounds.
A.. Parcels ready for shipment
will be presented at place designated
where Red Cross representatives will
examine the contents. in order to:
(a) Exclude any articles barred
sy post office department from
Christmas parcels (see attached
iist).
(b) Remove any notes or mes
sages found among the contents.
(c) Wrap, tie, and weigh the par
eel
40 Place on the parcel the
on..a as parcel label received from
abroad bearing the address of the
man for whom it is intended. The
person sending the parcel shall then,
in the presence of the Red Cross
representative, affix stamps suf-
ficient to carry the parcel to Ho-
boken, N. j. The postage charges
for Christmas packages shall be al
the rate of fourth class or parcel
post zone rate.
lei The ted Cross inspection la
bel certifying as to the complete in.
spection of the parcel by the Red
Cross shall them be placed on the
parcel. :,
(f) Parcels ready for mailing shall
remain in the custody of the Red
Cross until delivered by its repre-
sentatives to the post office author
tiles.
No Christmas parcels can be
mailed later than November l5
1913.
Articles Prohibited in the Mails.
The following is list of the prin
sipal classes of articles which are
unavailable, whether sent sealed OF
unsealed.
4. All spirituous, vinous, matted
fermented or other Intoxicating
liQuors.
=. All kinds of poison and al
Articles and compositions containing
voison.
y 3. Explosives of all kinds.
4. Inflammable materials, in
sluding friction matches.
s. Internal machines and me
ehanical, chemical or other device
or com positions which may ignite o
explode.
Note: Under this classification
would come cigaret lighters, etc.
6. Liquids or liquefiable articles
fragil articles and other Admissible
natter when not packed In accord
ance with the requirements OF tn
postal laws and regulations.
z. All other articles which ma,
kill, or in any wise hurt, harm, o
. injure another or damage or defac
or otherwise injure the mails o
ether property.
Bear These Facts In Mind WheI
Packing Your Christmas Parcels.
Nothing should go in a Christina
parcel which will not keep fres
from the time of packing unit
Christmas.
Dried fruits and other food prod
acts should be packed in small IL
or wooden boxes, one quarter to on
half pound size.
Hard candy, including chocolate
would probably be safe in tin fol