The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-06
GIFTS TOREACH MEN
AT FRONT BY XMAS
Atlantic Division of Red Cross
Works Out Details of
Delivery.
RIGID RULES LAID DOWN
Regulations Must Be Observed
to Insure Moving of
Packages.

supplementing the announcement of
the War Department that Christmas
labels now are being distributed through
army channels to every American SOL
der overseas. the Atlantic Division OF
the American Red Cross, which Is CO.
operating with the War and Post once
Departments, made public yesterday de-
tails of the plan which will make pos
sible the delivery. in good condition and
on time. OF a Christmas parcel to each
American fighting man from his folks az
home.
According to the announcement at
Division Headquarters, a East Twenty
third street. the War Department will
allow not more than one parcel to each
soldier. whether coming from relatives
or friends.
Moreover. parcels must be uniform In
size and may be sent only In cartons
supplied by the Red Cross. Each car
ton. when wrapped under Red Cross SUI
pervision. must bear not only tn. Off
cial Christmas label. with name and ad-
dress as supplied by the soldier himself,
wv ateo khc iNch NEooS lnSpttlicH ihUtl,
certifying as to the complete inspection
of the contents of the parcel by the Red
Cross.
1t is prescribed, furthermore. that the
parcel shall contain no article which is
barred by the Post Once Department.
No written Matter.
No written matter of any kind may
be included in the parcel. The weight,
when wrapped and ready for shipment.
NUT not exceed three pounds
Ethan Allen. manager of the Atlantic
Division. in announcing the details for
the plan as set forth by the War De-
partment. explained that rigid rules are
imperative because Of tho limited ship
ping space set aside for transporting
Christmas parcels.
ITO avoid duplication and to make
sure that each parcel will be correctly
addressed the Christmas LABELS are now
being distributed to the men overseas"
said Mr.. Allen. THE Red Cross feels
the Importance of this great trust that
has been delegates TO 1t by the War De-
partment Its representatives through
out the country will see to II that all
rules are vigorously observed.
1T In our plan TO have men and women
Of the highest type In each community
to serve as inspectors OF the parcels. The
signature Of the inspector on. each parcel
carries with ii the good faith of the
American Red Cross. To illustrate how
zealously the Red Cross will perform this
great trust ! will mention merely one of
our rules; that is, no inspector shall pass
upon a package which is addressed to
any member OF the inspectors own fam
lily"
Mr.. Allen said that the national head
quarters of the Red Cross has already
placed an order for an adequate supply
OF cardboard cartons, by by In
size. These will be supplied TO the vari-
Gus division headquarte and in turn be
distributed to the various chapters and
auxiliaries. II is expected that the car
tons will be available at the various local
headquarters by November !.
No parcels will be accepted for ship
ment after November 20. according to
the official announcement. Every Christ
mas parcel must pass through the hands
Of the Red Cross. No other parcels will
be accepted for shipment by the Post
Office Department.
The stamps to be affixed must be suf-
ficent to carry the parcel. at the fourth
class or parcel post zone rate, to Ho-
boken. n. J.
In the event of Christmas parcel
label being lost. no duplicate can be is
sued. In regard to this rule the official
statement adds: This rule cannot be
altered by anybody"
Work OF organizing the Red Cross for
the new undertaking began yesterday at
division headquarters. a East Twenty
third street A christmas Parcels
Committee" In every chapter will be
formed.
Packages for the Navy.
The navy issues the following instr,ic-
lions for the sending of Christmas pack
ages to sailors in home waters and
abroad:
Packages forwarded by parcel post
for men I'm the navy must comply with
the postal regulations and should be
enclosed in substantial boxes with
hinge or screw top cover to facilitate
opening and inspection.
All packages shipped by express are
limited to twenty pounds in weight,
measuring not more than two cubic feet
in volume. TO be OF wood, well strapped
and having hinge or screw top TO facil-
itatc opening and inspection.
All mail matter should be addressed
as now prescribed by postal regulations.
All express packages should be for
warded in care of supply Officer. Fleet
Supply Base. Twenty-ninth street and
Third avenue. South Brooklyn, New
York"
No perishable food. other than those
enclosed in cans or glass Jars, should
be packed In parcels post or express
shipments.
All packages must he plainly marked
with the name and address Of the sender
together with a notation indicating the
nature OF the contents, such as Christ
mas box" or Christmas present"
The supply officer OF New York will
cause each express package to be
opened and carefully examined to see
that nothing OF an explosive or other
dangerous character is forwarded.
The shipment of Christmas packages
for United States naval vessels abroad
should be made so as to reach New
York as early as possible and not later
than November s.
Tho Red Cross has no part IN the
| transportation of packages to sailors.