El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-10-15
100000 MEN
WILL GET GIFTS
Uncle Sam Arranges the
Christmas Parcels For
Each Soldier Overseas.

EACH OOlQl6f overseas.
Every American soldier in a for
eign land will be permitted to receive
one package containing Christmas
gifts from the United States. This in
formation comes from Washington
since a series Of conferences between
officials OF the war and postoffice de-
partments and the Red Cross. Post
master z. A. Shelton. e. Paso. has re-
ceived detailed instructions concern
ing the operation Of Santa Claus's trip
to 100000 Americans overseas.
The navy department has a separ-
ate arrangement to enable men in that
branch Of the service on duty aboard
to obtain holiday boxes
Relatives and friends who are plan
ming to make Christmas for the SOL
diers in the war zones as merry as
conditions will permit should bear in
mind that each soldier is entitled to
but one Of these packages The war
department viii not accept more than
one parcel for each man It is ex-
petced that approximately 1000. 900 Of
these packages will be sent abroad
and the amount OF shipping space
provided for their transportation will
not permit OF any deviation from the
zone parcel a man rule"
Men to Decide.
The men themselves will decide who
is to send these parcels. They are now
receiving Christmas parcel labels.
with instructions 10 mail these labels
to the person in this country from
whom they wish to receive the holi-
day box. To avoid any chance OF du-
plication, each soldier gets but one OF
these labels Packages that do not
bear these labels viii not be accepted.
In the event OF this label being lost.
il cannot be replaced No Christmas
after November %. The cardboard
boxes, or cartons, to be provided for
these parcels are three BY four by nine
inches in size. When packed, wrapped
and ready for mailing. the box must
not weigh more than three pounds
Red Cross Gives Boxes.
The Red Cross has agreed to provide
the boxes and to supervise their distri-
button 10 the relatives or friends Of
the soldiers who present the proper
Christmas parcel label credentials. The
distribution OF the cartons will be
made by Red Cross branches through
out the country. It will be incumbent
upon the person receiving one OF these
boxes to return II when filled. but IN
wrapped. TO the collection point des-
ignated by the Red Cross. Here It
will be inspected by Red Cross in
spectors authorized to exclude any ar
ticles barred by the postal authorities.
after which the box will be shipped. IN
short. the Red Cross is responsible for
the distribution. receipt at designated
points. the inspection and mailing OF
the boxes
How to Proceed.
The following is an outline OF the
procedure 20. be followed by persons
planning to send one of these parcels
abroad:
On receiving one OF these Christmas
parcel labels. It should be presented at
the nearest chapter. branch or auxil-
larry headquarters Of the Red Cross.
where the holder will receive a carton.
These labels are not expected TO reach
this country before November !. but
by that time each Red Cross branch
viii have its allotment OF boxes, based
on the number OF soldiers in service
overseas from that community.
Articles That Are Barred.
These boxes may be filled with any
combination OF articles except those
on the list barred by the postal author
tiles. The articles prohibited are In
toxicating liquors, inflamma5le mate
rial. including friction matches and
any composition likely to ignite or
explode (ciEaret lighters come under
this classification, liquids. and fra
gle articles improperly packed IN
der the postal regulations no note or
message or written matter OF any kind
will be permitted to remain in the
boxes. In addition to the foregoing
list Of prohibited articles, relatives
and friends Of the soldiers are urged
TO bear these facts in mind when pre-
naring Christmas parcels
What to Pack.
Do not put anything in the package
which will not keep fresh until Christ
mas.
Pack dried fruits and other food
products in small tin or wooden bxes.
Give preference TO hard candy over
chocolates. unless the latter are in
closed in heavy wrappers Soft choco-
lates are easily crushed and may spoil
the other contents.
Do not put articles. packed in glass
in the package.
Gifts should be wrapped in khaki
colored handkerchiefs q inches
square.
When the package has been packed
il should be taken, unwrapped and IN
sealed. together with the label and
sufficient stamps. TO the nearest col
lection center designated by the Red
Cross.
Must Furnish Stamps
After the package has passed the IN
spection Of the Red Cross representa- /
tives, as TO contents and weight, and
been wrapped in stout paper, the
Christmas label bearing the address OF
the man for whom 1t is intended, Is
placed on it. The person sending the !
package, in the presence OF the Red /
Cross worker, is required to affix 1
stamps sufficient to carry il to Hobo I
ken, y J. The postal charges are to 4
be at the rate of fourth class or par
eel post zone rate. A label certifying 1
hat the inspection has been completed 4
ly the Red Cross is placed on the 4
package. which is left in the custody /
II the Red Cross until delivered to the 1
postal authorities.
Navy's Regulations.
The navy department has issued the I
following instructions regarding the
OF Christmas packages 10
Iailors in home waters and abroad:
Packages forwarded by parcel post
or men in the navy must comply with
he postal regulations, and should be
nclosed in substantial boxes with
hinged or screw top cover TO facilitate
pening and inspecting \
All boxes shipped by express are
limited to 20 pounds in weight, should I
Measure not more thar two cubic feet
n volume. be Of wood, well strapped
nd have a hinged or screw top TO IA
ilitate opening and inspecting.
Packages to brooklyn
All mail matter should be addressed
s now prescribed by the postal regu-
, +fore All ewnrezg uackaCeS should