Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-11
Parcels Post Directions.

The Parcels Post service Ia again proving
it's efficiency in the crush OF Christmas
time and through the Wilmington ONCE
Santa ClmIs il distributing gifts TO oil
civilized countries under the sun. ms
service for the dispatch Of smaller parcels
has become almost Indispensable. I'he
even though il has been in operation
several years, the average user OF inc
service has given 80 little attention TO tho
rules of operation, even though they arc
plainly put, that more or less confusion m
variably results from this lack OF iniorna-
ton. and causes much delay in the ship
mcnt Of articles.
Perhaps the provision least understood
is one providing that when insurinP
parcel the contents must be declared TO the
postal authorities, tho insurance expense
to the sender being at the rate OF three
cents for s5 valuation, or 25 cents Tor
valuation not exceeding 800. Insurance
may be taken Mt any postoffice station o'
by rural carriers, who are authorized 10
issue receipts. Ii is, we may emphasize,
necessary for the postoflice official or tho
carrier to know what the box contains
when insurance is desired the package
must not be dropped in letterhox.
Parcels also may be guarded against
loss through registration at the postofice'
when sealed and hrst-class postage are
paid thereon, with the additional regis
tration fee Of ten cents.
Another little understood provision oi
the law is that in relation TO sending par
GELS collect on delivery" the fee belnp aV
the rate Of 10 cents, in addition to the
nCstar,. ON n value of not exceeding $50.
The fee noted covers insurance.
There is much lack of knowledge regnrd-
ing the sire of parcels that are Haiiapie'
The limit of dimensions is "a inches. I'D
length. width and rirth combined. cine
official explanation op this important point
is that a package SO inches long, 10 inches
wide and FIVE inches high measures %
inches, or 20inches within the limit.
A warftaI stamp Of one cent is required
| for every 25-cent postage required on any
one pard<l and for ten cents special oe-
livery stamp may he attached, TO assure
the immediate delivery Of parcel from
tho Office AZ which il is received.
| The name and address Of the sender
must be given in the shipping instructions
tag, prefxed by from" there may be en-
\ closures names or letters, etc, for de-
1 scriptions. or a card giving the name AND
address Of the sender, but no letter or mes-
sage; parcels also may have written or
/ printed on the wrapper such inscriptions as
do not open till Christmas " When 1t de-
sired to send communication TO accom-
| pany the package IL may be enclosed IN an
envelope with frst-class postage, and ued
70 the parcel, tn be .hipped. Proprietary
articles, such 81 soaps, tobacco, foods
etc. in original packages, must be sent
4 unsealed. 90 they may be examined.
There seems TO be no limit 20 the vsrlety
Of merchandise that can be shipped oy
parcels post. If the injunction TO wrap
everything securely in a way 70 reduce
70 the lowest possible minimum the poe-
sihihties Of the parcels packages eeinf
damaged in transit as followd. This es
peciaIly applies TO packages that are 70 b
Insured and which, on the payment O
the additional fee, the government guarsn
tees against loss, -ifing or damage II
transportation.
The parcels post is closed 70 liquors o
alcoholic content, but VIII serve in plac'
of messengers fo- the distribution Ct pack
ages or properly wrapped parcels ID IN
city