The Wilmington morning star., 1944-08-18
Our Chief Ain,
To aid In every way the presecution Of
the war to complete victory.
TOP OF THE MORNING
Christmas Boxes

IT YOU are thinking Of sending Christmas
box to that serviceman relative or friend over
seas, it's not too early to start planning.
This year the Christmas mailing period for
both Army and Navy overseas forces is the
ssame-september Is to October Is. After Octo-
sber Is no gift parcel may be mailed to a
soldier without presentation of written re-
Squest from him. The prime reason for the
searly mailing date is the great demands upon
Shipping and the need for giving preference to
ARMS munitions, medicine and food. More
lover, gift parcels must travel great distances
to reach Army, Navy and other armed per-
sonnet located at remote points, and frequently
the transfer Of large numbers to new stations
.necessitates forwarding of the packages and
additional time is required.
7 So, start saving strong string and Irvine and
box material and plan your shopping.
/. THE response that our people made last
year during the overseas mailing period
demonstrated that they will cooperate in any
measure designed for the welfare Of our arm
ed forces personnel Postmaster General
Frank C. Walker said recently in appealing
sfor early mailing.
I 'It is not easy to concentrate on Christmas
gifts in the midst of warm weather here at
/ home but our people recognize the need, and
/ because they want the men and women who
I are absent from their homes to know that
they are not forgotten at Christmas they took
pains to assure prompt delivery Of Christmas
!. gifts,' he added.
!, We wish to stress this fact: More care must
| be taken in wrapping and packing parcels
securely and addressing them clearly and cor
rectly.
1t was once mentioned that the size of a
shoe box is the approximate limit for pack
ages intended for mailing overseas. The re-
suit was that many became convinced that a
shoe box is the best possible container. That
is not correct. Everyone must be mindful that
these gifts must travel far, with shipping space
crowded. If the gifts are to be protected in
! transit they must be packed in boxes made of
metal, wood, solid ,fiberboard or strong double
faced corrugated fberhoard, reinforced with
strong gunmed paper tied with heavy
/ Irvine. II the outer wrapper is crushed and
I: this is likely to happen-the loss of contents
!: may be prevented if the fiberboard boxes are
: wrapped in heavy paper.
Postal authorities were unable to deliver
Aa0x parcels last year because they were
efushed in transit and the gifts and outside
, wrapper became separated. Delivery would
have been possible if the address had been
shown on the inside wrapper. 1t is advisable
dressee inside the package as well as outside.
/. Among the more important rules for Christ
mas mailings to the armed forces overseas
: are the following:
!. 'The parcel must not exceed five pounds.
and must not be more than Is inches in length
Or SO inches in length and girth combined It
should be marked Christmas parcel so that
+: Il may be given special attention to assure it's
srrival before December rs.
+, mot more than one parcel may be mailed
. a any one week to the same member of the
armed forces by or in behalf of the same
I mailer.
1 .'When combination packages are made ur
Of such items as miscellaneous toilet articles
/. hard candies, soaps, etc, the contents should
b tightly packed so that they will not become
loosened in transit and damage the content.
or the cover. Hard candies. nuts caramel
(including those covered with chocolate)' cook
ies, fruit cake. and chocolate bars individual,