Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-25
WILL APPEAL TG CONGRESS.
Trade Journals Complain of Govern
ment Competition.

SOrnDtQIn GGNcFA.
ment Competition.
one of the matters to be submitted to
Congress for it's action at the coming ses-
sion relates to the practice of the bureau
of American republics in publishing ad-
Nertisements in it's monthly bulletins" and
its other official publications. The trade
journals of the country complain of this
practice as an unfair competition on the
part of the government and are using their
best endeavors to bring it to an end Hav-
ing failed in every other direction, they
have decided to bring the matter to the
attention of Congress. The leaders of the
movement say they are confident that an
impartial investigation of the matter will
sustain their contention that the govern
ment should not enter the fields of trade
IN competition against its own citizens
1t is represented that the bureau of
American republics is an offender of long
stahding In this respect and is steadily
noroaching upon the rights of legitimate
business men. The latest cause of com
plant Is d recent publica ton by the bu-
reau entitled Commercial Directory of
the American Republics" described as "a
medium of Information on various subjects
OF interest to Latin-American people"
there VIII he two volumes of about 2.5pJ
pages The publication has been prepared
IN most attractive style and has been ex-
tensively advertised. Circulars, blank or
ders and reply envelopes have been iu-
dicicusly distributed in all places where
they Will 10 the most good. AS an induce
nent to subscription, subscribers are al
lowed as many advertisements as they
wish at the rate of 81 each.
"A similar plan of encoura Cing ADVERTISE
mems In d government publication Is fol-
lowed IN the case of the monthly bulletins
issued by, the bureau. These volumes con-
tain about sixty pages each They are
printed at the government printing Office
ana are issued by the bureau of American
oil
ments are solicited for these publications
the return envelope is addressed to Joseph
+. Smith. director of the bureau of Ameri-
can republics. and it bears on the upper
corner the words Official business; penalty
for private use. $500" 1t is said that this
Official envelope is freely used by the ad-
Fertising patrons of the bureaus directory
and its monthly bulletins, in violation of
the law against the use Of the franking
privilege for private purposes.
1t Is only fair to Director Smith, how
ever, to say that the practice of canvassing
Tor advertisements was originated by his
predecessor, Mr.. Furbish. and has never
been legally prohibited. 1t is defended on
tre score Of necessity, the appropriation
for tie bureau being less than it's ex-
penses. AS is well known. the bureau is
supported In part by contributions from
the countries represented in 1.-THE repub-
lies of North, Central and South America
The United States contributes much more
than any of the other countries and is un-
doubtedly its most active agent. Owing TO
Its international character and its peculiar
organization, there is considerable doubt
as to its exact official status, and this is
said to be the main reason why no action
has been taken by the officials of this gov
eInment il response to the repeated pro-
tests against the advertising features of
the publications of the bureau 1t has
been therefore. decided to appeal to Con-
gress for direct legislation on the subject.
and it is expected that action will be taken
during the comir session.
1t is estimated that the advertising con-
tained in the Bulletin of American Repub-
lies and i'll the Commercial Directory soon
to be published, will amount to $4,000
Contracts. it is reported, are being made
for advertising in 1898 and 1899 by the
drummers engaged in the work of solicita-
ton.