Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-18
THE LOUD BILL.
Mr.. Wilbur F. Crafts of the
Great Bureau Of Reform,
Says Existing Law is Special Legis-
Iaticn In Behalf Of Augusta, Me.
Socialism for Rich, and Grants larae Sub.
sides 10 Certain Industries

Washington, Jan. ia subcommittee
of the Senate committee on post offices
and post roads had an interesting hearing
saturday. on the Loud postal biz, which,
ally the rate of postage on serial publ
cations.
A delegation from Maine against the
bill, under misunderstanding that the
time.
Among those who appeared. Saturday.
Publishing e.. New YORK. Ernst ns + EIe
lert, president Of the Luther League Of
America; Alexander j. Wedderburn of
the National Intelligencer;, Mr.. Orr of
Wheeler Of Houghton. Mlfiin & Co, pub
lishers and Wilbur F. Crafts of the re-
form bureau, who was against the bill
and declared that he represented the peo-
Mr.. Wheeler read a paper against the
bill and explained the character Of the
publications. sent through the mails as
He contended that these books were re-
prints of STANDARD works or original pro-
ductions Of high order, and that only
them tne Jaw ma sd neen passed gyhmg
the general public been able to secure
literature of a high class.
Mr. Wheeler said 1t would be a serious
blow to education if the provisions of the
present law were repealed. The best way
was to enforce the existing law against
bogus papers which cucumber the mails.
postal law w Grs nohns but the
for the rich. and granted large subsidies
TO certain industries. compelling the peo-
pie to pay. the bin The existing law
Of the city of Augusta. Me.
He was sorry to see Senator Hale and
Representative Milliken champ!oning the
hnn nIys,a
they were Maine Industries.
After eulogy on the State itself. Mr..
Crafts declared that he did not want it
to be dependent on the whole United
States. The present law also encouraged
fraud. So far as the literature was con-
cerned, it consisted chiefly of novels. of
novels, large majority of which were
French works.
In response to question by Senator
Hill Mr.. Crafts said it would be impos-
Sfble. for Congress to draw a bill that
would exclude certain classes of matter
Senators Hill and Burrows. and MI.
Crafts modified his statement and said
he would be glad to see such law, ''if it
could be drawn
In closing. Mr. Crafts accused the
American News Co. of being a monopoly.
and said it had got an unusual privilege
in the existing law through subterfuge
that permitted it to use the mails at
pound rates and denied that right to pub
fishers.
Patrick Farrelly. manager of the Amer
lean News Co.. denied that there had
been any subterfuge; on the contrary. he
had urged that a provision be inserted in
the bill giving publishers equal privileges
OF sending and having their publications
returned from dealers through the mails.
the News Co was not monopoly. Mr..
Crafts was talking on Il subject about
which he knew nothing.
Some humorous references to the recent
were brought out by the state
ments Of w. H. (Coinl Harvey of Chi
ton it would not be denied. he said, that
he consumer got the benefit of all reduc-
tons in postage. Mr.. Harvey spoke of
cheap postage being u large factor i'm the |
education of the people.
They were able to study economic ques-
lions in which they We're interested. He |
re- to the elreuati9n Of 10000 copies
circulation that possibly could not have |
been attained with higher postage. He |
warned the committee that we were en- |
tering upon times that threatened the |
life of the country.
IT thought We saved the country last |
'ali." observed Senator Chandler.
a@rTsS to ts tai
school, and what It cost the purchaser.
when Mr.. Chandler again remarked: "Oh, |
yes. | bought one for p cents. and l guess
got Is cents worth out of it,
Mr.. Harvey commended that the govern |
nent paid the railroads too much for |
carrying the mails. 1t now paid So. 900 900 |
| year. and this might. he said, be cut |
'ne-haf. That rate now paid was equiv
llent to $50 a ton, which was more than
vas paid for freight. and, after all, mail |
natter was nothing more than fast |
freight
The spirit behind the Loud bill was, Mr. |
Harvey said, a danger to public institu-
ions. 1t was the first step toward press
If the man who drew up the
ill had been broad-minded. he would |
lever have made such wholesale strike
It literature, as appears in his bill.
Mr.. Orr of the Agricultural Press. Mr..
David Williams of the Trade Journal
Mr.. Charles T. Root of New York, and
DR.. +. F. Ebert. president Of the Luther
league. spoke in favor of the bill. and
he committee then adjourned. Further
learings will be had.