The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-15
Government Forced to Handle Tons
of Mail at Second-CIass Rates,
Which Should Pay More.
RADICAL REFORM PROPOSED
REPUTABLE NEWSPAPERS ASKED
TO ASSIST IN THE WORK.
SccOnd-Class Rates May BE Denied
or Prizes TO Subscribers.

WASHINGTON, April H.-Having repeat
edly failed to secure remedial Legislation
from Congress to prevent abuses of the
privilege of second-class mail matter the
Postoffice Department officials have under
consideration the adoption of a proposed
rule by authority of the postmaster gem
eral TO bring about the desired reforms.
With this object in view Mr.. Edwin C. Mad
den, third assistant postmaster general,
has addressed a long circular letter to
about 400 publishers of newspapers and
periodicals setting forth the objects sought
to be accomplished by the proposed rule
and asking the following question: I'm the
judgment of those addressed, will a de-
partmental rule be regarded as Injurious
to legitimate newspapers and periodicals,
which will stop absolutely all premium in
ducements. direct or indirect and of what
ever character, for subscriptions? In other
words, after a publisher has fixed a price
on his publication, any bonus premium
given to the subscriber or any combina-
tion with another thing except a second
class publication. shall vitiate that sub
scription in its relation to the second-class
rates of postage"
Mr.. Madden adds: 1T is believed that
such a rule that proposed would be of
great benefit TO legitimate journalism, and
that, in very large measure, it will check
this draft upon the public treasury for pri-
vate advantage, with no compensating pub
lie benefit through the elimination of an
immense number of publications which are
wholly sustained in their second-class sta
tus by patronage induced by some ex-
N vrifh tba o{r;t
Of the law. Such a consummation has
much of promise in the direction OF better
postal facilities and cheaper rates for other
classes of mail natter
The circular asserts that the loss of rev.
enue TO the government from the abuse of
the privileges OF second-class matter is
enormous, being estimated conservatively
to be between $15.OOOOO0 and s25.OO0,OOO a
year. Existing regulations. however faith
fully administered. are inadequate to ac-
complish immediate reform, and the most
prolific means by which the law is crcum-
vented remains undisturbed by regulation
OF the many means by which publications
not properly entitled to this favored postage
rate spring into existence and thrive no
other, 1t is asserted by Mr.. Madden is so
fruitful and so insidious as the permis-
sion-not Of law or rule, but of uninter-
rupted practice-that subscriptions may be
obtained by offers of premiums of mer-
chandise, chances to draw prizes in guess
ing contests, and countless ingenious
schemes of kindred character and effect
Calculations running into the thousands
and into the millions. the circular says.
have been built up by this premium pro-
cess for publications which, upon actual
merit, could command no public patronage
whatever. Such subscriptions" except in
an occasional instance, where some actual
ly meritorious publication employs the plan.
represent in no literal sense a public inter-
est in the literature or in the news to which
1t is claimed such publications are devoted
Mr.. Madden asks lAat the matter be given
prompt attention, and says that the reform
proposed can scarcely be carried on sue
cessfully without the aid and moral sup
port of the standard newspapers and peri
odicals of the country.