New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-26
WAR ON QUACK DOCTORS.
p O. CRUSADE WIDENS.
Plan to Stop Publication of Objec-
t;ouabIe Medical Advertisements.
rrRom THE TRIBUNE nuREAu.l

washington, May 25.-The Postofflce Depart
.,ent will not confine it's crusade to the ex-
.,usion from the mails Of patent medicines and
,ostr1us where chemical analyses reveal pre-
facilitated fraud the part of the manufact-
.rsrs and distributors, but will include in its
,dgorous prosecution quaclk doctors as well.
rrhese unprofessonal practitioners prey on the
blIc through the medium of questionable ad-
artsements and still more questionable litera-
,rre and the department believes that by is
TING fraud order against these individuals or
,oncerns operating in distinct violation of the
,ow commendable and much needed reform
will be wrought
The publication in The Tribune this morning
- tho intentions of the Postoffice Department
.aoraire its crusade against medical humbugs
ia 20 the announcement to-day that the in
,,sstiration Of the patent medicine concerns had
b,oueht to light even greater frauds on the part
~ allied advertised industries" and that the
danart1nent purposed not only to continue but
,o extend its prosecution until, SO far as prac-
,,csbIe all Objectionable advertisements should
ta eliminated from the newspapers This, de-
,,a-tInent officials contend. viii be comparatively
aasv IN accomplish when it has once been estab-
usbsd that the individual or concern under in
vestgation is operating in violation OF the law.
IT, postoHice Department has absolute con-
srolO of
,seped bv the Postmaster General against one of
.,.o co,cerns he could go still further. in the
,.aroets of Justice and decency, and exclude
<or, the mails all newspapers or other pub
,;cations carrying their advertisements. Sum-
mary action Of this kind it is believed, would
eoon exterrninate one Of the most extensive and
harmful frauds ever practised-
DETAILS OF THE PLAN.
The department, in its endeavor TO protect
aha nubc from Objectionable patent medicine
and other advertisements. has the support of
all reputabe newspapers. In addition to the
investigation now under way in the Postoffice
Department, postmasters throughout the coun-
try will be instructed to forward to the depart
nnent any advertisements they may find that
come within the prohibition OF the law. All
cases will be carefully considered and decided
on their merits Should the Assistant Attorney
General for the Postoff1ce Department find after
Investigation that an advertisement is dis
tinct violation Of the law, the secretary OF the
American Newspaper Publishers Association
will be informed, and, under arrangements al
ready completed, that official is 10 communi-
cate with every newspaper connected with the
organization. giving the opinion of the depart
ment and pointing out the necessity OF olscoh-
tinung the advertisement.
Those newspapers not represented in the
American Newspaper Publishers Association
will be informed directly from the department.
and, should any newspaper decline to exclude
The Objectionable advertisement from its col
un1ns the Postmaster General, after a reasona-
bic time. viii exclude 1t from the mails. In
view of the fact that the Publishers Associa-
tion which numbers among its members the
leading newspapers of the country, together
with medical societies and other reputable or
Plantations has signihed its desire to cooperate
with the department in bringing about this re-
FORM Postoffice Department officials are conf
dent that proof OF a violation of the law Is all
that is necessary to drive fraudulent concerns
out Of business and stop the publication or oo-
jectionable advertisements.
The Department of Justice and the law Off
GERS of the Postofice Department have carefully
considered the question of advertising contracts
between these concerns and newspaper publica-
lions. II is pointed out that such contracts
being for matter that is in violation of the law
could not IN any way operate against compli-
ance with the plans of the Postoffice Department
10 suppress such advertisements.
In furtherance of the campaign against patent
medicine concerns and exploiters OF proprietary
medicines. where analyses disclose that the cure
advertised cannot possibly be made, the Post
Office Department believes that the cooperation
Of the States would be OF material aid 1t has
heen suggested that n State Legislature could
enact laws governing the manufacture, SALE I'M
rOrtation and distribution OF patent medicines
within its boundaries Under police regulations
those concerns could be made TO comply with
the law. and attempts 10 exploit fraudulent or
hpurious remedies could be easily suppressed
With a State law, strictly enforced aiding the
federal government IN its crusade against fraud
ulent enterprises OF this character, officials here
heiete that crushing and decisive piow couio
be administered. and the traffic which It is de-
fired TO exucrmnate could be effectually ana
Permanently destroyed.
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