The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1906-04-13
GUT FRANK|NG ABUSES
FREE MAIL PRIVILEGES USED
FOR UNWORTHY ENDS.
ovERsTReET PROPOSES REFORM

w
Rate Gill -- Grosvenor Dlsllkes Use
Of Term "German.American
Canal Expenditure Benefit People 2
Washington, April 12.-[Spccial.l- i
To save the government money I'm tho
transportation OF mails, 10 limit the
abuses of all kinds ns far ns possible
and 10 make the congressional frank
or free carriage OF public documents
stand for Just what Il was intended
hns been the earnest endenvor of Chnir-
man Ovcrstrcet OF the house committee
OH postoillccs and post roads. Like
every other abuse. he finds the frank
ing privilege" abuses thoroughly in
trcnchcd, and those who want to get
something for nothing, who want tho
government TO pny postage that they
ought To pay themselves, find many
reasons why the reforms proposed by
Oyerstrcct and his associates ought
not to be adopted or that they would
infringe upon the privileges OF mem
bers. Here In Washington IL IL well
known that the frnnking privilege IL
abused, not to tho extent that has been
charged, but that the free use OF tho
mails has been obtained for matter that
ought to pny postage.
Ovorstreet Explains.
This Is the way Overstrcet explained
some of these abuses: "Shrewd, far
seeing individuals take advantage Of
their opportunities and seek privileges
which they themselves do not enjoy
through the courtesy of friendship.
Organizations for tho prevention OF
cruelty to animals may get some per-
son who Is In sympathy with their
movement to introduce into congress
and have printed In the Record an
article touching upon that subject and
aftsrward obtain the courtesy of tho
members frank to distribute II through
out tho country. Similar organizations
for the suppression of polygamy, for
the encouragement of some industry
or for the reformation of the world or
Il political organization for n political
partisan advantagc-may obtain the
same privilege In the same way"
Might Have Gone Farther.
Overstrcct might have gone farther.
Crank bills, memorials and documents
through the congressional hopper and
made into public documents, mem
ber's frank Is borrowed aud they are
sent broadcast through the mails. The
IDEAS of some man which cannot be
circulated through the press or maga-
zines because they would be rejected
by any publisher either as news or
views are disseminated In this way, and
the people pay the postage, There are
organizations in Washington which ad-
yertse themselves this way. They OBJ
tain hearing before q congressional
committee, state their views and print
letters and these become frankable.
Then the good nature of some con
gresham is imposed upon and such
parts as will constitute an advertise
ment are sent forth for that purpose.
But the movement to curtail this and
other attempts to save money to the
government meet strong opposition.
Senator Morgsn's Observation.
The venerable senator from Alabama
had not taken any great part in the
railroad rate discussion, but he in
dulged in n few questions with Senator
Long the other day which were rather
significant.
SIS there any provision In this bill"
asked Senator Morgan, (which com
10 tn hn tn
scrlbed by the commissionf"
'There are penalties provided for the
refusal on the part Of n carrier, and a
mandamus proceeding Is provided to
enforce acceptance" replied Long.
Does this bill affirm" continued
Morgan, that carrier engaged in
interstate commerce has no right to
stop business II 1t finds II unproft-
able?"
II do not think the bill goes so far as
that" replied Long.
"Then 1t seems to me the bill has a
very slender underplnning," remarked
Morgan.
Why the Hyphen?
Representative Bartholdt was trying
to get bill through the house to In
corporate the National German-Amer-
lean alliance, and General Grosvenor
broke in with few questions which,
supported by a protest from Colonel
Hepburn, put the bill to sleep. Here
is the way Grosvenor went at It:
What Is the propriety Of using the
term 'German-American?I have heard
It condemned many time, and l have
had q great deal Of sympathy with that
condemnation. Upon what theory is
that hyphenated designation kept up
after a man has cast his fealty with
the American people"
Canal or Good Roads.
Representative Lee of Georgia thinks
that we had better spend money on
highways rather than on a canal. He