Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-26
W. F. CRAFTS ACCUSED
TO HAVE VIOLATED
THE FRANKINa PRIVILEGE.

The National German American Alliance,
the most powerful German organization IN
the United States. numbering more than
one million and half members, has Off
cially asserted that the franking privilege
of the Post Office Department is being vio-
lated by Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts of this city,
and Attorney General Moody is asked to in
vestfgate the matter and determine whether
there should be prosecutions. In an official
remonstrance to the Attorney General 1t is
stated that the bureau over which Mr..
Crafts presdes is sending to the country,
under the frank of a senator. alleged con-
gressional material that did not appear in
the Congressional Record on the date al
legged in the matter.
The attention of Postmaster General Cor
telyou and of senators and representatives
has also been called to the charge, and the
intimation Is given that the German voters
of the country. through the alliance, WIiI
closely watch the action of the prosecuting
department OF the government In the
matter.
c. j. Hexamer, president. and Adolph
Timm. secretary of the alliance aiiege ina.
Mr.. Crafts has for years been sending 10
the country a pamphlet bearing the titie.
Scientific Testimony on Beer. From speech
by Senator J. H. Gallinger, M. D.. Congress
sional Record, January 8. 1901 Inc
pamphlet is declared to contain an attack
on beer and an advertisement of the bureau
through which Mr.. Crafts sends prohibition
literature to the country.
The declaration is then made that the
Record of the date named does not contain
any speech by Senator Gallinger. and fur
Their that the pamphlet contains NUMBER
of passages not contained at all In the
speech of Senator Gallfnger, wh1ch was ue-
livered earlier than the date fixed.
The Matter Grave One.
The remonstrance to the Attorney Cen
of
United States mails continues as follows:
However, it is not merely our purpose
to raise the question of the legality or ille-
gality of the act We also feel constrained
to protest against the abuse of priv
lege which, we think, was given TO mem
bers of Congress to be used In the interest,"
of the people and not for the purpose Oh
enabling any particular Clique or set OF peo-
pie to propagate their peculiar teachings
and theories at the expense or the govern
ment.
cur organization Is composed OF most
of the German societies in the country we
represent membership of one and haif
million and the views of additional mil
lions of it's citizens. A large portion or the
income of the government comes from our
members and those in sympathy with US.
Is it right that the government be thus
made the arbiter in a matter or TINS kino
and that 1t pay with money coming from
us for the propaganda of doctrines to which
ton of views which we believe to be. thor
oughly false?
1.-The matter Is very grave one. For this
abuse, If tolerated by custom or indiffer-
ence would make the government the mes
senger and servant of every sect, clique or
society with doctrine or dogma. If it can
only find an oblging member of Congress
willing to quote the doctrine in speech
and lending his frank for the use of the
mails Amazing as this would be, yet II
1t is right in this instance, we cannot see
why not every other sect clique or society,
no matter how large or small, should thus
make the people pay for propagating its
pet theories, Irrespective of their value
and why not some member of Congress
should oblige it.
I'VE do think that If people want to car
ry on a propaganda of their theories and
doctrines they should pay the expense of it
rather than be allowed to increase for so
much the deficit of the Post Office Depart
ment, amounting to many millions annu-
ally.
Two years ago at public hearing ar
ranged by the committee of Judiciary of the
House of Representatives on the Hepburn
Deliver bill the abuse pointed out, but
without any further result than creating
a sensation by fits publicity in the press. We
now raise voice, and we hope with bet
ter result"