Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1910-12-25
SPECIAL FRANK
 IS FAVORED P. o. Departments Idea for Use on Official Letters
 a Good One. MIR. PAYNE OPPOSES
MIR. PAYNE OPPOSES
The Tariff COmmissiOn-EIect of Senators by Direct Vote Is
 Urged.

Washington. Dec. "A .-''The sug- gestion that the Postoffice Depart ment issue special franking stamp for use on official letters mailed by Senators and members is not bad
 dea," said member of the House Committee on postoffices and post roads today, ''but it will hardly have the effect of lessening the amount of free mail. It is not many years that we have had the privilege of frankinw our official mail. As I recall it, the author of the law was Representa- tive James D. Richardson, of Tennes- Committee on printing at the time he Introduced his resolution to ex- tend the franking privilege of sena~ tors and members. He pointed out that most of such mail was of an official character, in that it reQuir. ed correspondence with the executive departments, and that if the constitu- ent had written direct to depart ment his letter would be answered under frank. He also showed that on matters pertaining to Congress and the departments was a tax on some members, and as near ly all mail going out of the House and Senate was of official character, it should 30 under frank. He made it clear, however, that the franking privilege was not to apply to person
 al correspondence. The resolution was adopted by the House and sen ate by practically a unanimous vote, It may be- added the committee mlembery that the personal corre- spondence feature of the law is not strictly observed. and the Postmaster General believes that his special stamp suggestion, if used, will be taken as an authority for the issuance of the special franking stamps for all official matter sent out by Con- gross. I fail to see how it would coz rect any abuse, but it would add some thousands of dollars expense in pr nting stamps. Some years ago each department of the government had it's particular stamp. The White House was not an exception. AS I re- call the White House stamps were styled executive stamp and were q series of six. They were in great demand by stamp collectors. Bus the department stamps were abolish ed by Congress in the interest of economy, and to facil'ta handling of official mail in the postoffices of the country, I doubt if the House at this session will make any change in the frank.ng privilege, as suggested by the Postmaster General
 Election of Senators.
 Just after the holiday recess I will make another effort to obtain vote on my joint resolution, proposing an amendment to the Constitution pro vid'ng for the election of senators of the United States" said Representa- tive Lloyd, of Missouri, chairman of the Democratic congressional commit tee today '"This resolution has been favorable reported to the House and in my judgment, it represents the wishes of the people. If the House refuses to permit vote to be taken at this session, you may depend on it that the next House will pass it by a large majority. A number of states have adopted the primary system. whereby candidates for United States senators are voted fer directly. members of the legislature chosen at the same election voting for the can didates receiving the majority of the vote of the people. I feel confident that the passage of the House of my joint resolution would have whole some effect on those states that have not yet adopted the primary system of electing senators. doubt if any one would question how the people certain states would vote for som , senators who are candidates to suc- ceed themselves"
 Amendment Beneficial.
 The last amendment to the rules adopted by the House the day before
 final adjournment, last June, has been fruitful in adding to the caler- dars of the House. It was known as
 the Clark Amendment to the Rules
 the purpose of which is to place i'll the hands of the voting majority th 2 power to discharge a committee from consideration of any bill or resolu- tion that had been pending in con- mittee long enough to have been con