Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1914-07-16
TO WIPE OUT GRAFT
Campaigns Against Bribery Il
England and Germany.
Measures Taken to Promote Honesi
Dealing In Australia, New Zealand,
Canada and Afriea-cenvie-
lions In Britain

There seems to be a 10 Of bri-
berry passing over the civilized world.
No one has any idea of the amount Of
corruption that goes IN entirely out
OF sight. and some people seem 70
have no conscience about IT.
This startling statement was made
the other day at the annual meeting
Of the Secret Commissions and Brf
berry Prevention league. which wa
formed six years ago TO combat and,
II possible. to root out . canker that
has eaten deeply into the commercial
integrity Of the country. London An
svers remarks.
That the league has exercised {
powerful Influenza. not only In spread
ing q knowledge Of the prevention ol
corruption act. but In investigating
cases OF alleged bribery. may b
judged BY the fact that since II came
into existence no fewer than 16<
prosecutions have been commence
At its in~stigafion. and that at least q
convictions have been obtained. eithel
upon Indictment or under summary
procedure.
Nor Is the war against bribery con
fined to this country. II has been said
that British trade Ia retarded In Ger
tain countries because our merchant
will not countenance-at any rate. OF
such q Wholesale scale-the corrupt
practises Of some Of their foreign com
petitors. The campaign has to b
fought on international lines.
In Germany there Is already . -four
ishing organization modelled on tn,
Secret Commissions and Bribery Pre-
vention league. II was founded n
May. 1911. and in q little over . yea
had on Its roll the names of 100,
members-
There Is also IN Germany q Law
against bribery. although It IL not di
rected at persons in private life.
The members OF the German leam,
have on their stationery q device d
illustrate the object OF their organic
ton. Such a symbol has been adoptes
BY the British league. but ~ yet oni,
a few British firms have availes
themselves Of H.
-Four years ago the Swedish govern
ment sent Of Its judges to Eng
land to study on the spot the preven
ton OF corruption act and the opera
ton OF the British league. and al
though there has - yet been no prsc
teal outcome there Ia reason Z,
believe that before long there will b,
a Law In Sweden on the lines Of eithe,
the British or the German act
The commonwealth OF Australia. be
fore the British act had come int
force. set a example by passing III.
secret commission act In 1895. a fed
eral measure which applies equally 3,
all the six Australian states
By this act . ine Of $1,000 may b,
imposed on Indictment upon any cor
porafion which. As an agent. accept,
any secret gin or uses q false &C
count or gives . xfft or misieadfnl
document to any agent: and IN N,
case Of any person the penalty 10 ew'
yesn' imprisonment or . ins OF ESQ
or both-
In the dominion OF New Zealand .,
act came into force on January
1911. In South Africa and In Canad,
steps have been taken to enforce
law against bribery. but a. yet with
out result; and In several Of the state,
OF America there are anti-br1bery Iaws
though no federal ACT
So much for the international n
pect OF the question What has be-,
done In this country to wipe out III,
reproach Of us being . corrupt nation
Sir Edward Fry. one Of the stalwsrt
Of the movement for purity Of CON
mercfai life. some time Z made thi
astounding declaration:
To cleanse the Augean stable RI
quired the strength Of a Hercules: I,
cleanse u commercial and profes
sioual life Of the foulness OF brfber-
and corruption viii require the &C
operation Of all men who love Dur,
and clean hands.-
The drst practical step toward Grad
tcattng the malignant canksr- a
bribery was the passing Of the &C
Of 1905.
Briefly stated. the provisions Of III,
measure make Il . misdemeanor. DUE
ishable. on summary conviction or a,
Indictment. with nne or imprisou
ment.
-D For any agent corruptly to RI
cefve any gift or consideration for Dc
ing or not doing any act, or ahovfn,
or not showing favor or disfsvor a
relation to his principals Affairs.
-Czl For any person corruptiy q
offer such gifts or consideration q
any agent
-t3l For any person to give TO n,
agent. o. for any agent to use. an,
false or defective receipt or othe
business document with intent to ID
ceive the principal
Two important points must be ken
In mind: The brfbe or commfssio,
must be gtsen or received ~corrupt
H." and the false document must b
used with intent to decelya.. Then
again. any person employed By Q
acting for another" comss within III,
scope OF the term agent"
The % fact standing out ciearI,
and boldly ID that the Secret Com
missaons and Bribery Prevention
league has already moro than just
ned is existence.
III committee has investigated
large number Of - which hav,
been brought to their knowledge; the.
have given ADVICE freely to member
and Others interested in the working