Evening star., 1928-06-09

Alleged abuse Of the franking priv
ileQe by some members OF Congress
has been strongly denounced by the
public as result OF the admissions oil
Senator Heiiin of Alabama, made be-
fore the Senate committee investi-
eating campaign expenditures. While
several members OF Congress are slated
TO have gone too far In the distriDn-
tion OF political propaganda by this
method, the attack las centered upon
Senator Hefiin. who admits he has ie-
ceiyed pay for some public speeches
attacking Gov. Smith
Based upon testimony from the Gov
ernment Printing Office, the Bingham
ton Press refers TO these items Of pub
Tic expense, with The figures showing
the number Of copies sent free OIL
postage: ''Mr. M:Adoo's Endorsement
OF Senator Walsh, 300 1000; Senator
Burton's eulogy OF Mr., Hoover, 100000:
Representative Brandts speech on
Senator Willis, 10000, miscellaneous
speeches by Senator Hefiin. 556.00O,
The Press adds Mailed at the reGu-
lar third-class rate of ~ cents. this
mass Of speeches would have cost
&3I. $50 In postage. Under the frank
ing privilege, the Eeuders 0f the stun
paid nothing for IT'S transportation or
delivery. The Government paid-~that
ia. the taxpayers had at least $50 600
extracted from their pockets to keep
the political ealliope tuned up.
Still higher are the figures quoted
by the Lansing State Journal, showing
that "the equivalent OF more than
$50 900 In postage has been used ana
no fewer than 5000 900 pieces of cam
paiRn mat. franked through the
mails by 10Th parties The
$50 900 equivalent OF postage" con-
tlnues that paper. "is not 80 much
but think OF the needless printing oc"
casi0ned by including pretty nearly .ev-.
erything under heaven In a so~calied
speech and then asking leave TO PRINT.
And. still more to tne point. the use
Of the congressional frank IL not frank
II Is scheme OF indirection."
"The franking privilege Is not de-
fensible when II is employed IN pfcsl-
Dental years 10 advance the interests
OF candidates for nomination declares
the Brooklyn Daily. Eagle When thus
employed, 1t is wrong both In principle
and In practice. II imposes tax upon
the postal service that cannot be lusti.
fed II IL misuse OF the Taxpayers,
money and II ought to be stopped
The Buffalo evening News suggests
that surely In the two houses ol Con~
gress there must be sufficient num-
Der Of members with n proper sens
0f responsibility 10 end this wafpihg
Of privilege"
Nov comes Tom Hehin.' says the
Greensboro Daily Record. with his M
sulting remarks concerning Al SmiLh
and his supporters He malls these 10
OIL SECTIONS ht the expense Dt the peh~
nle-.td the tune OF ell 900.
Something certainly ought 10 be done
TO restrict the use 0f lha congressional
frank 80 that II will be used only Tor
legitimate purposes.
~ IN apparent" according 10 me
Albany Evening News. that Senator
Helm Ii making money stirring np
question which should mol enter y
presidential campaign in any way
and hc Ii tfanking THIS SUM
through the malls. II h about tlinr
that Senator liriiin drew up W the
curb" The New York evening World
remarks that IN view Of The guaranty
~ immunity from persecution because
~ religion In the bill ~ rights, oile
wonders just what right the Govern
mnnt has 10 spend the peuplt money
IN combating The Constitution,
Nevertheless, The Cleveland News con
ieKseR 1T h naturally diyeftlne 10
Americans that United States hanas
tor admittedly subsidiged by the kn
Klnk Kian to tbs ehlenl Of $4,000 o.
more IN one Summer, should expect ~
be taken seriously wtlnn ha talks " tl,n
bsnats chamber er eiAeWlleie 0l ssinli
subjects as government and religion
The Charleston Evening Post AtlRlAes
lie measures ouL hatred NJ 50 niilnli
per- Unit, lif nl0rH tlnn earned thn
money, We should aAy.. lie might raise
his scale VI prices"