A Reform That Needs Reforming
By W. A. Colcord
The International Reform Bureau's Abuse of the Postal System
The International Reform Bureau of Washington, D. C., of which Mr. Wilbur F. Crafts is the founder, superintendent, and treasurer, was organized in 1905. For ten years it has been seeking to fasten itself upon Congress, to gain influence through so-called “moral reforms,” and to secure from Congress national religious legislation, particularly Sunday legislation. The Bureau styles itself, “The first ‘Christian lobby’ established at our national capital to speak to government in behalf of all denominations,” and its manager says that here in Washington he is called “The Speaker of the Third House.” The Bureau claims to have been instrumental in introducing numerous measures into Congress, and in securing their passage. One way in which it seeks to mold public opinion is by sending out its literature in franked envelopes secured from certain senators and representatives favorable to its objects. In its annual report for 1901, it says: “The Bureau’s Quarterly and other documents, many of them reprints of government matter sent in franked envelopes in accordance with the law made to promote such civic education, have reached, during the year, more than one hundred thousand moral readers in all parts of the land, including at least one in every town of two thousand inhabitants.” From this it will be seen that not all of the matter thus sent out by the Bureau is “government matter.” Some of it consists of speeches made by Mr. Crafts in favor of Sunday legislation, and advertisements of his works, such as his “Sabbath for Man,” and the like. The frank means free postage. It is supposed to be used only by men occupying some official or government position, and then not for private purposes, but only in the transaction of government business. It is the release or cancellation of a postal charge, which, if paid by an individual, would properly be paid back to him by the government. Every extension of the franking privilege, therefore, beyond the use that prevents the payment of money by the government to itself is unjustifiable. The latest abuse of this privilege by the Reform Bureau, as pointed out in the REVIEW of August 3, is the sending out of thousands of copies of a book weighing over one pound, entitled “Patriotic Studies.” The book is being sent out for sale to prospective buyers through the mails, not only free of postage, but with an accompanying franked envelope for the return of either the money or the book. By such methods the Reform Bureau is seeking to stir up “patriotism,” and is manifesting its own “love of country.” A copy of this book was recently received at the free public library of New Bedford, Mass. Upon receipt of the book, Mr. Tripp, the librarian, sent the following reply:— Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, Ph. D., Supt. and Treas. International Reform Bureau, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: However much I might feel inclined to purchase the book which came to hand this noon, and which is offered at a reasonable price, the inexcusable method which you take to circulate the book, abusing the franking privilege, would debar me from accepting the book at any price. The compiler of a book on Civic Reform should certainly have a keener sense of honor than to abuse the spirit of the postal laws in such a flagrant way. I would respectfully suggest that in your next edition you add a chapter on the franking privilege, its use and abuse. Of course I can not in honor make use of the enclosed frank which you sent to return the book, so I hold it subject to your remittance of the necessary postage for its return, or, if you please, will send it by express. I remain, GEORGE H. TRIPP, Librarian. Arrangements, it is stated, have been made whereby seventy thousand copies of these books can be sent out. These would weigh over thirty-five tons. The postage on them one way would amount to six thousand three hundred dollars, and both ways to twelve thousand six hundred dollars. The Washington Post of July 27 styles this a “flagrant case of graft.” The New York Times of July 21 says that the Bureau “is distinctly the enterprise of a group of private citizens, and therefore there is no imaginable excuse for sending out its publications under a congressman’s frank, even when the publications, whether for sale or for free distribution, happen to be books compiled at the society’s expense from various governmental documents that suit its purpose.” The Philadelphia Record of July 27 says that one of the causes of the large annual postal deficit of the United States (eight million dollars for 1904) is due to such abuses of the postal system as is being practised by the International Reform Bureau. Commenting on this abuse, the New Bedford Evening Standard of July 28 says: “Reforms that are possessed of a virile manliness should be sturdy enough to stand on their own feet, and not demand to be hauled in an official wagon.” It adds that the Reform Bureau is no more entitled to the use of the franking privilege “than a propaganda for the fresh-air cure for tuberculosis.” The franking privilege is doubtless abused by many besides the Reform Bureau; but of all parties who might be expected to be extra scrupulous in their means and methods, are those who have set themselves the task of reforming the government on morals and religion. Christ and Paul have given particular instruction that Christians should pay tribute to Caesar, but through the evasion of paying its postage bills, the Reform Bureau is evidently defrauding the government out of considerable sums of its legitimate revenue. Manifestly it is a reform which needs reforming.