p. 20 | The Much-Abused Frank by W. A. COLCORD

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1905

The Much-Abused Frank

By W. A. COLCORD

Under the above heading, the Washington Times of Dec. 14, 1905, says: “Of all the mail transported last year by the postal service, one-eighth part in weight was carried under ‘frank.’” In his annual report, Postmaster-General Cortelyou says that it costs the government twenty million dollars to extend these courtesies.

The old story of the representative in Congress who dispatched a set of bedroom furniture and an iron safe under the franking privilege to his home is still current in Washington. But this would not have been further from the original intent of the frank, nor a greater abuse of the franking system, than is the use some are now making of it to carry on a religious propaganda, and promulgate principles subversive of the government, and contrary to the express terms of the Constitution.

Among those who are abusing this franking privilege in this way the National Reformers and the Reform Bureau may be mentioned. In an article published in the Washington Post of Aug. 16, 1905, Mr. William F. Crafts admits that he has “used franks more or less for seventeen years—since the first of his twenty-eight hearings before committees of Congress, on April 6, 1888.” And at the recent annual convention of the National Reform Association, Dr. H. H. George admitted as much, when he said, “We don’t pay for things we can get out of if possible.”

The third assistant postmaster-general, in his report, recommends that the franking privilege be abolished; that all mail matter be prepaid at the regular postage rate; and that a system of appropriations to cover necessary postage expenses be adopted to supply the needs of members of Congress and the governmental departments.

W. A. COLCORD.