Restricting Abuse of the Franking Privilege
REFERENCE has been made in these columns to the abuse of the franking privilege by the head of the “Christian Lobby” in sending out his documents under a senatorial frank. It is evident that Congress proposes to prevent further efforts to reform the country at the country’s expense. This is indicated by the following paragraph from the Washington Post of March 20:— In the report of the Committee on Post-offices and Post-roads on the post-office appropriation bill, submitted to the House yesterday, such legislation is recommended as will restrict the use of the franking privilege, so that no one entitled to it under the law may lend it. This provision is especially aimed at Wilbur F. Crafts, head of the International Reform Bureau, who has been sending out campaign material for the measures advocated by his bureau under the franks of representatives. The new provision in the bill states: “Hereafter it shall be unlawful for any person entitled, under the law, to the use of a frank, to lend said frank, or permit its use by any committee, organization, association, or person for the benefit or use of any committee, organization, or association.”