CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIFE. [To THE EDITOR OF
THE "seserAzos."] SIR,—It may be well to point out, while the public indignation against the Mile End Guardians is at fever-heat, that in ordinary business circles there is quite as much corruption. The erring Guardians were prosecuted under the Public Bodies Corrupt Practices Act, 1889; but bribery of, and the payment of secret commissions to, any "agent" has been made a criminal offence since the Prevention of Corruption Act came into force on January 1st, 1907. Under both Acts a person is liable, on conviction, to a fine of £500 or imprison- ment for two years with hard labour, or to both flue and imprisonment. The convictions under the later Act have not been of great importance hitherto, but the prosecution. of offenders in the higher walks of life is only a matter of time. And almost as important is the banding together of hundreds of business men of high standing as members of the Secret Commissions and Bribery Prevention League, determined to see that the Prevention of Corruption Act is duly observed.
Secret Commissions and Bribery Prevention League, Incorporated.
3 Oxford Court, Cannon Street, E.C.
[The statement that "in ordinary business circles there is quite as much corruption" as in the case of the Mile End Guardians is surely an exaggeration. At the same time, we do not doubt that there is a great need of vigilance in the matter of secret and corrupt commissions, and we are exceed- ingly glad to hear of the activity of the "Secret Commissions and Bribery Prevention League," which is carrying out a most important public duty.—En. Spectator.]
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