Foreword

Several years ago I conceived the idea of settling domestic misunderstandings in our home upon a somewhat unique basis--the giving and submitting to carefully regulated corporal punishment.

My idea was to inaugurate a system of cooperative discipline that would sincerely benefit the party at fault and prevent all serious trouble by furnishing a definite, fair and effective method of adjustment. The plan was a wonderful success.

Gratified by the happiness we attained through the operation of our somewhat novel concept, we told a few of our intimate friends of our plan and they, too, adopted the method, reporting to us the same happy results.

The news began to spread, and soon, to my great astonishment, I became besieged with letters from all parts of the country asking for particulars of the "Spencer Spanking Plan," as they termed it.

I shrank from the publicity that all this naturally entailed. It was one thing to tell intimate friends of our arrangement, and quite another to discuss it with strangers.

With reluctance, but feeling perhaps it was my duty, in view of the many earnest appeals for help and advice I received, I answered several of the communications and agreed to send them the information desired--asking a small fee as it took up considerable time and meant not a little work to forward my ideas on the subject to them.

Thus the Spencer Spanking Plan became a definite thing instead of a vague term. I found myself the originator of a System of Cooperative Discipline that bids fair to swoop the nation in a most enthusiastic way.

Of course, and quite naturally, my efforts were misunderstood by many people. I found myself in contact with not a few "cranks" and nit-wits. But on the whole, I secured a splendid reception for my ideas, and I have every reason to believe that my efforts have been productive of much good.

I have never claimed that the Spencer System was an infallible panacea for all the troubles of humanity nor am I of the opinion that it can or should be adopted by everyone.

I do believe, however, that the idea properly operated contains genuine merit, and that most anyone CAN derive sincere benefit from it if they adopt the right attitude and live up to the rules and regulations carefully.

I do not prescribe the Spencer Plan as a remedy for you to take. Only physicians are allowed to prescribe and I am not a physician. The law, however, entitles any one to market and sell their BELIEFS and OPINIONS.

The principles of modern corporal punishment, as defined by the Spencer Plan, have helped me--and many other people--and it is my positive BELIEF and OPINION that if you will follow the idea out carefully and properly that it will do the same for you.

Wishing you sincere success, I am,

Very sincerely yours,

DOROTHY SPENCER