When government used publicity against itself: Toledo's Commission of Publicity and Efficiency, 1916–1975

In early 20th century America, the Progressive Movement sought to fight corruption and graft in city governments through publicity. The usual approach was to establish a nonprofit bureau of research or efficiency that would investigate city government and publicize the results. However, in Toledo (OH), that bureau was a government agency and was also publisher of the official city gazette. Was the public sector affiliation of the Toledo Commission of Publicity and Efficiency a fatal flaw? This inquiry concludes that the Toledo bureau was as effective as its nonprofit counterparts. Contrary to the dogma of Progressive Era reformers, a public agency dedicated to reform could successfully use publicity against its own government to accomplish reform.