Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-04-14


pedted time-indeed, may say enor.
mously increased. For instance take
the Fort Worth and Fort Yuma route,
expedited in 1878. The time that was
required for the transportation OF the
mail from Fort Worth to Fort Yuma
was shortened some three days, and
the amount allowed by the origina!
contract-sl34,0O 600 per year = for
carrying the mail thereon was
increased IN amount for the added
speed to $4,000 an increase of sl65,-
600. The route from Rock Creek TO
Fort Custer was expedited from sl0,-
l50712. The route from Bismarck TO
Fort Keogh was expedited from 81, 1855
to $40 900.
The total increase on existing con.
tracts for expedition on these l07
routes made in the last fiscal year, not
in the current fiscal year, was 1885,.
819. The total amount made in this
fiscal year was s3Os, ,946, making a total
increase of 81, l45, ,765 for expedition
or increased speed alone. Here is n
tremendous increase in the cost OF
the transportation of the mail by star
service, Sl,l45,000, when the whole
cost per annum is about s7O00000,
Whence comes the power to do this 7
Where is the authority under which
the ost-Oflice Department can dothis
and be within the law ? have the
sections OF the Revised Statutes and
| will read them
SEC. 5000. Compensation for additional service
In carrying the mail shal not be In excess Of the
exact proportion which the original comptnsa-
tion bears to the original service and when any
such additional service is ordered, the SUN 10 be
allowed therefor sban bo expressed in the order.
and entered upon the books Of the Department;
and no cOmpsnsation shall be paid for any Addi-
tional regular service rendered before the Issuing
Of such order.
SEC. 1901 No extra allowance shall be made
for any Increase Of expedition in carrying the
mail unless thereby the omploymento OF additional
stock aud carriers is made necessary, and 10 such
case the additional cumpsnsation shall bear no
greater proportion to tue additional stock and
carriers neoessarily employed than the oompensa
ton in the original contract bears 10 the stock
and carriers necessarily employed 10 its eNscu-
tion
These are the sections under which
this power is now claimed and has
long been exercised
Mr.. MCDONALD / wish to ask
the Senator a question, The Senate
Committee on Appropriations have in
creased the amount OF the appropria-
ton in the House bill?
Mr.. WALLACE. The Senate com
mittee have increased the appropria.
tion in the House bill from 500 900 to
Sl,100,000-
Mr.. MCDONALD Where Is that
increase found2 have a copy of the
bill.
Mr.. WALLACE.-An amendment
proposed by myself to be inserted now
| by direction OF the Committee.
Mr.. MCDONALD 1t docs not ap-
pear in the printed bill.
Mr.. WALLACE. 1t does not.
| Mr.. MCDONALD. The increase is
from $4,000 10 Sl,l00000Y
Mr.. WALLACE Yes, sir.
Mr.. MCDONALD Is that under
stood to be a sum sufficient TO carry on
the present servicel
| Mr.. WALLACE Yes, sir; we based
our estimate ON the report Of the Sixth
Auditor Of the Treasury, which have
Just read TO the Senate
1t will be seen that an exercise OF
such discretion as is vested in this De-
partment by the statutes | have read
has in this instance been such as to
strike the ordinary mind with force as
almost an unlimited discretion. Here
is an increase of more than thousand
per cent. on the original bid. Take
the case of the mail from Bismarck 10
Fort Keogh theiDcrease isfromS2, $50
to 10000 from Rock Creek to Fort
, Custer slO,5OS 10 sss,7Gs; yet the
power to do this plainly exists under
the statute.
Mr.. TELLER. should like to ask
the Senator question. Take the
route from Bismarck to Fort Keogh
is there any evidence that there has
been any violation OF the statute in
the additional money allowed them 7
Mr.. WALLACE. Certainly not.
am not attempting to argue that there
has been; | know of none but | am
commenting upon the provisions ol
these statutes aud the practices under
} them in order to demonstrate that the
discretion given Is enormous; whether
that discretion has been exercised
wisely or unwisely is for Congress tc
determine.
The Department has too much dis
erection on this subject Such is the con
clusion that all Of your committee
d. come to. No Senator can take these
r statutes and read them and see the
practice under them without coming
, to the same conclusion. This is toJ
much discretion to vest in any execu
, tive officer. No executive officer whC
. desires to perform his duty with exact
, ness and without reproach but would
} shuddel at such responsibility being
, vested in him.
Mr.. TELLER Doesthe oommitte,
propose any change in the statutes
Mr. WALLACE They do and thi,
bill contains !, The excgse given 10,
this discretion, and it may be valid
one ia that tho bids originally nut in
for the carrying Of tbe mail IN hi,
character of service are too low for
their nerformance and as the Depart
ment il compelled to accept the Lowest
bidder IL does 80 with full knowledge
and understanding that the service Il
to be expedited or the number OF trip
increased, or both, and then the Post
master ushera.ean glyethe :, con',ncsol S m '