Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-01
AMERICAN MAIL SHIPS.
MIR. BURROWS TO SUBMIT A
MINORITY REPORT.


Mail Matter Compulsory Vigorously
Oppossd-A Belief That 400 much
Power Would be Invested ia the Post
master General.
WASHINGTON, FEB. 2s.--Mr. Burrows,
OF Michigan, on behalf OF the minority Of
the House Committee on Post Otfiees and
Post Roads VIII tomorrow submit re-
port dissenting from the views OF the
majority in reporting tavorably the bill
to compel American steamships to carry
United states mails. The report states
that under the Dingley bill American ves-
sells were to be consulted like their for
eign rivals as to performance of services
and the compensation 10 DO paid there
fore, and not forced to carry mails on
such terms as the Postmaster General
might see Ut to impose.
No CONTRACTS MADE.
The Postmaster General had wbolls
neglected aud refused not only 10 con.
tract with any American steamship for
carrying foreign mails as he was author
iZed to do by the act Of March 3 1885, but
had declined to use the appropriation
therein made for the purposes named. As
a result of this action and in consequences
of the inadequate compensation now al
ship companies had declined to carry the
mails. 1t was now proposed. instead OF
assisting the Postmaster General by some
appropriate Legislation to execute the
law of March 3, 1885, t. punish American
steamships for their refusal TO carry the
mails. BY virtue of section 1909 OF the
Revised Statutes the Postmaster General
was restricted in the matter OF compen-
sation to be allowed American ships 10
sea and inland postage on the mails so
carried,
ALLEGED EVIL EFFECTS.
II the bill Of the majority were TO be-
come law American steamships would
be denied clearance and right TO carry the
American flag unless they consented TO
carry malls for sum not exceeding sea
and inland postage, whatever might be
distance and expense. The sea and In
land postage was the same wnether the
mails were carried 900 or 1900 miles, And
the Postmaster General might allow the
same compensation for transporting mails
from Key West TO Havana AS from San
Francisco to China. The Postmaster
General could not exceed sea and inland
postage IN fixing the maximum amount
but his di secretion was unrestrained and
fixed the minimum amount.
GIVEN GREAT POWER.
He was, therefore, clothed with power
TO force American vessels to carry the
mails tor any sum he saw proper, hove
ever meagre. The minority conld not be-
lieye that Congress ought TO couier on a
Postmaster General such an arbitrary
power, or strike so deadly blow at our
feeble and struggling marine.
The report then goes into a comparison
OF the sums paid by the United States tor
the carrying of foreign mails With those
paid for the transportation of mails ~
railway, star routes and cOastlng sLear1-
ers in order TO show that the former re-
celves but very inadequate aud meagre
compensation.
COMPARISON REJECTED.
Referring to the argument submitted by
the majority that sea and inland postage
will yield a greater revenue to American
steamships than the tariff for car
goes of like amount and weight,
the minority dismisses the sub
ject, with a declaration TO enter into
controversy with anyone who places im-
portant United States mails on the same
footing with common freight in the hold
OF ship. After citing interesting tables
showing the large amount OF money ex-
pended by foreign nations in carrying
mails, the report states that the United
States paid In 1885 for foreign mail SER
vice only 1926, 73j, OF which S27S,000 was
fhtN " AOiCtku AlutSg ACaFtn& tcso th0t&
$4,000 for American vessels.
NATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
In conclusion the report says IL is need
less to enlarge upon tue advantages which
necessarily follow In a commercial sense
20 those countries establishing ard MAIN
tanning regular lines OF foreign eommu-
nication. The history Of every nation con-
firms this and every consideration Of Ma
tional pride and patriotism dictates to the
United states tie employment Of Ameri-
can steamships TO transport its foreign
mail. IL should be aetuated by a policy
which would promote rather than de-
str0y our merchant marine.
sUBsInIzING NOT NECESSARY.
Ii was not necessary 10 subsid re lines,
but only TO allow them such cnmpensa-
tion as was just and reasonable. The
bill OF the majority did not do this. but 10
empowered the Postmaster General TO
force American vessels 10 carry mails at
a loss or surrender the advantage OF sail
ing under the American flaR. Tne country
was not prepared nor could il afford to
place the destiny of It's merchant marine
in the Keeping OF any QUE man. The
report is signed by Messrs. Burrows,
Bingham, Millard, and Peters.
Mr.. Burrows will offer a substitute for
the bill authorizing the Postmaster GEN.
eral 70 contract with American lines for
carrying the malls at rate not exceed
ing bfty cents per nautical mile Tor a
term Of hve years, and authorizing the
President 70 enter into treaties with such
countries as desire 10 unite with the Uni
ted States In promoting mail facilities be-
tween the two countries.