The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-27
Bids for Supplying the Increase for
Which Millions Have Been
Appropriated.
Twelve Bids Received, no Two Of
Them for the Same
Service.


WASHINGTON, Oot. 8.-This afternoon
Postmaster General Wanamaker opened
the proposals for supplying the. proposed
increase in ocean mail service under the act
Of March 8. 1891. Twelve bids were re-
ceived, no two for the same service. The
first bid was No. Is Of ths schedule, New
port News to Rio, Brazil, via 81. Thomas,
Martinique, Barbadoes, Zara, Psrnambuca
and Bahia. twenty.six trips per year, con-
tract for five years. The bidder was the
United States and Brazil Mail Steamship
company; compensation asked, 81 per mile
for vessels OF the third class and 6629 cents
per mile for fourth class. The postmaster
general stated that this bid seemed TO vary
from the form Of tho advertisement. The
second bid, No. 3 of the schedule, Boston
TO Liverpool and Queenstown once week,
fifty-two trips ysar, vessels Of the third
class; bidder, the Columbia Safety Steam
ship company, "a per mile. Third bid. No.
A, San Francisco to Panama, touching
twice each month, going and returning, at
the following ports: San Diego, Cal, Ma
zatlan. San Bias, Manzanillo, Acapulco,
Port Angel, Salina Cruz. Tolona, San Be-
nito, Osos, Champerico, San Jose. Acajutla,
La Libertad, LA Union, Amapala, CorintO,
San Juan and Punta Arenas; three times q
month, thirty-six times a year, time, six
teen days. vessels of the fourth class for
the first three years; the remaining seven
years, once week. fifty-two trips per year,
time fifteen and one-half days; increased
service TO be performed in vessels OF the
third class, bid to specify rate for
each class; bidder, Pacific Mail Steam
ship company, 66 3-5 cents per mile for ves-
sells Of the fourth class, and 81 per mile for
vessels Of the third class. Tho next bid
was No. AZ, New York to Colon, thirty-six
trips per year; bidder. Pacific Mail Steam 4
ship company. 81 per mile. No. AZ. San
Francisco to Hong Kong, via Yokohama,
trips per year. vessels of the third class,
time sixteen days for the hrst two years.;
once in two weeks, twenty-six trips psr
year. in vessels of the second class. for the
remaining eight yeara ct the term, time
\ fifteen days TO and from Yokohama; bidder.
mile for yesselssof the third class, and 32
for second class. No. 28, New Orleans TO
Colon and several Central American ports,
once in two weeks, vessels of the third
class; time, six days each way; bidder, Pa
ciao Mail =. company G6N zen cents Per mile.
general expressed the opinion that the last
fact invalidatsd the bid. No. 80, Galveston
to Laguayra, returning via Carthsgina
and Colon, three times month.
vessels Of the fourth class; bidders.
John B. Clark and associates, Of Chicago.
66ss cents. Number II, New York to
Buenos Ayres, touching at Montevideo.
eighteen days outward, once in three weeks,
aggregating seventeen trips per year. yes
sells of the second class touching Rio and
Santos on the return. w. u. Hughes. of
New York. 81. No. 35, New York TO Sam
| TIA Cnh n vi
fourth class vessels. six days each way;
| New York and Cuba Mail Steamship COM
pany, 66ss cents. No. 50, New York 70
Havana, once week, third class vessels.
1 three and three-fourths days each way,
same bidder, 81. No. 81. New York to
and Tapico. returning via Vera Cruz.
Prontero and Havana. once a week, third
class vessels, same bidder, 81. No. 36:
New York to Laguayra, via Curacao and
Puerto Cabelle, three trips month. third
class, six days to Curacoa; Bolton, Bliss n
Dallen, New York, 81.
BY bids received at the postofice dc
partment for ocean mail lettings for SER
vice upon lines now performing the service
the time of voyages upon the various routes
is reduced in amounts varying from 10 to
80 per cent. THIS, of course, nscessi-
tates additional ships, and including four
new routes proposed for, II would seem
| there must not be less than seventeen ships
built at u cost Of not less than 81, ,0OO, COO
II all the bids are accepted, the amount of
subsidy required will be about million
and half dollars when the full service is
in operation. The full service under the
postal shipping bill vii require abou sixty
ships all told, carrying the American flag.
The department has had knowledge Of ne
gotiations in progress for other routes
upon which bids have been deferred for
various reasons, notably the New Zealand
service, where the difficulty seems to be
that New Zealand authorities entertain an
idea of improving the service between that
country and this BY making concession
to the Spreckels COMPANY. but arguing that
some of these vessels shall carry the New
Zealand flag, which would be contrary to
tho stipulation of the postal subsidy bill.