The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-16
MAILS In AMERICAN VESSELS.
Postmaster General Nanamsker Invites Pro-
posals Under the Subsidy Law.

WASHINGTON, July 15.-The Postmaster
general to-day issued the advertisement of
the mail.lettings under the postal-sld bill
passed by the last Congress. 1t invites
proposals from steamship companies for
carrying the American mails to foreign
countries in vessels of American build of
the best construction and of the highest
speed in their respective classes over routes
mInutely described. The advertisement is
the product of three months of conference
at the department.
In the fiscal year ended June 80. 1890. just
90 cents were earned by the American ships
In carrying United States mails to Europe.
During the same period there was paid to
foreign ships the SUN of $780,. 40 for con-
veylnH mails from the United States
to Europe The Postm astsr- general
seeks by the advertisement issued to-day
to change this unfay orable showing by
on two transatlantic routes, one to Great
Britain direct and the other to
2 continental port. He seeks also
by similar means to expedite and
make more frequent and reliable mails to
Central and South American ports, and to
Australia and Asia. The details of the ar
tise%ens co@ DPsan stated saT sne
American ports from which service is
proposed to start are Boston, New York.
Philadelphia. Baltimore. Newport News
Norfolk. Port Tampa with service from
Mobile, New Orleans, Galveston, San
Francisco, Seattle and Tacoma.
Absolutely new service for American
ships is invited for the transatlantic lines
from New York and from Philadelphia and
line from Port Tampa to Venezuela
and to the east coast of South
America. line to the same ports is pro-
h-I-
Galveston and New Orleans to Aspin-
the north coast of Central America
and the ports on the Spanish
main. A new line on the Pacific coas,
from San Francisco to Chill and to the
west coast of South America is propos ed
and new line from Seattle or Tacoma to
China and Japan; also. a new line from
San Francisco to Melbourne
Provision has been made to secure quicker
service, reducing the time by one fourth to
Panama and as much as six DAYS between
Panama and San Francisco. The service
between New York aud Brazil is to be
reduced to nineteen days instead Of twen-
service, In connection with enlarge
ment of the old, Will require the
building of number ship, with an
aggregate tonnage of $4,000 tons and
S30.0OO.OO0. 1t is hoped that the other lines
projected will invite still further
investment of capital Newport News,
or Norfolk. has been chosen as the
best point for the upper Southern coast.
and port Tampa (starting at Mobile), New
Orleans aud Galveston. as the best
points for the lower Jouthern coast. While
a'small part of the service can be put on
Immediately it will require the whole
term of three years TO put on many of the
larger ships. Three years is the limit pre-
scribed by law.
The most important requirements are that
American-built steamships. constructed
after the latest types and with all the mod
ern appliances shall be employ ed; they must
be manned and Differed by American
citizens and their crews must contain q
certain proportion of American citizens.
The use of these steamers as gov
ernment transports or cruisers upon
payment TO 1.-THE owners of the far
actual value of the same is stipulated. The
advertisement provides that. in accordance
with the provisions of the act of Congress-
proposals will be received until O'clock
Oct. 26, 1891. The contracts are for ten
years.