The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
POstOffce Appropriation Bill Consid-
cred and Amended.

POstOfice Appropriation Bill COnstd-
cred and Amended.
WASHINGTON, March zf-Lack of a
quorum in the House to-day prevented the
passage OF a number of bills of local i'm
portance. for which unanimous consent was
asked. one exception was the bill author
izing the West Braddock Pa.) Bridge Com
pany to construct a bridge across the
Monogahela river.
The House went into committee Of the
whole. and. with only about fifty members
present took up the postoffice appropria-
ton bill The bill carries S7.470.599. which
is sS,142s51 less than the estimates and
50, 466, 2S5 more than the appropriation for
the current fiscal year. Mr.. Loud pre-
scented the minority report against the item
of s1966l4 for necessary and special facili-
ties on trunk lines.
Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois. criticised some Of
the reductions made by the bill. The
amount appropriated for. railroad transpor-
tation (S25, 5OO.0OO, 81, 100000 less than the
estimates, he predicted would be made
quate and would have to be met next year
by deficiency, appropriation.
Mr.. Kyle, who signed the minority re-
port against the appropriation for sepcial
mail facilities, then took the floor in oppo-
sltlon to this proposition. The appropra-
ton was for special facilities from Spring
field, Mass, via New York and Washington
to Atlanta and New Orleans.
Mr.. Loud, who followed Mr.. Kyle, after
a few general words in support of liberal
appropriations for the postal service, in the
course of which he especially criticised the
reduction in the appropriations for post
masters, railroad transportation, car serv-
Ice and ocean service, vigorously opposed
this appropriation for special mail facilities.
General debate was then closed except on
this item for special mail facilities and the
blll was read by paragraphs for amendment
under the five-minute rule. Mr. Loud offered
amendment increase in
ton for compensation to postmasters from
$l6,OO0OO0 to 17,250,0O0. The amendment was
Mr.. Bowers moved to reduce the appro-
priations for rent, light and fuel of first and
second-class postoffices from $4,000 TO Si45-
OOc 1t was defeated. as was also his amend
ment to reduce the appropriation for mis-
cellaneous items for first and second-cass
offices from $4,000 to $4,000.
Mr.. Morse offered an amendment TO set
aside S2oOOO for the purpose of free delivery
experiments In rural districts other than
Williams. of Michigan, SUPPORTED ted the
amendment, while Mr.. Wilson. of Washing
ten ten GGp prTs it. Mr. Bryan thought rural
that some relief could be afforded residents
OF the country by making postoftice boxes
further debate by Messrs Cannon, Coomhs,
Livingston, Crawford, Talbert, Warner.
Swanson ss $50 Richardson Of Michiga9 and Cock
An amendment by Mr.. Picker was also
adopted directing the Postmaster-general
10 report to the next Congress such meas
ures as may be deemed practicable for ex-
tending the mail service TO rural districts.
and their probable costs.
Mr.. Lacey offered an amendment de-
signed to provide for the purchase, instead
of the rental. of machines for canceling
postage stamps. Mr.. Reed opposed the
amendment as an infringement of the
rights of the owners of the machines.
These machines were patented The amend
ment was modified so as to provide for
rent or purchase" at the option of the
government. AS modified the amendment
was agreed to. The committee then arose.
and, at 4:50, the House adjourned.