The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-14
MAIL SERVICE DISCUSSED
An Amendment Leading to Govern.
ment Ownership of Postal Cars.
SOME INTERESTING FIGURES
Ex.postmastcr General Villas Demon.
strates That the Government Pur.
chases the Mail Cars Every Year in
Rent-Financial Pot SINNERS.
By the United Press.

Washington, Feb. 13.-The senate
spent most of the day in further consid-
Grafton of the amendment to the post
office appropriation bill looking to the
reduction of the rates now paid to rail-
road companies for the transportation
of mails of the United States. A modi-
flcatlon pending to the amendment re-
ported from the committee on appro-
priation, requiring a reduction of at
least 10 per cent, and another propo-
sition Is pending, offered by Mr.. Villas,
of Wisconsin, looking to the purchase,
ownership and management of the rail
way postal cars by the government.
Ex-Postmaster General Villas stated
that when he was at the head of the
postoffice department he had caused
careful inquiries to be made and had
learned that the then total value of
the railway postal cars was only $1,600,-
900, while two millions year was then
paid by the government for their rent,
besides paying by weight for the mails
they carried. Figures just prepared by
the railway mail bureau showed a total
of 74O railway postal cars worth about
$3,500 each, making a total investment
of $2,J900OO. The maintenance of these
740 cars would cost $500, 800.
Several senators objected to Mr.. Villas
proposition, and the question went over
without any action, except an agree
ment that vote will be taken on.i at
3 y. IN. tomorrow.
Mr.. Villas also introduced a bill with
the title, ITO save to the people of the
United States $16,17O,77O," and which
proposes the issue of 3 per cent. bonds
payable, principal and interest, in gold
coin. The bill went to the calendar.
Mr.. Sherman, Ohio, also re-intro-
duced his bill for the issue of 3 per
cent gold bonds and certificates of in
debtedness payable "in lawful money
and this bill remains on the table, TO
be called up for discussion in the morn
ing hour.
House joint resolution extending
from March to April 10, 1895, the time
for making returns of income, was, on
motion of Mr.. Vest, Missouri, taken
from the calendar and amended and
passed, and a conference with the house
was asked.
Bond Contract Discussed.
The house was principally occupied
today in considering business relating
to the District of Columbia, but room
was found in that discussion for the
introduction of a resolution by Mr.. Van
EoOrhis, New York, bearing on gov
ernment financial matters, the main
tenor of which was to request report
from the committee on ways and means
of the testimony, evidence and state
ments made by Secretary Carlisle be-
fore the committee yesterday regard
ing the recent bond contract. The New
urk representative was very anxious
for this information, and Mr.. Wilson
the chairman of the committee, assured
Mr.. Van Voorhis that he had copy OF
the contract in his pocket and would
at the proper time present it. This
was done later in the shape of report
from the ways and means committee
on the presidents message relating tC
the siXtytwo million bond contract
and which report contained a copy OF
the contract.
1t was soon evident that there was a
disposition to know what the minority
of the committee thought of the mat
ter, and the house adopted motion
which will allow them to present their
views on the subject tomorrow.