New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-27
CHAIRMAN LOUD ANGRY.
HE ACCUSES POSTAL OFFICIALS OF
FhLSEHOOD
A SPIRITED DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OVER PRO
POSED REDUCTIONS OF MAIL DELIVERIES
AN ESTIMATE TO RE PUT INTO
THE GENERAL Def
CHENEY BILL.
Cheney BILL.
rpr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

the free delivery mail service by reduction or the
number OF letter-carrers in the larger cities was
one OF the subjects discussed In the course OF the
| considerat ton OF the Indian Appropriation bill In
the House OF Representatives to-day. Although IT.
relevant the discussion interesting and not
untmcly.
The most practical and important statement was
made by Chairman Cannon OF the Appropriations
Committee. who explained that the estimate for
dehciency appropriation had not been received
from the Postmaster General until after the Urgent
Deficiency bill had passed the stage OF amend
ment and therefore. that II would have to walt
until the General Deficiency bill should he framed
and reported which he expected would bc before
March l. Mr.. Cannon also explained that with the
money already appropriated the FREQ delivery ser
vice could be continued on the existing basis until
June 10 20. and Furthermore that the officials OF
the Postoffice Department knew well four or I'VE
months ago they know to-day that II the service
was be continued on that basis until the end ~
the fiscal year money would he required Mr..
Cannon declined commit himself either for or
against the proposed deficiency appropriation. and
said that OF course he could not assume 10 speak
for tho other members OF the Appropriations Com
mittee However even II tho item should not he
reported In the General Deficiency bill amend
ment insert It would he In order when the bill
before the House for consideration.
PROTESTS AGAINST THE REDUCTIONS.
Mr.. Bromwell Hep.. Ohio submitted some
marks the failure OF the Senate to place in the
Urgent Deficiency bill an appropriation FOR the
continuation OF tho macarricr service until July l.
It was well known he said that order had been
issued to cut down the carrier service on Fcbru-
airy L The order had been suspended in the hope
that an appropriation would he made In the De-
ncency bill. but the Senate had declined 10
make the appropriation tho order would probably
go into effect. He proceeded to comment on the
discrimination against certain cities. notably Gin
cnnati in the matter Of carrier service. In some
cities there were as many as eight deliveries. He
thought deliveries in excess OF five. possibly four.
were unnecessary.
Mr. Qugg Gep. " " in reply sustained that
tho mail deliveries in Ncw-York City were ALSO
lutely necessary to get the mall out OF and into
the general Office in that city He denounced as
piece OF folly and absurd parsmony the spirit
which had cut down the appropriation in the
rent law The bi- cities OF the country. he said.
were in a state of agitation because OF an attempt
TO save paltry $4,000.
Mr. Beknap Gep., I'D. Mr.. Adams Gep. PENN
and other members representing the larger cities
all protested against the reduction in the carrier
service They had been overwhelmed, they said.
with protests
Mr. Alexander (Rep, y. " declared that Buffalo.
which had already insufficient service. was threat
ened with reduction OF nine In her carrier force.
Congress was voting away millions Of dollars. and
was now hesitating and haggng over sl6O0N
specch contrasting the conditions in his district.
where the inhabitants went six or eight miles for
their mails and paid the same postage for tho
privilege as dld the inhabitants OF the big cities.
who had their mail delivered free six or eight
times n day. AS the Government obliged to
oconomzo in order 70 keep the expenditures down
to the receipts he thought 1T could not be done better
than bv cutting off two or three deliveries a day
at the big trade centres.
LOUD REPLIES TO QU1GG.
Mr. Loud CRep CALI chairman OF the PostofIice
Committee made a sensational speech. or. rather,
n speech promising sensational developments In the
future. He hoarse, and could with dh1culty
be heard Only the circumstances OF the case. he
said could induce him to attempt 10 say anything
to-day The question presented was one FAR great
or than the simple OF delivery more or less
IN New-York or Chicago. The statements of the
gentleman from New-York CMr. Quigg) he said.
were absolutely false and unfounded. That gem
tleman had been having himself interviewed chars-
ing that he (Mr Loud was responsible for the
existing predicament, that no had defed Congress
a md the. Postofce Department and had forced the
Department to cut of the carriers. Such cric-
cism" said Mr.. Loud. "ls beneath my contempt
The charge is made that tho Postoflce Appropria-
ton bill This year carried $4,000 below the eSti-
mates | know the officials OF the Postothce De
partment back that charge. but assert mat II Is
."Then YOU aIiege falsehood against the officials
OF the Department. interrupted Mr.; Qugg.
Let him take II VINO can pear H. I'aPohueu
Mr. Loud proceeded to affirm that the Postofiice
officials had contrary to law. appointed ZSs addi-
CLERGY Of $4,000 lie said further that, in the face
of an appropriation OF $1,000 for incidental ex-
nnnees siO1 90 had been spent In six months. over
Zoo OF the reported deficiency belonged In that
account. lie urged members not 20 be so carried
nvav by the possible loss or a carrier
or two as yield the last vestige OF their power OK
crcumscrbIng the acts OF the executive pran n
lative branch Of the Government was lnNolNtn., IN
J,a cd n
question come up regularly In It's own ume. Wheh,
qubiect In the mean time. he declared, the ser
vice could not possibly suffer until June.
MR.. CANNONs STATEMENT.
Mr. Cannon (Rep.. ND called attention to the
fact that the whole debate was out OF order. II
this difficulty should not be provided for there was
ample time to provide for It in the General De-
lcency bill. He had heard that four months ago
unauthorized Increases I'm the carrier service had
been made and that then postmasters had been
informed that unless pressure could be brought 10
they would be cut off February l. He had heard
this: he did not ellege IT,
Mr. Walker Oaep. Mass) said he cared nothing
master-General Heath and certain members of tho
Uouse He wanted to know whether or not the car
rer service to suffer and. being assured thar
The conference report on the Urgent Deficiency bill
agreed 10.
education the motion strike out the appropria-
ton for the Carlisle Indian School defeated by
a vote OF nearly three to one
Chairman Sherman OF the Indian Committee de-
livered spirited and effective speech IN favoT OF
the appropriation and in defence OF the Carlisle
instt,tion. which had been severely criticised by
several members. who seemed TO possess more zeal
than knowledge Of the subject.
ha