New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-20
POSTAL CUTS OPPOSED.
MR.. HOAR STARTS A LIVELY DEBATE
IN THE SENATE.
HE PRoTESTs AGAINST THE PROPOSED REDUc
TON OF DELIVERIES AND OFFERS REso-
LUTON or INQUIRY-A SILVER DIS

LUTON or INQUIRY-A SILVER DIS
cUssIoN IN PROSPECT TO-DAY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEl
Washington Jan. 1s-The Senate spent hail an
hour this morning in discussion OF the causes
OF the recent order by the Postmaster General re-
ducing the force OF etter-carriers In the larger
cities and the legislative remedies which shouio
be applied to restore the free delivery system 10 us
former scope and efficiency. Mr.. Hoar started the
debate by offering resolution instructing the COM
mittee on PostoIices and Postroads TO ascertain
what additional appropriations would be necessary
TO keep the delivery service at It's former IeveI'
But the chairman Of the committee. Mr.. Wolcou'
objected to receiving such Instructions, on the
ground that the whole difficulty was one between
the Appropriation committees OF the two houses Oh
Congress and the Postofce Department
Mr.. Allison. the chairman Of the Senate Appro-
pratons Committee was inclined to think that last
years insufficient postal estimates were to blame
for the exhaustion o. the free delivery fund' ana
declared that the PostmasterGeneral. and not
Congress- had the power TO increase or decrease
the number OF carriers. that being wholly admin
stratve function.
Mr.. Wolcot: closed the talk with the suggestion
that the present classification Of postal rates lay
the OF the whole trouble. and that so long
as secOnd-class matter continued 10 be carried al
present figures an annual deficit IN the postal reve-
nues might be expected The resolution In modi-
fed form is still pending
Mr.. Vest gave notice that he would move to-
morrow to take up for consideration the Teller
resolution reported by the Finance Committee. pro-
viding that bonds Of the United States may he paid
In standard silver dollars. Mr.. Vests notice seems
to indicate intention the part OF some Sena-
tors 10 dlsplace temporarily the Hawaiian annexa-
ton treaty. II IS evident. Mr. White OF Cali
fornia said. that the consideration OF the resolu-
ton would "precipitate some slight discussion
After the reading OF the journal Mr.. Vest Dem.
Mo- gave notice that he would at the conclusion
Of the morning business. move TO take up the
Teller resolution. which reported by the
Finance Committee yesterday.
A bill authorizing c. r. Dobbns keeper OF the
lighthouse at Moose Peak Me. to accept a gol
watch from the Canadian Government for gallan;
services rendered TO the British schooner Ashton
passed
A bill authorizing the Attorney General the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury and the Secretary of War
TO compromise and adjust certain claims OF the
United States against the State OF Tennessee, and
the State OF Tennessee against the United States,
passed
A joint resolution providing for the appointment
OF a commission to make survey OF ship cana
from the lower part OF Lake Michigan to the Wa
bash River offered by Mr.. Turpie Dem. Ind
and referred 10 the Committee Commerce.
MR.. HOARs RESOLUTION
Mr. Hoar CRep.. Mass) offered a resolution reln-
tive TO the order o. the Postmaster-General
reducing the number OF letter-carrers in some OF
the large cities account OF deficiency in the
free delivery appropriation, the resolution provid-
ing that the Committee on Postoffces and Post
roads should Immediately ascertain what amount
was necessary to preserve the postal free delivery
service OF the country. For his resolution Mr..
Hoar asked immediate consideration.
Mr. Wolcott (Rep. COLI. chairman OF the Post
Offices and Postroads COMMITTEES. objected to the
reference of the resolution to his committee. He
said that the committee utterly powerless TO
AFFORD relief for the trouble which the resolution
was directed He thought the resolution ought by
all means go 10 the Committee on Appropriations
The Committee on Postofhces and Postroads. he
added anxious TO extend and make more eff
Client the letter-carrier system, but powerless
Mr. Hoar thought the question was most i'm
portant one affecting. It does. hundreds OF
thousands OF people who receive mail BY the
order Of the Postmaster General his own city OF
one hundred thousand population startled by
a reduction OF ten in It's force OF carriers New
York Boston and other cities throughout the coun-
try had suffered a reduction IN their forces OF
le;ter-carriers in about the proportion This
order Of the Postmaster General declared Mr..
Hoar created CONSERVATION among business men.
The order was based upon a deficiency In the APP
propriation for free delivery Of about $4,000 All
hat is needed to remedy the difficulty encountered
by the Postofice Department. and which confronts
the business men OF the country, Is small addi-
tional appropriation"
office Committee said that the committee had this
subject under consideration this morning. the dis
cusson being provoked by some communications
from Ncw-York business men. The committee
reached the conclusion" said Mr. Carter. that
there q no defect In the law pertaining TO the
rostal service wi ch requires action upon the part
~ our committee What is needed is simply
Increase In the appropriation for the carrier branch
OF the service and naturally the pending resolu-
ton ought to 20 to the Appropriations Committee"
PROTESTS AGAINST REDUCTIONS
TT is absolutely intolerable." said Mr. Hcar.
cunning his statement, that this great branch OF
the public service should b. stopped crippled.
Many of the smaller cities Of the country are to be
deprived practically Of mail delivery facilities. and
il IS time that something DE done 70 avoid serious
business emba rrass ment."
MI Allison. chairman Of the Appropriations Com
mittee said that he had reason TO believe there
was n deficit ir the free-deivery system. The
question involved however, he said is admins
tratlve and not necessarily legisatlv Congress
il is perfectly evident. cannot say no" many letter
carriers shall be assigned 10 the various cities
That IS solely within the province OF the Postnlas-
The Postmaser-General is anxious to give the
people Of the United States good carrier service
intsrupted Mr. Hoa 6ui sf mas S o9 inc ,bai be
Postmaster General has presented estimates 10
Congress too low 70 cover the expenses OF ms De
Sent 10 the Postmas ter General nquiring why the
tesue ~ such an order as had provoked this dis
rnsSion was necessary and what the remedy was.
No suggestion had been made 10 the Committee on
%0pro9Tiations that the Postnaster-General had
hot al his disposal sufficient funds to meet tAe
needs Of his Department ,,, ....--..
an investigation which reflects upon the Post
General without first having all the facts
hffore ms Let US get some definite Information
tot, the Postmaster-Cieneral TO deficits, If such
exist I'm his Department
REAL CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE
AT this point Mr.. Wocott said that he desired to
call the senate's attention to the real basis Of the
.fa II.aF 10Th
r,arfmeut 1T Is well understood said Mr.
Wolcott 'that the second-class mail OF this coun-
,rv bsorbs 6 per cent Of the expenses Of the POST
once Department and supplies only about per