The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-04-25
OUT IT GOES
House Eliminates ApprOpria-
tion For Pneumatic Tubes
From the POstOfIice ApprOpria-
tiOn Bill.
BIG SCANDAL AIRED.
Moody, of Massachusetts, At
tacks the System.
Accuses Members of Taking
Money From Tube Company.
Its Sole Asset Is It's Contract
With the Government.
WITHHOLDS NAMES.
Time to Call Halt in Raids on
the Treasury.
Democrats Urge Him to Smoke
the RaScalS Out.
Accuses Members Of Taking
Money From Tube Company.
Its Sole Asset Is Its Contract
With the Government.
WITHHOLDS NAMES.
Time to Call a Halt in Raids on
the Treasury.
Democrats Urge Him to Smoke
the Rascals Out.

washington, April 25-The house
this afternoon voted 81 to so to strike
out the entire appropriation for pneu-
matte tube service.
At the opening of the session William
King, who served in the 55th congress
from the state of Utah was sworn in
as a representative of that state to sue
ceed Brigham H. Roberts, who was de-
MED a seat.
Without preliminary business the
house resumed consideration of the
postofice appropriation bill. The item
appropriating S725.OO0 for pneumatic
tube service, an increase of $500,00 over
the appropriation for the current year,
was the subject Of two hours debate
under the arrangement previously
made.
Mr.. Little (Ark.) opposed the pneu-
matte tube service. which he held was
unnecessary and of no material benefit
in expediting the mails The charges
for the service in New York, he said,
were outrageOusly exorbitant. The
government was paying $4,000 a mile
rental for six-inch pipe besides the cost
OF operating the machines.
Mr. Moody (Mass.) also opposed the
extension of the tube service. If it
was entered upon, he said, it would add
in the near future millions to the al
ready swollen expenditures of the post
office department. Using this item as
a text, Mr.. Moody made an urgent plea
for retrenchment in public expenditures.
Every branch of the public service, he
said, was asking for its share Of the
enormous revenues which were being
collected.
Proceeding Mr.. Moody assailed the
whole history of the pneumatic tube
service. 1T is so malOdOrous from be-
ginning to end" said he, that it
should die the death of a dog"
Smoke the rascals out" cried Mr.
Little, and we on this side of the house
VIII stay with you"
MT Moody said it was not a pleasant
thing for him to exploit the scandal
which had been uncovered by the postal
commission, of which he was a mem-
ber, but he considered it his duty to do
So He declared that former Second
Assistant Postmaster General Nelson,
under whom the first experiments IN
the pneumatic tube service We're made
when he retired, accepted from the COM
pany 81 600 in cash and $4,000 in stock
for his services here during the succeed
ing year. What that service could be
Mr.. Moody said. he could not imagine.
These facts he said had been brought
out by the commission. John E. Mil
IA
president of the tube company
Mr.. MOody's next statement startled
the house and created a sensation. The
tube service he said, had been con-
structed by contractors, who took theil
pay in stock and bonds. The only as
set of the company was its contraci
with the government. 7 regret to say
continued MI. Moody deliberately, 'tha'
one of the principal holders of these
stocks and bonds was member of thi.
house and a member of the committee
on appropriations
Give his name," shouted Livingston
CGa)
i will not" replied Mr.. Moody. Thel
he added another sensational statemen
to the effect that a large block of tn
stock had been sent to a near relativ
of prominent member of the house a
New Years gift. But 1 am proud t.
say" said Mr.. Moody, that the retur
mail carried back that dishonoring an,
dishonorable gift"
When the applause that greeted thi
statement had died out, Mr.. Moody ap
pealed to the house not to endorse "thi
sort Of a transaction
3 Mr., Moody disclaimed any intention
OF rejecting on the postoffice cOmmftte
which he highly commended. He wa
especially glowing in praise of Mr. T,oud
chairman of the committee. Mr. Mood
said he had been appealed to bv com
merctal bodies Of Boston to aid in tn
extension of this service, but he refuse.
to close his eyes to his duty in thi
matter. He charged that companies il
all the large cities of the country wer
preparing to raid congress in behalf n
further extension Of the tube service