The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-18
PNEUMATIC TUBE LOBBY
MIR. wOLCOTT SAYS 1T HAS wOR-
RIED SENATOR'S FOR MONTHS.
Section of the PostOmce ApprOpria-
ton Bill vigorously Attacked
Reply by Senator Mason.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE postoffice
appropriation bill was considered in the
Senate to-day. The committee amendment
on the extension of the pneumatic tube
service created some debate and was un-
der discussion when the measure was laid
aside for the day. Mr.. Wolcott, chairman
of the committee on postofices and post
roads, vigorously attacked the committees
proposition to appropriate $4,000 for pneu-
matte tubes, declaring the extension of the
service was unnecessary and the appropri-
alton a waste of public money. Mr.. Mason
quite as vigorously supported the PROPOSE
ton. An amendment of Mr.. Butler to re-
duce by 10 per cent. the amount to be paid
the railroads for the transportation of mail
was rejected II to Al.
During the debate Mr.. Wolcott declared
that the pneumatic tube people had
"swarmed the Senate corridors all winter
like bees in hiving time. They did not
want merely the s25O,OOo necessary to sup
port the present service, but they wanted
the additional appropriation of 100000"
He pointed out that the company control
ling the pneumatic tubes had figured upon
putting down eighty miles of line in the
master of Chicago, until recently, was OPP
posed to the service, and now he was just
as violently in favor of ii. This was true,
he said, of many other postmasters. I'VE
all want good mail service" said Mr.. VOL
colt, "but we do not want it at the ex-
pense of jobbery and corruption-we do not
want to be held up to secure it." In con-
clusion Mr.. Wolcott declared the govern
ment simply was throwing away money on
the pneumatic tube scheme. IF we appro-
pirate for this purpose blindly we shall
soon reach point when we shall be pay
ing for the service S20.0O0000 year, at
least In my experience scheme has
been presented here which opens so widely
the doors Of abuse"
Mr.. Mason made an extended reply. Re-
ferring to Mr. Wolcott he said: .'He cam
not name a man in the Postoffice Depart
ment, except the man who has the wagon
contract, who is not in favor of the extern
sion of this service; and L may say that
among the bees buZzing around these
corridors this winter the mail wagon bees
have filled their share of space Out in
Chicago" he said. further along. I'VE
want what you have given New York, and
what you have given to Boston and Phila-
delphia and other suburban towns. There
is no jobbery or corruption possible be-
cause the matter Is always easily within
the control of Congress. Those who are
opposing this service are simply taking the
position of those who advocated the reten-
ton of the other stage coach
A bill was passed granting pension TO
Gen. Robert G.. Dyrenforth of $50 month.
Mr. Jones, of Arkansas, offered and had
adopted a resolution calling the secre-
tary of war to inform the Senate how
many Filipinos have been killed and
wounded since the beginning of hostilities.
and also how many have been captured
and are now In our possession.
A bill passed TO provide for the re-
funding of certain moneys Illegally as
sessed and collected in the district of Utah.
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, chairman of
the committee on relations with Cuba,
said he would seek an early opportunity TO
reply to the speech of Mr.. Bacon. of Geor-
gia, delivered yesterday, not in opposition
10 the resolution but 10 correct some state
ments made by Mr.. Bacon.