The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-22
POSTAL SERVICE FUNDS
The Appropriation Bill With
Amendments Passes the Senate.
It Carries s22o,OoO for Existing
Contracts for Pneumatic Tube Sys-
tems-A Proposition 20 Reduce
the Allowance for Railroad
transportation of Mail Defeated.

The Senate yesterday, without division
passed the Postoffice Appropriation BILL
The bill carries s225,000 to pay for exist
ing contracts for pneumatic tube service,
the amendment for the extension of the
service having been tabled. At the last
moment Mr.. PettiSrew introduced an
amendment to reduce the appropriation for
railroad mail transportation. This was
defeated by vote of 80 TO ~.
The bill as it passed the House carried
STA, 2S3, i00.75. The bill as before the Sen
ate carries STA, o53 $3.50, an increase Of
$76e, 1873 being made by the committee.
The figures show that the amount of post
Office appropriation for 1900 is slo5, 627.-
1887 amount of estimated postal reve-
nues for 1901. s107, 773, 253.a2; the bill as
reported exceeds the estimates S3,215,-
1875; the bill as reported exceeds esti
mated postal revenues. $3.50. 2s4.S3; the
bill as as reported exceeds the act for 1900
sS,i26, 400.
Under the head of office of the Postmas-
ter General the bill appropriates s20s,ooo;
First Assistant Postmaster General, s52,-
422,500; Second Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral $50. 116. 1915; Third Assistant Post
master General, s1,130, 100; Fourth AS
sistant Postmaster General, S576, coo.
The bill increases the number of post
office clerks from 1861 to l5.s70 aud for
salaries for the increased force appropria-
ates sl4,177,i00.
An amendment offered by Mr.. Lodge
was first considered. This provides as
follows:
For transportation of mail by pneu-
matte tube or other similar devices, by
purchase or otherwise, S225, 900. Provided
That no part of this appropriation shall
be used in extending such pneumatic SER
vice beyond the service for which con-
tracts already are entered into, and no
additional contracts shall be made unless
hereafter authorized by law"
Mr.. Thurston spoke at length on the
amendment, stating that the Government
should own these tubes and NOT rent them
Mr.. Lindsay stated that he would rot
vote TO cucumber New York, Boston, and
Philadelphia with a system which the
Republican majority had declared useless
for the other cities of the country
Mr.. Penrose said that The line in rhila-
delphia had always given satisfaction, end
the people OF that city wanted IL con-
tipued
Inc amendment was adopted by vote
OF 3s to 20.
Mr.. Wolcott then offered an amendment
10 the effect that $4,000 be appropriated
Tor the purpose OF investigating the opera
tion Of the pneumatic tube service with
view to having the Government adopt
the system and operate it.
Mr.. Pettigrew favored the Government
owning the system, but opposed Mr.. VOL
colts amendment. He charged the Postal
Commission with collision with the rail-
road corporations, and stated that the tes-
t!mony taken before that body had been
changed because it damaged the railroads.
The amendment offered by Mr. Wolcott
was adopted without division.
Mr.. Stewart offered an amendment pro-
viding that all moneys Incorporated by
Government postal officials in Cuba shall
be paid by the Postmaster General. This
WIS adopted without division.
Nj. Butler offered an amendment to the