The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-20
TIE AMENDMENT TABLED
Adverse Action on the Pneumatic
Tube Service Proposition.
The Senate, Ey Vote of u 10 I6. Re.
fuses to Appropriate S723.OOO for
Extending the Systcm-StronE OPP
position to Carrying Out Exist
ing Contracts - The Discussion.

The Senate yesterday, by vote of two to
one tabled the committee amendment to
the Postoffice Appropriation bill providing
for an appropriation of s125. goo for the con-
tinuanee and extension OF the pneumatic
tube system of transporting the mails,
thus falling In line with the action taken
by the House. The result was a surprise
even to the opponents of the tube service,
and il is doubtful if the amendment ap-
propriating s225 goo for the continuance of
existing contracts with pneumatic tube
companies operating in Boston. New York.
and Philadelphia, will be adopted, so strong
is the fight being waged against it.
When consideration of the Postofiice Ap-
preparation bill was resumed yesterday
MIR. Mason offered an amendment to the
committee amendment, by adding the fol-
lowing:
Provided. however. That in any contract
the Postmaster General may make for the
extension of the pneumatic tube system
the annual rental for said service shall in
no case e,cced 10 per eentnn on the actual
cost OF construction and maintenance, plus
the actual cost of operation"
This was discussed at length by Messrs.
Hoar. Butler. and Mason.
Mr.. Hoar spoke at length on his amend
ment to the committee amendment, which
provides that for execution of existing
contracts for transportation of mail by
pneumatic tube, and such extension of
such service may be judged eXpedient
by the Postmaster General. and may in his
judgment be accomplished at reasonable
cost, not exceeding, in any event. twelve
thousand dollars mile, seven hundred
and fifty thousand dollars is appropriated"
Mr.. Hoar stated that the Government
should go ahead and not backward, and
that the pneumatic tube system would in
time connect every city in the United
States, and give almost instantaneous mail
service.
Mr. Teller argued in favor of the tube
system. but declared that the Government
should go little slow and examine care
fully before making big contracts.
Mr.. Mason spoke at length on the good
work done by the tubes and demanded that
Chicago be given an equal showing with
the East, where New York. Philadelphia.
and Boston were enjoying the modern sys
ten. He withdrew his amendment in
favor of that of Mr. Hoar as substitute
for the committee amendment.
Mr.. Daniel argued against giving a few
cities the service and stated that he want
get the service. He said he would vote
for the substitute and would then vote
against the whole proposition, which he
regarded as the crudest and most und-
gested one ever before the Senate. 1t had
no plans and no specifications. and was
like going 10 sea in skiff in the hope that
II might grow inio a battleship after
awhile. 1t was a mere step in the dark.
The position taken by the chairman Of the
pnSf0tfine Committee f6OnRhf
eminently wise and eminently Just and
was based on fair, conservative, business
principles.
Mr.. Teller moved to lay the whole sub
ject on the tabla. which was agreed to-
yeas 49, nays 16. as follows:
Yeas-Allison, Baker, Bard, Berry, Butler,
Cockrell, Culber.on, Daniel, Fairbanks, Foster,
Frye, Hanna, HasNe.y. Jones of Arkansas, Kean,
Kyle Morgan Nelnh Perkins, Pcttifrew, Pettus,
ley, Turner, Vest, Wolcott-32.
Nays-Carter, Chandler. Gallinger, Gear, Hans
brough. Hoar, Lodge, Mcbride, McComas, NAL
iory, Mason, Platt of Connecticut, Proctor, Ross,
spopner, Wellington-16.
Mr. Lodge than offered an amendment
appropriating s225.G00, to carry out exist
ing pneumatic tube contracts, with pro-
viso that there shall be no extension of the
service unless hereafter authorized by law.
Mr.. Daniel questioned whether there
were any binding contracts for the service.
Mr.. Allison, Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations, said that although there
was no specific authority for making these
contracts, they had been made by the Post
master General. and that Congress was
fairly bound to carry them out.
After further DISCUSSION and without &C.
ton on the amendment. the bill went over
till Monday