The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-21
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
Depew Replies TO Butler, and Hale
Denounces an Alleged Lobby.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-The Senate
spent the day on the postofice appropria-
ton bill, making some progress, but not
completing it. The amendment of Mr.. But
Ter proposing a reduction of about per
cent. in the pay for railway postal service
was defeated, IS to 81, after q debate in
which Mr.. Depew answered Mr.. Butler S
criticisms on the large profits made by
American roads. Late in the day sharp
CONTROVERSY on the pneumatic tube ques-
ton was precipitated by an amendment
offered by Mr.. Mason extending that serv-
Ice to Chicago and one by Mr.. Vest extend
ing Ii 10 ST. Louis. Mr.. Hale severely crit
icised those promoting the system. refer
ring TO Job and lobby" He had thought
the lobby had been smitten in the teeth by
the action of Congress two years ago. But
now the Job" was here again and the
streets leading to the Capitol were fairly
lined with people importun.ng senator's
from the time they left their homes.
Mr.. Mason replied in vigorous terms.
The statement of the senator from Maine
as to Job" showed, Mr.. Mason said, that
he was absolutely devoid OF Information. 1t
was moreover an insult To the postmaster
general, who had recommended the plan.
If the streets were lined with persons inn
pGrtuning senators Mr.. Mason said he had
Lot seen them and he thought few other
senators had.
When Mr.. Hale made a point of order
that a committee had not passed on the
amendment the advocates Of he extension
quickly circulated a call for Il meeting or
the committee on postoffices md the ses-
sion closed with Mr.. Wolcots's humorous
announcement of the committee meeung In
res ponse to the imperative demands made
on him.
Mr.. Depew. in replying TO Mr.. Butler.
said the wages paid by European conti-
mental railroads was only about one-fourth
try, while the freight rates in this country
were only a little more than one-fourth or
what they were in Europe.
Does the senator mean," inquired Mr..
Butler, that the American railroads are
losing money!
II do not mean to say they are losing
say that If they had anything like the rates
charged for freight in continental Europe
they could carry the mails free and, In ad-
dition, pay large revenue to the govern
ment."
mo railroads in the world have larger
profits than those of the United States,
asserted Mr.. Butler.
THE capitalization of railroads in Eu-
rope" responded Mr.. Depew, sis much
| larger than ii is here. In Great Britain it is
| about $4,000 a mile III that capitalization
| be reduced to the average capitalization
| in the United States you will find that the
| profits of the English roads are enormous.
Mr.. Wolcott said, as to European rail-
roads carrying the mails free, that in Great
| Britain the cost Of railroad mail transpor-
| tation was little less. If any, than ii Is here
In continental Europe the government, he
| added, either owned the railroads or guar
| anteed the payment OF the principal and in
| terest of their bonds. and of or per
| cent. dividends their stock, whether
| they earned Ii or not.
| The amendment offered by Mr.. Butler
making an aggregate reduction of about
| per cent. In the railway mail pay was re-
| jected-1S to 81. The detailed vote follows:
Yeas-Bate, Berry, Butler, Caffery,
| Chandler. Clapp, Culberson, Harris. Heit-
| field, Jones of Arkansas. Mallory, Morgan
| Pettigrew, Rawlins, Teller. Turley, Tur-
ner, Wellington-19.
| Nays-Aldrich. Allen. Bacon, Bard, Bur-
rows, Carter, Clark. Clay Cockrell, Gull
| lom, Daniel Deboe, Dillingham;, Dolliver
| Elkins. Fairbanks. Foster. Frye, Gallinger
! Hale, Hanna, Hansbrough. Hawley, Jones
| OF Nevada, Kean, Kearns. Kyle, Lindsay
Lodge. McComas, McEnery. McLaurin
| Mcmillan, Martin, Nelson, Perkins, Plat
| of Connecticut, Platt OF New York. Pritch.
| ard, Proctor, Quarles. Scott, Sewell, Shoup
| Spooner, Simon. Stewart, Taliaferro, Vest
/ Warren, Wolcott-51.
In obedience to the call made on Senator
| Wolcott as chairman OF the committee or
postofiices, while Senator Mason's pneu-
matte tube amendment was under discus
/ sion to-day, the Coloradoan called a meet
| ing of the committee after the Senate al
| journed to consider the amendment. Tie
| committee was in session for half an hour
and, falling to reach decision, adjourned