The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-21
PNEUMAIICTUBE SERVICE
Senator Hale Says it is Backed by
Gigantic Lobby"
THIS PROVoNs MUCH DISCUSSION
Senator Buffers Amendment TO the Post Office
Appropriation Bill Was Voted Down
by a Vote Of Eighteen
10 tlfi.One.
(By the Associated Press.l


Washington Feb. 20.-The Senate spent
the day on the Postoffce Appropriation
Bill making some progress but not com
pleting it. The amendment Of Mr.. But
Ter On. CO. proposing a reduction OF
about nine per cent in the pay for rail-
way postal service was defeated. is 10 81.
after debate in which Mr. Depew an
swered MIR. Buffers criticisms on the
large profits made by American roads.
Late in the day sharp controversy on
the pneumatic tube question was pre-
cipitated by an amendment offered by
Mr.. Mason extending that service to
Chicago and one by Mr. Vest extending
it TO St. Louis.
resolution was agreed to, directing
the Committee en- Printing TO ascertain
why the public printer had not delv-
cred 10 the Senate the instructions and
papers sent to the Paris Peace Commits
sion.
The Postoffee Bill then was taken up.
Mr. Butler contrasted the cost of rail-
way mail pay in Europe and in this couu-
try to the disadvantage of the United
states.
Mr.. Depew Interrupted to say that the
roads was only about one fourth of the
rate of railway wages in this country.
while the freight rates in this country
were only little more than cne- fourth
OF what they were in Europe
Does the Senator mean inquired Mr.
Butler, that the American railroads are
losing money"
Il do not mean to say they are losing
money" responded Mr. Depew, Il mean
to say that if they had anything like
he rates charged for freight in con-
tinental Europe, they could carry the
mails free, and in addition pay large
revenue to The Government.
NO railroads in the world have larger
profits han those of the United States
asserted Mr. Butler.
"The capitalization Of railroads in
Europe, responded Mr.. Depew. lis mach
larger than t is here In Great Britain
it IS about $350000 a mile. If that cap
italizaton he reduced TO the average cap
italizaton in the United States you viii
find that the profits of the English reads
are enormous"
BUTLER'S AMENDMENT REJECTED.
The amendment appropriating $500 600
foT the transportation of mail by pneu-
matte tubes and repeating the law which
prohibits futaro contracts for pneumatic
TUBE service together with the pending
point OF order against it, was called up
The point of order was sustained by
the Senate without division. the amend
ment thus being stricken out
Mr. Mason then offered an amendment
appropratmg $500,O00 for the mainte-
nance Of the pneumatic tube service in
Aygp
for its establishment in Chicago. provl-
ded that frture contracts for the estab-
lishment Of the service be advertised
publicly
Mr. hale raised the point OF order that
the amendment was general legisIa-
tion," which on appropriation bills was
obnoxious to the Senate rules.
Mr. Wclcott, in charge of The bill ex-
planned. that it did not contain anv aD.
propriations for the continuance Of the
service anywhere The contracts would
expire on July 1st next and Congress
had directed that they should not be
renewed
In response to a statement by Mr..
Cn'lom thot the pending point of order
I i sustained would exclude any other city
| than those now enjoying It from the pneu-
! matte tube service, Mr.. Thul ston insisted
/ that II no. only would do that but abso-
| luteiy would put an end TO the service
| ~ every city in the United States. The
amendment was held 10 be in order a
to l6
SIR. Hale made some severe remarks
! on the gigantic lobby behind this pneu-
| matte tube plan. Tie had thought it had
I 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 we're fairly lined
with people importuning Senators from
the time they left their homes
I MI. Mason controverted he allegation
as TO a Job" and said II was an insult
! to tho Postmaster General who had re-
commended the plan He declared that
| Mr.. Hale'- ro'rt OF order was made for
| hlibustering purposes
Mr. Wolcott dangerously announced
| that ION the imperative request Of num-
| erous Senators. who had quickly circula-
| ted the call, special meeting Of the
| Compiitee on Postoflices would be held
immcdiatcly and be asked that in the
meantime the subject be laid aside This
sudden drift Of affairs raised general
laughter and at 5:25 the senate adjourned.
II takes a wasa to make a lazy man
eot 4 move on himself. All 1t has 10 do il