The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-01
TAKEN UP BY THE HOUSE.
The General Postoflice Appropriation
Bill Under Considerations.

Bill Under Consideration.
The Postofiice Appropriation bill was
called up in the House yesterday by Mr..
Loud. Chairman of the Committee on
Postofiices and Postroads, and consider
ed in Committee of the Whole with MIR.
Cannon In the Chair The bill carries an
appropriation of Si22 1872 $3.50. or 81 .515.-
539 10 more than the estimate. The sum
recommended by the committee is 50, l24.-
450 more than the appropriation for the
current year which amounted to $113,-
65S 2SS.75.
The bill as reported contains new leg
islation creating five assistant supeTin-
tendents of the salary and allowance di-
vision. at a salary OF 81. 900 per annum
and per diem expenses not exceeding 81
per day. MIR. Loud in explaining the pro-
vision Of the bill said that this was
thought advisable in view OF the fact that
the registry system and ree-delivery SER
vice already have officials of a similar
character. and the department is of the
opinion that the service would be materi-
ally benefited by the appointment OF the
assistant superintendent mentioned for
this purpose.
The committee, he said had not rec
commended any appropriation for the con-
tinuance of the pneumatic tube service
The Joint Postal Commission, after a
most careful investigation, recommended
that. at least for the present the service
be discontinued, and the committee con-
Cured in such conclusion. The contracts
for the service now in existence will ex-
pire on June 30, 1901 An increase of 5000
per annum in the salaries of the eleven
division superintendents of the Railway
Mail Service is provided for. Mr.. Loud
said that when the great responsibility
devolHing upon these officials was con-
sidered the committee did not think their
pay adequate, especially in view of the
TACT that quite number of officials with
much less executive responsibility re-
ceived higher salary. These eleven su-
perintendents of divisions have under
their direct control about 900 employees
The increase is from S2,50 to 81 700 per
annum.
Fifty thousand dollars is appropriated
for postal service in the Philippine ISL
ands or territory held by military Cccu-
patton and for additional transportation
to and from said territory, also including
postal service for military camps or sta
tions. to be used in the discretion of the
Postmaster General Three hundred thou
sand dollars was appropriated for this
service last year, but only s49, ,66655 was
expended.
Some of the features of the bill are:
For advertising and purchase OF news
papers containing official advertisements,
etc. at first and second class postcffices,
s25, 900. The amount appropriated for 1901
was s22, 500.
For rental of canceling machines and
motors. and power therefor. $3.50, GOO The
amount appropriated for the current year
is S150000.
letter carriers in Offices already estab-
lished. s16.0s0 800. being 1928, 800 more
than the appropriation for the current
year.
For pay of letter carriers in new Offices
entitled under the present law, s75, 600.
The appropriation for the current fiscal
year is $50, 900.
For horse hire allowance. $50, 900. which
is $4,000 more than the appropriation for
the current fiscal year.
For car fare and bicycle allowance,
s255,000. being $4,000 more than the ap-
preparation for the current fiscal year.
For incidental expenses, including letter
boxes. package boxes, etc, S220.000. be-
ing s20, 900 more than the appropriation
for the current fiscal year.
Railway mail service, SO, ,374 700, an in
crease of $50, 500.
For inland transportation of mail by
electric and cable cars. 100000 being an
increase OF $50. coo over the appropriation
for the current year.
For necessary and special facilities on
trunk lines. s196. .23S75.
For transportation of foreign mails,
s., ,5i9. 600.
For regulation screen or other wagon
service $500 900. The amount appropri-
ated for the current fiscal year is $3.50, 900.
Rent Of building for mailbag repair
shop, etc, $500.
Inland transportation by railroad routes,
s34 200 eco. an increase of $3.50. 600 over the
appropriation for 1901.
Railway pCstofilce car service, 81 SIS COO,
an increase Of s255. 600.
Without disposing of the bill the com
mittee rose. and, at $50 o'clock. the
House adjourned until today.