New-York tribune., 1901-01-20
HOUSE DISCUSSES POSTAL BILL.
NAVAL APPROPRIATION AND ARMY RE-
ORGANIZATION BILLS RECEIVED.

Washington. Jan. 19-The session of the House
to-day devoted chiefly 10 the Postal Codihca-
tion bill, which about half completed. The
dicussion turned mainly the proposition to COM
pei star be let to persons living
contiguous to the route, but the proposition was
defeated after extended debate
Among the bills passed that granting fifteen
days annual leave to employees of navy yards. ar
senals, etc.
The House resumed consideration of the Postal
Codificaton bill at the opening of the session Be
fore the regular order demanded Mr.. Foss,
chairman of the Naval Committee, reported the
Naval Appropriation bill, which was placed on
the calendar.
The pending amendment to the codifcation bill
relating to the classes and pay of letter carriers
withdrawn by w. A Smith, Of Michigan,
who did he said, IN the interest of the car
riers. hoping it would take form in a separate
measure. An amendment agreed to striking
out the provision for paying letter carriers extra
for working more than forty-eight hours in week.
Mr.. Lentz proposed amendment prohibiting
private concerns from undertaking the delivery of
special delivery letters and providing that the de-
livery be made only by those in the postal service.
He said a system of farming out special delivery
letters had grown up.
When asked by Chairman Loud where this sys
tenn existed Mr.. Lentz mentioned Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Loud expressed his surprise, and said the
dition Columbus, If it existed was exceptional
The bill was laid aside long enough to receive
from the Senate the Army Reorganization bill, and
Mr.. Hull, chairman of the Military Committee,
made an effort to send the bill to conference at
once. But on objection by Mr.. Richardson the
disposition of the bill deferred.
The Lentz amendment went over for considera-
ton later
long and spirited debate occurred on the prop
osition require contracts TO be let to
persons residing contiguous to the route. A num-
ber of amendments and substitutes were proposed,
but they were all defeated, and the bill was left
substantially in its original form. The bill was
about half completed when laid aside.
Mr. Mudd called up the bill providing leave OF
absence for employees OF navy yards, gun factories.
naval stations, etc An amendment agreed
TO fixing the leave at fifteen days each year. and
also by Mr.. Glynn including employees Of ar
senals among those TO have leave. In this form
the bill was passed.
Bills passed to permit towns and cities in
the Indian Territory TO issue bonds for public i'm
provements; authorizing a bridge across the Yala-
busha River in Grenada County Mss; authoriz<,
ing a bridge the Red River OF
the North. at Fargo, \. D; authorizing the
appointment Of Frank 3. Case a line Of
fcer OF the Navy; to establish lobster hatch
cry in the State of Maine; authorizing bridge
across the Mississippi River at near Gray's
Point, Mo-: declaring a branch Of the Mississippi
River opposite La Crosse. Wis, unnavgable pro-
vIding for entry of lands formerly in the lower
Brue Indian agency. South Dakota allowing the
Communication of homestead entries IN certain cases.
and authorizing the purchase of steam launch for
the customs district Of Galveston Tex.