New-York tribune., 1901-02-21
POSTAL BILL IN SENATE.
THE PNEUMATIC TUBE APPROPRIATION
RULED OUT ON POINT OF ORDER
CHARGES BY SENATOR HALE

Washington. Feb. 2n-The Senate spent the day
on the Postoffce Appropriation bill. making some
progress, but not completing IL. The amendment
/ or Mr. Butler. OF North Carolina. proposing
auction Of about per cent in the pay for railway
postal service defeated Is 81, after debate
In which Mr.. Depew answered Mr.. Buffers criti-
esms on the large profits made By American roads.
Late In the day sharp controversy on the pneu-
matte tube question pre-ipitated by amend
ent offered by Mr.. Mason extending that service
10 Chicago. and by Mr.. Vest extending IL ST.
Louis Mr. Hale severely criticised those promot-
/ ing the system. referring a Job and lobby
When he made point OF order that committee
had not passed on the amen lment the advocates
Of the extension quickly circulated a call for
meeting Of the Committee POstofices and the
session closed with Mr. wocott's humorous an
rouncement Of the committee meeting. in response
to the imperative demands made on him
Mr. Butler said he would rather see the Ship
Subsidy bill become a law than 10 have the pend
ing bill pass containing the present provision for
railway mail pay, under the pending appro-
priation bill bigger hole would be made in the
Treasury than would be made by the subsidy bill.
MT Butler contrasted the cost Of railway mail pay
IN Europe and I'm this country, the disadvantage
Of the United States
Mr.. Depew interrupted TO say that the
paid by European Continental railroads were only
about one-fOurth OF the Of railway wages IN
this country while the freight in this
try were only little than one-fourth of
what they in Europe.
Does the Senator mean, inquired Mr.. Butler.
that the American railroads losing money!
Il do not mean 20 say they losing money"
replied Mr.. Depew. II mean 20 say that II they
had anything like the rates charged for freight
I'm Continental Europe they could carry the mails
free. and in addition. pay a large revenue 10
the Government
No railroads in the world have larger profits
than those of the United States" asserted Mr..
Butler
The capitalization Of railroads in Europe" said
Mr. Depe~. rs much larger than it is here In
Great Britain II is about S35O0oO a mile. II that
capitalization be reduced TO the capitaliza-
tion in the United States you viii find that the
proats Of the English roads are enormous-"
The amendment offered by Mr.. Butler was then
rejected.
DEBATE ON PNEUMATIC TUBES.
The amendment appropriating 100000 for the
transportation OF mail ny pneumatic tubes and re-
peang the law which prohibits future contracts
for pneumatic tube service. together with the pend
ing point Of order against IT, called up.
The President pro tenn CMr. Frye submitted the
point OF order 10 the Senate. and II sustained
without division the amendment thus being
stricken
Mr.. Mason then offered amendment apprOpri-
ating 100000 for the maintenance OF the pneu-
matte tube service IN cities where II Is in oper
alton and for its establishment I'm Chicago, pro-
vided that all future contracts for the establish
ment OF the service be advertised publicly.
Against the amendment Mr.. Hale raised point
OF order. and a prolonged discussion was precipi-
tated Mr.. Hale maintained that the proposed
amendment clearly general legislation" which
appropriation bills was obnoxious 10 the Senate
rules
NJ Thurston. Mr.. Chandler Mr.. Mason and
others contended that. the prohibition against
future contracts for Pneumatic tube service was
contained IN an appropriation bill OF last year II
could he repealed the bill under consideration
Nr CulIom appealed Mr.. Hale withdraw his
~ rae Tf- reviewed briefly rheumatic
| tube legislation and inquired OF Mr. Wolcott. in
charge % the Postofice Appropriation bill whether
/ q was true that n the pending amendment he
ruled out on the point % order the pneumatic tube
/ service IN New-York. Boston and Philadelphia
/ would he continued
| Mr. Wolcott replied that the bill spoke for itself
II did contain any appropriations for the con-
/ tlnuance Of the service anywhere. The contracts
| for the service would expire July next and
Congress had directed that they should not be re-
/ newed
Mr. Cullom said he supposed II was the purpose
/ OF the committee TO continue The service in cities
where Il was already established. while refusing IL
| all others
II the senator supposed that" responded Mr.
| Wolcott he supposed something based entirely
upon a ngment OF his imagination. There is moth
ing in the bill 10 Justify such a supposition-"
| In response 70 inquiry by Mr.. Cullom as TO
| whether the pneumatic tube system in New-York.
/ Boston and Philadelphia 70 he continued at
| Government expense Mr. wolcott replied that he
/ had no knowledge about II. and said he did not
think the Illinois Senator was justified in intimat
ing that the Postoffce Co nmitee had any such in
/ tentiOn.
| In resnonsa 10 a statement by Mr. CuIom that
| the pending point OF order n sustained would ex-
/ cIude any other cities than these enjoying II
\ from the pneumatic tube service Mr. Thurston In
sisted that ~ not only would do that. but II abso
| lutely would put end 70 the service TN every
| city I'm the United States
| Mr.. Mason made vigorous appeal 70 the Senate
| for the establishment OF the service In Chicago
pointing out that IL asked nv all the great com
| merciaI interests Of Chicago
| on a vote the amendment was held 10 he in
order-5t 70 l6
| Mr. Hale interposed further point of order on
the ground that a committee had not passed on the
| proposIron tie made some severe remarks on the
gigantic lobby behind the pneumatic tube plan
| he had thought it had been smitten in the teeth
| bv the action of Congress two years ago. But now
10 the Capitol were fairly lined with people impor
tuning Senator's from The The ms 9Gy '9 the % TaY d
| this scheme by every parliamentary means at
| hand" ,.,-
| pneumatic tube service.
| Mr.. Mason replied in vigorous terms 70 MI Hale
Job showed. Mr.. Mason said. that he was abso-
insult 10 the Postmaster-Cien who had recon-
mended tha plan. III the streets were lined with per
| sons inlpOrtining Senators. Mr.. Mason said ne had
had Mr.. Hae's point OF order he declared, was
ncrT,s desk and had read the elaborate reports Of
| postal authorities on the pneumatic tube service
| the Generals letter being
| read. Mr.. Wocott gained recognition and said: Il
| have Just beer handed a communication OF rather
| imperative character-the most imperative that l
/ recall IN twelve years service. He then read a
| Senator's on the Postoffce Committee. reading;
| Please call immediate meeting OF Committee on
| Postoffices and Post Roads to consider Mason 5
| pneumatic tube amendment"
! Mr. Wocott said that with such an Imperative