The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-11
mr.. SWANSON won
FIGHT IN HOUSE
Contract System Eliminated from
Rural Delivery Bill.
The MAXIMUM SALARY LIMIT
II Vas Raised to 5000 By Amendment ., Viz
sinia Cougressman-ssnator Vest
Made Strong Speech Against
Ship Subsidy Bill.
THE MAXIMUM SALARY LIMIT
fR1 Associated prcss.l

(6y ASSOCjdteu ASss.f
WASHINGTON, d. C., March l0.-Ihe
b,n 10 classify the rural free delivery
service and place the carriers under the
contract system, which has been debated
IN the House for over q week, was pass
ed to-day hut in a form that completely
changed the purpose for which 1t was
framed Before it was passed the bill
was altered radically by its opponents.
All the provision relating to the piac-
ing of carriers under the contract sys-
TEN were striker out and the salary
system was not only continued. but the
maximum salary of carriers was increased
from $500 to $500 per annun,. The amend
7nent to fix inc salaries of rural carriers
a $500 was offered by MI. Swanson, OIL
Virginia, and adopted.
An amendment, offered by Mr.. Fleming,
of Georgia, was adopted TO allow car
1iers TO do an express package pusl-
ness where it, docs not interfere W,th
their duties.
RIVERS AND HARBoRS.
motion. offered by Mr.. Williams
Demo. of Illinois, to recommit the bill
with instructions to report back an
amendment providing for the dismissal
from the service of carriers who should
use their influence in favor of any par
ticular party for any particular can
didate, was voted down, 96 to IA.
Earlier in the day MI Burton, OIL
Ohio, chairman of the River ana Har-
Dor Committee, reported the river an
,,arbor bill and gave notice that he would
cali # IN after the disposal Of the post
Office appropriation biil Wh'ch WIZ NC
taken III, tomorrow
In the Senate.
WASHINGTON, d. C., March lO.-For
nearly two hours to-day Mr.. Vest, OF Mis-
souri,. addressed the Senate in opposition
10 the pending ship subsidy bill. NO
member Of the body has been accorded
more fiatteringly close attention imam ne
received Despite his evident feeblenesS,
he spoke with force and fire and at times
became brilliantly eloquent He carefully
analysed the pending measure and mar
shaled his arguments against it with CO.
gency and effect.
Mr.. Tillman, of South Carolina. fol-
lowed with brief speech in opposition
to the bill. He denounced the poncy OIL
giving subsidies to any body, particularly
to individuals and corporations engaged
in the formation of shipping trusts.
The Missouri Senator declared that sew
enty-three per cent of the proposed sub
sidy which would be received by ships on
the Atlantic would go to a single line
the international Navigation Company
the American line. It was in this re-
spect open to the same objection as the
bill presented to the last Congress. The
vessels would get the subsidies whether
they carried single postal ca1d or not
uNADULTERATED SUBSIDY.
Tie declared that the pending bill pro-
vided for a pure. naked and unaduiter-
ated subsidy" and said it was defended
on the ground that with the subsidy the
American merchant marine could com
pete with the subsidized ships of Euro
pean maritime powers. He denied that
ouch would be the result England, he
asserted, had fifty-three per cent of the
ocean carrying trade of the world. Most
of Englan6'S ocean commerce was carried
by her tramp steamers. Not a penny of
subsidy was paid to any of them.
In adverting briefly to the operation
of the Dingley tariff law, MI. Vest spoke
of the lumber schedule
Mr. Hanna interrupted to inquire how
MANI Democratic Senators had voted
for tax of 81 a thousand feet upon
lumber when the Dingley bill was be-
fore the Senate.
Mr.. Vest replied that he could not tell.
lie did not, he knew.
Mr. Tillman, Of South Carolina, inter-
jected the remark that he had voted for
g tax on lumber, although he knew it
was steal, and had SO stated at the
time. He had voted for it. however, be-
cause he proposed to get out of the tar
in bill share FIR his State, and that
was the only way South Carolina could
get anything.
Mr. Vest urged that if the shipping
trusts" were to be subsidized, there was
was no reason why the farming industry
and the mining industry, too, should not
be subsidized
AS CHEAPLY HERE.
Mr.. Vest maintained that ships could
be built in this country as cheaply as
hey could be built anywhere. The ship
yards of the United States were never
more fully employed than they now
were and had been for several years
He made vigorous attack upon the
navigation laws of the United States
declaring that they were responsible for
the decline of the merchant marine. The
remedy was to abrogate the navigation
laws and permit citizens of the United
States to buy their ships where they
could buy them cheapest.
Mr.. Vest said if this subsidy is given
1T will be but the beginning of tile end,
that of the Standard Oil Company.
Mr. Tiilman said the bill would foster
moaopolies and referred to the proposed
Incorporation of the United States Ship
nullding Company, which would absorb
The large shipyards of the country. Sneak
in5 of the use of vessels in case of emer--
E.ncy by the Government Mr. 1ilman
said he would cite as a commentary on
patriotism aud love of country the fact
that the four scout ships-St. Paul. Paris,
New York and ST. Louis-used during the
Snanish war. cost the Government 50 Ss4.-
$50 and these, he said, had been subsi-
died under a pretense that they would
serve lis in time of emergency.
The Senate went into executive session
enc adjourned.
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