The Washington times., 1902-03-14
Vote ON POS40FFICE
APPROPRIATIONS TODAY
Mr.. Crumpacker Attacks the
Subsidy Plan of Bill.
THE CONTRACTS EXCESSIVE
More Pay for City Letter Carriers Urged
"A Plea for New Postoffice Building
for New York City-Penny Postage
Advocated.

The House yesterday concluded con-
siloration of the postofiice appropriation
bill, and the measure will be passed to-
day.
Mr.. Crumpacker (Rep., Ind.) began the
discussion by a speech in opposition 10
the subsidy features of the bill-the pay
ment of S142,7 ,729 to the railroad COM
panies for transportation of mails from
Washington to New Orleans, and So, 900
for transportation from Kansas City to
Newton, Kan. The payment of these two
sums, Mr.. Crumpacker thought, was
wholly unnecessary to secure the service,
and he contended that it was a discrim-
ination against other railroad lines. .l
Is Too Much Being Paid?
Mr.. Underwood (Dem., Ala.) replied to
Mr.. Crumpacker. He said that the train
service made necessary between Wash
ington and New Orleans entailed adGi-
uOnal expense on the railroads. and he
argued that the roads should be paid for
this work: it was in no way subsidy. The
only question involved, he said. was
whether or not the Government was pay
ing the railroad companies more for the
service than it ought to do.
Mr.. Goldfogle (Dem., n. " urged the
passage of the bill to provide for the pur-
chase of SIX" and to pay for the cen
struction of a n>w pcstoffice building for
New York City. At some length he
showed the urgent necessity for increased
postoftice facilities in the metropolis.
Mr.. Smith tRep., Ill made a plea for
penny postage. He SPOKE as a member
of the Committee en- Postoffces and Post
roads He asserted that the saving by
restricting the rse of the mails to certain
second class matter, estimated at re-
tween S12,000,000 and ST., 5,GO0, Geo q year,
would justify the reduction en- letter
postage.
The Cuban Question.
Mr.. Jenkins CReD., Wis., gave the com
mittee tie views Re had expressed to the
Republican caucus Tuesday night, assert
ing that Cuba was domestic territory of
the United States. under the operation OF
the Treat- of Paris and in accordance
with the decisions of the Supreme Court.
and that being so, there could be no such
thing as reciprocity between Cuba and the
bHiteu StateS. lie raised the que StiOn
whether or not the customs duties now be-
ing collected on imports from Cuba should
not be returned.
General debate was concluded by Mr.
Gaines Dem. TENN In a speech defend
ing Aguinaldo from the charges made
against him in connection with the kill
ing Of Luna. He said that Aguinaldo.
although in prison. was the leader of the
Filipino people and was doing all he
could to bring about a peaceful solution
of the difficulties in the islands
The Amendment Withdrawn.
Discussing an amendment offered by
Mr.. Mann tRep., IllD TO increase the sal
airy of 500 clerks from $500 to $500 year.
Mr.. Loud Rep., CALI, in charge of tho
bill, stated that the Postoffice Department
had informed him that with the increase
of appropriation for clerk hire made in
the bill. over 81, Zoo. co., every large first
class postoffice in the country would be
put on the eight-hour basis.
Upon this statement Mr.. Mann with
drew the amendment.
Efforts to increase the appropriation
for temporary clerk hire and to increase
the salaries of city letter carriers were
unayailing.