New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
READY FOR P.O. INQUIRY.
INVESTTG4TORS N1MED.
Report of Speakers Appointees Sure
to Command Confidence.
TrRoN THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

comment at both ends OF the Capitol to-day.
The Republican members Of the committee are
Representatives Mccall. Of Massachusetts; Hit,
of Illinois, Burton. OF Ohio. and Metcalf. Of
California: the Democrats. McDerrrott, Of New
Jersey; Bartlett, of Georgia, and Richardson,
Of Alabama All of these Ifn are noted for
their high standing in their parties and their
independence OF action. No one Of them Is men
toned IN the Payne report, Is any one Of
them a member of the standing committee
Postofflces and Post Roads. Their powers are
practically unlimited. and members OF both par
ties freely admit that any report made by this
committee VIII command the confidence. not
only of Congress. but of the country.
This was pension day in the House. and the
discussion OF the Payne report the floor was
for the present. but that did not prevent
its being the most generally discussed topic in
corridors and committee rooms. The conversa-
ton OF members turned chiefly on the RESPONSE
bilty for sending the report 10 Congress In It's
present form. and Il was authoritatively stated
that not only had the Postmaster General pro-
tested against the policy OF sending to the POST
office Committee the information eventually en-
bodied in his report. but he had submitted sew
eral tentative reports. ell of which had been re-
jected by Chairman Overstreet, who had finally
examined all the documents personally and had
indicated with pencil marks what should and
what should not be included in the report in
der that II might conform TO his ideas Mr..
Overstreet finally went to Mr.. Paynes home a
week ago Sunday to insure that his instructions
We're carried out to the letter.
A PAYMENT CRITICISED.
The growing conviction that Mr. overstreet
is alone responsible for the Payne report IT
came TO his committee is producing certain
lack OF confidence in his Judgment IN some
quarters. and Will Inevitably result in the most
careful scrutiny OF the Postoflce Appropria-
ton bill, which has Just been reported to the
House. One item has already attracted con-
siderable notice. and may meet with disaster
when the bill comes up FOR consideration. This
item IS part OF the total appropriation OF
$2,6J00OO Tor the transportation OF foreign mails.
and is a specific allowance OF $4,000 extra COM
pensation to tho Oceanic Steamship Company
for the transportation OF mall between san Fran
cisco and Tahiti The records show that this
allowance was IN last years appropriation bin.
and that under Il S42.120 was paid to the COM
pany named. Some members who have been
looking into the subject say that under the
regular provision for carrying foreign mails the
total mail carried by this company last year
should have cost the government only 81 100 81.
and they propose 20 inquire the rea son for pay
ing the Oceanic company the extra sum. II is
further shown that when this item was drst in
serted IN the Postofice Appropriation DILL
Charles Emory Smith Postmaster General
and that he refused to recommend the provision.
although when asked n he would object 70 its
inclusion he replied no. az the responsibility
would rest solely with Congress- With this
understanding. Chairman Loud inserted the
ite'- and its reasonableness has not heretofore
been questioned. While II is possible that Chair
man Overstreet VIII he able TO satisfy the House
that this provision is warranted by some Pc
cular circumstances attending the transpOrta-
ton OF mail between San Francisco and Tahiti.
IL is certain that he will have to do so in
order 90 prevent It's rejection by the House
This case may DO regarded as an instance OF
the scrutiny 20 which members Of the House
are subiecting AR. Overs;reets entire biu
Present indications are that the debate on the
Postonce bill VIII be prolonged beyond the time
anticipated by the House leaders. Not only will
the Republicans demand ample time for thor
cugh consideration. but the Democrats are pre-
pairing to make a last stand for their demand
that a general Investigation OF the Postotfico
Department be authorized. Having failed In
every other attempt to make partisan capital at
this session Of Congress, they are hoping that
with the recent Payne report 20 help them. they
viii be able to harasS and embarrass their Re
publican friends and get some speeches into
The Record" which can be used in the cam
paiEn
The Democrats IN the Senate have practically
thrown up their hands Such men German
and Bailey see no hope Of increasing the fast
waning popularity OF their party at this session.
and are ready TO adjourn whenever the neCes-
sary business OF the session can be disposed Of
But the Democrats I'm the House. who for tho
first time In many years are enjoying the advan-
taEe OF able leadership, still hope TO benefit their
party by debates and viii work to that end
right MP 10 the time OF adjournment. but par
ticularly while the Postoflce bill Is under con-
sideratioa.
THE COMMITTEES FIRST MEETING.
The committee appointed by Speaker Cannon
IN session FOR two hours to-day. and ad-
journed to meet Monday at 10 O'Clock. The
work to be done was discussed. and also the pro-
cedure to be followed. While no investigation of
the Postoflce Department proper is to be made.
the acts and conduct OF those officials OF that
department who transacted the business Of
members Of Congress the propriety OF which has
been questioned undoubtedly will be scrutinized
closely. The Investigation also will disclose the
author or authors OF the Indictment" report.
The session OF the committee was secret, =
will be that to he held on Monday. When the
committee begins the taking Of testimony ii is
understood that reporters will he admitted. al
though this question has not yet been formally
passed on.
Chairman Mccall at the close OF the meeting
to-day said that the work 70 be prosecuted
with the utmost dispatch. AS to whether the
conclusion will be reached in a week. ten da VS.
a longer time. 7 cannot say he remarked.
Another member Of the committee said the
every. case mentioned I'm the report, and he be-
leved the makeup of the COMMITTEES Insured
careful and thorough work.
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