The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-03-19
HOUSE STILL ON
POSTOFFICE BILL
Contest Waged Over the Al
legged Favoritism
BIG CITIES GET THE BEST
Senate Passes Resolution Calling on
Secretary of the Interior for In
formation on Recent
Pension Ruling.
BIG CITIES GET THE BEST

Washington, March 1S.-When the
house met today the army appropriation
bill was sent to conference, the speaker
appointing Messrs. Hull of Iowa, Stvens
of Minnesota, and Hay of Virginia. con-
ferees.
Mr.. Litteauer of New York asked that
the house disagree to the senate amend
ments to the Notifications bill and asked
for conference. A separate vote Of the
house on the senate amendment provid-
ing for submarine boat was demanded
by Mr.. Mudd of Maryland. The bill was
sent to the appropriations committee I'M
der the rule,
A bill was passed ratifying an act of
the legislative assembly of the territory
of Oklahoma. legalizing the water works
bond election held by the city of Geary
in said territory.
The house agreed to the report of the
committee on elections No. l declaring
that Alexander d. Dantzler, contestant,
was not elected to congress from the
Seventh district of South Carolina. Also
that julius Kahn, contestant, was not
elected from the Fourth California dis
trict also that James NJ Moody, con-
testant, was not elected from the Tenth
district of North Carolina This confirms
the title of Representatives Lever, Lever
nash and Gudger in their seats.
Consideration OF the postoffce appro-
priation bill for amendment was then re-
sumed. Mr. Overstreet offered new
paragraph appripriating $4,000 for UNI
usual business accruing at third and
fourth-class Offices
To this Mr.. Bureson of Texas offered
an amendment providing that no part of
the sum shall be used until the postmas-
ter general shall publish the regulations
governing the department under which
the allotments are made
Is a Distinct EVIL.
Mr.. ,Cowherd of Missouri a member of
the committee characterized as dis
tant evil the too great steps from the
third class office on salary of $1,000 and
no allowance to the second class where
an assistant and clerk hire are allowed"
Mr.. Hepburn of Iowa took Issue with
Mr.. Cowherd regarding a statement that
third class postmasters were well paid,
saying that a great majority of them
received less than letter carriers. He de-
clared that members from the large cities
were content for the present because they
have the high priced offices. He moved
that the proposed amount be increased
to $500.
Mr.. Mann, replying said that Mr. Hep
burn was hard up for something to say
" 10 a nff
Mr.. Overstreet insisted that Mr.. Hep
burns amendment was going a little too
far because 1t would give more than $500
clerk allowance to every third class Of
| flee regardless the merits of the case.
How can we consistently justify our
position with the country and our consti-
| tuents when we make a lump sum appro-
priation of $1,500,000 for this purpose?'' he
asked.
Answering Mr. Mann, Mr.. Hepburn de-
MED that he had assailed the larger cities,
but said 1t was his belief that millions of
dollars are every year wrecklessly squan-
dered in an attempt to expedite the de-
livery of mails in the interest of business
men.
Amendment Agreed To.
| The Hepburn amendment was voted
| down. The Overstreet paragraph to-
gether with the Burleson amendment. then
was agreed to with an additional pro-
viso that the postmaster general shall re-
port to congress prior to February l. 1905.
the method of application OF this sum of
$500, 900, and the circumstance under which
the appropriation has been disbursed
BY an amendment also offered by Mr..
Burleson of Texas and which was agreed
TO- the postmaster general is not permitted
to expend any part of the $1,000 900 APP
propriated for separating mails at third
and fourth-class postoffices until he shall
publish the rules and regulations gov
of the same. Mr.. Williams made point
of order against the provision appropriat-
ing 900 per annum for the lease of
postofflce building In New York City to
be erected over the tracks of the New
York Central railroad.
The chair sustained the point of order
| and the provision went out of the bill.
| In passing on the question Mr.. Boutelle of
| Illinois, who was in the chair. held that
the law gave the postmaster general dis
| Cretion as to the location of postoffices.
| and therefore the provisions constituted
new legislation Using this decision as
| cue Mr.. Overstreet then offered a sub
| stitute Identical in terms to the provisions
stricken out except that itN invested dis
| erection In the postmaster general. To this
| Mr.. Stevens raised point of order,
| which the chair overruled.
| At 1920 the house adjourned until Mon
| day.