The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-26
Overstreets 5 Amendment Reinsert-
ed in the Postofice Bill and the
Measure Passed.
HOUSE IN AN UGLY MOOD
Strongly Resented the Intimidating
Methods OF Cunningham and
His Employers.
CARRIERS WERE HARMED
But for So-Called Friends, Salaries
\ Might Have Been Increased
to $3.50 Year.
Special to the Indianapolis journal.

Special 70 the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 25-A long step in
the direction Of placing the rural carriers
of the United States on an equal footing
with other federal employees was taken to-
day when the House adopted the amend
ment in the pOstoffice appropriation bill
increasing the pay of the carriers to S72O
year and prohibiting them from acting as
agents solicitors for hire. The action of
the House followed one of the most an
imated debates that has taken place in Con-
tgress at this session.
1t is noteworthy that in the discussion on
the floor to-day the alleged friends Of the
carriers had little to say the subject
of increased salaries Prompted by firms
and corporations interested in the carriers
only for selfish ends the subject of increased
salaries has been scarcely mentioned dur
ing the past week, while President Cunning
ham and his employers have been harping
or the string that the carriers of the cOun-
try would rise in their might if the agency
business was abridged. This was the straw
that broke the camels back. The carriers
OF Indiana and the country generally owe
it to Cunningham and those associated with
him that their pay was not increased by the
House TO $3.50 a year.
Coercion Is the only term that can be ap-
piled TO the campaign that has been con-
Quoted here during the past few weeks
Seated in the galleries of the House in an
effort to intimidate members. the agents of
the firms and corporations interested in pro-
noting their own business on rural routes
TO the prejudice of competitors inflicted ir-
reparable harm to their cause.
The House was in an ugly mood to-day
ana voted down viva voce every amendment
offered that altered IN the slightest degree
that proposed by Representative Overstreet
in the postoffice appropriation BILL The
scale advocated by President Cunningham.
OF the Rural Carriers Association, was not
given a hearing, and when members had
exhausted themselves offering amendments
providing for a continuance of the agency
privileges. Representative Overstreet moved
that the committee of the whole report 10
the House and that the bill be passed. This
motion was carried without division.
AS stated in these dispatches last night
the rural amendment was ruled out of the
bill yesterday on a point of order. and it
became necessary for the committee on
rules TO report rule providing for its
consideration.
An effort made to stampede the Democrats
against the committee amendment signally
failed. Minority Leader John Sharpe Will
liams declared. in emphatic manner. that
to permit the carriers 10 continue half
huckster ard half government servants
would grow into abuse that in time
Congress might be unable to check. Like
statements were made by Representatives
Overstreet. Grosvenor, of Ohio. and Dalzell,
of Pennsylvania. The Republican leaders
of the House gave the Overstreet amend
ment their united support. and it became
evident shortly after the adoption of the
rule that the amendment was certain to
pass.
There is no doubt the Senate will adopt
the House amendment. The bill now goes
to the Senate and will be taken up by the
bcommittee on postoffices of that body next
week. JOHN Z. MONK.