The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-04
POST OFFICE BILL PASSED.
HOTIONTO STRIKE OUT RAILROAD
SUBSIDIES DEFEATED.

Motions TO Remove Rural Carriers From
Operation OF civil Service Law and
Make Membershipin Carriers Associa-
ton Cause for Dismissal Ruled out
! WASHINGTON, Feb. s-After bordering
over the subject five days, the House to-
day passed the Post Office Appropriation
| bill. II goes 10 the Senate carrying total
| Of $3.50 ISL, 414. an increase over the amount
reported by the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads OF s., $50. Although the
provisions Of the bill were the subject OF
many attacks, not single change was
made except as approved by the COM
mittee. A motion to recommit the Dill
and strike out the recommendation for
railroad subsidies was lost, % TO l59. Ell
forts 10 amend thebill by taking the appoint
ment OF rural mail carriers out OF the hands
Of the Civil Service Commission and to
make membership in the organization
having for its purpose tho securing oil
legislation TO increase salaries cause for
dismissal failed OF consideration, being
ruled out on points Of order.
The amount provided for fees to special
delivery messengers was reduced from
5000. 900 to $3.50, 600.
Mr.. Watson (Rep., Ind aroused much
enthusiasm among Republicans by speech
on a motion 10 take the appointment OF rural
free delivery carriers from the Civil Service
Commission. 1t was a mistake in the first
place, he said. to have placed them under
the law, and the country was now Titness-
ing some Of the results Of that mistake.
In almost every Congress district these
carriers we're organized, and in their or
gained capacity passed resolutions de-
handing OF Congressman that they vote FOR
increase of salary for them in some cases
az high IA $1,000. The carriers, he said.
could not be touched for their action under
present conditions, and unless something
were done to restrain them they could and
would secure desired increases OF salary
OF change Representatives at will. The
idea that Members of Congress II the privi-
lege Of selecting carriers was given them
would choose bad men had no foundation.
When they did make the selection would
any one say that tho character of the APP
pontees was not as good as that Of those
appointed by the commission, or that the
service rendered was poorer than that. now
perforned2 We're the law changed these
carriers would not be antagonistio to the
Representatives, but be their friends. Great
laughter
The motion was ruled out OF order as
were several others seeking TO accomplish
the same purpose.
Discussing an amendment fixing rate
Of three cents pound on packages Of
books and merchandise mailed to patron
on a rural route from The Office at which
the route originated, Ir. Covhord (Dem.,
Mo- said that the cost Of the service COW
cred by the pending bill was in excess of
s2o ,oo0 900, while less than one-third of
the area Of the country had been covered.
The amendment was ruled out on a point
of order.
Mr.. Griggs Dem, Ga offered the fol-
lowing amendment:
Uniting with any association or orgaDi- |
zation which has for its object the change |
of the relation of employees TO the Govern |
ment shall be cause FOR dismissal
He said that in the past eight years he |
had been importuned by officers Of organi-
cations Of Government employees 10 favor |
bills for the increase OF their salaries. He |
congratulated the President and Post |
master General upon their action in dis |
missing from the service those employees |
who remained in Washington instead Of |
attending to their business, but that would |
ployees. relieved Of responsibility to the |
Government would still be about Congress I
to lobby az officers OF their associations. |
His amendment was the only way to break /
up the practice. 1t was ruled out on a |
point OF order.
The bill was then reported to tho House !
and the amendments made agreed to.
Mr. Moon Dem, TENN moved to re- |
commit the bill, with instructions TO strike |
out the railroad subsidies. The motion |
failed OF TO l59 ana the bill then passed.
At 2:jj o'clock the House adjourned |
until tomorrow to give the Republicans |
opportunity TO hold their conference on !
the railroad rate question.