New-York tribune., 1906-04-13
TUBE SERVICE ASSURED
Postmaster WWcOr Tells of I'M
prOuements To Be Made.
From THE Tribune Bureau.

Washington April 12.-Extension of the pneu-
matte tube service in New York to connect all i'm
portant postal sta tons for a distance of about
twenty-eght miles assured to-day by the
House agreeing to a provision in the Postofice
Appropriation bill, authorizing appropriations OF
81 161 265 81 for pneumatic tube contracts IN the
larger cities The provision was agreed to with
out amendment and will form a part OF the Dill
when it is passed tomorrow
Postmaster Wilcox of New York. who is in the
CITY was greatly pleased by the favorable action
of the House on the project. He feels confident
that the Senate will agree to the provision. Dis
cussing the bill to-day. Mr.. Wilcox said
The action taken by the House in agreeing 10 the the
annropriations for extension of the pneumatic tube
service in New York is most gTatifying me apPro, pro
Trati0ns will enable to relet contracts IN June
md to build complete pneumatic tube service or
twenyeigIR1 Iong OF been contending for is be
hoped that there win be no objection In the senate
Senate daostfo1 Iasd with the bill enacted into law
o 5 80 Gortrgcs let for the full amount Of tube ser
t,ina we win see gratifying increase IN the eI-
fciency of the New York ofhce. me result 10 oe'-
taiulv most satisfactory.
1-aor the terms Of the provision agreed to TO-
dav 100000 is provided for the TRANSMISSION OF
mail by pneumatic tubes under contracts ana the
I3os+roaster General is authorized to enter into
contracts not exceeding in the aggregate Sl'l6I'-
o65 "a for period of ten years and with the rlght
30 domination at the discretion Of the Postmaster
General of any contract at the END or any year oI
the contract term. after four years, on one year
The only cities in which the service Is eA-
tended other than those in which the service is
NOW under contract Brooklyn Cincinnati, Kan
sas City and Pittsburg. The exact amount appro-
nriated for New York is not specified in the bill,
but the usual rate for construction and mainte-
nance under existing contracts has been $4,000
wear q mile.
according TO the plans of the Postoffice Depart
r,ent the increase in the tube service in New York
itv is 1851 miles; this, added the 6S5 miles al
ready constructed, will make total of 2546 miles.
For Brooklyn an appropriation is made for 394
miles at an approximate cost of $3.50 year. The
plans contemplate connecting by tube service all
the postof1ce stations south OF 125th street. The
additional offices to be supplied in the schems rec
commended are the Wall street the Produce Ex-
change at its site the Times Square station,
Station and the foreign branch station. The
plan proposed for Brooklyn ia tube service in
two lines connecting the general postofice Station
/ Flatbush avenue) and Station W broadway.
1t is believed that the bill will be amended in the
Senate to make the conditions for contracts less
stringent as 1t has been found difficult TO obtain
reasonable bids under the provision which gives
the Postmaster General authority to cancel con-
tracts on one years notice. Postmaster Wilcox
VIII favor open competition in the offering OF
General to-day, and tonight he saw the President
At the White House. He will remain here for a
day or two in consultation with the officials bout
New Aork's postOfice needs.