The sun., 1908-05-22
SHIP SUBSIDY NEAR AT HAND
CONFEREES AGREE TO RETAIN
1T IN POST OFFICE BILL.

Senate Promptly Adopts the Conference
Mepert and It 10 Now Before the'Houss
Polls Of the House Show MaJorittcs
Moth For and Against tho Proposition.
WAsHMaToN. May 7i.-Ship subsidy is
nearer to establishment now than ever
in the intermittent struggle that has been
maze for II FOR upward Of twenty years.
The conferees Of the House and Senate
agreed to-day to retain the provision for
mail subsidy In the post Office appro-
priation bill. The Senate adopted the
report Of the conferees promptly and II
10 now before the House for final action
The Democrats In the House are antago-
nistio and many Republican members are
equally 30. Representative Overstreet Of
Indiana. chairman Of the COMMITTEES on
Post Offices and Post Roads took poll
Of the House on the proposition week
ago and reported that there was majority
Of 20 against 1t; but on the other hand
Representative Burke Of Pennsylvania
made a poll which indicated that senti-
ment was the other way. President Roose-
welt is strongly for the provision and the
House leaders are encouraged over the
outlook. although they expect a hard flght
when the conference report is debated,
probably on Saturday
Both Democratic members Of the confer
ence committee. Senator Clay and Repre-
sentative Moon, refused to sign the report
Of the cohferees. The House conferees held
out as long as they thought they should
against the subsidy provision. Conferences
have been held daily for weeks and wrang-
ling ovsr this one item Of the bill has been
persistent.
To provide for the subsidy. which is in the
form OF mail carrying contracts offered to
steamships sailing between United States
ports and South America. the Philippines.
China. Japan and Australasia. an appropria-
tion Of a. eOs, ,s62 ia made. The new rates
of compensation proposed are about double
what they are now. At present contracts may
be made proportionately to the volume Of
business In the foreign mail service Of the
Pacific. Under the proposed law contracts
will be limited only by the amount Of the
estimated revenue on foreign mail service
which is about 20 ,0oo. 900 a year. and is
growing.
Vessels OF the second class on routes to
South America. the Philippines. Japan,
Sulu6 Uuu hubJidih5ib dlo EofCaltoE W TO-
ceive the same rate per mile for carrying
mails as that paid to vessels Of the first
class. Tho Atlantic lines only rate as first
class now. Vessels Of the third class are to
get tho benefit Of the rates for second class
vessels.
1t is provided that IL no contract 10 made
under tho act for q line Of ships between a
port on the Atlantic coast south OF Cape
Charles and South American ports -the
Postmaster General shall provide that II
two or more lines are established from
north Atlantic ports one Of said lifaes shall
on each outward and homeward voyage
touch at least two ports on the Atlantic
coast south OF Cape Charles
Advocates Of the measure say that the
Inducements offered for carrying the Pacific
mails will result in the establishment Of
several lines OF merchant vessels. While
this will be an effect Of the concession they
deny that tho purpose Of 1t is to benefit
shipowners. Greater mail facilities will
result, 1t Is argued, in developing the trade
Of the United States with South America
and the Orient. This is described as the
primary object in fixing moro liberal rates.
Next. an advantage to the Government is
found in the creation OF steamship lines
whose ships may be utilized by tho Govern
ment as auxiliary vessels in time Of war
The Senate oonferees withdrew the amend
ments providing thirty days annual vacation
for all post Office employees in frst and
second class post offices and all Offices hav-
ing free delivery. The Senate amendment
allowing railway mail clerks 81 a day ex-
penses when absent from their homes on
duty was also withdrawn. The amount saved
by dropping the vacation amendment is
5000. 900 and by dropping the expense al
lowance for railway clerks 81 900. 600.
The House originally provided 81 ,2oO,o 900
for raise in the salaries OF letter carriers
Of the fifth grade from 81. 100 to $1,000
year, making their pay the same as sixth
grade carriers, and at the same time $780,
600 was added to increase the pay of postal
clerks, These provisions were allowed to
stand.
No objection was raised by the House
conferees TO the principle Of giving thirty
days vacation TO post Office employees and
a per diem expense for railway mail clerks.
The contention was based solely on the
deficit in post Office receipts, which is said
to reach SIS, 900 900. Il was intimated that
the concessions now withdrawn would be
granted at future time.
To provide for the rent. equipment and
maintenance Of Station H Of the New York
city post Office in the terminal building
10 appropriated
SUES WIFES PARENTS.