Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-05-14
CARRYING THE MAILS,
What the Work Costs Uncle Sam
Each Year.
STEAMBOAT TRANSPORTATION
II Is Slow and Is Being Discontinucd
Reindeer and Dogs as Carriers In
AIaska-littlef.ld's Retirement From
Congress.


Reindeer and Dogs as Carriers In
Observation-Disclosures Retirement From
Congress.
BY CHARLES w. ARTHUR.
Washington. May o Special. -
Postofiice department officials are grad.
ually reducing or cutting off contracts
with steamboats, for carrying the mails.
1t is claimed that this is done in the
interest of economy and also that in
comparison with the railroad the
steamboat is rather slow for this fast
age. Not long ago the steamboat serv'
ice bot wecn Louisville and cairo on
the Ohio river was abolished. and now
1t is proposed to ahrogate The contract
with a steamboat company which han.
dies the mails for points on the Mis-
Sissippi river between Memphis. Tenn,
and Helena. Ark. Approximately SSH.
0UO,COO is expended through the second
assistant postmaster general in a year
for the transportation of the mails.
OF this Stim a little over S~j0O0O,OOO is
paid to the railroads of the United
States. The balance of the money
goes to lake and river steamers and to
ocean steamers. The department Off
Gals say that Il constant struggle goes
on to lop off expenses here and there,
and the greatest saving to the govern
ment is the multitude Of small. things
that have heretofore been overlooked.
Transporting Mail In Alaska.
Carrying the mails in faroff Alaska
has been costly for Uncle sam. OF
course as that vast country is so little
developed animals are used chiefly in
the interior. In the country c%ontigu-
Gus 10 the coast horses are the main
reliance. but horses cannot make the
trips in the frozen regions adjacent io
The arctic circle. Dogs and reindeer
are the motive power up there. The
latter are not only becoming scarce
but the department officials say they
ore not nearly 50 reliable as dogs. The
reindeer arc. AS Il rule. almost as stub
horn as mules. and it is hard to drive
them along when they become tired
but the Alaska dogs will brave al
danger and exposure.
Reoismation of Swamp Lands.
The secretary of agriculture in re
ponSe TO a senate resolution has fur
niShed a most interesting aud lengthy
statement in regard to the location anr
area Of swamp and o%veriowed land;
susceptible of being drained for agri
culture. the effect Of drainage upor
such lands, tho area drained under tht
laws of the different states and tn
benefits which have resulted there
from. The report has been printed n.
a public document. In due time con
gross Will doubtless make liberal ap
preparations for tho reclamation o.
these swamp lands.
Grstified at Littlefield's Retirement.
Several organizations will be glat
that Representative Littletield of Main,
will soon cease to be in public life, HI
having rendered his resignation as
member of the house to take effec
Sept. so. The labor people are especial
ly gratiied that he is TO quit. for II
has been n stubborn opponent Of mos
Of ne measures these. organization
have been pressing before congress
The members Of the National Pilots
association are also greatly rejoice,
that Mr.. Tittlefeld will not be her
much longer to push his bill abolishin,
compulsory pilota &c. The association
has been compelled for the past six
teen wears to keep some nf their Of
foers in Washington during the Sos
sicns Of congress 70 prevent a chang
in the law which practically mean
death 70 their business. They am
very near being whipped out in tn
last congress. and Mr.. Littlefield wa
the man who fought them hardest.
Warmers Unfinished Speech.
Senator Warner If Missouri. who ha
been %ardcntly upholding the presiden
in MS discharge Of the negro soldier
involved in the Brownsville SHOOTING
had so much 70 say on the subject tina
he was compelled to deliver hi
speeches in sections. Not only va
time getting precious. but the senate
contracted & severe cold. and he aske
unanimous consent to simply print til
rest of what he had TO say in the Cor
gressional Record. Instantly sever
J Democrats objected, and there was
similar inclination on the R~epublica
side of the chamber. inasmuch as tn
! majority leaders are anxious to win
up the business of the session. A ser
ator car print e%Xtraneous matter beal
ing on the subject under discussion t
: his hearts content and MI many page
OF the Record, but the custom is tina
all of his own arguments must eithe
be actually delivered or read by one q
the clerks.
Right In His Element.
Representative Mann Of Chicago
enjoying himself greatly. He fairl
revels in being chairman of the seieC
committee OF the house to conduct III
investigation in regard to wood pull
and print paper. What pleases NJ
Mann is that he has many opportun
ties during a day to have lively scraI
with publishers who ave been sun
moned as witnesses and who are di
posed to hold congress responsible fC
the increase which the paper trust
alleged to have made in it's contracI
within the past year. But, no matte
how much testimony is taken betwee
now and the end of the session, fe'