New-York tribune., 1911-01-10
From The Tribune Bureau.1

POSTAL SUBVENTION.-The President
has taken certain important steps in con-
neCtion with the proposed postal subvention
legislation OF this session which, in his
Judgment, will preclude the possibility OF
the provisions OF the measure, should 1t be-
come law. being used TO foster a monop-
oily or assist those mercantile and produc-
ing monopolies now in existence in the
United States. Senator Gallinger intro
duced the new bill to-day, and incorporated
I'm IL are those provisions which the Presi-
dent has drawn and which he regards as
highly important. The Gallinger bill makes
provision for postal subvention only for
lines running between the United States
AMI points in South America, below the
equator. II forbids the awarding Of
mali contract TO any bidder engaged in
competitive transportation by rail or In the
business OF exporting or importing mer-
chandise and the Postmaster General is
authorized to cancel any contract he may
have awarded II he finds that these pro-
visions have been violated. These provi
stems obviously preclude the possibility OF
the proposed mail contracts being secured
by such a monopoly as the Standard OIL
Company any Of the transconinental rail-
reads, etc. Another provision forbids dis
elimination in rates or any other advantage
between shippers and gives the Postmaster
General the same authority 10 cancel any
contract II this provision is found TO nave
beer violated. The bill limits the expense
(which may be incurred upder il TO $4,000
coo and TO the amount OF revenue received
from the foreign mail service. The meas
o.. . ala ont M l.
tlon by requiring that contracts under It
shall be awarded to those responsible bid
ders who offer the highest rate OF speed.
Tho administration is especially anxious
that this legislation shall be enacted at
this session. II Is realized that II VIII
have little chance in the next Congress,
with a Democratic House and yet 1t is ap-
pre- reciated that its enactment constitutes the
only effective means OF meeting the unfair
competition OF the European shipping trust
which now controls the South American
trade. almost to the exclusion OF the United
States. As heretofore, II is stipulated that
ships which accept the mail subvention
shall be built in accordance with plans ap-
proved by the Navy Department and shall
be at the disposal Of the government in
time of war.
ELECTION OF SENATORS.-The SEN
ate Committee on Judiciary adopted to-day
the report Of its subcommittee on the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution pro-
viding for the popular election OF Senators
and rejected the amendment offered by Mr..
Depew. Mr. Depew contended that the
adoption OF the proposed amendment with
out the provision urged by him would In
effect constitute a repeal of the 18th
Amendment, in that It would amount TO
the sanctioning by a subsequent amend
ment TO the Constitution Of the suffrage
restrictions now imposed In the Southern
States. To obvlate this result, Mr.. Depew
proposed so to alter the proposed amend
ment as TO make the qualifications OF the
electors in all the states uniform. which,
of course, would nullfy the educational
qualifications. "the grandfather clause"
and other methods employed by the South
ern States TO dsfranchise the negroes. II
the popular election amendment comes UP
on the h0or OF the Senate at this session,
Mr. Dcpew VIII renew his fight for his
amendment, and In this ne will enjoy the
support OF Senator Root, who takes the
same position as himself. Such a contest
would prove most embarrassing TO the
Democrats, who. above all things. will cp-
pose anything which would have the effect
o. insuring the right OF franchise 10 the
'". %. 1ut who are, in most instances, COM
mitted to the people on the popular election
Of Senator's.
CONSERVATION LEGISLATION.-Sen
ator Nelson introduced in the Senate to-
day three important conservation bills, all
OF which enjoy the cordial approval of the