The Raymer enterprise., 1922-03-23
NUMBER OF POSTAL INSPECTORS
INCREASED FROM 42o
TO $40.
PASS POSTOFf|CE BILL
APPROPRIATION MADE TO RE.
STORE NEW YORK TUBE
SERVICE.
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Washington.-Th postoffice appro-
priation bill, carrying S623, 773l000, was
passed by the Senate after heated
fight. The measure carries 63,309,-
600 more than as passed by the House,
$50, 100000 Of the increase going for
federal highway aid.
The bill also carries provisions for
restoring to service the New York
pneumatic mali tubes and for contin-
ring the New York to San Francisco
air mall service. The vote on the tube
amendment was 80 10 10, and came
after bitter attack had been made
on the proposition by several Demo-
Gratis. The $5O,000.0O0 was accepted
by the Senate without debate and with
out roll call.
The fight centering around postof-
flee appointments, originating early in
discussion of the bill, resulted just be-
fore adjournment Of the Senate in the
introduction by Senator Harrison,
Democrat, Of Mississippi, Of resolu-
ton calling on the President to supply
the Senate with the number Of execu-
tive orders he has issued removing
postoffices from civil service classifi-
cation. The resolution went over un-
der the rules.
The fight which eliminated in the
Harrison resolution was precipitated
by an amendment increasing the num-
her OF postal inspectors from 420 to
$40, move which Mr.. Harrison
charged was to make more places for
Republicans. The debate quickly en-
tered the subject OF postmaster ap-
pointments and the President was
charged with having removed the
Marion, Ohio, office from civil service
by executive order so that he could
appoint the postmaster In his home
town.
This amendment involved $235, 900
but II required two hours Of discus.
sion and a record vote. 40 to q. be
fore 1t was finally put into the bill.
As for the New York tubes. Sena.
tor McKellar. Democrat. Tennessee
claimed that the Seante was giving
its approval to something that is
dangerously near brazen steal Of fed,
eral funds"
Senator Norris Republican, Nebras-
ka, predicted that another generation
would see the construction Of such
tubes for the transportation of mail
between great cities instead Of in the
more limited districts such as con.
gested areas Of New York.
During consideration Of the amend.
ment to increase the number of postal
inspectors from 42O to $40. the Senate
defeated an amendment by Senator
McKellar, to Increase the number only
80 instead Of 100. Senator Harrison's
charges Of politics aroused the Repub.
licans and Chairman Townsend of the
postoffice committee, informed the
Senate that there were pending some
1900 claims and protests in the pos
tai service, and he believed the add.
ti0nal inspectors would save the gov.
ernment as much as $4,000, 600 year
In cleaning up those cases.
From the subject Of claims against
the government the debate went into
the filling Of vacancies In postmaster.
ships and here politics again wa.
charged. Senator McKellar, Demo
crat. Tennessee, described President
Harding's ruling giving former service
men priority in appointment after
passage Of civil service examinations,
as the greatest hoax we have SEEN"
He scorned statements that the ruling
was being carried out.