New-York tribune., 1903-06-19
BRISTOW'S GOOD WORK.
ROBB and COCHRAN AID.
The -Four Most Conspicuous Fag-
ures IN the Postal Investigation.
[FRoM THE TRIBUNE BUREAU ]

Washington June 1S.-Perhaps the four most
conspicuous characters in the postoffice inVesu-
cation up to date Joseph L. Bristow. tourth
Assistant Postmaster General: William E. Cocn-
ran chief postoffice inspector and BristoWs
right hand man; Charles H. Robb. Acting AS
sistant Attorney General for the Postoffice De-
partment and August w. Machen formerly
general superintendent of the division of free
delivery.
THE man Mckinley trusted" is the prouoest
title Joseph L. Brstow ever earned ana al
though In the light Of recent events. it might
properly be revised to read 'the man two Pres1-
dents have trusted" it Is doubtful If Mr.. Bris-
tow would welcome the change 1t was III the
trying days of the Cuban postal frauds that
Bristow earned the title of which he is so
Justly proud. Dishonest officials and interested
politicians conspired to undermine the Presl-
dents confidence in the man whose relentless
pursuance of fraud was all too well understood
but nothing served to shake the faith of Presi-
dent Mckinley and his stanch support enabled
Bristow to eradicate the Cuban frauds and bring
the perpetrators TO justice.
When, last March President Roosevelt be-
came convinced of the existence of widespread
frauds in the postal service. it was to Brlstow
he turned. and TO him that vas confic~d the
sweeping investigation which has already
purged the Postoffice Department of a consid-
erable number of dishonest officials and which
will eventually result in the apprehension of
every CRATER" The President has frequently
taken occasion to express his satisfaction with
the thoroughness of Bristow's methods, the in
evitability of his dragnet.
Joseph L. Bristow. newspaper man. the half
owner of two prosperous daily papers, is Ken
tuckian born Kansan by adoption, and true
blue Republican. He appointed to his pres
ent place six years ago. and no man in the gov
ernment service has accomplished more success
fully the duties assigned TO him, delicate and
difficult though they have been.
CHARLES H. ROBES CAREER.
Charles H. Robb of the Departmet of JUS
tice, and Acting Assistant Attorney General
for the Postofffce Department is Green Noun
tain Yankee. From 1894 to 1896 he was States
Attorney for Vermont, and has since been one
OF the legal officers OF the Department of Jus
tice. When the exigencies Of the postal scan
dal made the dismissal of Judge Tyner and
the suspension of Acting Assistant Attorney
General Christiancy necessary, Postmaster Gen
eral Payne applied to Attorney General Knox
for a man who could fill the important place
made vacant and cope with the many difficult
ties which would confront the legal Lewiston
of the Postoffice Department in the progress
of the investigation. There was no hesitation
on the part Of the Attorney General. He
promptly suggested Mr. Robb. and gave him
such a hearty Endorsement that he convinced
the Postmaster General he was comforting a
great favor him in lending Mr.. Robb's SER
vices to him. And Mr.. Robb is a man who
has made good" He has won the admira-
tion and respect of the Postmaster General, of
Mr.. Bristow and. in fact, of all with whom he
has come in contact Not only has he promptly
and efficiently handled the many intricate prob
lens presented by the current investigation but
he has performed all the work of his division.
and brought it UP to date for the first time in
many years. Nor does he finch before the
powerful influence Of "get-rich-quick' concerns
and other fraudulent would-be users of the
mails. Many pending cases have been decided
by Mr. Robb in his brief incumbency-some ia
voraby. many unfavorably, but none hesi-
tatingly. In appearance Mr.. Robb is so youth
full as to cause surprise to those who meet him
for the first time, but few moments CONVEX
sation with him convinces one that he is a force
full and competent attorney. Postmaster Gen
eral Payne has already expressed grave regret
that Mr.. Robb is not to become a permanent
official of the PostofTice Department.
CHIEF INSPECTOR COCHRAN.
Chief Inspector Cochran combines all the
qualities which go to make the successful han
dler Of men. He is open and frank in nature,
big of stature and possesses genial disposition.
1t is somewhat of a joke in the secret SCI vice
of the Postoff1ce Department that the chief
holds the record for reporting the largest num-
ber OF arrests ever made by a single official
at one time He rounded up a Western con-
tinsent of the Coxey Army in Eastern Kansas,
and landed at Fort Leavenworth General"
John S Sanders and Sol others for stealing
passenger train and running it wild through
the State, sidetracking mail trains and every
thing else the TDSp Sc q
native of jamestown, Penn He is fifty years
old. and spent ten years in school work in Kan
sas before taking the Civil Service examina-
tions and entering the government service in
| the Washington postofflce, which he did in
1854, taking place in the auditors office. He
was appointed to the inspectors force in 1891,
and assigned to the st. Louis division. In
1897 he was placed in charge of the Denver
division, and the next year was made chief
| inspector. which post he has held since There
is not man on the inspectors force who will
not swear by his chief, who takes delight in
giving all credit for good work done.
MACHEN'S RECORD.
August W. Machens record is too well known
to call for much comment, although his face is
known TO few aside from members of Congress
and contractors. He is a remarkable example
of man Of great executive ability. who might
have made a most envable record for himself
but who was not content to acquire wealth
honestly and slowly, and who has met the usual
fate of a who attempts to add to his earn
ings by dishonest methods He stands to-day
indicted on the charge Of conspiracy and with
every prospect Of being indicted on other counts
including forgery.
HAD TO REPORT HIS OWN REDUCTION.
Schenck Says He Incurred Beavers's Ill Will