The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-16
BRISTOW WAS MAD.
Had No Idea OF What Was Coming
and Resigned.

washington, Jan. 16.-General Joseph
L. BristoW has begun getting his ar
fairs in shape today to assume the du-
ties of his new Office. As special COM
missioner to investigate the subject OF
ans-continental freight rates as they
are affected by the governments own
ership of the Panama railroads, ana the
cooperation of the steamship com
panies, his first visit win be made 10
New York. He Will then go to the Ia
cific coast, stopping for a Few Gays IL
Kansas. General BristOW'S differences
with the postmaster general, his reslS-
nation and the conspicuous compli-Selt
paid him by the president, has been
generally discussed in official and con-
gressional circles. His selection as spec
ial commissioner identifies him in a
prominent way with the administra-
tons effort to adjust freight dlScrllfll-
nations just as his work in exposing
postal frauds gave him prominence IN
another great reform. General BrlS-
lows work at the postoff1ce department
practically came to a close Saturday.
He appointed his private secretary, Jas.
T. Watson, stenographer to accompany
him in his Investigations.
The developments in the Bristow
transfer came so rapidly that no two
newspapers discussed the affair IN the
same way. General Bristow himself
at first labored under a nisapprehen-
sion and with characteristic frankness
spoke his mind to the president When
he visited the White House the only
information he had was that the post
office inspectors had been taken away
from him. He wrote out his reslgna-
ton and put it in his pocket He
asked for no faVOrS and proceeded
forthwith to make it clear that he
did not propose to stand for any re-
auctions in his bureau.
The resignation was laid before the
president and he insisted on its imme-
date acceptance 1t was now the
presidents turn to submit few OBJ
servations. He began to explain that
no discourtesy had been intended and
that the order OF the postmaster gen
eral was simply in accordance with a
general plan to reorganize the de-
partment. The president then as
ed to issue an order which would in
dictate to the public the administra-
tons appreciation of his work. Still
BristoW did not know what was COM
ing and he was not in the humor to
accept bouquets. All he could see
was the order of the postmaster gem
eral transferring the postofice in
spectors, and he insisted on having his
White House in a most unhappy
frame of mind.
The president made no mention of
more important billet for his indignant
visitor, but no sooner had General Bris-
tow left the executive offices than the
president called Secretary Taft in confer
ence. General BristoW instead of cooling
Off, got angrier as the hours passed. The
president sent for Senator Long and Cen
eral Brlstow to meet him and the Secre-
tary of war. The official order creating
the office Of special commissioner had
been decided upon, but General Bristow
would not even wait to hear what his du-
ties were to be or his salary. He said he
was going to quit the government service
Secretary Taft and Senator Long had
in the meanwhile come to an understand
ing and the Importance of the office final
~ began to dawn on the indignant fourth
assistant postmaster general. For months
Secretary Long had on different Occa-
sions discussed with the president the adj
EMPLOYING General RTiStOW
in connection With the Panama canal
work and here was the office being
handed out to him. 1t was the office
General BristoW had wanted too, and it
had come to him in a totally unexpected
manner.
The various members of the Kansas
delegation did not succeed in thoroughly
rounding to until they had digested the
tbat EeDsrs BUsto U bs1 1eeera ldg
high dudgeon and was on the eve of TAX
ing a train for Kansas.