The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-14
WiII Make Careful Examination
 of Traffic Conditions
UNDER WAR DEPARTMENT
President Roosevelt Issues Executive Order Appointing HIm Special Commissioner to Visit South
 America and Europe.

Washington, January 13-Joseph L. Bristow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, today rendered to the President his resignation as an officer of the pos tai service to take effect on the 2oth inst.
 By an executive order issued late this afternoon, President Roosevelt designated MT. Bristow a special commissioner to make an investigation Into the present trade conditions, and freight rates be- tween the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. and between the west coast of South America and the east coast of the United States, and Europe, and to determine the best policy of managing the American railroad
 The announcement came at the conclu- sion of an extended conference today be- tween the President Secretary Taft. Mir Bristow and Senator Long of Kansas.
 The text of the order issued by the President follows:
 'It is ordered that Joseph l.. Bristow of Kansas be appointed a special commis- sioner for the purpose of visiting the ports of the Pacific coast, the lsthmus of Panama, New York and such other ports as may be necessary to make an in- vestigaton Into the present trade condi- tions and freight rates between the Att lantic and Pacific coasts, across the lsthmus of Panama and between the west coast of South America and the east coast of the United States and Europe, Tor the purpose of determining the best policy to be pursued in the management of the Panama Railroad company
 He is authorized to employ for this purpose a stenographer at not exceeding $o day and his actual and necessary ex- penses and to take evidence of all per- sons whose knowledge of trade conditions or rates will assist in reaching the neces- sary conclusion.
 ''The Secretary of War will furnish to the special commissioner a letter of in- struction in detail as to the course and extent of his investigation. and as to the tune when he snaIl report his conclu- sions.
 Until his report is forthcoming, the commissioner will be allowed his actual expenses and $l5 a day. The President Will hnally fix his entire compensation. As MT. Bristow will need until January 2O lyo, to close up matters awaiting his disposition Fourth Assistant Postmas- ter General, this order will take effect on that date. The isthmian canal com mission Is directed to provide the funds
 
 ''fHEODOR ROOSEVELT"
 After the conference at the White House Senator Long said that the trans Ter or MT BristOw from the Postofice department to work in connection with the proposed isthman canal. had been under consideration for a long time. Secretary Taft" said the Senator. desired 10 utilize MT Bristow's serv- ices in connection with the work of con- structing the canal, and has had the idea In mind of appointing him a commission- CT to investigate the trade and freight conditions ever since he returned from the lsthmus of Panama The President readily acceded to Secretary Taft's suo- gestion. and as the work will be entirely congeniaL MT Brstow has accented ina new position"
 MT Bristow has had interviews with the President and Secretary Taft reeard- Ing the matter. but his final determIna ton was not reached until today. His decision to accept the special commits slonership was hastened, 1t is understood Dy the transfer yesterday of the divis- lon or postofice inspectors form the bu reau or the Fourth Assistant Postmaster General to the direct control of the Post master General himself. Mir Bristow re- garded the issuance of the order of trans Ter or the division as a reflection unou hlm. That the order as to the insnactors, division was not issued with the idea of humiliatng MT. Bristow is evidenced hv the Presidents action today.
 Mr. Bristow will continue as Fourth As sistant Postmaster General until inc 9nth inst, when he will enter immediateIv upon his new task