The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-21
Our CONSULAR SERVICE.
suggested Improvement of Thi
Branch of the H. s. Governments

Suggested Improvement of This
Branch of the U. s. Government.
The following was prepared for the
Transmississippi Commercial Congress by
Mr., f. b. 7. Hollenberg of Little Rock,
Ark. representing the National Business
league:
The Reorganization of the United
States Consular Service is the subject
assigned TO me. and is one in which
can offer but few expressions that have not
been made by Others
1t does not often fall to the lot OF one
VINO has devoted his entire time to the
regular channels Of trade and commerce
to discuss the reorganization of any OF
the departments of our government, and
In assuming the task 1t Is done only in
the sense of responding to duty imposed
upon me.
In considering the reorganization of the
united States consular service we must
Dear in mind that the consul Is strictly a
commercial agent; as such he must gov
ern himself and be governed by the ordi-
nary requirements and rules OF business
In small affairs the commercial agent must
nave at ready command full knowledge of
ms individual line; he must know the abil-
ltles and resources from which he draws
his supplies. and at the same time be
fully conversant and acquainted with the
people with whom he comes in contact.
How much more necessary must it be,
therefore, when we view the commercial
agent OF the United States, the grandest
and most glorious of all the nations OF
the world, that he be able to properly
represent the character, ability. honesty
and zeal OF the American people, and I'M
uerstand the resources and character OF
the people with whom he deals.
II must be demanded OF him that he be
lully acquainted with the greatness OF
our people, our resources. industrial facll-
tues and all other phases of our CONNER
eial supremacy. He ought to understand
tne language OF the country to which he
IS sent, after which by familiarlzing him
sell with needs Of the people in the held
OF ms operations he may be said to be
capable OF entering upon the duties OF his
ounce. TO, properly fill that office he
must add to the other requirements that
great american quality hustle
me reorganization Of the United States
consular service is perhaps one OF the most
sinpo'tant subjects now under cons.dera-
tloh' AZ all stages OF the Nations COM
meroial life whenever there has been an
expansion OF trade with foreign countries.
we service has stood out as lamentably
uehc1ent This perhaps does not proye
mat the service in the past was partlcu-
u1y at fault. but is clear exposition
that increasing commerce and trade de-
mand increasing efficiency.
me growth OF the great American Re-
public has been SO phenomenal that no
legislators could at any time have enacted
Jaws and regulations pertaining to busi-
ness activity which would be thoroughly
applicable or comprehensive enough TO
meet the changed conditions OF even a
rev years in the future.
80 1t is that we ind in the recommends
lions Of practically all OF the presidents,
from Mr.. Washington TO Mr.. Mckinley.
tnat the consular service be ENLARGED re-
adjusted and improved.
50 Il is that now when the greatest
soiume OF trade ever known in the history
OF the world Is at the command Of the
United States we find our consular SER
vice is Inadequate.
30 II is when We are confronted by ,till
greater opportunities soon TO be ours by